Climate Change and Earth Systems

Flashcards about Climate Change, Natural Disasters, and Resource Management

Elevated levels of greenhouse gases in the air can modify the planet's overall by:

Trapping more heat within the Earth's atmosphere, leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures, and altering weather patterns.

A reduction in sea-ice cover alters Earth's energy balance because:

Ice is highly reflective, bouncing solar radiation back into space; melting ice exposes darker ocean water which absorbs more solar radiation, leading to further warming.

A significant outcome of permafrost thaw triggered by increasing temperatures is:

The release of trapped greenhouse gases and ground subsidence.

When the amount of solar energy reaching Earth's surface changes, it can cause:

Variations in global temperatures; changes in atmospheric circulation patterns; and alterations in precipitation levels.

Alterations in major ocean currents can shape global climate patterns by:

Redistributing heat around the planet and influencing regional temperatures and precipitation.

Natural disasters have guided human settlement or activity by:

Influencing where people choose to live, leading to the abandonment of high-risk areas, and motivating the development of disaster-resistant infrastructure.

Recent climate change has impacted farming practices or crop yields by:

Altering growing seasons, increasing the frequency of droughts and floods, and affecting the distribution of pests and diseases.

Certain regions are prone to more frequent wildfires as the climate warms because:

Higher temperatures and drier conditions create more flammable vegetation; increased lightning strikes can ignite fires more easily; and longer fire seasons provide more opportunities for fires to start and spread.

Rising global demand for fossil fuels has influenced human behavior and development by:

Driving economic growth in countries with large fossil fuel reserves, encouraging international trade, and contributing to geopolitical tensions.

The removal of forests can set up a feedback mechanism by:

Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere and increasing the amount in the atmosphere, leading to further warming and climate change.

The consequences of overfishing include:

Depletion of fish stocks, disruption of marine ecosystems, and economic losses for the fishing industry.

One reason why the development of wind-generated electricity can be contentious is:

Visual impact on landscapes, noise pollution, and potential harm to birds and other wildlife.

Warmer surface water in the oceans affects the development and intensity of hurricanes by:

Providing more energy and moisture to fuel the storm, leading to stronger winds and heavier rainfall, and prolonging the lifespan of the hurricane.

The physical property of water that causes rocks to fracture during repeated freeze-thaw cycles is:

Water expands when it freezes, exerting pressure on the rock.

It is crucial to manage natural resources sustainably because:

Ensures that resources are available for future generations, protects ecosystems and biodiversity, and promotes economic stability and social equity.

In a computer model of a forest, if tree harvesting increases while no replanting occurs, it is likely that:

The forest will decline in size and density, biodiversity will decrease, and the forest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide will diminish.

The statement that best describes why water acts as an effective agent of erosion is:

It can dissolve and transport materials over long distances.

Melting glaciers can amplify additional climate change by:

Reducing the amount of ice reflecting sunlight, raising sea levels, and releasing freshwater into the ocean.

The scientific definition of precipitation is:

Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface.

The loss of Arctic Sea ice enhances further global warming by:

Reducing the amount of ice reflecting sunlight, leading to increased absorption of solar radiation by the ocean.

Water plays a role in sculpting limestone caves by:

Dissolving the limestone rock through chemical weathering and forming intricate cave formations.

The scenario that would most likely show a long-term benefit for both human populations and biodiversity is:

Implementing sustainable land management practices that protect natural habitats and resources.

True or False: Volcanic eruptions can temporarily cool climate.

Volcanic eruptions can temporarily cool climate because the ash and aerosols emitted reflect incoming sunlight.

Wetlands perform important jobs in the environment, including:

Filtering pollutants from water, providing habitat for wildlife, and reducing the risk of flooding.

Factors that determine the density of ocean water include:

Temperature and salinity

Water contributes to the development of deltas by:

Transporting sediment that is deposited at the river's mouth, gradually building up the delta.

The environmental impact commonly linked to mining practices is:

Habitat destruction, Water pollution, and Soil erosion.

The term that refers to a rock that serves as a source of metallic minerals is:

Ore