Atmospheric System and Climate Change Lecture

Flashcards summarizing major concepts related to atmospheric systems, climate science, and the impacts of climate change on various spheres.

What does the atmospheric system include?

The atmospheric system includes the gases, processes, and energy flows in Earth’s atmosphere.

What is the greenhouse effect?

A natural process where gases trap heat, keeping Earth warm enough for life.

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

It refers to the human-caused increase in heat trapping due to burning fossil fuels and agricultural methane.

What are the key greenhouse gases (GHGs)?

Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which have significant roles in climate change.

Why won’t reducing CO2 cool the climate instantly?

Because CO2 has a long residence time, with impacts persisting for centuries.

What does the lithosphere refer to?

The solid Earth, including land, rocks, and tectonic plates.

What is the hydrosphere?

All water on Earth, including lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater, and ice.

What does the cryosphere encompass?

Earth’s frozen regions, such as glaciers, snow, sea ice, and permafrost.

What is the role of the atmosphere?

The layer of gases around Earth that regulates temperature, heat trapping, winds, and energy distribution.

Define the biosphere.

All living organisms on Earth, including plants, animals, and plankton.

How does climate change affect the cryosphere?

It leads to ice melting, reduces freshwater storage, and increases extinction risks for species.

How do melting glaciers impact the hydrosphere?

They cause short-term river discharge increases leading to floods, while long-term discharge decreases can lead to droughts.

What is the interaction between climate change and the biosphere?

Plants and animals shift differently, leading to ecosystem instability, and marine life suffers from temperature changes.

What is the relationship between the atmosphere and other systems?

The atmosphere redistributes heat and moisture, affecting flooding and drying in different areas.

What factors make adaptation urgent in climate situations?

Mitigation takes time, while adaptation protects vulnerable communities and services immediately.

What conditions allow climate adaptations to succeed in LICs?

Community involvement, accessible technology, available funding, education, and local solutions.

What are the disadvantages of adaptation policies?

They can be very expensive for LICs and may still result in severe impacts.

What are the pros of mitigation policies?

They slow long-term warming, encourage greener investments, and promote innovation.

What are the cons of mitigation policies?

They can raise manufacturing costs and slow industrial growth.

Why do people hesitate to implement SRM (Solar Radiation Management)?

Due to ethical concerns, potential untested impacts, and global mistrust.

What reasons do governments consider CCS/CDR (Carbon Capture & Storage/Direct Air Capture)?

They help clean carbon emissions and support mitigation goals.

Describe an effective way to analyze infographics in answers.

State the trend, explain the cause, impact, future implications, and end with a feasibility judgment.

What makes Bangladesh vulnerable to climate change?

Factors include low elevation, cyclones, poverty, and a reliance on climate-sensitive agriculture.

What adaptation opportunities can Bangladesh use/do?

Local co-ops for microfinancing, raised housing, floating gardens, and NGO partnerships.

Why does Bangladesh depend on external support?

Long-term adaptation costs exceed local GDP capabilities.

What advantages do HICs have regarding climate agreements?

They have the financial ability to influence agreements and develop technology for adaptation.

What is the reasoning behind the ethics debate on mitigation responsibilities?

It's argued that LICs should bear some responsibility, but also that it would hinder poverty reduction.

How does transport contribute to GHG emissions?

Transport emits CO2 and NOx by burning fossil fuels.

Why are governments promoting electric transport?

1. Reduce climate pollution

2. Improve public health

3. Reduce dependence on oil

What challenges remain for electric transport?

• Not enough charging stations

• High implementation cost

• Long charging time

What are pros of biofuels?

• Renewable energy source

• Creates jobs (farming, processing, transport)

• Supports agricultural businesses

• Uses organic waste materials

What are cons of biofuels?

• May increase food prices

• Requires large amounts of water to grow crops

• Takes up agricultural land

Why can the same country experience both flooding and drought?

• Different regions have different climates (north vs south can vary)

• Seasonal changes shift rainfall amounts

• Climate change increases extreme weather

Why do biomes move slower than animals?

• Plants take long to grow, spread, and establish in new areas

• Trees and large vegetation grow extremely slowly

• Animals can physically travel to new places quickly

Why are HIC populations particularly vulnerable in climate issues?

• High population density increases exposure to hazards

• More infrastructure → higher damage costs and disruption

• Aging populations increase health risks in climate extremes

• Strong dependence on energy-intensive lifestyles

What does the Vulnerability Index measure?

measures how exposed and able (or not able) people or places are to being harmed by hazards and how well they can cope and recover.

Why does Bangladesh rank high on the Vulnerability Index?

• Low-lying land, much of it near sea level

• Highly exposed to cyclones from Bay of Bengal

• Frequent river flooding from major rivers like the Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta

• Very high population density

• Limited financial and infrastructure resources to adapt

• High reliance on agriculture.

What determines if fixing climate change is doable?

• Cost and funding available

• Public participation and behaviour

• Education and awareness programs

• Technology access and efficiency

What affects whether a country can realistically adjust to climate change?

• Available money and budget

• Access to technology

• Education and awareness

How realistic and possible are carbon-removal projects like storing CO₂ or pulling it out of the air?

• Very high cost

• Needs advanced technology

• Requires lots of energy

• Limited storage locations available

What makes solar climate-control methods (SRM) difficult or risky to realistically carry out?

• Could change rainfall patterns unevenly

• No clear rules or laws yet

• Unknown long-term side effects

What are the success factors for climate policies?

• Clear and strong laws

• Government enforcement

• Climate education and awareness

• Public support and cooperation

What common factors contribute to climate policy failures?

• Lack of government enforcement

• Weak or unclear laws

• Not enough funding or budget

How does overpopulation correlate with vulnerability to climate disaster?

High population density increases vulnerability when disasters occur faster than recovery services can scale.

How does an urban youth bulge influence energy consumption?

A larger youth population leads to increased consumerism and energy demands if grid technology does not shift.