why is CO2 is so worrisome if methane and water vapour hold more heat?
Because it is so abundant in the atmosphere it makes up 54.7% of the GHG up there.
200
What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation?
Mitigation = reduce GHgas emissions
Adaptation = adapt to changes in climate
200
why did the 2009 Copenhagen conference fail?
What is Because the goal was to keep temperature rises to no more than 2C but does not contain commitments to emissions reductions to achieve that goal.
300
What are some ways we can get proxy records of paleoclimates?
Tree rings - temp and precip
Ice cores- gases
Pollen levels- temperatures
fossils
Algae
Corals
300
What is Positive Feedback loop, Negative Feedback Loop?
What is Positive feedback is a process that occurs in a feedback loop in which the effects of a small disturbance on a system include an increase in the magnitude of the perturbation. Negative feedback is a reaction that causes a decrease in function. It occurs in response to some kind of stimulus. Often it causes the output of a system to be lessened; so, the feedback tends to stabilize the system.
300
What is the Natural Greenhouse Effect?
The natural greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. When the Sun's energy reaches the Earth's atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.
300
What are at least 3 things that can be done to reduce one's GHG emissions?
1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
3. Buy Energy-Efficient Products
4. Use the "Off" Switch
5. Plant a tree
300
What are INDC's? Give a example.
What is INDC - Intended Nationally Determined Contributions: the commitments from each UNFCCC party towards this new global climate deal. China pledges to have 20% of it's electricity come from green energy by 2030.
400
Warmer ocean waters flow from the west to the east causing increased precipitation and warmer temperatures in areas of the N. and S. Americas
What is ENSO or EL Nino
400
Name one RARE positive effect of Climate Change.
What is in Ontario warmer temperatures allow for more bountiful harvests. Melting ice in the Arctic allows for the NW Passage to open up in the summer allowing for trade between Japan and West Europe.
400
most common ways that CO2, Methane, and Nitrous Oxide are produced.
What is CO2 = burning fossil fuels, cement making, deforestation.
Methane = coal mining natural gad leaks, cattle, land fills, etc.
N2O = burning fossil fuels and fertilizers
400
Name 6 "Green" energy sources.
What is Hydroelectricity, Wind turbines, Solar, Tidal, Biomass, Geothermal, Hydrogen, etc.
400
What is the objective of the UFCCC?
What is "The stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent anthropogenic interference with the climate system."
500
Give an example of an abiotic particle and a biotic particle in the atmosphere
What is abiotic: soil particles and soot. biotic: pollen and micro-organisms
500
Define Range Shifts and give an example of how they occur.
Range shifts are a natural response to climate change. Species with sufficient levels of mobility may respond quickly to environmental change, with species capable of undertaking long migratory movements likely to shift. Grey Jays, they are moving north for nesting season.
500
List Top 5 countries in the world with highest CO2 emissions.
What is 5. Canada 16.9 tonnes per capita, 4. Australia 17.4 tonnes per capita, 3. U.S. 20.2 tonnes per capita, 2. U.A.E. 25.6 tonnes per capita 1. Kuwait 26.0 tonnes per capita.
500
If emissions were to stop increasing would earth's temperature go lower, higher or rise the go down?
Because many greenhouse gases stay in the atmosphere for long periods of time. the damage is already done, even if emissions stopped increasing, atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations would continue to increase and remain elevated for hundreds of years. Therefore temperatures will go up and then slowly go down
500
What can WE do about Climate Change?
While we cannot turn back the clock and remove what is already in the atmosphere, we can prevent more GHG's from getting into the atmosphere this will mitigate the effects of Climate Change.