climate systems
explain two differences between natural and human-caused climate change
Natural = slower, caused by volcanoes/solar changes
Human = faster, caused by fossil fuels/deforestation
Name TWO greenhouse gases and their sources
CO₂ → fossil fuels
CH₄ → livestock/landfills
N₂O → fertilizers
Give TWO environmental impacts of climate change
Rising sea levels
Stronger storms
Droughts
Melting glaciers
Define a positive feedback loop AND give ONE example
Process that amplifies change
Example: ice melt → more heat absorbed
Give TWO mitigation strategies AND explain how they reduce climate change
Renewable energy → reduces CO₂ emissions
Reforestation → absorbs CO₂
Why is the rate of climate change important? Give TWO reasons/answers
Ecosystems can’t adapt quickly
Increases extreme events
Disrupts agriculture and food systems
Why is methane considered more impactful than CO₂ in the short term? Give TWO reasons
Higher global warming potential (GWP)
Traps more heat per molecule
Stronger effect over shorter time period
Explain TWO ways climate change affects human systems
Food shortages (agriculture disruption)
Economic damage (storms, disasters)
Health risks (heatwaves, disease spread)
Give TWO examples of feedback loops and explain how they increase warming
Ice-albedo: less ice → less reflection → more heat
Permafrost: thaw → methane release → more warming
Water vapor: warming → more vapor → more heat trapped
Compare mitigation and adaptation with ONE example each
Mitigation = reduces cause (solar energy)
Adaptation = adjusts to impact (sea walls, drought crops)