6.2 Climate Change Causes & Impacts (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL): Flashcards
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Define climate.
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Define climate.
Climate is the long-term average of weather conditions in a region, typically measured over 30 years.
Why does solar radiation heat the equator more intensely than the poles?
Due to Earth's tilt and rotation, solar radiation reaches the equator more directly than the poles, creating temperature gradients.
Define atmospheric circulation.
Atmospheric circulation is the movement of air, driven by solar heating and Earth's rotation, that creates global wind patterns such as the Hadley, Ferrel and Polar cells.
What causes convection currents in the atmosphere?
Convection currents are caused by the vertical movement of air due to temperature differences, creating weather phenomena such as thunderstorms and tropical cyclones.
What process occurs when atmospheric water vapour cools, and what does it form?
Atmospheric water vapour cools and condenses into liquid droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds.
How do clouds affect weather?
Clouds affect weather by reflecting sunlight and trapping infrared radiation.
Precipitation falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail, depending on and atmospheric conditions.
Precipitation falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail, depending on temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Define evaporation, as an atmospheric process.
Evaporation is the conversion of water from a liquid to a vapour, caused by heat, which then rises into the atmosphere.
How do anthropogenic activities affect the natural greenhouse effect as an atmospheric process?
Human activities increase the concentration of greenhouse gases, enhancing the greenhouse effect and increasing average annual temperatures.
What are the two main factors that shape the long-term climate patterns of a region?
Seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation shape long-term climate patterns.
What atmospheric process ultimately initiates atmospheric circulation and convection currents?
Solar radiation reaching Earth's surface initiates these atmospheric processes.
True or False?
Weather is the long-term average of atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to short-term daily changes.
False.
It is the opposite: climate is the long-term average (typically over 30 years), while weather refers to short-term conditions (days to weeks).
Since which year has the rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions significantly accelerated?
The rate of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions has significantly accelerated since 1950.
How do ice cores provide evidence of historical atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
Layers of ice trap air bubbles from ancient atmospheres, and analysing these bubbles reveals historical carbon dioxide levels.
What do thicker tree rings generally indicate about past climate conditions?
Thicker tree rings generally indicate warmer, more favourable growing conditions.
True or False?
A positive correlation between atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures proves that carbon dioxide causes warming.
False.
Correlation does not equal causation, although this data is convincing evidence supporting the hypothesis that human carbon dioxide emissions are driving global warming.
Before the Industrial Revolution, the highest atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was around 300 ppm; it is currently above ppm.
Before the Industrial Revolution, the highest atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was around 300 ppm; it is currently above 400 ppm.
What proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions comes from industry and burning fossil fuels?
About 90% of global carbon dioxide emissions comes from industry and burning fossil fuels.
True or False?
Volcanic eruptions are the main driver of the current increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases.
False.
Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, are responsible for almost all of the increase in greenhouse gases over the last 150 years.
Define the enhanced greenhouse effect.
The enhanced greenhouse effect is the intensified trapping of heat caused by human activities releasing excessive greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, beyond natural levels.
What is the main consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect?
The enhanced greenhouse effect leads to global warming.
Why is the natural greenhouse effect considered a necessary process?
It helps regulate Earth's temperature by trapping heat to maintain a habitable climate.
Define a positive feedback loop, in a climate context.
A positive feedback loop is a process that amplifies an initial change, making its effects greater.
Define a negative feedback loop, in a climate context.
A negative feedback loop is a process that reduces or counteracts an initial change, bringing the system back towards equilibrium.
How does melting ice create a positive feedback loop for global warming?
Melting ice reduces Earth's albedo, so more solar radiation is absorbed rather than reflected, causing further warming.
How does thawing permafrost create a positive feedback loop for climate change?
Thawing permafrost releases trapped carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to further global warming.
What climate event was associated with the Maunder Minimum (1645 to 1715)?
The Maunder Minimum, a period of very few sunspots and reduced solar radiation, was associated with the Little Ice Age.
According to the IPCC, by approximately how much has the average global temperature risen over the past century?
By approximately 1.1°C.
True or False?
Evidence suggests Earth has not yet crossed the planetary boundary for climate change.
False.
Evidence suggests Earth has already crossed the planetary boundary for climate change.
What is the global energy balance?
The global energy balance is the balance between the energy Earth receives from the Sun and the energy it radiates back into space.
What causes coral bleaching?
Increased sea temperatures cause corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, causing them to lose their colour.
Which reef has experienced significant coral bleaching events due to climate change?
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Why do corals lose their main food source during bleaching?
The expelled algae normally perform photosynthesis, producing the organic compounds corals rely on for energy.
Define desertification.
Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, caused by factors such as prolonged drought, higher temperatures, deforestation and overgrazing.
Which African region is experiencing severe desertification that is affecting local livelihoods?
The Sahel region.
How does melting ice disrupt ocean circulation?
Melting ice caps and glaciers increase freshwater input into oceans, disrupting normal currents and circulation patterns.
What is the effect of the slowing Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)?
It is leading to colder winters in Europe and warmer temperatures in the Arctic.
What are the two main causes of sea-level rise due to climate change?
Melting ice caps and glaciers, and the thermal expansion of seawater as it warms.
True or False?
Climate change only ever decreases natural productivity.
False.
Warmer temperatures can increase productivity in some northern regions by extending the growing season, while decreasing it in tropical regions.
Why does high biodiversity increase an ecosystem's resilience to climate change?
It provides a variety of species that can adapt to changing conditions, helping ecosystems recover from disturbances.
Define habitat fragmentation.
Habitat fragmentation is the isolation and splitting of populations that occurs when connected habitats are broken up, reducing species' ability to migrate and adapt.
Melting polar ice caps fragment the habitats of polar species such as polar bears and penguins, affecting their ability to hunt and .
Melting polar ice caps fragment the habitats of polar species such as polar bears and penguins, affecting their ability to hunt and reproduce.
Define a biome shift.
A biome shift is a change in the location or type of an ecosystem, caused by altered climatic conditions.
How is the Arctic tundra biome changing as temperatures warm?
The Arctic tundra is transforming into shrubland as warmer temperatures allow shrubs to grow.
Why might unique biomes, such as alpine regions, be lost entirely due to climate change?
If conditions become unsuitable for the species that inhabit them, unique biomes can disappear, potentially leading to extinctions.
True or False?
Monoculture farms are generally more resilient to pests and disease than high-biodiversity ecosystems.
False.
Low biodiversity, such as in monoculture farms, decreases resilience, making ecosystems more vulnerable.
What happened during the 2021 North American heatwave?
It caused hundreds of deaths, overwhelmed hospitals with heat-related illness cases, and caused power outages as electrical grids struggled with air conditioning demand.
How does climate change contribute to the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue?
Warmer temperatures expand the habitats of disease-carrying insects, allowing these diseases to spread to new areas.
How does climate change worsen air quality?
Higher temperatures enhance the formation of ground-level ozone, and more frequent wildfires release smoke and particulate matter into the air.
What was Cape Town's Day Zero crisis in 2018?
A severe drought brought Cape Town close to running out of its municipal water supply.
Which lake in North America has suffered repeated harmful algal blooms linked to warmer water and nutrient pollution?
Lake Erie.
Why do reduced wheat yields occur in countries such as Australia and India under climate change?
Heat stress from higher temperatures reduces wheat yields.
How does heat stress affect dairy cows?
Heat stress decreases the milk yield of dairy cows.
How has flooding and heat affected transport infrastructure in the UK?
Flooding and heat have disrupted UK railways in recent years.
Define resilience, in the context of societies and climate change.
Resilience is a society's ability to withstand, adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change.
True or False?
Economic stability has no effect on how quickly a region can recover from a climate-related disaster.
False.
Economic resources are crucial for repairing and rebuilding, so wealthier regions generally recover more quickly.
How do the Netherlands and Bangladesh differ in their adaptive capacity to flooding?
The Netherlands has advanced flood defences, while Bangladesh remains highly vulnerable to flooding due to limited resources.
Define adaptive capacity.
Adaptive capacity is the ability of a society to adjust to the impacts of climate change, and it varies significantly between regions and countries.
Vulnerable communities, such as low-income or marginalised groups, are often more severely affected by climate change due to lower social .
Vulnerable communities, such as low-income or marginalised groups, are often more severely affected by climate change due to lower social equity.
Why might farmers be more aware of climate change impacts than urban residents?
Farmers may notice changes in growing seasons directly, increasing their awareness of climate impacts.
What is the UK's key government policy commitment on climate change?
The UK has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
How can urban community gardens help build climate resilience?
Urban community gardens can improve food security and help reduce heat island effects.
How might indigenous communities incorporate their cultural knowledge into climate adaptation?
Indigenous communities may draw on traditional ecological knowledge, such as adjusting agricultural practices based on seasonal changes observed over generations.
True or False?
Personal health concerns never influence individual perspectives on climate change.
False.
Personal health concerns, such as parents worrying about children's asthma in polluted areas, can influence perspectives on climate action.
Give an example of a personal action an individual might take to reduce their contribution to climate change.
Using public transport or reducing energy consumption are examples of personal actions that reduce an individual's carbon footprint.
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