Unit 9 Review: Global Change

Vocabulary flashcards for the global change unit, including climate change, global warming, and biodiversity.

Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone (O3) in the atmosphere that absorbs dangerous high-energy UV radiation.

Ozone Formation

Occurs when UV radiation splits oxygen molecules (O2) into single oxygen atoms, which then react with O2 to form ozone (O3).

Ozone Depletion

Thinning of the ozone layer, particularly over the Antarctic pole, caused by man-made chemicals.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Chemicals containing chlorine, fluorine, and carbon that decompose and release chlorine, which then reacts with ozone, leading to ozone depletion. Formerly used in aerosols and refrigerants.

Montreal Protocol

International agreement written in the 80s to phase out CFCs and protect the stratospheric ozone layer.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Chemicals used as replacements for CFCs; they do not cause ozone depletion but are strong greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Effect

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

Kyoto Protocol

Agreement to reduce greenhouse gases worldwide, recognizing that the majority are produced by humans.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and CFCs that trap infrared heat radiation and warm the planet.

Global Warming

The result of increased greenhouse gases, leading to changes in global climate patterns and increased temperatures.

Positive Feedback Loop

Loops of activity that encourage further warming, such as thawing permafrost releasing methane or melting ice exposing water with lower albedo.

Albedo

A measure of how reflective a surface is. High albedo surfaces (like ice) reflect heat, while low albedo surfaces (like water) absorb heat.

Thermal Expansion (of Ocean)

Process where water particles in the ocean gain energy and move further apart as they warm, causing the ocean to expand in volume.

Ocean Acidification

The ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Coral Bleaching

Occurs when algae living in coral leaves due to ocean warming, causing the coral to turn white and potentially die.

HIPPO (or HIPGO)

Acronym for the major factors that cause biodiversity loss: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, Population growth, Climate Change, and Over-exploitation.

Endangered Species Act

United States law that protects threatened and endangered species from losing their habitat and from further harm.

CITES Trade Agreement

International agreement designed to regulate the trade of animals and plants to ensure that trade is not detrimental to their populations.

Habitat Corridors

Methods of allowing species to travel from one area to another that may be fragmented by things such as neighborhoods and roadways.