Climate defined
arid and semiarid climates occur where precipitation is (greater/less) (circle one) than evaporation
less
Name this climate: regions receiving less than 25 cm of rain a year
desert
a general term for the gradual increase in the temperature of the atmosphere
global warming
Describe levels if carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the past 200 years
they have been increasing steadily
Name the 2 factors by which climates are classified
precipitation and temperature
permafrost, mosses, lichens and wildflowers are common in which climate?
tundra
list 2 clues that scientists look at when trying to determine ancient climates
ice cores, fossil tree rings, plant pollen
list 3 greenhouse gases
carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor
the farther you live from an ocean, the more likely your climate will be __________________
continental
warm forests that receive plenty of rain each year are called __________________
rain forests
how can sunspots affect Earthly climates?
sunspots are darker/ cooler areas on the sun which can cause the Earth to be cooler (https://sciencing.com/sunspots-affect-climate-4567096.html for more information)
draw a diagram to describe how greenhouse gases cause global warming
suns energy comes to Earth as rays and turns to heat when it hits Earth. Some of this energy is reflected before it reaches Earth (clouds). When the suns energy hits Earth, it changes to heat energy and is re-radiated away from Earth's surface. Greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide, methane, and water vapor trap this heat and keep the Earth warm. This is important because we would freeze in space if we didn't have an atmosphere like this. However, too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been trapping more and more heat, causing the Earth to get warmer and warmer
how do ocean currents affect the land they move by?
ocean currents moving cool water will cool the land they are nearby...while warm currents will cause the land they are nearby to be warm and moist (ex: Gulf Stream causes east coast of US to have milder/ humid weather and causes England to have moist warmer weather)
a temperate continental climate with short cool summers and long, bitterly cold winters
subartic
are climate change and ozone layer related?
no--climate change references warming or cooling of the climate while the ozone layer protects the Earth from UV rays (which can cause sunburns and skin cancer). the ozone layer is diminished by aerosols if CFCs and refrigerator or air conditioning coolant that is not disposed of properly.
List 2 possible effects of the rise in the level of greenhouse gases.
atmospheric temperatures rise causing polar ice & glaciers to melt (this will allow the Earth to warm more quickly and limits habitat for organisms needed this cold environment); Earth's oceans warm causing coral to die & limit habitat for diversity of organisms living there; more severe hurricanes and stormy weather; droughts and desertification (bad for farmers/ food supply); warmer climate will shift livable geographic range for plants and animals
how do mountains affect local climate?
mountains cause air to rise and cool, this makes moist air cool and precipitation to form, so rain and snow often occur on the WINDWARD side of a mountain range, while drier air and deserts often occur on the LEEWARD side of the mountain range.
how do oceans affect temperatures of their nearby land?
oceans buffer temperatures or make them much less extreme. (the land near the ocean warms and cools more slowly due to the high specific heat of water)
List 2 possible natural causes for climate change
sunspot activity (more sunspots cause cooler climates); shape of Earth's orbit around sun (more elliptical makes for colder Earth); continents shift from equatorial areas towards poles, volcanic activity produces dust and cools atmosphere
list 2 solutions for limiting global warming and climate change
reduce greenhouse gas emissions: use alternative energy sources or clean energy sources (wind/ solar/ electric cars...), use less energy (bike to school/ work, carpool, buy energy efficient appliances, turn off the lights/ electronics when not using them), carbon capture