Greenhouse Gases
Name 2 greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapor, ozone (O₃)
Name one source of CH₄
Cattle digestion (enteric fermentation), rice paddies, and landfills
What happens to the sea level as ice melts?
Sea level rises due to melting land ice (glaciers, ice sheets)
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat by gases in Earth’s atmosphere keeps the planet warm
Define "enhanced greenhouse effect"
The increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities, leading to more heat trapped and global warming
What gas is most emitted from fossil fuels?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
How does deforestation affect CO₂ levels?
Reduces CO₂ uptake by trees; burning or decomposition releases stored CO₂
Name 1 way species are affected by warming
Species may shift their range, face extinction, or change migration/breeding patterns
What is albedo?
The reflectivity of a surface; ice has a high albedo and reflects sunlight
What is a fossil fuel?
A carbon-rich energy source formed from ancient organic matter (coal, oil, natural gas)
Why is methane more powerful than CO₂?
Methane traps more heat per molecule and absorbs infrared radiation more efficiently
How do fossil fuels affect the greenhouse effect?
Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂, which increases heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere
How does ocean acidification harm life?
Lowers ocean pH, dissolving shells and harming coral and marine organisms
Define "positive feedback" in climate
A process that reinforces change — e.g., warming causes more water vapor, which causes more warming
What is anthropogenic climate change?
Climate change is caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation
How does N₂O enter the atmosphere?
From fertilizers used in agriculture and emissions from vehicles and industry
Why does agriculture release greenhouse gases?
Fertilizers release N₂O; livestock release CH₄; machinery burns fossil fuels
Why do coral reefs bleach in warmer seas?
Higher temperatures cause corals to expel symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae), leading to bleaching
What is meant by "carbon sink"?
A system (like forests or oceans) that absorbs and stores more carbon than it releases
What is infrared radiation?
Heat energy is emitted from Earth’s surface and absorbed by greenhouse gases
Explain how water vapor amplifies warming
Warmer temperatures cause more evaporation, increasing water vapor, which traps more heat — a positive feedback loop
Explain how landfills contribute to climate change.
Organic waste decomposes anaerobically, producing methane (CH₄) as a byproduct
What happens to climate patterns as temperatures rise?
More extreme weather: droughts, storms, floods, heatwaves; changes in rainfall patterns
How does climate change affect phenology?
Alters the timing of natural events like flowering, migration, and reproduction
Explain "species range shift" with an example
Species move to cooler areas — e.g., butterflies migrating northward as habitats warm