AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Global Climate Change

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Global Climate Change, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?

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

Flashcard 2: What is the effect of thawing permafrost?

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

Flashcard 3: Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

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

Flashcard 4: Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.

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

Flashcard 5: Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.

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

Flashcard 6: What is carbon footprint?

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

Flashcard 7: Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?

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

Flashcard 8: Define climate change mitigation.

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

Flashcard 9: What is the primary source of methane emissions?

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

Flashcard 10: What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol?

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

Flashcard 11: Name three major greenhouse gases.

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

Flashcard 12: What is the impact of melting ice caps?

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

Flashcard 13: Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.

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

Flashcard 14: Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?

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

Flashcard 15: State the main cause of global warming.

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

Flashcard 16: Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.

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

Flashcard 17: What is a climate model?

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

Flashcard 18: What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?

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

Flashcard 19: Define the term 'albedo'.

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

Flashcard 20: Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.

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

Flashcard 21: How do aerosols affect climate?

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

Flashcard 22: Identify one impact of climate change on human health.

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

Flashcard 23: What is the effect of thawing permafrost?

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

Flashcard 24: Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

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

Flashcard 25: Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

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

Flashcard 26: What does the term 'carbon neutrality' mean?

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

Flashcard 27: Define 'carbon sink'.

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

Flashcard 28: What is ocean acidification?

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

Flashcard 29: What is the purpose of carbon credits?

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

Flashcard 30: What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?

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