Heat Trapped!
What is the greenhouse effect?
The process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, warming the planet.
What is one major piece of scientific evidence that Earth’s climate is warming?
Rising global average temperatures.
What human activity releases the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
Burning fossil fuels for energy and transportation.
What does climate change mitigation mean?
Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions.
What does climate change adaptation mean?
Adjusting systems and behaviors to reduce harm from climate impacts.
Which two greenhouse gases are most responsible for human-driven climate change?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).
What is happening to global sea levels as temperatures rise?
Sea levels are rising due to melting ice and thermal expansion of seawater.
How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
It reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide and often releases stored carbon when trees are cut or burned.
Name one renewable energy source that reduces carbon emissions.
Solar energy (also acceptable: wind, hydroelectric, geothermal).
How can coastal cities adapt to rising sea levels?
By building seawalls, restoring wetlands, or relocating infrastructure.
How does increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere change Earth’s energy balance?
It traps more outgoing infrared radiation, causing more heat to remain in the atmosphere.
How can rising ocean temperatures affect marine ecosystems?
They can cause coral bleaching and disrupt food webs.
Why does livestock farming contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?
Cattle produce methane during digestion and manure management releases greenhouse gases.
How does improving energy efficiency help mitigate climate change?
It reduces the amount of fossil fuels needed to produce energy.
Why might farmers switch to drought-resistant crops?
To maintain food production under changing climate conditions.
Why is methane considered a powerful greenhouse gas even though it is less abundant than carbon dioxide?
Methane traps much more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide over a short time period.
Why can climate change increase the intensity of extreme weather events?
Warmer air and oceans provide more energy and moisture, fueling stronger storms and heat waves.
How does industrial agriculture increase nitrous oxide emissions?
The use of synthetic fertilizers releases nitrous oxide from soils.
Why can protecting forests be considered a mitigation strategy?
Forests absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon, reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases.
How can urban tree planting help cities adapt to rising temperatures?
Trees provide shade and reduce the urban heat island effect.
If Earth had no greenhouse gases at all, how would global temperatures change and why?
Earth would be much colder because heat would escape into space without being trapped, making the planet too cold for most current life.
A farming region experiences longer droughts and unpredictable rainfall. How could climate change explain both trends?
Rising temperatures alter atmospheric circulation and increase evaporation, leading to shifts in rainfall patterns and more extreme drought conditions.
Why do scientists say current warming trends are largely human-caused rather than natural?
The rapid increase in greenhouse gases matches industrial activity and fossil fuel use, and natural factors alone cannot explain the observed warming.
A country shifts from coal power to wind and solar. What long-term effect would this have on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
Carbon dioxide emissions would decrease over time, slowing the rate of atmospheric warming.
Why is adaptation necessary even if mitigation efforts are successful?
Because some climate change impacts are already occurring and will continue due to past emissions.