Global Climate Change
A climate characteristic that is changing and includes temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, and storm frequency.
Global warming
An increase in Earth's average surface temperature.
Proxy indicator
A type of indirect evidence that serves as a substitute for direct measurement and sheds light on past climate.
Climate model
A program that combines what is known about the atmosphere and oceans to simulate, or imitate, climate processes.
Fossil fuel
A fuel that formed millions of years ago from the remains of living things.
Evidence of a warming earth.
1. Warming temperatures are reducing the amount of snow and ice that cover the North and South poles.
2. precipitation patterns are changing.
3. Glaciers and polar ice are melting.
4. Sea levels are rising in many parts of the world.
Studying climate change
1. Scientists measure conditions such as temperature and precipitation directly in order to learn more about climate change.
2. Proxy indicators such as air bubbles in ice indicate past climates. Computerized climate models can imitate climate processes.
Finding the cause of climate change.
1. High levels of greenhouse gases are increasing the greenhouse effect.
2. Extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is mainly the result of human activities, such as the use of fossil fuels.
What two conclusions has the IPCC made about global climate change?
Global warming is occurring and human activities have contributed to global warming.
Two ways in which precipitation patterns have changed.
Some areas are receiving less precipitation than in the past; in other areas heavy rainstorms have increased.
What changes have scientists noted regarding the size and number of glaciers on Earth?
Glaciers are shrinking in size and number of glaciers on Earth.
What happens to seawater when it warms? What effect does this have on sea levels?
Its volume increases causing sea levels to rise.
How do scientists study current climate conditions?
They measure conditions, such as temperature and precipitation, directly.
What are proxy indicators and why are they important to climate scientists?
Proxy indicators are types of indirect evidence that serve as substitutes for direct measurement. They shed light on past climate.
List three types of proxy indicators.
Ice cores, ancient sediments, tree rings.
How do researchers test the accuracy of climate models.?
By comparing the results of climate models to what the actual climate was.
What contribution did Charles Keeling make to the understanding of global warming?
He started taking regular measurements of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, which showed that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing.
What greenhouse gas is considered the most responsible for global warming?
Carbon Dioxide
Scientist agree the causes of global warming include;
industrialization, the use of motor vehicles, increased burning of fossil fuels.
Coral bleaching
The death of algae normally found in reef-building corals.
Effects of climate change
Habitats are shifting, birds are migrating sooner, arctic ice sheets are melting, Oceans are getting warmer, coral reefs are dying off, and ocean water is more acidic.
Why might early migration be harmful to bird populations?
Birds that return early to summer nesting areas may not have a ready food source available.
How does the loss of coral reefs affect marine ecosystems and people?
Coral reefs provide rich habitats for marine life, such as sponges and many types of fish, all of which are part of coral reef food chains. Many fish that people eat come from coral reefs. Coral reefs protect beaches against waves and support the tourist
What seems to be contributing to coral bleaching?
Unusually warm ocean water temperatures.
How will the range of ticks that carry Lyme disease likely be affected if northern Canada becomes warmer?
The ticks, and Lyme disease, will probably spread northward.
In the United States, does the majority of the population live in coastal areas or inland areas?
The majority live in coastal areas.
Future Impact of Global Warming as predicted by computer modeling?
1. Disease-may move into new parts of the world.
2. Sea levels-Will rise as oceans become warmer and polar ice melts.
3. Fresh water supplies-Could decrease as salt water intrudes, this will impact drinking water and electricity generated by dams.
Carbon footprint
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions for which an individual or group is responsible.
Carbon tax
A fee the government charges polluters for each unit of greenhouse gases they emit.
Carbon offset
A voluntary payment made when one industry or person, instead of reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, pays another group or person to do so.
Carbon sequestration
The storage of captured carbon, such as placing it underground.
Kyoto Protocol
An international agreement that seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Ways to conserve energy
1. Unplug electronics when they are not in use.
2. Use a microwave oven, rather than a conventional oven, whenever possible.
3. Run the dishwasher cycle only when the dishwasher is fully loaded.
Alternate sources of electricity
1. Nuclear power
2. Solar power
3. Geothermal power
Why is it important for individuals to reduce their carbon footprints?
It reduces the release of greenhouse gases. This reduction can help lessen the severity of future climate change.
Why are vehicles in other nations more efficient than vehicles in the United States?
We have the technology, just not the motivation at this time to demand it.
How could students reduce their dependence on cars?
They could ride their bikes more often or walk.
cap-and trade
A program in which a government sets a limit on carbon emissions, but allows industries to sell leftover allowances.
carbon- tax
a fee the government charges polluters.
carbon offset
voluntary payment made to reduce greenhouse gases.
How can improved agriculture and forestry help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Practice careful farming to prevent soil erosion. This way the soil will hold more carbon. In forestry trees can be replaced by planting new ones. They would take in carbon and prevent erosion.
What is one identified difficulty with storing captured carbon underground?
Carbon could leak out.
What was the reason the plan drafted in 1992 United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change did not succeed?
It was a voluntary and was not followed by all nations.
Why has the United States not signed the Kyoto Protocol?
They felt it was unfair.
Why was the result of the Copenhagen Accord noted as a hopeful sign for the future?
It was a good agreement and they agreed to meet later to develop a binding agreement to address climate change.
Problems that contribute to global warming
1. Carbon footprint, 2. Fuel-inefficiency, 3. Greenhouse gas emissions.
Solutions developed to address the problems.
Alternate fuels, cap and trade, carbon offset, energy star program, solar power.
Water vapor and carbon dioxide are examples of what?
Greenhouse gases.
Greenhouse effect
Natural process of trapping heat near Earth.
Topography
Surface characteristics of an area.
Thermohaline circulation
An ocean pattern in which warm, less salty water moves along the surface of the water and cooler, saltier water moves deep below the surface.
How are climates in mountainous areas different than in areas with less topography?
In the mountains it is much colder than in areas with less topography (flat areas)
What causes wind?
Convection currents that result in from unequal heating.
How does planting trees help with global warming?
Planting trees help global warming because trees take in C O 2 and remove it from the atmosphere.
How do volcanoes affect climate?
The gases and particles block the sunlight and cool the atmosphere.