Natural vs. Human Causes of Climate Change

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of climate science, natural and human causes of climate change, greenhouse gas properties, and regional data for BC and Canada.

Climate

The average conditions of the atmosphere in a large region over 30 years or more, including factors such as precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation.

Biogeoclimatic zones

Regions with specific types of plant life, soil, geography, and climate; British Columbia (BC) is noted to have 14 of these zones.

Alpine Tundra (AT)

One of the 14 biogeoclimatic zones of BC.

Weather

The day-to-day state of the atmosphere and its short-term variation in minutes to weeks, involving temperature, humidity, and wind.

Paleoclimatologists

Scientists who study fossils, sediments, or glaciers to understand past climatic changes.

Ice cores

Samples used to determine what types and amounts of gases existed in the atmosphere when the ice was formed.

Earth's tilt

A factor affecting climate that varies from $22.1$ to $24.5$ degrees from vertical, causing extreme seasonal changes.

Ocean Currents

Convection currents created by the sinking and rising of ocean waters that transport water and thermal energy around Earth.

Carbon sinks

Natural reservoirs such as deep oceans and forests that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Carbon sources

Processes such as weathering and decaying vegetation that add carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere.

Climate change

Changes in long-term weather patterns in certain regions that affect the redistribution of thermal energy around Earth.

Global warming

An increase in Earth's average global temperature, which is one specific aspect of climate change.

Enhanced greenhouse effect

The increased ability of the atmosphere to absorb and emit thermal energy as greenhouse gases increase.

Global warming potential (GWP)

The measure of a substance's ability to warm the atmosphere by absorbing and emitting thermal energy.

$$CO_2$$

Carbon dioxide; a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 1, resulting from fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

$$CH_4$$

Methane; a greenhouse gas with an atmospheric lifetime of about 12 years and a GWP of 25, sourced from livestock and waste dumps.

$$N_2O$$

Nitrous oxide; a greenhouse gas with a GWP of 298, produced by chemical fertilizers and industrial processes.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Various liquid coolants used in refrigeration with an atmospheric lifetime of 45 years and high GWP (4750–5310).

General circulation models (GCMs)

Computer models using factors like greenhouse gas concentrations and ocean currents to study and predict past and present climate.

Albedo

The reflectivity of Earth's surface which affects the amount of solar radiation a region receives.

Atmospheric CO2 current levels

Due to human emissions, current levels are at 415 ppm, compared to the historical range of 220–228 ppm.

Industry

The sector identified as the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.