Climate change

What is weather?

Weather is the short term condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time, including temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, and air pressure.

What is climate?

Climate is the long-term average pattern of weather in a region, usually measured over 30 years or more

What is the difference between weather and climate

The weather changes from day to day, while climate describes average weather patterns over many years

How do we predict the weather?

Meteorologists use weather stations, satellites, radar, weather balloons, and computer models to collect data and forecast future conditions

Is a 7-day or 14-day forecast more accurate?

A 7-day forecast is more accurate because the weather becomes harder to predict further into the future

What is a climate zone

A climate zone is a region with similar ecosystems, plants, animals, climate, and physical geography

What does LOWARN stand for

Latitude, Ocean currents, Winds and Air masses, Altitude, Relief, and Near water

How does latitude affect the climate

Warm currents raise temperatures, while cold currents lower temperatures in nearby coastal areas regions

How does ocean currents affect climate

Warm currents raise temperatures, while cold currents lower temperatures in nearby coastal regions

How do wind and air masses affect climate

They transport heat and moisture, influencing temperature and precipitation

How does altitude affect climate

Higher elevations are cooler because air temperature decreases with height

How does relief affect climate

Mountains force air upward, causing precipitation on one side and dry conditions on the other (rain shadow effect)

How does being near water affect the climate

large bodies of water moderate temperatures, making summers cooler and winters warmer

What makes up the earth’s climate system

The atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, ice, and the suns energy

What powers Earth's climate system?

Solar energy from the Sun.

What happens when radiation contacts matter?

It can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted. Absorbed energy is converted into heat.

How does Earth maintain energy balance?

Earth balances incoming solar radiation with outgoing infrared radiation.

How does latitude influence climate zones?

Lower latitudes receive more direct sunlight and are warmer, while higher latitudes receive less direct sunlight and are colder.

What is the atmosphere?

The layer of gases surrounding Earth that regulates temperature and protects life.

What is the hydrosphere?

All water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and water vapor.

What is the lithosphere?

Earth's solid outer layer, including rocks, soil, and landforms.

What is the biosphere?

All living organisms and ecosystems on Earth.

What is the greenhouse effect?

The process where greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, keeping the planet warm.

Why is the greenhouse effect good?

It keeps Earth warm enough for life to exist.

Why can the greenhouse effect be bad?

Too many greenhouse gases trap excess heat, causing global warming and climate change.

What is water vapour (H₂O)?

The most abundant greenhouse gas that naturally traps heat in the atmosphere.

What is carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

A greenhouse gas released through respiration, decomposition, and burning fossil fuels.

What is methane (CH₄)?

A powerful greenhouse gas produced by livestock, landfills, and natural gas production.

What is nitrous oxide (N₂O)?

A greenhouse gas released from fertilizers, industry, and fuel combustion.

What are fluorinated gases?

Human-made greenhouse gases used in industrial processes that can trap large amounts of heat.

What is the anthropogenic greenhouse effect?

The enhanced greenhouse effect caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations.

Why have greenhouse gases increased over time?

Due to burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture, and industrial activities.

What is a heat sink?

A material or area that absorbs and stores heat energy.

What is a convection current?

The movement of fluids caused by differences in temperature and density.

What is thermohaline circulation?

The global movement of ocean water driven by differences in temperature and salinity.

How is energy transferred in the atmosphere?

Through radiation, conduction, and convection.

How is energy transferred in the oceans?

Through ocean currents and thermohaline circulation.

How does energy transfer affect climate?

It redistributes heat around Earth, influencing temperatures, precipitation, and weather patterns.

What are long-term natural climate changes?

Changes occurring over thousands or millions of years due to plate tectonics, orbital changes, and ice ages.

What are short-term natural climate changes?

Changes caused by volcanic eruptions, solar activity, and ocean-atmosphere interactions like El Niño.

What is a proxy record?

Indirect evidence used to determine past climate conditions.

How do ice cores help study past climates?

They trap ancient air bubbles that reveal past temperatures and atmospheric composition.

How do tree rings help study past climates?

Ring thickness indicates growing conditions such as temperature and rainfall.

How do coral reefs help study past climates?

Coral growth patterns record ocean temperatures and environmental conditions.

How do rocks and ocean sediments help study past climates?

They contain fossils and chemical evidence showing environmental conditions from the past.

By how much has global temperature increased?

Global average temperature has increased by more than 1°C since the late 1800s.

How do rising greenhouse gases provide evidence of climate change?

Measurements show increasing concentrations of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

How do melting glaciers provide evidence of climate change?

Glaciers worldwide are shrinking as temperatures increase.

How do rising sea levels provide evidence of climate change?

Melting ice and warming oceans cause sea levels to rise.

How does ocean acidification provide evidence of climate change?

Oceans absorb excess CO₂, making seawater more acidic and harming marine life.

How do severe storms provide evidence of climate change?

Warmer temperatures increase the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events.

How do changing seasons and ecosystems provide evidence of climate change?

Plants bloom earlier, species shift habitats, and ecosystems are disrupted.

Why should we take action on climate change?

To protect ecosystems, human health, economies, and future generations from worsening impacts.

How can emissions be reduced?

Using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, protecting forests, and using cleaner transportation.

What is solar energy?

Energy produced from sunlight using solar panels.

What is wind energy?

Energy generated from moving air using wind turbines.

What is hydroelectric energy?

Electricity produced from flowing water.

What is geothermal energy?

Energy generated from heat within Earth.

What is biomass energy?

Energy produced from organic materials such as wood and plant waste.

How is climate change affecting Ontario?

Ontario is experiencing warmer temperatures, more heat waves, heavier rainfall, increased flooding, reduced ice cover on the Great Lakes, and greater risk of forest fires.

What is the federal government doing about climate change?

Setting national emissions targets, implementing carbon pricing, and investing in clean energy.

What is the provincial government doing about climate change?

Developing climate policies, supporting clean technology, and improving energy efficiency programs.

What are municipal governments doing about climate change?

Expanding public transit, improving green infrastructure, reducing local emissions, and adapting communities to climate impacts.