Unit 9: Global Change

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to global change, the greenhouse effect, climate change, ozone depletion, and biodiversity.

Global Change

Large-scale shifts in Earth’s climate system and atmosphere that occur over decades to centuries.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process that warms Earth’s lower atmosphere and surface by retaining heat.

Albedo

The fraction of incoming solar radiation that is reflected by a surface.

Climate vs. Weather

Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns.

Positive Feedback Loop

A process where an initial change triggers effects that amplify the original change.

Ozone Depletion

A decrease in stratospheric ozone primarily caused by human-made chemicals like CFCs.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, chemicals that deplete ozone in the stratosphere.

Anthropogenic Drivers

Human-induced factors contributing to climate change, such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.

Carbon Sequestration

The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Thermal Expansion

The increase in water volume as ocean water warms, contributing to sea level rise.

Ecosystem Impacts of Climate Change

Shifts in species range, timing of life events, and increased stress from environmental extremes.

Mitigation

Strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit future climate change.

Adaptation

Adjustments to human systems to reduce harm from climate change impacts that are unavoidable.

Ozone Layer

A region of the stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone and protects Earth from harmful UV radiation.

Stratospheric Ozone

Beneficial ozone located high in the atmosphere that absorbs harmful UV radiation.

Tropospheric Ozone

Pollutant ozone found near the ground, contributing to smog and respiratory problems.

Polar Amplification

The phenomenon where polar regions warm faster than the global average due to feedback mechanisms.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in pH of ocean waters caused by increased CO2 absorption.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread in new environments, often causing ecological harm.

Endangered Species

Species at a very high risk of extinction in the wild.