Overview of Climate Science

Flashcards covering key concepts from the 'Overview of Climate Science' lecture, including definitions, system components, forcings, responses, and feedback mechanisms.

What is the primary difference between climate and weather?

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate describes long-term average weather patterns in a region.

How has the discipline of climate science evolved since the late 19th and early 20th centuries?

It evolved from a field studied by few scientists to thousands today, employing advanced tools like aircraft, ships, satellites, biological/chemical analyses, and computer modeling.

What are the basic components of the climate system?

The basic components include the atmosphere, ocean, land surface, ice, and vegetation.

Define 'forcing' and 'response' within the context of the climate system.

A 'forcing' is a cause (like changes in Earth's orbit or Sun's strength), and a 'response' is an effect or variation within the climate system (like changes in atmosphere, ocean, or ice).

What is the significance of 'specific heat' in understanding climate changes?

Specific heat describes how much energy is needed to raise the temperature of a substance, influencing how different components of the climate system (e.g., land vs. ocean) absorb and release heat, leading to varying temperature responses.

Define 'positive feedback' in the climate system.

Positive feedback is a process where an initial climate response is amplified by the climate system, leading to a larger overall effect.

Define 'negative feedback' in the climate system.

Negative feedback is a process where an initial climate response is reduced or counteracted by the climate system.

What is the 'Anthropocene'?

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems.

Approximately how old is Earth, and how do scientists reconstruct its past climate?

Earth is 4.5 billion years old, and scientists reconstruct its past climate using various methods and datasets to determine what happened in the past.

Why is climate science considered 'interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary'?

It integrates studies of changes in air, water, vegetation, land surfaces, ice, and lifeforms, requiring an 'Earth System Approach' that combines knowledge from many scientific fields.