Weather or Climate?
What’s the main difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions; climate is the long-term average over decades.
Name three major greenhouse gases.
gases.CO₂, CH₄ (methane), H₂O vapor (also N₂O, ozone, halocarbons).
What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and builds plants?
Photosynthesis
How much has Earth's temperature increased over the past 100 years?
About 1.1°C
Name one illness caused by extreme heat.
Heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular stress.
What three things drive weather patterns on Earth?
The sun, air pressure, and ocean currents.
Which greenhouse gas is about 84x more potent than CO₂?
Methane (CH₄)
Which process releases CO₂ into the atmosphere from organisms?
Respiration (also decomposition)
What is coral bleaching and what causes it?
Coral expels algae due to heat stress, turning white and often dying.
Name two types of extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent due to climate change
Hurricanes → injuries, displacement, loss of access to healthcare.
Wildfires → respiratory issues from smoke exposure.
Floods → waterborne diseases and infrastructure damage.
Heatwaves → heatstroke, dehydration, cardiovascular stress.
Is a week of rain in April an example of weather or climate?
Weather – it's a short-term condition.
Is nitrogen gas (N₂) considered a greenhouse gas? Why or why not?
No – it doesn’t absorb infrared radiation
What is the largest carbon reservoir on Earth?
Sedimentary rock
What happens to albedo as polar ice melts?
Albedo decreases, meaning more heat is absorbed, accelerating warming.
How does climate change impact vector-borne diseases?
Warmer climates expand the range and activity of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
Explain or Draw how rain forms in the atmosphere.
Warm air rises, cools, and condenses into droplets that form clouds and fall as precipitation.
What is the greenhouse effect and why is it important for life on Earth?
It traps heat in the atmosphere, keeping Earth warm enough to support life.
What role do producers play in the carbon cycle, and why are they essential in carbon storage?
Producers like plants and phytoplankton absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis, storing carbon and keeping it out of the atmosphere.
Describe one positive and one negative feedback loop related to climate change.
Positive: Melting ice → lower albedo → more warming. Negative: More CO₂ → more plant growth → more CO₂ absorbed.
Describe two ways that climate change affects food security.
Lower crop yields, nutrient loss, more pests and diseases, and disrupted fisheries.
How does Earth’s rotation affect global weather patterns?
It causes the Coriolis effect, influencing wind and ocean current directions.
Why is water vapor considered a greenhouse gas even though humans don’t directly emit it in large amounts?
Water vapor amplifies warming as a feedback loop—warmer temperatures from other greenhouse gases cause more evaporation, increasing water vapor, which then traps more heat.
How does combustion alter the carbon cycle balance?
It adds CO₂ to the atmosphere faster than natural processes can remove it.
What does ocean acidification mean and how does it affect marine life?
CO₂ absorbed into oceans forms carbonic acid, harming shell-building organisms like corals and plankton.
How can climate change impact mental health in affected communities?
Increases in stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, especially after disasters or displacement.