Term
|
Definition
| How much YOU contribute to the atmosphere |
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Term
|
Definition
| The more EVIDENCE that is accumulated to support a process (or theory), the higher the probability it is true, and the more CONFIDENT we can be that is true. |
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Term
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Definition
| much of the water from glacial runoff feeds streams and multiple freshwater sources that are necessary for many people. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Hole in the ozone layer causing more harmful radiation to enter into our atmosphere...laws passed that have helped to slow the process |
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Term
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Definition
| Adding iron to water in order to make algae blooms grow more and take up more CO2 |
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Term
|
Definition
| Taking carbon from where it is being emitted and storing it underground for isolation |
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Term
|
Definition
| Pump CO2 emitted from energy plants into depleted oil and gas fields; coal seams and deep saline reservoirs storage. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Injecting and storing CO2 underground |
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Term
| What is the connection between "evidence" for and "confidence" in a process? |
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Definition
| if there is more evidence to support the theory then there is more confidence in the theory. |
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Term
| Why are some processes easier to be certain about than others? |
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Definition
| easier to be certain about how much co2 is in the atmosphere and harder to tell how that effects temp. |
|
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Term
| WHich parts of the GCC process are easiest to demonstrate? Which are the most difficult? |
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Definition
1 aka not difficult=ppl increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases, the earth temp rising substantially, the earths temp affects climate
2 aka moderately difficult=greenhouse gases trap heat and warm earth, other dramatic changes in climate=global climate change
3 aka very difficult=ppl are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases which CAUSES the earths temp to rise substantially. The earth temp rising substantially CAUSES other dramatic changes in climate=global climate change |
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Term
| Are there more scientists that believe that humans are contributing to GCC than there are "skeptics"? |
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Definition
there are more scientists trying to prove it to be true but all it takes is one skeptic to cause doubt against those 100s of scientists.
the scientists have to prove it beyond imaginable doubt. |
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Term
| Why is it not surprising that there are skeptics? |
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Definition
| cuz there is always two sides to science since nothing is ever certain. |
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Term
| Why are some scientists frustrated when "both sides" of GCC are given equal coverage time on news programs? |
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Definition
| because it only takes one skeptic to cause doubt when there are 100 or more scientists on the other side with so much data. its like 1 against 100 and the 1 usually wins. |
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Term
| Understand the grid about treating GCC with risk management. |
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Definition
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Term
| What do the four squares in the grid represent? |
|
Definition
upper left=global warming is false but we took action anyway so :(=we might have hurt the economy for nothing
upper right=it was false and we didnt take action so :)=there was never a problem
lower left=humans and global warming was true, but we took action anyway so :l= good we did something
lower right=was proved true but took no action so we are screwed with global disaster.
x axis=yes or no action
y axis=humans cause global warming true or false |
|
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Term
| Why does Greg argue that we should not be debating whether GCC is occurring but rather what we should be doing? |
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Definition
because the grid allows us to make a decision using uncertain knowledge by changing the ?
cuz science is never certain so why wait to take action=compared it to insurance |
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Term
| What argument is made that the "GCC is True" should be given more weight in the risk management table? |
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Definition
| well the risk of not taking action when its true is much more of a risk (global disaster) then if its true and take action (we just mess up the economy a bit) |
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Term
| How could ethics play into the risk management? |
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Definition
| well if we dont take action it effects the world and not just the Us. it effects countries that didnt even contribute to the problem but they would be the hardest hit if global disaster were to occur. |
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Term
| Do people ever prepare for an event even when they are NOT positive it will happen? How does this question relate to GCC? |
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Definition
| related to insurance. we buy it in case of an accident when there is not guarantee that it will ever happen. Well if we take action and there is an accident then we are covered--apply the same concept to GCC. |
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Term
| Are some people that are not contributed to GCC affected by it? What are some examples? |
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Definition
| yes. florida, bangladesh, glacial runoff etc. |
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|
Term
| What was the ozone layer hole example used to demonstrate (in relation to GCC)? |
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Definition
| it was another global example that was taken action on and it is actually working. same situation as far as skeptics and all, but they took action to reduce CFCs anyway and it seems to be working. |
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|
Term
| What contributes to the ozone hole and what was done about it? |
|
Definition
| CFCs contribute to it and we reduced it and limited the production and it is working towards the ozone layer. |
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|
Term
| What are the three broad things we can do as individuals to combat GCC? |
|
Definition
reduce our own impact ("footprint")
become actively involved in issue
vote for ppl that will act on issue |
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Term
| How many tons of CO2 do Americans on average, produce each year? How does this compare to the amount of garbage they produce? |
|
Definition
20.4 tons.
its 12 times more than the amount of garbage produced. |
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Term
| If you car gets 20 mpg how much CO2 (in weight) will you produce if you go 10 miles? 100 miles? Etc. What if you car got 40 miles per gallon? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Some cars produce more CO2 than others. Why? |
|
Definition
| cuz they have different miles per gallon duh |
|
|
Term
| What is "switching to green power"? |
|
Definition
more expensive
is generated power from renewable resources like water, wind, and solar energy. |
|
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Term
| What are the top 5 ways Americans (on average) can reduce CO2 use? |
|
Definition
switch to green power
seal and insulate duct system
drive a fuel-efficient car
replace an old hot water heater
control heating temperatures |
|
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Term
| Most ways to reduce CO2 usage save money. Why? |
|
Definition
| cuz the more ppl do it the cheaper it gets. and insulating is also much less expensive. and so is a green car in the long run |
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|
Term
| When you replace a regular light bulb with a compact fluorscent, about how much less CO2 you put in the air? Why? (i.e how does changing a light buld lead to less C)2 in the air?) |
|
Definition
saves about 500 lbs
??????? |
|
|
Term
| Is CO2 a pollutant? (Different people have different answers) |
|
Definition
yes. a natural pollutant
no from skeptics
also different presidents had different opinions. clinton=yes. bush=no. Obama=yes |
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Term
| What are two big ideas to reduce CO2 concentration in the atmosphere? |
|
Definition
geological storage
biological pump |
|
|
Term
| How do "biological pumps" work? What is the current opinion on whether they will be useful in the future? |
|
Definition
add iron to the oceans
algae blooms will use more CO2
die and bring down to bottom
so less co2 in atm.
BUT many researchers are skeptical if its a long term fix or not. and the impacts of it for ecological impacts are long term |
|
|
Term
| What is "geological storage" and how does it work? |
|
Definition
pump co2 emitted form energy plants into depleted oil and gas fields; coal seams and deep saline reservoirs storage (back under ground)
production, capture, transportation, and injection back underground. |
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Term
|
Definition
| flow of currents around the periphery of an ocean (the circular like currents in the oceans) |
|
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Term
|
Definition
unit for energy absorption worldwide
energy that his a given area per unit time |
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Term
|
Definition
| what causes climate change. slight change in temp leads to uneven heat distribution which leads to diff temps at diff areas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
large scale weather pattern
pattern of wind circulation that changes with seasons.
brings rains that dramatically flood areas
caused by uneven heat distribution like that of a rain shadow effect
summer=land hotter than ocean. air rises over land, wind flows form ocean and brings rain
winter=land is cooler. air rises over ocean. wind flows from land to ocean.
there's a north American monsoon. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
"mini-monsoons"
can occur near large or small bodies of water.
same mechanism as with regular monsoons, but on a smaller scale.
during the day: sun heats land faster than water. air rises on land and is lower pressure than over water so wind moves from over water to land.
night=opposite |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
same as a sea breeze just on a smaller scale.
"mini monsoon"
day: sun heats land faster. air rises over land so low pressure and wind comes from water to land.
night: opposite. |
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Term
|
Definition
| another word for lake or sea breezes |
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Term
|
Definition
an oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical pacific having important consequences for weather around the globe
happens when there is a change in the walker or normal circulation. the winds get weaker.
changes in thermocline, water surface and water temp and rain location
warm water traeling to peru so dont get the nutrients from cold water. |
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Term
|
Definition
opposite of el nino
winds get stronger during la nina so more water pushed that way and even colder in peru
changes=warm water is even further west, cold water in east is even colder |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| the normal circulation of wind distribution (like a rectangle over the ocean) |
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Term
|
Definition
| when lake effect snow hits fast. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
caused by
cold air mass from the polar regions of Canada
blows over the great lakes
warmer lake water heats air and the warm moister air rises/convects upward
this air mass blows over land
friction slows the air over land as it snows |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| the stretch or length of a water body |
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Term
| What factors lead to world wide gyres? An explanation should include (general, details, not needed) the role of atmospheric circulation, the Coriolis effect, and uneven heat distribution. |
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Definition
| atmospheric circulation and the Coriolis effect drives ocean surfaces currents. ocean currents carry heat to land because of uneven heat distribution |
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|
Term
| In the transfer of heat between the oceans and land, where does the heat come from, and where does it go and what moves it? |
|
Definition
warm water flows near the equator to higher latitudes (northern hemisphere) and brings heat with it
winds brings heat off water to land
after this cooled water sinks or moves back to the equator and the cycle continues |
|
|
Term
| Some cities that are the same distance from the equator have very different temperatures due to gyres. Explain why. |
|
Definition
| because there is a difference in ocean heat transport due to the size of the ocean and the origin of the current (whether its coming from somewhere cold or warm) |
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|
Term
| Where is most of the sun's energy absorbed? Which latitudes? Atmosphere or oceans? |
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Definition
| most of the suns energy is absorbed at the equator for both atmopheric and this leads to warmer waters near the equator and thus uneven heat distribution that drives wind. |
|
|
Term
| Where does most rain come from originally? |
|
Definition
more heat near equator=most water evaporation at equator=heterogeneity of heat absorption=wind currents
basically means that water vapor starts in the oceans near the equator and is then transported by atmospheric circulation over the earth |
|
|
Term
| What does heterogeneity of heat absorption on earth have to do with rain in Michigan? (Video on slide) |
|
Definition
| it comes from the equator and is brought to michigan by atmospheric circulation. |
|
|
Term
| Monsoons: Where, generally are seasions defined by wet and dry, rather than cold and wet? |
|
Definition
India
and even in north america=soutwest US and nw mexico |
|
|
Term
| Monsoons: What is a monsoon (It is NOT a lot of rain though it may bring a lot of rain) |
|
Definition
large scale weather pattern
its a pattern of wind circulation that changes with seasons. brings rains that dramatically flood areas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| uneven heat distribution caused by land mass warms and cools much faster than the ocean. |
|
|
Term
| How is a monsoon different in the summer and winter? Understand why. |
|
Definition
summer=land is hotter than ocean
air rises over land=low pressure
wind flows from ocean to land
brings moisture and rain
winter=land is cooler than ocean
air rises over ocean=low pressure
wind flows from land to ocean. |
|
|
Term
| Are there monsoons in the US? Where? What are they sometimes called? |
|
Definition
Yes
in SW US and NW Mexico
not as strong or persistent as India
also called "summer thunderstorm season" |
|
|
Term
| Lake breezes and monsoons operate with the same process. So what is the difference? |
|
Definition
| its a mini monsoon and it happens day (summer) and night (like winter monsoon) |
|
|
Term
| How would lake breezes on a sunny and cloudy day differ? |
|
Definition
| would heat up the land slower and the breeze would be less. |
|
|
Term
| Which way would smoke blow from a fire on a lakeshore in the day? At night? |
|
Definition
from water to land during the day
from land to water during the night |
|
|
Term
| Which ocean do El Nino events arise in? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What starts El Nino events? |
|
Definition
they occur when the atmosphere-ocean interaction in the pacific near the equator change.
aka the trade winds weaken. so warm water in west "sloshes" back to the east
so upwelling weakens and theres less nutrient supply in the east and leads to more rain there |
|
|
Term
| How often do strong El Nino events occur? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What do the trade-winds have to do with Cholera? (This is a step by step question: the trade winds are involved with El Nino events, which affect the environment in a way that affects Cholera levels) |
|
Definition
el nino events lead to increased cholera in Bangladesh.
cholera infects people through infected water.
so when increase in water temp due to el nino events lead to higher infection rates
so: the changing winds over the pacific lead to more cholera infectious waters |
|
|
Term
| How does the Walker circulation affect ocean temperatures (in the west and east), water levels the thermocline rain location over the Pacific ocean and nutrients? How do these patterns change during El Nino and La Nina events? |
|
Definition
basically caused by uneven heat distribution and where it rises over land that is hot cools and falls onto south america. then over water and colloects moisture towards asia where ir rains a lot.
el nino=winds become weaker so the warmer air going to asia falls back and cant make it there so falls back to south america.
la nina=stronger winds so it basically stretches the whole thing out which changes where it rains and the temp. |
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Term
| How could changes in the trade winds affect anchovy fisherman? |
|
Definition
| because it would cause and el nino (weaker trade winds) or la nina (stronger trade winds) which change the walker circulation thus increasing the thermocline and changing the temps and where it rains. |
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Term
| Be able to interpret the figure on slides that show how El Nino events affect climate in the US. |
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Definition
| in Minnesoat th temp is 3 degrees warmer during el nino while florida is 1 degree colder. just shows that our oceans drive out climate and a change like el nino can affect the world. |
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Term
| What are some of the world wide consequences of El Nino events? (expected to know the listed effects for the 82/83/98 El Nino but not where they occurred) |
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Definition
82/83 el nino caused drought in Aus. south america fish industry devastated. flooding in colorado river. peru=floods. etc.
98=el nino. 40 killed 10000buildings damages by tornadoes in US
cali got more rain
heavy winter rains in peru
hawaii=record drought
croup failure, drought, and floods |
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Term
|
Definition
| lake effect snow that travels quickly. aka ground blizzards |
|
|
Term
| How much snow can fall in 24 hour period due to lake-effect snow? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Where in the world is lake effect snow the most prevalent? |
|
Definition
| occur in great lakes region, from Wisconsin to New York, more than anywhere else in the world. |
|
|
Term
| What two main factors are required for large amounts of lake-effect snow? |
|
Definition
need a large fetch. >100 miles is needed
large difference in air and water temp. aka air must be at least 13 degrees C colder. |
|
|
Term
| Remember to know (understand) the point that each figure is illustrating. For example the one with Lake Ontario in the Lake Effect Snow section. |
|
Definition
| only hits certain areas harder because of the trade winds and the direction they are going in that area due to the coriolos affect. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| Broad, describes conditions over large regions and over seasons, years or longer |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| Narrow, describes conditions locally and over hours or days. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Describes changes in Earth’s climate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Refers to the earths warming, often used synonymously with Global Climate Change, is only one aspect of Global Climate Change |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Effectively absorb infrared radiation emitted by earth
Re-emit heat
Some goes to space
Some goes to earth and atmosphere
Essentially trap heat and warm earth. |
|
|
Term
| Visible Light (radiation) |
|
Definition
| electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation |
|
|
Term
| Ultraviolet (UV) radiation |
|
Definition
| Radiation that is harmful to people in large amounts |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| Radiation from the sun that causes heat. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Measure of how much one molecule contributes to warming
Expressed in relationship to CO2 |
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Term
|
Definition
| One of the contributing factors that hurts the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One of the contributing factors that hurts the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One of the contributing factors that hurts the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One of the contributing factors that hurts the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Forests remove carbon from the atmosphere: less forests, less CO2 removal.
Forests have been cleared to use the land for crops, pastures, and places to live.
only 15% of the original primary forest remains in US
Tropical rain forests are being cut at a rate of 500,000 km2 per year and could be almost completely eliminated in a few decades |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| More of a certain item just creates more and more effects. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
| More of a certain item ends in something else being less. |
|
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Term
|
Definition
Indirect measures
Especially used to tell about the past |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| plant pollen grains indicate what was growing in the past which holds clues to climate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
International panel of scientists and government officials established in 1988 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Extended period of time without water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a great flowing or overflowing of water, especially over land not usually submerged |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| deliver water to the bedrock, lubricating the ice sheet, leading it to break off |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the difference between climate and weather? |
|
Definition
Climate: broad
Describes conditions
over large regions
over seasons, years or longer
Weather: narrow
Describes conditions
Locally
Over hours or days |
|
|
Term
| What is the difference and relationship between global climate change and global warming? |
|
Definition
Global Climate Change:
Describes changes in Earth’s climate
Global Warming
Refers to the earths warming
Often used synonymously with Global Climate Change.
Is only one aspect of Global Climate Change |
|
|
Term
| What three main factors affect the Earth's climate? |
|
Definition
| Sun, Atmosphere, and Ocean |
|
|
Term
| How does the green house effect heat cars? Heat the earth? |
|
Definition
Radiation from sun hits the windows:
UV radiation does not go through
(so you can’t get a sunburn)
Infrared bounces off windows
Visible light does go through
(that is why they are called windows)
Once inside the car:
Visible light is absorbed and heats object in the car
Heat is emitted as infrared radiation, but can’t go through windows.
Heat is trapped!!
The same way but instead of windows, it is the ozone layer. |
|
|
Term
| What types of radiation do and don't pass through glass? Through greenhouse gasses? |
|
Definition
| Infrared and visible go through the glass. UV doesn't go through glass. Some infrared rays do not leave the greenhouse gases and stay trapped in the atmosphere. |
|
|
Term
| What is similar between glass and green house gasses (concerning the greenhouse effect)? |
|
Definition
| Some radiation can get through the glass/greenhouse gases but some can also be trapped behind these as well. |
|
|
Term
| Is the greenhouse effect warming the earth a new phenomenon? If not, what's the big deal? |
|
Definition
| No, it is just starting to have a greater effect now than it ever has before. |
|
|
Term
| What is "Global Warming Potential" of a molecule? |
|
Definition
measure of how much one molecule contributes to warming.
so 1 potential for co2 means has a unit of one effect. methane is like 23 carbon dioxides and so on |
|
|
Term
| About how many CO2 molecules have the same effect on Global Warming as 1 Methane molecule? What about as 20 methane molecules? |
|
Definition
23 co2=1 methane
20 methane molecules =23 times 20 effect |
|
|
Term
| About how many nitrous oxide molecules has the same effect on global warming as 600 CO2 molecules?(table, no memorizing) |
|
Definition
1 nitrous oxide=296 co2
so 600/296 is like 2 something |
|
|
Term
| What is the main message of the figure showing how CO2 changed since about 1957? What do the annual peaks indicate and what causes them? |
|
Definition
point is that the greenhouse gases are increasing so it will effect the earths climate
also the highs and lows are the summer and winters or the tilt of the earths axis. winter=more co2 cuz no plants taking it in. summer=opposite (thats what the peaks indicate) |
|
|
Term
| Which gas is considered to contribute the most to greenhouse gasses? What are the two main reason it is increasing? What are two other gasses that also contribute a large percentage to greenhouse gasses? |
|
Definition
co2
cuz of burning fossil fuels
and deforestation
methane and nitrous oxide are others |
|
|
Term
| How does deforestation contribute to the concentration of greenhouse gasses? |
|
Definition
| forest remove carbon from atm. less forests=less co2 removal. |
|
|
Term
| What are the two opposing effects an increase in water vapor would have on global warming? Which of these two are examples of positive and negative feedback? |
|
Definition
positive feedback=more warming--more water in air--more warming==more water in air etc.
negative feedback=more warming--more water vapor--less warming--lower water vapor |
|
|
Term
| If there is a cold year, does this mean there is no global warming? Why or why not? |
|
Definition
| no there is still global warming cuz it is still a natural process and co2 actually increases in winter |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
indirect measures.
especially used to tell about the past |
|
|
Term
| How are ice cores, tree rings, and sediment cores used to measure climate? |
|
Definition
all proxy measures.
ice core=water molecules form colder periods have less "heavy isotopes" of hydrogen and oxygen
tree rings--wetter years lead to large tree rings
sediment cores--plant pollen grains indicate what was growing in the past which holds clues to climate. |
|
|
Term
| What is the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) and what does it do? |
|
Definition
international panel of scientists and govt officials est in 1988
IPCC assessment reports. represent consensus of scientific research and document observed trends and predictions |
|
|
Term
| What are the predicted effects of global climate change on precipitation? |
|
Definition
will vary by region around the world
expect some areas to receive more rain, some less.
droughts expected to be more severe.
flooding expected to be more severe.
consistent with what has been happening. |
|
|
Term
| What did the example of a farmer in Zambia exemplify? |
|
Definition
global climate change impacts
drought destroyed the corn crop
suggests that drought may intensify across southern africa
and in zambia droughts will increase due to warming of Indian ocean. |
|
|
Term
| Old and recent pictures of glaciers indicate what? |
|
Definition
| how much the glaciers are depleting/moving/melting cuz of the impacts of global climate change. |
|
|
Term
| How does a glacier melting at the top of a mountain affect the community at the bottom of the mountain in the long term? |
|
Definition
| because the melted water flows into drinking water, streams and rivers that many of those ppl use for farming, power generation, and drinking water. |
|
|
Term
| What are the two main causes of rising sea levels? |
|
Definition
expansion of water with warming
glacier ice melting |
|
|
Term
| Which human activity has the largest impact on green house gases? (see pie chart) |
|
Definition
electrical generation
transportation |
|
|
Term
| How do emissions compare between the US and China in regards to total emissions, per capita emissions and intensity? What generally leads to the differences in these comparisons (I.E why is China higher in one case, but not another) Understand all 3 figures. |
|
Definition
china is higher in greenhouse gas emissions for current emissions followed by the US
however in the per capita china is smaller while us is higher
difference because china has a much bigger popultion so one person can give off less pollution per capita but still contribute as a whole population to the current emisions because the differences in population between the US and China. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| just know that they are receding drastically due to global climate change and global warming and making a positive or negative feedback. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| kind of like the sediment core stuff but they go down into the glacial ice so it will show stuff about the climate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the ice bubbles in the ice core contain the gases that were in the atmosphere so long ago |
|
|
Term
| Relocation of Precipitation |
|
Definition
more precipitation and more of it comes in large storms and floods
global warming models also predict more droughts due to relocation of precipitation (kind of like el nino events) Darfur and Niger have suffered from record drought problems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| are trees leaning over due to the permafrost (hard frozen ground) thawing. they are evidence of the permafrost being lost. they are also evidence of the arctic getting warmer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
is being lost
so there's drunken trees as well as trucks have a much much shorter time in days of when it is safe to drive on the permafrost |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
if the arctic ice melts there are planetary consequences: like the ocean currents being the engine that moves heat around the world and brings energy to poles called a conveyer belt.
change in the conveyer belt led to an ice age in Europe in only about 10 years time!
this exemplifies the sudden "nonlinear" effects predicted by global warming.
global warming leading to ice melt could cause the same sorts of huge effects by affecting ocean currents/conveyer belt. |
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Term
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Definition
| frost used to kill pine beetles. but now it is warming and there is less frost. as a result pine beetles are destroying entire forests |
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Term
| Vectors of Infectious Disease |
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Definition
aka disease carrying animals like mosquitoes and rats
these guys are spreading. |
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Term
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Definition
| coral reefs are dying ("bleaching") which affects the fish that depend on them |
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Term
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Definition
| tunnels through the ice filled with ice melt water rushing from surface of ice mass to bedrock below. |
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Term
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Definition
| different weights of molecules aka isotopes are the "thermometer" of the history of the ice. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| Is the atmosphere thick or thin compared to the size of the earth? What is an analogy used to explain the answer? |
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Definition
| the atm is not too thick compared to the size of the earth. it is similar to a layer of varnish on a globe. so affecting the atm is not far fetched. |
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Term
| How does CO2 contribute to global warming? |
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Definition
humans producing "greenhouse gases" including co2 that "thicken" the atm (not a good thing) therefore we are leading to global warming and climate change.
the "thicker" the layer, the more the earth is warmed by the sun, cuz the more energy is stopped by the atm. |
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Term
| Why does CO2 go up and down each year? Does it go up or down in the summer? |
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Definition
| it changes yearly cuz the use of co2 by plants changes through the year. co2 intake is greater in the northern hemispheres summers cuz there are many more plants in north hemisphere than the south hemisphere. therefore, more co2 is used by plants in "our" summer than in the southern hemispherees summer. like breaking in during summer and breathing out (more co2) in the winter. |
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Term
| What is the general trend in CO2 level (i.e going up, down, or staying the same)? |
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Definition
| has been steadily increasing since it was measure in 1958 |
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Term
| How are the ice cores used to study global warming? |
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Definition
| they can measure annual recored in the ice even if you cant "see" them in the particular ice they are studying, measure it through the ice bubbles (co2 levels and temp) or isotopes. plus ice goes down in yearly measure like tree rings |
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Term
| Are CO2 levels high compared to their levels over the past 650,000 years? How many times in the past 650,000 years have they been higher than they are now? |
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Definition
| in the past 650,000yrs the co2 level has never gone above 300 parts per million but now due to humans, the value is above that. and its projected to keep increasing to higher levels. they have never been higher than they are now. |
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Term
| How did CO2 concentration and temperature change in relationship to each other over the past thousands of years? |
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Definition
| the changes in co2 levels reflected huge changes in global temperature. the differences in co2 seen over the last 650,000 years reflect large differences in temp and huge differences in the climate and effects on earth. |
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Term
| What about glaciers around the world indicate global climate change? |
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Definition
they are melting and breaking off quickly
they are receding all over the world and the changes are dramatic. ones that were there for thousands of years are melting away. this indicates that temps are rising |
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Term
| How do mountain glaciers help huge populations around the world. and thus how would the loss of glaciers be a problem? |
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Definition
| problem is that glaciers store water needed by the people below them |
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Term
| What is used in ice cores to measure past (a) CO2 levels and (b) temperature? |
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Definition
| the bubbles in the ice core measure both |
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Term
| What were the conditions like in Michigan when CO2 levels (in the air concentration) were lowest? (I.e why would it not have been a good place to live?) |
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Definition
| michigan was under a mile of ice during the low co2 levels. on the high end the temps were like they are now |
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Term
| The air temperature is rising, but what about ocean temperatures? |
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Definition
| the ocean temps are increasing, following model predictions |
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Term
| What have been trends in hurricanes lately? How does this relate to global warming? |
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Definition
warmer ocean water is predicted to increase hurricane number and strength
an increase in the number of hurricanes lately
also hurricanes in areas that they did not used to form
all suggests they are due to global warming. |
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Term
| The insurance industry has collected what data that suggest global warming is affecting weather? |
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Definition
| they track the number of storms. in the US data shows a huge increase in the number of storms. from 27 per year in the 70s to 50 per year in 80s to 93 per year in the 90s and 200s |
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Term
| How is global warming predicted to affect the number and severity of storms? Drought? |
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Definition
| more droughts floods and storms due to relocation of precipitation and global warming. storms will get more frequent and stronger same with floods and droughts |
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Term
| What are "drunken trees" and what causes them? What are they evidence of? |
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Definition
| are the trees leaning over due to the permafrost (hard frozen ground) thawing. they are evidence of permafrost being lost and the arctic getting warmer. |
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Term
| What (proxy) evidence do oil companies have that the artic is warming? (has to do with trucks) |
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Definition
| they oil trucks have a much shorter period of time where it is safe to drive over the permafrost cuz the arctic is warming and thus thawing the permafrost |
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Term
| When ice melts on giant ice sheets, the rate of ice melting may speed up. How? |
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Definition
| it speeds up because the water around the ice absorbs more heat. ice caps act like a mirror, but the water absorbs more energy from the sun. |
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Term
| If the artic melts, there could be global (planetary) consequences. How? |
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Definition
| cuz it would affect the ocean conveyer which would then perhaps cause a global ice age. cuz a change in the belt changes the distribution of heat around the world. |
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Term
| What is the "Ocean Conveyer"? |
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Definition
| the ocean currents or engine that moves heat around the globe and brings energy to the poles. |
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Term
| How has global warming affected some (a) bird chicks? (b) pine forests? (c) coral reefs? |
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Definition
a) bird chicks=caterpillars that used to arrive at the same time as bird chicks now arrive earlier--not good for the chicks.
b) pine forest--frost used to kill pine beetles. but now it is warmer and there is less frost. as a result pine beetles are destroying entire forests.
c)coral reefs=they are dying or bleaching which affects the fishies that depend on them |
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Term
| Scientists believe that global warming could lead to sea level rise. How? (There are two important factors) |
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Definition
because the ice in Antarctica and Greenland are melting faster than previously.
there are more moulins
with Greenland or West Antarctica melted, the sea levels would rise about 20 ft. |
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Term
| What is a moulin? how do they relate to the discussion of global climate change? |
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Definition
a tunnel through the ice filled with ice-melt water rushing from surface of ice mass to bedrock below.
the more moulins are leading to faster melting of glaciers. |
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Term
| If Greenland or west Antarctica melted, how high is the sea level predicted to rise? |
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Definition
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Term
| Why are many large cities be particularly vulnerable to problems caused by a rise in sea level? |
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Definition
| because they would be under water basically (florida) because of the rise in sea levels. |
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Term
| Why do scientists measure the amount of isotopes in ancient ice to study global climate change? |
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Definition
| because isotopes are the "thermometer" of the history of the ice |
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Term
| How long are the longest ice cores studied? Are they on the order of several meters, several hundred meters, or several miles? About how long ago did the ice form at the bottom of the largest ice cores? |
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Definition
about 10 inches thick of one year
2 miles long
took 2-3 years to drill
just basically really long time ago and several miles etc etc |
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Term
| Lakes: Michigan, Superior, Erie, Ontario, and Huron |
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Definition
| ...ok, so these are the great lakes |
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Term
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Definition
| a region of land where water, from rain or melted snow, drains downhill into a body of water, such as a river, lake, dam, estuary, wetland, sea or ocean. |
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Term
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Definition
| Where the watershed flows through to get out to the Atlantic Ocean |
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Term
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Definition
| Shows how deep a body of water is, even its different levels |
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Term
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Definition
| large deep areas, not drainage basins as previously discussed |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Sea lamprey, alewife....these fish are causing problems in the food web of the lakes |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| Like to consume the same kind of fish people do, kind of look like a leech...but they aren't leeches |
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Term
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Definition
| Eat a bunch of the other fish and is making some of the other fishes sick. |
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Term
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Definition
| One of the fish in the water whose number were being extremely depleted due to the invasive species |
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Term
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Definition
| Canal built around the falls and how the sea lamprey came through. |
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Term
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Definition
| Water used to stabilize boats when their cargo is not used. |
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Term
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Definition
| Causes muck on the beach and attaches to every single hard thing around |
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Term
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Definition
| Maybe a new invasive species coming up through the Mississippi and through the Calumet Canal and up through to the great lakes. |
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Term
| About how much of the world's fresh surface water do the Great Lakes hold? |
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Definition
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Term
| About how much (%) of the North America's fresh surface water do the Great Lakes hold? |
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Definition
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Term
| Which state(s) have a longer coast line than Michigan's Great Lakes coast, if any? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is a watershed (drainage basin)? |
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Definition
| region of land where water, from rain or melted snow, drains downhill into a body of water, such as a river, lake, dam, estuary, wetland, sea or ocean |
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Term
| Where does water poured on the ground in East Lansing end up leaving the country? |
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Definition
| Goes through the great lakes all the way through the St Lawrence River up to the Atlantic Ocean |
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Term
| Where does water poured west of Chicago end up leaving the country (which river does it go into and where does it end up)? |
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Definition
| Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico |
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Term
| About how much further does water poured on the ground in Lansing travel to get to Lake erie than water poured on the ground in Ann Arbor? Why is it so much further than the distance traveled by car? |
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Definition
| About 800 miles and because when water travels from EL it has to go through Lake Michigan and Huron to get to Erie but in Ann Arbor it goes straight to Erie. |
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Term
| Which Great Lake has the most water? The least? |
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Definition
Most - Superior
Least - Erie |
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Term
| What percent of the water held in the Great Lakes exits to the ocean through the St. Lawrence River each year? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is a bathymetric map? What do the contour lines represent? How many "basins" are there in Lake Michigan? In Lake Erie? |
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Definition
Provides the depth contours of a water body.
Contour lines: indicate a given constant depth.
There are two main basins* in Lake Michigan.
Lake Erie has three basins: Eastern, Central and Western. |
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Term
| Which 3 states or provinces use more than 20% of the water used from the Great Lakes? |
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Definition
| Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario |
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Term
| What three types of Great Lakes' water consumption use represent more than 20% of the water use? |
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Definition
| Public water supply, irrigation, industrial |
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Term
| What are 4 main reasons people care about Great Lakes issues (problems)? |
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Definition
| Fishing, recreation, withdrawn water uses, environmental concerns |
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Term
| What does falling lake levels affect? |
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Definition
| Shoreline property, boating, shipping, shoreline habitat |
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Term
| Is there agreement on the cause of lake water falling? What are two opposing opinions on the cause of falling lake levels? |
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Definition
| No. One opinion states that we need to get more serious about the lake levels because water is not an unlimited resource. The second states that we need to redirect the water flow |
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Term
| How did the diversion of the Chicago river reduce disease? (Need to know what was leading to the increased disease) |
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Definition
| People were throwing their waste into the Chicago River so when it got to lake michigan and people drank the water, they got sick but with the diversion the water didn't contaminate Lake Michigan anymore. |
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Term
| What was the key to being able to reverse the flow of the Chicago river? Where was the water diverted to? |
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Definition
| They built the canal so it was situated near the boundary of the Lake Michigan watershed boundary...diverted to the Mississippi |
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Term
| What event helped spawn the Clean Water Act, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the creation of Environmental Protection Agencies? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is responsible for beach closings? How would improvement of our sewage treatment reduce the number of beach closings? |
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Definition
| Rising level in E.Coli due to the amount of fecal matter found in water because of poor sewage treatment. |
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Term
| What were two principal results of the Clean Water Act? |
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Definition
The Act made it unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained under its provisions.
It also funded the construction of sewage treatment plants |
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Term
| What is the total annual value of the Great Lakes fisheries? |
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Definition
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Term
| What factors are "disrupting"the lake Michigan food web? |
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Definition
Increased fishing
Invasive species
Sea lamprey
Alewife |
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Term
| What fish has the invasive sea lamprey affected most? how does it affect them? |
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Definition
| Lake Trout, it sucks out their blood kind of like a leech but not really. |
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Term
| How did sea lamprey get by Niagara Falls? How did alewife get by Niagara Falls? |
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Definition
| Sea Lamprey got by through the welland canal. Alewife got by through the ballast water of large boats. |
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Term
| What are the negative effects of the invader alewife? |
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Definition
| Fouls beaches, contaminates water causing other fishes to get sick, out competes other fishes for food leading to their extinction. |
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Term
| What are three actions being taken to rebuild a desirable food web in the Great Lakes? |
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Definition
Sea lamprey control implemented
Lake trout stocking begun
Native species rehabilitation
Exotic salmonine stocking started
Alewife suppression, recreational fishing |
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Term
| When in Lake michigan, why are salmon called "exotic" and Lake Trout called "native"? |
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Definition
| People put the Salmon in the river in order to get rid of the alewife |
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Term
| What is ballast water, and what problem does it cause? |
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Definition
| Water carried over through the cargo ships, and it carries the alewife through the falls. |
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Term
| About how many species are known to have invaded the Great Lakes? What is the rate of invasion? |
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Definition
| About 160. I'm not sure...but maybe 5 species per year? |
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Term
| What is one negative effect of zebra mussels that cost industry money? |
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Definition
|
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Term
| What does the canal in Chicago have to do with Asian carp? |
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Definition
| They are moving up through the Chicago Canal and inching towards the great lakes |
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Term
| How might Asian Carp invading the Great Lakes be a bad thing? |
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Definition
| Cuz they're big and have no predators |
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