Global Climate Change - AP Environmental Science

1. What is ocean acidification?

   The decrease in pH of ocean water due to absorbed CO₂. Ocean absorbs atmospheric $CO_2$, forming carbonic acid that lowers pH.

2. What is the purpose of carbon credits?

   Permit to emit a certain amount of CO₂, tradeable to reduce emissions. Market-based mechanism that incentivizes emission reductions through trading.

3. Define climate change mitigation.

   Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases. Focuses on reducing sources and enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases.

4. What is the effect of thawing permafrost?

   Releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Frozen organic matter decomposes, releasing $CH_4$ and $CO_2$.

5. What is an example of an anthropogenic climate change factor?

   Industrial emissions. Human activities that directly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

6. Define 'carbon sink'.

   Natural systems that absorb more CO₂ than they release. Forests, oceans, and soil store carbon long-term.

7. What does 'pH' measure in the context of ocean acidification?

   Acidity or alkalinity of ocean water. Scale from 0-14 measuring hydrogen ion concentration in solution.

8. Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.

   Altered growing seasons. Temperature and precipitation changes affect crop timing and yields.

9. What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?

   Loss of habitats and species extinction. Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns disrupt ecosystems.

10. State the main cause of global warming.

    Increased concentration of greenhouse gases from human activities. Fossil fuel combustion releases $CO_2$, enhancing the greenhouse effect.

11. What is the role of forests in climate regulation?

    Forests absorb CO₂, reducing atmospheric carbon levels. Trees act as carbon sinks through photosynthesis and carbon storage.

12. What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

    Assess scientific information on climate change. Provides authoritative climate science reports for policymakers.

13. Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.

    Rising sea levels. Thermal expansion and ice melt cause ocean levels to increase.

14. What is the impact of climate change on weather patterns?

    Increased frequency of extreme weather events. Altered atmospheric circulation patterns intensify storms and droughts.

15. How does deforestation affect climate change?

    Increases CO₂ levels, reducing carbon absorption. Removes carbon-storing trees and reduces natural $CO_2$ sequestration.

16. What does the term 'carbon neutrality' mean?

    Balancing emitted CO₂ with removal or offsetting. Net-zero emissions achieved through reduction and offset strategies.

17. Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

    Agriculture. Fertilizer use and soil management release $N_2O$.

18. Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?

    Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas combustion releases stored carbon.

19. What is the primary source of methane emissions?

    Agriculture and livestock. Anaerobic decomposition in farming and ruminant digestion release $CH_4$.

20. What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?

    Global warming. Enhanced greenhouse effect leads to rising global temperatures.

21. Name three major greenhouse gases.

    Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

22. Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.

    Coral bleaching. Thermal stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.

23. Identify one impact of climate change on human health.

    Increased heat-related illnesses. Higher temperatures stress human physiology and spread disease vectors.

24. Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.

    Adjusting practices to minimize damage from climate impacts. Prepares systems and communities for unavoidable climate changes.

25. What is a climate model?

    A simulation used to predict future climate changes. Uses mathematical equations to represent atmospheric and oceanic processes.

26. Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

    Use public transportation. Mass transit reduces per-capita fossil fuel consumption.

27. What is the greenhouse effect?

    The warming of Earth's surface due to trapped heat by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation, preventing heat from escaping to space.

28. Define the term 'albedo'.

    The reflectivity of Earth's surface. High albedo surfaces reflect more sunlight, cooling the planet.

29. What is the impact of climate change on freshwater resources?

    Altered availability and quality. Changing precipitation and temperature patterns affect water supply.

30. Identify one method of carbon sequestration.

    Storing CO₂ in geological formations. Carbon capture and storage prevents $CO_2$ from entering the atmosphere.

31. Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.

    Building flood defenses. Infrastructure adaptation protects communities from climate impacts.

32. What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol?

    An international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. First legally binding climate agreement with emission reduction targets.

33. What is carbon footprint?

    The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or entity. Measures the direct and indirect $CO_2$ emissions from all activities.

34. Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?

    The Paris Agreement. Signed in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to below $2°C$.

35. How do aerosols affect climate?

    Reflect sunlight, cooling the atmosphere. Particles scatter incoming solar radiation back to space.

36. Name a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gases.

    Solar power. Generates electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

37. What is the impact of melting ice caps?

    Rising sea levels and habitat loss for polar species. Ice melt contributes to sea level rise and Arctic ecosystem changes.

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