All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify the unit for measuring atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.
Answer: Parts per million (ppm). Standard measurement for trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Flashcard 2: Name three primary greenhouse gases.
Answer: Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor. These are the most significant heat-trapping gases in Earth's atmosphere.
Flashcard 3: What is the GWP of carbon dioxide?
Answer: 1 (baseline for comparison). CO2 serves as the reference standard for comparing other greenhouse gases.
Flashcard 4: Which process contributes to the natural greenhouse effect?
Answer: Absorption and re-emission of infrared radiation by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases absorb Earth's outgoing infrared radiation and re-emit it downward.
Flashcard 5: State the Kyoto Protocol's main goal.
Answer: To reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. International treaty establishing binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
Flashcard 6: Identify one factor that can lead to increased atmospheric CO2.
Answer: Burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuel combustion is the dominant source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
Flashcard 7: Identify the main natural process removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert atmospheric CO2 into organic compounds using solar energy.
Flashcard 8: Which gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP)?
Answer: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs have GWPs thousands of times higher than CO2 but are now regulated.
Flashcard 9: What is the role of water vapor in the greenhouse effect?
Answer: It is a potent greenhouse gas amplifying warming. Water vapor provides positive feedback, amplifying warming from other greenhouse gases.
Flashcard 10: Identify a significant consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Answer: Global climate change. Enhanced greenhouse effect disrupts global climate systems and weather patterns.
Flashcard 11: What is the effect of deforestation on the greenhouse effect?
Answer: Increases carbon dioxide levels, enhancing the greenhouse effect. Trees absorb CO2; removing them reduces carbon storage capacity.
Flashcard 12: What is the main consequence of permafrost thawing?
Answer: Release of stored methane and CO2. Thawing releases previously frozen organic carbon as greenhouse gases.
Flashcard 13: What is the primary method by which oceans absorb CO2?
Answer: Dissolution of CO2 in seawater. CO2 dissolves directly into ocean water, forming carbonic acid.
Flashcard 14: Identify a natural source of carbon dioxide.
Answer: Volcanic eruptions. Volcanoes release CO2 from magma and carbonate rock decomposition.
Flashcard 15: What is the role of carbon sinks in climate regulation?
Answer: They absorb more carbon than they emit, reducing atmospheric CO2. Carbon sinks remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than they release.
Flashcard 16: Which human activity is a significant source of methane?
Answer: Agriculture, specifically livestock digestion. Ruminants produce methane through digestion, and rice paddies emit it from anaerobic conditions.
Flashcard 17: What is one direct effect of increased atmospheric CO2 on oceans?
Answer: Ocean acidification. CO2 dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid and lowering ocean pH.
Flashcard 18: Identify the main greenhouse gas emitted by agriculture.
Answer: Methane. Livestock digestion and rice cultivation are major agricultural methane sources.
Flashcard 19: What is the main purpose of the Paris Agreement?
Answer: To limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. International agreement to prevent dangerous climate change through emission reductions.
Flashcard 20: Which greenhouse gas is most abundant in the atmosphere?
Answer: Water vapor. Water vapor makes up 1-4% of the atmosphere and has strong heat-trapping properties.
Flashcard 21: What is the primary cause of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions?
Answer: Human industrial activities. Manufacturing, energy production, and transportation burn fossil fuels for power.
Flashcard 22: What role does nitrous oxide play in the greenhouse effect?
Answer: It is a potent greenhouse gas released by agriculture and industry. N2O has a GWP about 300 times higher than CO2 over 100 years.
Flashcard 23: What is the potential impact of increased temperature on biodiversity?
Answer: Loss of species unable to adapt to rapid climate changes. Rapid climate change exceeds species' adaptation rates, causing extinctions.
Flashcard 24: Identify the main natural process removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Answer: Photosynthesis. Plants convert atmospheric CO2 into organic compounds using solar energy.
Flashcard 25: What is the effect of increased greenhouse gases on polar ice caps?
Answer: Melting of ice caps due to rising temperatures. Higher temperatures cause ice to melt, contributing to sea level rise.
Flashcard 26: Identify the main anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide.
Answer: Fossil fuel combustion. Burning coal, oil, and gas releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Flashcard 27: What is the primary method of methane emission from wetlands?
Answer: Anaerobic decomposition of organic material. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen, producing methane gas.
Flashcard 28: What impact does ocean acidification have on marine life?
Answer: It harms marine organisms, particularly shell-forming species. Lower pH dissolves calcium carbonate shells and disrupts marine food chains.
Flashcard 29: Identify one mitigation strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Answer: Increasing energy efficiency. Using less energy reduces fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Flashcard 30: Explain the term 'albedo effect.'
Answer: The reflectivity of Earth's surface impacting heat absorption. Higher albedo reflects more solar radiation, while lower albedo absorbs more heat.