APES Unit 8 Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution - Climate Change

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, greenhouse gases, feedback mechanisms, and international agreements related to climate change from AP Environmental Science Unit 8.

Climate Change

Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse Effect

Natural warming caused by gases that absorb infrared radiation.

Greenhouse Gases

Atmospheric gases such as $CO_2$, $CH_4$, $N_2O$, and water vapor that trap heat.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$)

Major greenhouse gas released by burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Methane ($CH_4$)

Potent greenhouse gas from livestock, landfills, and natural gas leaks.

Nitrous Oxide ($N_2O$)

Greenhouse gas released from fertilizers and combustion.

Water Vapor

Most abundant greenhouse gas and a positive feedback.

Positive Feedback Loop

A process that amplifies an initial change.

Negative Feedback Loop

A process that counteracts an initial change.

Albedo

Reflectivity of a surface.

Ice-Albedo Feedback

Melting ice lowers albedo, causing more warming.

Keeling Curve

Graph showing rising atmospheric $CO_2$ measured at Mauna Loa.

Radiative Forcing

Change in Earth's energy balance caused by a factor such as greenhouse gases.

Ocean Acidification

Decrease in ocean pH as seawater absorbs $CO_2$.

Thermal Expansion

Water expands as it warms, contributing to sea-level rise.

Sea-Level Rise

Increase in average ocean height due to thermal expansion and melting ice.

Mitigation

Actions that reduce the causes of climate change.

Adaptation

Adjustments to lessen the impacts of climate change.

Carbon Sequestration

Long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, or geological formations.

Cap and Trade

Market system that limits emissions and allows trading of permits.

Carbon Tax

Fee imposed on carbon emissions.

Paris Agreement

International treaty to limit global warming.

Kyoto Protocol

Earlier international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Milankovitch Cycles

Long-term changes in Earth's orbit and tilt affecting climate.

Proxy Data

Indirect evidence of past climates, such as ice cores and tree rings.

Paleoclimate

Climate conditions from Earth's past.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground that can release methane when thawed.

Climate Model

Computer simulation used to project future climate.

Resilience

Ability of systems to recover from climate impacts.

Vulnerability

Degree to which a system is susceptible to harm.