Climate Change Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing climate change concepts.

Weather

Short-term atmospheric conditions, such as rain, temperature, and wind, that change daily.

Climate

Long-term average of weather conditions over decades, such as tropical, arid, or polar.

Troposphere

The layer of the atmosphere closest to Earth, where weather happens, and contains ~78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases.

Stratosphere

Layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer and absorbs UV radiation.

Mesosphere

The coldest layer of the atmosphere, where meteors burn up.

Thermosphere

Layer of the atmosphere where auroras occur, characterized by high temperatures and very thin air.

Exosphere

The outermost layer of the atmosphere that merges with space.

Radiation

Energy transfer through electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Conduction

Direct heat transfer through contact, such as the ground heating air.

Convection

Heat transfer through fluid movement, such as warm air rising.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where the Sun’s energy enters as shortwave radiation, Earth re-emits it as longwave infrared, and greenhouse gases trap it, warming the planet.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and water vapor (H2O).

Reinforcing Feedback

Feedback that amplifies change, such as melting ice reducing albedo, leading to more warming.

Counterbalance Feedback

Feedback that dampens change, such as increased plant growth absorbing more CO2.

Albedo

Reflectivity of a surface; high albedo (e.g., ice) means more reflection and less warming.

Mitigation

Reducing emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, and reforestation efforts.

Adaptation

Building resilient infrastructure and preparing for extreme weather events.

Sustainability

Using resources in a way that doesn’t deplete them for future generations.