Save the Earth Question Cards

Flashcard question-and-answer set covering Easy, Medium, and Hard multiple-choice cards designed for the Save the Earth physical board game.

What is climate change?

Long-term changes in Earth's climate.

What gas do humans breathe in to survive?

Oxygen

What gas do humans release when they breathe out?

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

What is global warming?

The increase in Earth's average temperature.

Which gas is a major greenhouse gas?

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$)

What is recycling?

Turning used materials into new products.

Which energy source comes from the Sun?

Solar energy

Which energy source uses moving air?

Wind energy

What does $CO_2$ stand for?

Carbon dioxide

What is pollution?

Harmful substances entering the environment.

Which part of Earth is covered mostly by water?

The oceans

What do trees absorb from the air?

Carbon dioxide

What do trees release during photosynthesis?

Oxygen

What is a carbon footprint?

The amount of greenhouse gases produced by an activity.

Is walking or driving usually better for reducing carbon emissions?

Walking

What is renewable energy?

Energy from sources that naturally replace themselves.

Give one example of renewable energy.

Solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal energy.

What happens when ice melts?

It changes from solid to liquid.

What can too much plastic pollution harm?

Animals and ecosystems.

What protects Earth from some harmful solar radiation?

The ozone layer

What is deforestation?

The removal of forests.

Does planting trees generally help reduce $CO_2$?

Yes

What is an ecosystem?

Living things and their environment interacting together.

Which produces more pollution: a bicycle or a gasoline car?

A gasoline car

What is clean energy?

Energy that produces little or no harmful pollution.

Why are forests important?

They provide habitats and absorb $CO_2$.

What can happen when temperatures rise too much?

Heatwaves can become more common.

What is sea-level rise?

An increase in the level of the ocean.

Can humans contribute to climate change?

Yes

What is one simple way to help the environment?

Reduce waste, save energy, recycle, or use public transportation.

What is the greenhouse effect?

A natural process where gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.

Why is the enhanced greenhouse effect a problem?

Human activities add extra greenhouse gases, causing more warming.

Which human activity produces a lot of $CO_2$?

Burning fossil fuels

What are fossil fuels?

Coal, oil, and natural gas.

Why does burning coal contribute to climate change?

It releases large amounts of $CO_2$.

How does deforestation affect climate change?

It reduces trees that absorb $CO_2$ and can release stored carbon.

Which has a lower carbon footprint: cycling or flying?

Cycling

Why can public transportation reduce carbon emissions?

Many people share one vehicle.

What happens to glaciers when global temperatures increase?

They generally melt.

How can melting glaciers affect sea levels?

Melting land ice adds water to the oceans.

Why are oceans important for climate?

They absorb heat and carbon dioxide.

What can happen to oceans when they absorb too much $CO_2$?

Ocean acidification can increase.

What is ocean acidification?

A decrease in ocean pH caused mainly by absorbing $CO_2$.

How can climate change affect agriculture?

It can change rainfall, temperatures, and growing conditions.

What is an extreme weather event?

An unusually severe weather event, such as a heatwave or major storm.

Why are heatwaves dangerous?

They can cause illness, dehydration, and death.

How can using solar energy help the environment?

It produces electricity without burning fossil fuels.

What is carbon neutrality?

Balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal or reduction.

Which usually has a larger carbon footprint: local vegetables or large amounts of beef?

Large amounts of beef

How does wasting electricity affect the environment?

It can increase fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.

What is one example of reducing your carbon footprint at home?

Saving electricity or using energy-efficient appliances.

Why is recycling useful?

It reduces waste and the need for new raw materials.

What is biodiversity?

The variety of living organisms in an area or on Earth.

How can climate change threaten biodiversity?

It can change or destroy habitats.

What is sustainable development?

Meeting present needs without harming future generations' ability to meet theirs.

How can cities reduce their carbon footprint?

By improving public transport, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

Why are renewable energy sources considered sustainable?

They naturally replenish and generally produce fewer emissions.

What is one effect of rising global temperatures on wildlife?

Animals may lose habitats or need to move to new areas.

How does using a reusable bottle help the environment?

It reduces single-use plastic waste.

Why is reducing emissions important?

It helps slow climate change and reduce environmental damage.

What is the main human cause of the current increase in global warming?

Burning fossil fuels

Why does $CO_2$ cause warming?

It absorbs and re-emits infrared heat in the atmosphere.

What is the difference between weather and climate?

Weather is short-term; climate describes long-term patterns.

Why can deforestation increase atmospheric $CO_2$?

Fewer trees absorb $CO_2$, and cutting or burning forests can release stored carbon.

Which has a larger carbon footprint: driving alone or taking a bus?

Driving alone

Why is the greenhouse effect necessary for life?

It keeps Earth warm enough for life to exist.

What would happen if there were no natural greenhouse effect?

Earth would be much colder.

Why does melting sea ice not directly raise sea levels as much as melting land ice?

Sea ice is already floating in the ocean.

How can climate change make some areas more vulnerable to drought?

Higher temperatures can increase evaporation and change rainfall patterns.

Why can climate change increase some extreme weather risks?

A warmer climate can provide more heat and moisture that fuel certain events.

What is the relationship between carbon footprint and greenhouse gases?

A carbon footprint measures the greenhouse gases produced by an activity.

Why is renewable energy important for fighting climate change?

It can replace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How can planting trees help fight climate change?

Trees remove $CO_2$ from the atmosphere as they grow.

Why can't planting trees alone completely solve climate change?

We also need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What happens when permafrost melts?

It can release stored carbon and methane.

Why can climate change affect human health?

It can increase heat stress, air pollution, and some disease risks.

Why does producing and transporting food contribute to carbon emissions?

Farming, processing, refrigeration, and transportation use energy and produce emissions.

What is one major difference between adaptation and mitigation?

Mitigation reduces climate change; adaptation helps people deal with its effects.

Which is better for climate action: reducing emissions or simply planting trees after emitting $CO_2$?

Reducing emissions is essential; tree planting can help but should not replace reductions.

Why is climate change considered a global problem?

Greenhouse gases affect the whole planet, even though impacts differ between regions.