Term
| What 2 human activities have caused an unprecedented release of CO2 & methane into the atmosphere? |
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Definition
burning of fossil fuels
clearing of forests |
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Term
| What are CFC's and what role to they play in the greenhouse effect? |
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Definition
| man-made gases (e.g. propellants & refrigerants) which have a heat-trapping effect, acting similar to natural GHGs |
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Term
| What is the role of the IPCC? |
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Definition
| assess the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the risks of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation |
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Term
| What was the conclusion of the IPCC 2007 report, in regards to the increase in global average temperatures? |
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Definition
| it is very likely due to increases in anthropogenic green house gas concentrations |
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Term
| What is radiative forcing? Does a positive or negative forcing warm the system? |
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Definition
the net difference of radiant energy received by the earth & the energy radiated back into space
positive forcing warms the system |
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Term
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Definition
| -minute particles suspended in the atmosphere which scatter & absorb sunlight |
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Term
| How do aerosols interact with the Earth's radiation budget & climate? |
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Definition
-scatter sunlight directly back into space (direct effect)
-modify size of cloud particles, changing how sunlight is reflected & absorbed
-participate in chemical reactions which destroy the stratospheric ozone |
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Term
| What is the stratospheric ozone? |
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Definition
| layer of the atmosphere which acts as a natural shield against harmful UV rays |
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Term
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Definition
a measure of reflectivity of the earth's surface
(the fraction of solar energy reflected from the earth back into space) |
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Term
| What are the initial drivers of climate? |
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Definition
Forcings:
1. solar irradiance
2. GHG emissions
3. aerosols |
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Term
| What are climate feedbacks? What is a positive feedback? |
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Definition
processes that amplify or diminish climate forcings
positive feedback increases warming |
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Term
| What are some examples of feedback systems? |
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Definition
Clouds
-reflects light back into space
-warmer climate = more cloud formation, could slow warming rate
Precipitation
-change in precipitation patterns can change vegetation in regions, affecting CO2 /O2 exchange
Ice Albedo
-ice reflects light, dark ocean absorbs it
-shrinking ice caps = less reflection = faster warming |
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Term
| What are the key greenhouse gases? |
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Definition
| carbon dioxide, methane & nitrous oxide |
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Term
| Aside from rising temperatures, what other effects are human influences having on climate systems? |
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Definition
-Ocean warming and acidification
-Changes in salinity of ocean waters
-Sea level rise
-Changes in temperature extremes, e.g. heat waves
-Changes in wind patterns
-Widespread melting of snow and ice
-Changes in precipitation patterns |
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Term
| Are agricultural outputs expected to increase or decrease as we move toward 2080? |
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Definition
| -may see increase in a few industrialised countries & regions where growing seasons might be extended, but developing countries & global measurements will show a decrease |
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Term
| Why are some global regions expected to be more severely affected than others by climate change? |
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Definition
-local climate e.g. higher northern latitudes experience a faster rate of temperature increase
-adaptive capacity & vulnerability |
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Term
| What effect will climate change have on international conflicts, according to Dwyer in Climate Wars? |
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Definition
-countries on the edge of stability, or already unstable, vulnerable, resource-poor
-food, economics, ability to overcome natural disasters etc
-spark conflict between countries, and may indirectly involve other countries wishing to protect "countries of interest" |
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Term
| What are some examples geo-engineering suggestions brought up in Climate Wars? |
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Definition
-biofuels to replace coal & oil
e.g. algae, halophytes (can grow in salt water)
-geothermal & solar energy
-extract CO2, convert to CO, turn into a hydrocarbon and use as an energy source |
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Term
True or False
In Climate Wars, Gwynn predicts that in the future we will have the ability to control global temperatures, precipitation patterns etc |
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Definition
True
*the issue is the politics involved as countries will be unable to decide on 'settings' that meet the needs of everyone |
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Term
| According to Climate Wars, why are people 'putting the brakes on', changing their habits & ecological footprints immediately in order to reduce climate change? |
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Definition
because at any given time we're experiencing less climate change than we're committed to
-ignoring foresight! |
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Term
True or False
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon |
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Definition
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Term
| Why aren't climate predictions easily & accurately formed? |
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Definition
| radiative forcing, feedback systems etc. add a lot of uncertainty to our predictions |
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