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: Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

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

Flashcard 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

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

Flashcard 6: Define 'carbon sink'.

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

Flashcard 7: What is the role of forests in climate regulation?

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

Flashcard 8: Name three major greenhouse gases.

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

Flashcard 9: 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 10: Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.

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

Flashcard 11: 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 12: 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 13: What is an example of an anthropogenic climate change factor?

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

Flashcard 14: What is the impact of climate change on freshwater resources?

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

Flashcard 15: Define 'carbon sink'.

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

Flashcard 16: 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 17: Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.

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

Flashcard 18: What does 'pH' measure in the context of ocean acidification?

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

Flashcard 19: Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.

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

Flashcard 20: What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?

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

Flashcard 21: What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?

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

Flashcard 22: What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?

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

Flashcard 23: 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 24: 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 25: What is the role of forests in climate regulation?

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

Flashcard 26: How does deforestation affect climate change?

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

Flashcard 27: What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

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

Flashcard 28: How do aerosols affect climate?

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

Flashcard 29: Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.

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

Flashcard 30: 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 31: Identify one method of carbon sequestration.

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

Flashcard 32: What is the impact of climate change on weather patterns?

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

Flashcard 33: How does deforestation affect climate change?

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

Flashcard 34: 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 35: Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.

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

Flashcard 36: 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 37: Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?

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

Flashcard 38: What is the impact of climate change on weather patterns?

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

Flashcard 39: Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?

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

Flashcard 40: What is the primary source of methane emissions?

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

Flashcard 41: What does 'pH' measure in the context of ocean acidification?

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

Flashcard 42: What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?

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

Flashcard 43: Name three major greenhouse gases.

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

Flashcard 44: 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 45: Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.

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

Flashcard 46: Name a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gases.

Answer: Solar power. Generates electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Flashcard 47: Identify one impact of climate change on human health.

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

Flashcard 48: Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.

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

Flashcard 49: What is the primary source of methane emissions?

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

Flashcard 50: What is a climate model?

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

Flashcard 51: Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

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

Flashcard 52: Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.

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

Flashcard 53: What is the greenhouse effect?

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

Flashcard 54: Define the term 'albedo'.

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

Flashcard 55: What is the impact of climate change on freshwater resources?

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

Flashcard 56: Identify one impact of climate change on human health.

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

Flashcard 57: Identify one method of carbon sequestration.

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

Flashcard 58: What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

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

Flashcard 59: Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.

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

Flashcard 60: 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 61: 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 62: 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 63: What is a climate model?

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

Flashcard 64: 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 65: Define the term 'albedo'.

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

Flashcard 66: Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.

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

Flashcard 67: 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 68: What is an example of an anthropogenic climate change factor?

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

Flashcard 69: Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?

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

Flashcard 70: 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 71: How do aerosols affect climate?

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

Flashcard 72: Name a renewable energy source that reduces greenhouse gases.

Answer: Solar power. Generates electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Flashcard 73: 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.