CLIMATE BASICS
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather describes short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term patterns of weather.
What natural process helps keep Earth's surface warm enough to support life?
The greenhouse effect.
What is global warming?
The long-term rise in Earth's average temperature due to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
What can prolonged drought cause in agricultural areas?
Water scarcity, food shortages, and reduced agricultural productivity.
What does ENSO stand for?
El Niño–Southern Oscillation.
Name the five Earth systems that influence climate.
Atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
Give two examples of greenhouse gases mentioned in the lesson.
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, ozone.
What is climate change?
Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
What may happen to coastal communities as sea levels rise?
They may experience flooding, coastal erosion, and displacement.
During an El Niño event, are ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific warmer or cooler than normal?
Warmer than normal.
What two major factors are commonly used to describe climate patterns?
Temperature and precipitation.
What happens to heat during the greenhouse effect?
Some heat is trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere instead of escaping into space.
What do ice cores tell us about carbon dioxide and Earth's temperature?
When carbon dioxide increases, Earth's temperature also increases.
How can climate change affect human health?
It can increase heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and diseases associated with flooding and extreme weather.
What weather conditions does the Philippines commonly experience during El Niño?
Below-normal rainfall, dry spells, droughts, and increased water scarcity.
Why can changes in climate affect living organisms?
Climate influences the temperature and precipitation conditions that determine which plants and animals can survive in an area.
What human activity is primarily responsible for the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants, and industries.
Name two observed signs of current climate change mentioned in the lesson
Rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, ocean warming/acidification, shrinking ice sheets, retreating glaciers, or more frequent extreme weather events.
Why are low-lying coastal areas in the Philippines particularly vulnerable to climate change?
They are at risk of being inundated by rising sea levels and are vulnerable to stronger typhoons, storm surges, and coastal erosion.
What is one major difference between El Niño and La Niña?
El Niño is associated with warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, while La Niña is associated with cooler-than-normal temperatures.
A region experiences a long-term change in temperature and precipitation patterns. Is this weather or climate change? Explain.
Climate change, because it involves long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns.
Why is the natural greenhouse effect necessary, but an enhanced greenhouse effect harmful?
The natural greenhouse effect keeps Earth warm enough for life, while excessive greenhouse gases trap more heat and cause Earth's temperature to rise.
If greenhouse gas concentrations continue to increase, predict one likely environmental consequence and explain why it may happen.
Global temperatures will continue to rise because increased greenhouse gases trap more heat in Earth's atmosphere. This can contribute to sea-level rise, melting ice, ocean warming, and more extreme weather.
A farming community experiences prolonged drought followed by intense rainfall and flooding. Explain how climate change could affect the community's food security.
Drought can reduce crop production, while flooding can destroy crops and farmland. Together, these can reduce food supply and increase food insecurity.
A school wants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Give three actions students can do based on the lesson.
onserve electricity, walk/bike/use public transportation, reduce/reuse/recycle, support tree planting or reforestation, and reduce consumption.