Global Warming & Climate Change

These flashcards cover key concepts related to global warming and climate change, focusing on the greenhouse effect, evidence of climate change, environmental impacts, and thermohaline circulation.

Natural Greenhouse Effect

Solar radiation enters Earth, the surface absorbs energy, emits longwave radiation, which greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb and re-radiate, keeping temperatures suitable for life.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

An anthropogenic increase in greenhouse gases that traps extra heat, raising temperatures beyond the natural greenhouse effect.

Main Greenhouse Gases

CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, H₂O vapor.

Natural Sources of CO₂

Respiration, decomposition, volcanoes, ocean release.

Human Sources of CO₂

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, cement production.

Natural Sources of CH₄

Wetlands, termites, oceans.

Human Sources of CH₄

Livestock, landfills, rice farming, fossil fuel leaks.

Natural Sources of N₂O

Soil bacteria, oceans.

Human Sources of N₂O

Fertilisers, livestock manure, burning fossil fuels.

Natural Sources of H₂O Vapor

Evaporation, transpiration.

Human Sources of H₂O Vapor

Minimal direct impact; indirectly increases with warming.

Rising Greenhouse Gas Concentration

More gases like CO₂ trap heat, showing the cause of warming.

Increased Global Surface Temperatures

Shows Earth is heating, matching greenhouse gas rises.

Melting Permafrost and Reduced Snow/Ice

Visible physical changes; less ice = more heat absorbed (positive feedback).

Increased Ocean Temperature

Oceans store most excess heat, showing warming is global.

Rising Sea Levels

Caused by melting ice and thermal expansion; affects coasts.

Extreme Weather Events

More heat leads to more severe storms, floods, droughts, and heatwaves.

Effect of Extreme Weather Events

More frequent storms, floods, droughts, bushfires; damages ecosystems and humans.

Effect of Increased Extinction Rates

Species cannot adapt/migrate; biodiversity decreases.

Effect of Ocean Acidification

CO₂ dissolves, lowering pH; harms corals, shellfish, marine life.

Effect of Rising Sea Levels

Coastal flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion; impacts humans and habitats.

Effect of Food and Water Scarcity

Changes in rainfall and droughts reduce crops and freshwater availability.

Effect of Increased Heat-Related Deaths

More heatwaves lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, death, especially in vulnerable groups.

Effect of Increased Infectious Disease

Warmer climates allow disease vectors to expand; more malaria, dengue, waterborne illnesses.

Equator in Thermohaline Circulation

Warm and less dense water stays near surface and flows toward poles.

Poles in Thermohaline Circulation

Water cools, becomes dense and saline, sinks to the deep ocean.

Heat Distribution via Thermohaline Circulation

Warm surface water flows poleward; cold deep water returns to equator, acting as a global conveyor belt.

Consequences of Too Warm Oceans

Polar water may not cool enough to sink; density decreases and circulation slows, disrupting climate.