State of the Climate
Where have some of the strongest and earliest impacts of global warming occurred?
A. In the tropics
B. In northern latitudes
C. Impacts of global warming are distributed equally all over the planet
B. In northern latitudes
Some of the fastest-warming regions on the planet include Alaska, Greenland and Siberia. These Arctic environments are highly sensitive to even small temperature increases, which can melt sea ice, ice sheets and permafrost, and lead to changes in Earth's reflectance ("albedo")
What factor is most important for the rise in temperature?
Greenhouse Gases
We produce more than 36 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. Where does the majority of it end up?
A. It is inhaled by trees for photosynthesis.
B. It enters our oceans.
C. It lingers in the atmosphere.
C. It lingers in the atmosphere.
Forty to 50 percent of the carbon dioxide stays in the air, and about 30 percent is dissolved in the oceans. Scientists are not sure about the rest. They believe it is absorbed by forests, soil, and crops.
What is the main driver of Global Warming?
CO2
Wasting less food is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
True or False?
True
More than a third of food produced globally never makes it to the table. Some of this wasted food spoils in transit, while consumers throw some of this food out. Food loss and waste account for around 8.2 percent of the total human-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Even in unhabitated regions, global warming is increasing the frequency of extreme events
True or False?
True
What are the three biggest natural influences on temperature changes?
Orbital Changes, Sun's Temperature, & Volcanic Activity
Which of the following gases does not trap heat?
A. Carbon Dioxide
B. Nitrogen
C. Water Vapor
D. Methane
B. Nitrogen
Heat-trapping greenhouse gases absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane are Earth's most abundant greenhouse gases. Nitrogen, which makes up 80 percent of Earth's atmosphere, is not a greenhouse gas. This is because its molecules, which contain two atoms of the same element (nitrogen), are unaffected by infrared light.
What is the goal stated in the Paris Agreement?
Below 2ºC, preferably 1.5º
Name three types of renewable energy
Wind, solar, hydroelectric, tidal, wave, ground source heat pump and geothermal energy are all types of renewable energy.
The rate of increase of Global Sea Level has increased linearly between 1901 - 2018
True or False?
Fasle; the rate of increase has been 1.3 mm/year between 1901-1971; 1.9mm/year between 1971-2006; 3.7 mm/year between 2006-2018
What are the four biggest anthropogenic influences on temperature change?
Land use, Ozone, Aerosols, Greenhouse Gases
Compared to other greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the most effective at trapping heat near the Earth's surface.
True or False
B. False
Water vapor actually has more heat-trapping power than carbon dioxide. It is also more abundant. But carbon dioxide and water vapor interact in crucial ways: More carbon dioxide means the atmosphere gets warmer, which then creates more water vapor, which traps heat and warms the atmosphere even more.
When would the warming excess 2ºC if CO2 emissions would continue to be as high as they are today?
2050
Name three ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint
• Putting on another jumper rather than turning the heating up
• Put a big umbrella around Earth
• Switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby
• Turning the lights off when leaving an empty room
• Walking/cycling or car sharing when traveling to school
• Eating less meat
• Even better – growing our own vegetables
Human influence very likely contributed to the decrease in Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover since ______
1950
What is the influence of Aerosols on Temperature?
They cool temperatures slightly because they reflect solar radiation!
How far can air pollution travel from its source?
A. 1 block
B. 1 mile
C. To the next state or major region
D. Around the world
D. Around the world
From space, we can see pollution moving across the oceans from one continent to another. For example, vast quantities of industrial aerosols (microscopic particles suspended in the atmosphere) and smoke from events such as wood or vegetation burning can travel from one side of the globe to another.
Until when will temperatures keep increasing under all scenarios?
Mid-Century
Unplugging appliances helps the climate
True or False?
True
It reduces electric consumption.
We often overlook the impact reducing our electric consumption can have on the environment around us. The truth is, unplugging unused electronics reduces our carbon emissions since most of our energy comes from fossil fuels.
What is the rate of increase of global sea level between 2006-2018?
1.3 mm/year between 1901-1971; 1.9mm/year between 1971-2006; 3.7 mm/year between 2006-2018
What are the three aspects of orbital changes?
Eccentricity, Orbliquity, Precession
If you removed the atmosphere's natural greenhouse effect, and everything else stayed the same, Earth's temperature would be:
A. 10 to 20°F (6 to 11°C) warmer
B. 30 to 40°F (17 to 22°C) warmer
C. 10 to 20°F (6 to 11°C) cooler
D. 50 to 60°F (28 to 33°C) cooler
D. 50 to 60°F (28 to 33°C) cooler
The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring physical process that warms the Earth's surface with energy from the atmosphere. Without the effect, Earth's average surface temperature would be well below freezing.
What do we need to do to keep Global Warming below 2ºC?
Global Net-zero CO2 emissions around 2050
Which of the following would have the biggest impact on reducing carbon emissions?
A. Growing our own vegetables
B. Stopping deforestation
C. Taking all fossil fuel-burning vehicles off the road
D. Shutting down all fossil fuel power plants
D. Shutting down all fossil fuel power plants
Shutting down fossil fuel plants and moving to clean, renewable energy sources (e.g., the sun and wind) would have the biggest impact.