Air Pollution and Climate Change

These flashcards cover the main concepts related to air pollution and climate change, including definitions, impacts, and potential solutions.

What is air pollution?

The presence of substances in the air that damage human health or the environment.

What are primary pollutants?

Pollutants released directly into the air, such as carbon monoxide.

What are secondary pollutants?

Pollutants that form in the air when primary pollutants react with other substances, such as ozone.

What is smog?

A harmful mix of air pollutants, including smoke, fog, and other chemicals that forms over cities.

What is acid rain?

Precipitation that has a lower pH due to gases from burning fossil fuels mixing with water in the air.

What are the effects of acid precipitation?

It lowers the pH in bodies of water, harms aquatic life, and changes soil composition making it difficult for trees to absorb water.

What is adaptation in the context of climate change?

Adjusting to the effects of climate change, such as planting drought-resistant crops.

What is mitigation?

Lowering greenhouse gas emissions to slow future climate change.

How can we use electricity more efficiently?

By developing energy-efficient appliances and practicing energy conservation.

What are two types of smog?

Industrial smog from burning coal and photochemical smog from vehicular emissions reacting with sunlight.

How does climate change impact organisms?

It disrupts habitats, alters migration patterns, and leads to food scarcity.

What is coral bleaching?

The loss of color in corals due to warmer waters, harming coral reefs and marine ecosystems.

What are current impacts of climate change on people?

Increased economic damage from storms, reduced crop yields from drought, and heightened risk of heat-related illnesses.

What are future impacts of climate change?

Increased spread of disease, rising sea levels threatening coastal cities, and reduced freshwater sources.