Environmental Science Test 4: Climate Change

Global temperatures have varied quite a bit throughout Earth history, but now earth is heating up very fast

True

Greenhouse Effect

The process where atmospheric gases trap long wave radiation which keeps the earth warm

The current warming of the Earth is most likely due to a reduction in the amount of Greenhouse gases (GHG)

False

What are the 4 Greenhouse Gases

CH4 (Methane, 10%), CO2 (81%), Halocarbons (CFCs), N2O (Nitris Oxide)

Which of the GHG contributes most to the greenhouse effect

CO2

CO2 has the greatest warming potential due to two factors

Large forcing factor and long residency

Current pace of atmospheric CO2

In human history, atmospheric CO2 concentrations were about 280 ppm, now over 431 ppm which is +54%. Current pace is 426%

Which country is the greatest producer of CO2

China

In the last 20 years, only a few of the years have been some of the hottest on record, since there is a cooling trend

False

Temperatures

Temperature has increased 1.5.C in the last century. It is increasing at a faster rate, leading to almost 1.C in 50 years and .75.C in 25 years. Hottest year was 2024, 2nd hottest was 2023. The Northern Hemisphere of the globe is heating up the fastest.

As Greenland warms up, the speed has been reduced (especially the Jakobshaven Glacier)

False

Heating faster than rest of planet

The Arctic is heating up more rapidly than the rest of the planet, 20% reflected by vegetation and dark soil, 80-90% reflected by snow, 10% reflected by ocean