Science- Global systems & cycles

What does “the greenhouse effect” describe?

The process where certain gases in the earths atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the planet by acting like a blanket, preventing some of the heat from escaping back to space

Which is the most common greenhouse gas in our atmosphere?

Water Vapor

Which is the most effective greenhouse gas in our atmosphere?

Methane

Which greenhouse gasses are produced through volcanic outgassing?

Carbon dioxide, Sulphur oxide, and methane

Which greenhouse gasses are produced through burning fossil fuels?

Carbon dioxide, sulphur, and nitrogen

Has the greenhouse effect always been considered problematic? Explain your answer

No, the greenhouse effect hasn’t always been considered problematic- it’s a natural and essential process that makes life possible. It became problematic mid-20th century when industrialisation led to a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation and agriculture.

What is positive feedback?

A process where an initial change in the climate system triggers effects that further amplify that change

Example of positive feedback?

Ice-albedo feedback loop:

1. Global temp rises due to increased greenhouse gas

2. Arctic sea ice melts, exposing darker ocean water

3. Dark surfaces absorb more sunlight than reflective ice

4. This leads to further warming, which melts even more ice

What can we do to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect?

1. Transition to clean energy

2. Rethink transportation

3. Protect & restore ecosystems

In which spheres does life exist?

A. Hydrosphere

B. Biosphere

C. Lithosphere

D. Atmosphere

B. Biosphere

The lithosphere consists of

A. Water

B. Rocks and soil

C. Gases

D. Animals

B. Rocks and soil

The process used by plants to convert energy from the sun into chemical energy is:

A. Diffusion

B. Respiration

C. Photosynthesis

D. Transpiration

C. Photosynthesis

In the carbon cycle, what is responsible for the breakdown of the remains of dead organisms on and below the earths surface?

A. Consumers

B. Decomposers

C. Producers

D. Scavengers

B. Decomposers

Mining has an impact on earths cycles because

A. The land is cleared of trees

B. It costs money to build the mines

C. There are less animals but more humans

D. Fossil fuels are used in machinery and transport vehicles

D. Fossil fuels are used in machinery and transport vehicles

Which of the following properties is most likely to affect ocean levels?

A. Dissolved oxygen

B. pH

C. Nitrate level

D. Temperature

E. All of the above

D. None of the above

D. Temperature

A source of greenhouse gases is

A. Books

B. Water

C. Trees

D. Livestock

D. Livestock

Climate models predict Australia’s temperature could rise by how much by 2070?

A. 1.5

B. 2.0

C. 5.4

D. 6.0

Biosphere 2 and earth are similar because they are both

A. Artificial ecosystems

B. Natural ecosystems

C. Closed ecosystems

D. Open ecosystems

C. Closed ecosystems

The main difference between the greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect is

A. A decrease in greenhouse gases

B. The depletion of the ozone layer

C. An increase in carbon dioxide gas only

D. An increase in all greenhouse gases

D. An increase in all greenhouse gases

What type of evidence do palaeoclimate scientists look for to determine what the climate was like in the past?

A. Fossils

B. Ice cores

C. Gases in the atmosphere

D. Soil

B. Ice cores

The role of the ozone layer is to

A. Trap greenhouse gases

B. Trap UV radiation retaliated back into the atmosphere from the surface

C. Block out 95% of the UV rays entering the atmosphere

D. React with CFCs to create more ozone

C. Block out 95% of the UV rays entering the atmosphere

Apart from carbon dioxide, identify another carbon compound that is a significant greenhouse gas. State the source of this gas

Methane (CH4) is another significant carbon-based greenhouse gas besides carbon dioxide. Comes from both human and natural sources such as: cows, wetlands, fossil fuel production, termites, etc,

How do scientists use climate models to predict future climate scenarios? What are the uncertainties and challenges in making long-term climate predictions?

They use climate models- complex computer simulations based on physical laws- to predict how earths climate might change under different scenarios. Uncertainties arise from natural variability, future human behaviour, and limitation in data and mode resolution.

What are three key indicators scientists use to track global climate change, and how have these indicators changed over the past century?

Global surface temp, sea level rise, and atmospheric greenhouse gases concentrations. All three have significantly increased over the past century.

Identify three things you can do to reduce your impact on earths climate

1. Choose low-carbon climate

2. Eat more plant-based foods

3. Reduce energy use at home

Indemnify two ways climate change disproportionately affect different communities and populations?

1. Geographic vulnerability

2. Socioeconomic inequality

In recent times, there has been more awareness about living sustainably, given the impact humans are having.

For each of the following, identify and explain a change that would need to occur in order for humans to live sustainably.

A. Fresh-water use

• A shift from high-consumption habits to conservation-focused behaviours

• Upgrade to water-efficient appliances such as low-flow toilets

• Implement smart irrigation systems in agriculture to reduce overwatering and runoff

In recent times, there has been more awareness about living sustainably, given the impact humans are having.

For each of the following, identify and explain a change that would need to occur in order for humans to live sustainably.

B. Change in land use

• Reduce deforestation and land clearing for agriculture, mining and urban development

• Promote reforestation, afforestation, and restoration of degraded ecosystems

• Design cities with smart growth principles - compact, green, and efficient land use

Coal and oil companies are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases but are highly profitable. Explain why governments have difficulties in trying to legislate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Governments struggle to legislate greenhouse gases reductions from coal and oil companies due to economic dependence, political influence, and concerns over energy security and employment.

As energy flows through the environment. It cannot be lost or destroyed. Where does it eventually go?

As energy flows through ecosystems- from sun to plants then animals - it undergoes transformations, eventually it becomes heat and is radiated to space