Earth Science Last Chapter

What is global warming/climate change?

Global warming is the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.

What are some negative consequences of climate change?

Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, ecosystem disruption, agricultural impacts, health risks.

How is global warming different from the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is natural and keeps the earth at an appropriate temperature, while global warming is human-driven and increases temperatures too much.

What are the major greenhouse gases?

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Methane (CH₄), Nitrous Oxide (N₂O), Water Vapor.

Which greenhouse gas is most concerning?

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).

Why is the current period of climate change more concerning than past climate changes?

Human activities have significantly increased greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO₂, causing rapid warming.

How are climate change and natural disasters related?

Climate change leads to more intense natural disasters such as hurricanes, heatwaves, flooding, wildfires, and ocean acidification.

How does sea level rise affect some communities more than others?

Low-lying coastal areas are more affected due to proximity to the sea, and poorer countries struggle more to adapt.

How does rising temperature affect some areas more than others?

Inland areas experience more extreme temperature changes, and urban areas create 'heat islands' that trap heat.

How are poor or marginalized communities more affected by human impacts on the environment?

Poorer areas often have fewer resources to adapt to higher temperatures, making heat more dangerous.

What is a natural resource?

A natural resource is something from the Earth that humans use for food, energy, or materials.

What is the difference between a renewable and nonrenewable resource?

Renewable resources can replenish themselves over time, while nonrenewable resources cannot be replaced quickly or at all.

What are the three major fossil fuels?

Coal, Oil (Petroleum), Natural Gas.

How do we obtain coal?

By mining it from the ground, either through underground or surface mining.

How do we obtain oil?

By drilling wells into the Earth to extract it.

How do we obtain natural gas?

By drilling or fracking into the Earth.

What are the pros of using fossil fuels?

They provide a lot of energy and are widely available.

What are the cons of using fossil fuels?

They cause pollution, are nonrenewable, and can harm ecosystems.

What is alternative energy?

Energy that comes from renewable and eco-friendly sources.

What are the major alternative energy sources?

Solar energy, Wind energy, Hydropower, Geothermal energy, Biomass, Nuclear.

What are the pros of using alternative energy sources?

They are renewable and environmentally friendly.

What are the cons of using alternative energy sources?

They can be costly and are sometimes intermittent.

What is sea level rise?

The increase in the level of the Earth's oceans due to melting ice and thermal expansion.

Why is sea level rise occurring?

It is occurring due to climate change driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

How does the growth of the human population impact the environment?

It increases the demand for resources like food, water, and shelter.

What is deforestation?

The process of removing or clearing forests.

How might deforestation impact biodiversity and the environment?

It leads to loss of species due to habitat loss.

What is industrialization?

The development of industries and factories.

What is urbanization?

The growth of cities and towns as more people move from rural areas for jobs.

How does urbanization affect the environment?

It causes pollution, deforestation, and increased energy use.

What is a heat island?

An area, usually in a city, that experiences significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas.

What causes heat islands?

Urban environments have more buildings and concrete that absorb and trap heat.

What is the ecological footprint?

A measure of the environmental impact of an individual, community, organization, or country.

What are some components of the ecological footprint?

Water use, shelter, transportation, goods and services.

What are some measures that citizens can take to reduce our ecological footprint?

Reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy, sustainable transportation, vegetarian diet.

Why is it difficult to solve climate change?

It involves complex systems, unequal impacts and responsibilities, and dependence on fossil fuels.