Chapter 14 Global Climate Change

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts from Chapter 14 on Global Climate Change, including effects, definitions, and responses to climate change.

What are the effects of rising sea levels in South Florida?

Rising sea levels cause flooding in Miami and Miami Beach at least six times a year, forcing businesses to close and increasing flooding frequency to an expected 45 times per year by 2030.

What drives the rise in sea levels?

Rising sea levels are primarily driven by global climate change, which causes warming temperatures that expand seawater volume and melts glaciers and ice sheets.

Define Global Climate Change.

Global Climate Change refers to a range of changes in Earth’s climate, including temperature, precipitation, and the frequency and intensity of storms, while global warming specifically refers to the increase in Earth’s average surface temperature.

What are the three natural factors that influence climate?

The three natural factors are the sun, the atmosphere, and the oceans.

What is the Greenhouse Effect?

The Greenhouse Effect is the process by which greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface, warming the lower atmosphere.

What is Global Warming Potential?

Global Warming Potential measures how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specified time period compared to carbon dioxide.

How has atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration changed since the late 1700s?

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have risen from about 278 parts per million (ppm) to over 400 ppm today.

What is ocean acidification, and what causes it?

Ocean acidification refers to the decrease in pH of seawater caused by increased carbon dioxide absorption from the atmosphere.

What is mitigation in the context of climate change?

Mitigation refers to actions aimed at reducing the magnitude of climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

What is adaptation in climate change strategies?

Adaptation involves making adjustments to minimize the impacts of climate change, such as installing pump systems to manage floodwaters.

What was the outcome of the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol mandated signatory nations to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels below those of 1990 but did not require reductions from developing nations like China and India.

What commitments were made during the 2015 Paris Accord?

The Paris Accord included commitments from nations to reduce emissions, with specific pledges from the U.S. to cut emissions by 28% by 2025 and from China to halt emissions growth by 2030.

How does climate change affect health?

Climate change increases the frequency of heat waves, respiratory ailments from air pollution, and diseases as vectors spread to new areas.

What is the Social Cost of Carbon?

The Social Cost of Carbon is an estimate of the economic damages associated with a marginal increase in carbon dioxide emissions.

What are carbon taxes?

Carbon taxes are fees imposed on the carbon content of fossil fuels to incentivize the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

What is carbon trading?

Carbon trading is an emissions trading system where companies buy and sell permits to emit pollutants, incentivizing emissions reductions.

What role does government play in addressing climate change?

Governments can regulate emissions, establish carbon pricing mechanisms, and implement climate action plans to mitigate climate change impacts.

What are the impacts of climate change on ecosystems?

Climate change affects seasonal timing, plant and animal migrations, and may contribute to species extinction and reduced ecosystem services.

What is geoengineering in the context of climate change?

Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions in Earth’s climate systems to counteract climate change.