Climate Basics
What is climate?
The average pattern of weather in a region over a long period of time.
What climate factor measures distance north/south from the equator?
Latitude.
Which climate zone is hot, humid, and rainy?
Tropical Climate.
What is climate change?
Long-term changes in Earth’s average weather patterns and temperatures.
What endangered tree species in Guam is also called Håyun Lågu?
Serianthes nelsonii
Guam has what type of climate?
Tropical climate.
What climate factor measures height above sea level?
Elevation.
Which climate zone has four distinct seasons?
Temperate Climate.
What gas is commonly released when fossil fuels are burned?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Name ONE example of Guam's ecosystems
Coral reefs, tropical forests, coastal wetlands, or marine ecosystems.
Name TWO things climate describes.
Temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, or seasonal weather patterns.
Areas near the coast are usually more humid because of what climate factor?
Continentality.
Which climate zone is extremely cold and dry?
Polar climate.
What is the greenhouse effect?
Heat trapped by gases in Earth's temperature.
About how much of Guam's food is imported?
About 90%.
True or False: Climate and weather mean the same thing.
False.
What happens to temperature as you move farther away from the equator?
It gets colder.
Name ONE example of a dry climate region from the slides.
Sahara Desert, Death Valley, or Southwestern U.S.
Name ONE human cause of climate change.
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial pollution, agriculture.
Name ONE renewable energy source mentioned in the slides.
Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal energy.
A student says weather and climate are the same thing. Explain the difference between weather and climate.
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific time and place, while climate is the average weather over a long period of time.
A moist air mass moves toward a mountain range. What happens on the windward side and the leeward side of the mountain?
The windward side gets more rain because air rises, cools, and condenses.
The leeward side becomes dry because the air loses moisture.
Compare tropical and polar climates. Name ONE characteristic of each.
Tropical climates are hot, humid, and rainy.
Polar climates are extremely cold and dry with little precipitation.
A graph shows Earth’s average temperature increasing over time. What does this tell scientists about climate change?
It shows that Earth is getting warmer and climate change is increasing global temperatures.
Describe ONE problem caused by climate change on Guam or Pacific islands AND describe ONE solution that could help.
Problems may include rising sea levels, stronger typhoons, coral bleaching, coastal erosion, or flooding.
Solutions may include renewable energy, protecting ecosystems, planting trees, local farming, conservation, or disaster preparedness.