Global Climate Change - AP Environmental Science
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Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?
Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?
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The Paris Agreement. Signed in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to below $2°C$.
The Paris Agreement. Signed in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to below $2°C$.
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What is the effect of thawing permafrost?
What is the effect of thawing permafrost?
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Releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Frozen organic matter decomposes, releasing $CH_4$ and $CO_2$.
Releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Frozen organic matter decomposes, releasing $CH_4$ and $CO_2$.
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Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
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Use public transportation. Mass transit reduces per-capita fossil fuel consumption.
Use public transportation. Mass transit reduces per-capita fossil fuel consumption.
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Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.
Identify one effect of global climate change on oceans.
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Rising sea levels. Thermal expansion and ice melt cause ocean levels to increase.
Rising sea levels. Thermal expansion and ice melt cause ocean levels to increase.
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Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.
Identify one strategy for climate change resilience.
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Building flood defenses. Infrastructure adaptation protects communities from climate impacts.
Building flood defenses. Infrastructure adaptation protects communities from climate impacts.
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What is carbon footprint?
What is carbon footprint?
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The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or entity. Measures the direct and indirect $CO_2$ emissions from all activities.
The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual or entity. Measures the direct and indirect $CO_2$ emissions from all activities.
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Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?
Which human activity is the largest contributor to CO₂ emissions?
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Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas combustion releases stored carbon.
Burning fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas combustion releases stored carbon.
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Define climate change mitigation.
Define climate change mitigation.
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Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases. Focuses on reducing sources and enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases.
Efforts to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases. Focuses on reducing sources and enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases.
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What is the primary source of methane emissions?
What is the primary source of methane emissions?
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Agriculture and livestock. Anaerobic decomposition in farming and ruminant digestion release $CH_4$.
Agriculture and livestock. Anaerobic decomposition in farming and ruminant digestion release $CH_4$.
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What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol?
What is the significance of the Kyoto Protocol?
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An international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. First legally binding climate agreement with emission reduction targets.
An international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. First legally binding climate agreement with emission reduction targets.
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Name three major greenhouse gases.
Name three major greenhouse gases.
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Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
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What is the impact of melting ice caps?
What is the impact of melting ice caps?
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Rising sea levels and habitat loss for polar species. Ice melt contributes to sea level rise and Arctic ecosystem changes.
Rising sea levels and habitat loss for polar species. Ice melt contributes to sea level rise and Arctic ecosystem changes.
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Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.
Explain the concept of 'climate adaptation'.
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Adjusting practices to minimize damage from climate impacts. Prepares systems and communities for unavoidable climate changes.
Adjusting practices to minimize damage from climate impacts. Prepares systems and communities for unavoidable climate changes.
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Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?
Which international agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions?
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The Paris Agreement. Signed in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to below $2°C$.
The Paris Agreement. Signed in 2015 to limit global temperature rise to below $2°C$.
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State the main cause of global warming.
State the main cause of global warming.
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Increased concentration of greenhouse gases from human activities. Fossil fuel combustion releases $CO_2$, enhancing the greenhouse effect.
Increased concentration of greenhouse gases from human activities. Fossil fuel combustion releases $CO_2$, enhancing the greenhouse effect.
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Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.
Identify one impact of climate change on agriculture.
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Altered growing seasons. Temperature and precipitation changes affect crop timing and yields.
Altered growing seasons. Temperature and precipitation changes affect crop timing and yields.
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What is a climate model?
What is a climate model?
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A simulation used to predict future climate changes. Uses mathematical equations to represent atmospheric and oceanic processes.
A simulation used to predict future climate changes. Uses mathematical equations to represent atmospheric and oceanic processes.
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What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?
What effect does climate change have on biodiversity?
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Loss of habitats and species extinction. Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns disrupt ecosystems.
Loss of habitats and species extinction. Changing temperatures and precipitation patterns disrupt ecosystems.
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Define the term 'albedo'.
Define the term 'albedo'.
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The reflectivity of Earth's surface. High albedo surfaces reflect more sunlight, cooling the planet.
The reflectivity of Earth's surface. High albedo surfaces reflect more sunlight, cooling the planet.
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Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.
Identify one consequence of increased ocean temperatures.
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Coral bleaching. Thermal stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.
Coral bleaching. Thermal stress causes corals to expel symbiotic algae.
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How do aerosols affect climate?
How do aerosols affect climate?
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Reflect sunlight, cooling the atmosphere. Particles scatter incoming solar radiation back to space.
Reflect sunlight, cooling the atmosphere. Particles scatter incoming solar radiation back to space.
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Identify one impact of climate change on human health.
Identify one impact of climate change on human health.
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Increased heat-related illnesses. Higher temperatures stress human physiology and spread disease vectors.
Increased heat-related illnesses. Higher temperatures stress human physiology and spread disease vectors.
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What is the effect of thawing permafrost?
What is the effect of thawing permafrost?
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Releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Frozen organic matter decomposes, releasing $CH_4$ and $CO_2$.
Releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Frozen organic matter decomposes, releasing $CH_4$ and $CO_2$.
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Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?
Which sector is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions?
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Agriculture. Fertilizer use and soil management release $N_2O$.
Agriculture. Fertilizer use and soil management release $N_2O$.
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Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
Name one way individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
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Use public transportation. Mass transit reduces per-capita fossil fuel consumption.
Use public transportation. Mass transit reduces per-capita fossil fuel consumption.
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What does the term 'carbon neutrality' mean?
What does the term 'carbon neutrality' mean?
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Balancing emitted CO₂ with removal or offsetting. Net-zero emissions achieved through reduction and offset strategies.
Balancing emitted CO₂ with removal or offsetting. Net-zero emissions achieved through reduction and offset strategies.
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Define 'carbon sink'.
Define 'carbon sink'.
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Natural systems that absorb more CO₂ than they release. Forests, oceans, and soil store carbon long-term.
Natural systems that absorb more CO₂ than they release. Forests, oceans, and soil store carbon long-term.
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What is ocean acidification?
What is ocean acidification?
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The decrease in pH of ocean water due to absorbed CO₂. Ocean absorbs atmospheric $CO_2$, forming carbonic acid that lowers pH.
The decrease in pH of ocean water due to absorbed CO₂. Ocean absorbs atmospheric $CO_2$, forming carbonic acid that lowers pH.
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What is the purpose of carbon credits?
What is the purpose of carbon credits?
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Permit to emit a certain amount of CO₂, tradeable to reduce emissions. Market-based mechanism that incentivizes emission reductions through trading.
Permit to emit a certain amount of CO₂, tradeable to reduce emissions. Market-based mechanism that incentivizes emission reductions through trading.
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What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?
What phenomenon is caused by increased greenhouse gases?
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Global warming. Enhanced greenhouse effect leads to rising global temperatures.
Global warming. Enhanced greenhouse effect leads to rising global temperatures.
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