Climate Factors, Effects, and Policy Strategies: A Comprehensive Study Guide

What are the 5 main factors that influence climate?

The Sun, Wind Patterns, Ocean Currents, Topography, Vegetation.

How does the Sun influence climate?

The sun heats the Earth unevenly due to different angles of sunlight.

What role do Wind Patterns play in climate?

Winds transport heat and moisture, affecting the climate in regions they pass over.

How do Ocean Currents affect climate?

They transfer heat and moisture, influencing global weather patterns.

What is the effect of Topography on climate?

It affects how air and moisture move; higher places are cooler.

How does Vegetation influence climate?

Vegetation takes in CO2 during photosynthesis, affecting temperatures.

Why is it warmer at the equator?

Because sunlight strikes those areas directly.

What is the difference between climate and weather?

Climate is long-term average weather; weather is short-term atmospheric conditions.

What is the difference between climate change and global warming?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in climate; global warming is the rise in average temperature.

What is the greenhouse effect?

Greenhouse gases warm the Earth by trapping the sun's heat.

Is the greenhouse effect good, bad, or both?

Both; it keeps Earth warm but too much can lead to global warming.

What are greenhouse gases?

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, e.g., Carbon dioxide, Methane.

How does burning fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

It releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

How does waste contribute to climate change?

Waste breakdown in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

How does agriculture contribute to climate change?

Livestock releases methane; fertilizers release nitrous oxide.

What is the impact of urban development on climate change?

It contributes pollutants and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

How does deforestation affect climate change?

It releases stored carbon dioxide and reduces carbon absorption by trees.

What causes yearly fluctuations in CO2 levels?

The cycle of plant growth and decay.

What is proxy data?

Indirect evidence used to reconstruct past climates.

What are ice cores?

Frozen records of past climates that help scientists study climate history.

What are the six main categories of climate change effects?

Environment, water, food, human health, infrastructure, economy.

What is coral bleaching?

When warmer water causes corals to expel algae, turning them white.

Are corals dead during bleaching?

No, they are stressed but not dead.

What is ocean acidification?

When oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide.

What causes sea levels to rise?

Warming in the Arctic is causing sea levels to rise.

What are the potential consequences of rising sea levels?

Loss of habitats for sea animals and increased ocean heat absorption.

How does climate change affect habitats of organisms?

It forces animals to move and increases competition.

What is infrastructure?

Basic facilities and systems serving a community.

How is infrastructure affected by climate change?

Extreme weather and rising sea levels can damage infrastructure.

What is the difference between adaptation and mitigation in climate response?

Adaptation is adjusting to changes; mitigation is preventing climate change.

What is carbon sequestration?

The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide.

What is the Paris Agreement?

A global treaty to reduce global warming by limiting temperature rise.

What is a carbon tax?

A tax on carbon emissions.

What is carbon offsetting?

Supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions, like planting trees.

What is the cap-and-trade system?

A system where the government limits total carbon emissions and permits can be traded.