Climate Change and Its Impact

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to climate change, its effects, and underlying scientific principles.

Greenhouse gases

Airborne chemicals that capture and hold heat within Earth’s atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas contributed by human activities such as power generation and industry.

The Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where greenhouse gases trap heat, vital for life on Earth.

Coral Bleaching

A phenomenon where coral loses its symbiotic algae due to stressors like increased ocean temperature and pollution.

Ecosystems effects

Consequences of climate change on ecosystems, such as shifting species ranges and melting polar habitats.

Acid Rain

Precipitation that contains harmful acidic substances, often resulting from atmospheric pollutants.

Atmospheric accumulation

The buildup of gases in the atmosphere, which is contributing to global climate change.

Carbon stored

Carbon that is locked away in various systems, preventing it from contributing to atmospheric CO2 levels.

Fossil fuels

Natural substances formed from decomposed organisms that release carbon dioxide when burned.

Solar irradiance

The power per unit area received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation.