Green House Basics
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases in the atmosphere that absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping heat.
Outline the natural greenhouse effect.
Sunlight enters, Earth absorbs energy, Earth emits infrared radiation, greenhouse gases trap some heat, Earth stays warm.
What is methane and why is it important?
A powerful greenhouse gas with high heat-trapping ability, especially in the short term.
How has historical climate data developed over time?
From ice cores, tree rings, and sediment cores to modern satellite and instrument data.
What is bias?
Systematic error that favors one outcome or viewpoint.
Name three greenhouse gases.
Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour.
Explain step-by-step the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Humans burn fossil fuels, greenhouse gases increase, more infrared radiation is trapped, global temperatures rise.
How do rice fields produce methane?
Flooded, low-oxygen conditions allow bacteria to produce methane.
What is reliable data?
Data that is consistent, accurate, and repeatable.
Give an example of misuse of climate data.
Selecting only data that supports one claim while ignoring other evidence.
How does carbon dioxide enter the atmosphere?
Through combustion of fossil fuels, respiration, deforestation, and volcanoes.
What is combustion of fossil fuels?
The burning of coal, oil, or gas to release energy, producing carbon dioxide.
How do livestock and landfill sites produce methane?
Livestock release methane during digestion, and landfill waste decomposes without oxygen and releases methane.
Give five difficulties in predicting climate change.
Natural variability, incomplete data, complex feedback loops, uncertain human behavior, and model limitations.
Give an example of unreliable data.
Data from poorly calibrated equipment or very short time periods.
If global temperatures rise and water vapour increases, what happens and why?
Warming increases because water vapour is a greenhouse gas and creates positive feedback.
How does burning more fossil fuels affect Earth’s energy balance?
More greenhouse gases trap more heat, causing a positive energy imbalance and warming.
If a country increases cattle farming, predict the climate impact.
Methane emissions increase, strengthening the greenhouse effect and causing more warming.
Why do climate models give slightly different predictions?
They use different assumptions, variables, and data inputs.
Why is reliability important in climate research?
It ensures accurate conclusions and prevents misinformation.