Causes of Global Climate Change

Flashcards about Causes of Global Climate Change.

Atmosphere

The envelope of mixed gases held in place by gravitational attraction, consisting of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and 1% trace gases.

Sun

The Earth's primary source of energy, received as short-wave radiation.

Energy budget

Amount of energy entering a system minus the amount leaving the system.

Insolation

Incoming shortwave solar radiation.

Albedo effect

The amount of reflection of insolation depending on the surface.

Sensible heat transfer

Losing or gaining energy without a phase change.

Latent heat transfer

Energy that is absorbed, stored, and released at a molecular level, involving a phase change.

Natural greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Water vapour, CO₂, methane, ozone, NO, and CFCs that contribute to keeping Earth warm.

Milankovitch cycles

Variations in eccentricity, tilt, and wobble of the Earth's orbit resulting in cyclic changes in the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth.

Sunspots

Areas of intense and complicated magnetic fields on the Sun that emit solar plasma.

Solar flares

Bursts of high-energy radiation from the Sun.

Global dimming

Caused by the increase of pollution in the atmosphere.

Aerosols

Fine, solid particles or liquid droplets in the air and other gases.

Particulate matter

Sulphur dioxide, ash, and soot, which are by-products of burning fossil fuels.

Water Droplets

Water droplets that pick up particulates such as soot, ash, sulphur dioxide, forming heavy, polluted 'brown clouds'.

Vapour Trails (Contrails)

Vapour from airplanes, flying high in the sky, that reflect heat from the sun back out to space.

Planetary albedo

Amount of sunlight reflected from Earth's surface.

Feedback loop

A cycle within a system that either increases (positive) or decreases (negative) the effects on that system to achieve equilibrium.

Positive feedback

Amplifies (enhances) a change and are destabilising.

Negative feedback

'Checks' or dampens change and are stabilising.

Dynamic equilibrium

A system in a total state of balance.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Driven by human activities that release excessive amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, leading to an intensified trapping of heat and subsequent global warming