Climate Change (Human Impacts)

• What are the impacts of climate change?

  They affect people and ecosystems all around the world.
• What is anthropogenic climate change?

  It is climate change caused by humans.
• What does climate change refer to?

  It refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns.
• What is the relationship between atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and global temperatures?

  There is a positive correlation between them.
• What is a positive correlation?

  A positive correlation occurs when both variables move in the same direction.
• What is a negative correlation?

  A negative correlation exists when the variables move in opposite directions.
• What is a correlation?

  A correlation is a statistical measure that determines how strongly two variables are related.
• What do positive feedback cycles do in the context of global warming?

  They increase the rate of global warming.
• What is albedo?

  Albedo is the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight.
• What is permafrost?

  Permafrost is soil that remains below freezing for at least two years.
• What happens to permafrost as temperatures increase?

  It thaws, leading to the decomposition of peat and the release of greenhouse gases.
• How does global warming alter precipitation patterns?

  It leads to more frequent droughts.
• What is a tipping point?

  A tipping point is a critical threshold where a system undergoes significant changes due to small disturbances.
• Why are polar ice habitats important?

  They support delicate communities of species.
• How do emperor penguins depend on sea ice?

  They use it to form breeding colonies.
• What is an example of a tipping point in boreal forests?

  Warmer temperatures lead to reduced snowfall and greater evaporation, causing forest browning and increased fire likelihood.
• What is the impact of global warming on emperor penguins?

  It leads to the loss of sea ice, reducing the number of breeding colonies.
• How does global warming affect walruses?

  It causes them to rest on beaches further away from food sources.
• What happens to walruses when they rest on beaches?

  Stampedes can lead to young walruses being crushed to death.
• What role do ocean currents play in the Earth's climate system?

  They distribute heat, nutrients, and other properties across the globe.
• What effect does rising global temperatures have on ocean currents?

  It disrupts natural circulation patterns of ocean currents.
• What is ocean acidification?

  It occurs when more H+ ions become present, leading to a decreased pH.
• How has the pH of the oceans changed since the 19th century?

  It has decreased from 8.179 to 8.069.
• What happens to carbonate ions in ocean acidification?

  They become less available as hydrogen ions react with them.
• What is coral bleaching?

  It occurs when corals expel zooxanthellae due to stress from increasing ocean temperatures.
• What happens to bleached corals?

  They are in danger of starvation as they have lost their source of food.
• What is carbon sequestration?

  It is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.
• How can more carbon be sequestered?

  Through afforestation, forest regeneration, and restoration of peat-forming wetlands.
• What is peat?

  Peat forms when organic matter is not fully decomposed due to acidic and anaerobic conditions.
• What is the scientific debate regarding carbon sequestration in forests?

  It concerns whether non-native tree plantations or rewilding with native species is more effective.
• What are key terms related to climate change?

  • Climate Change
  • Anthropogenic
  • Global Warming
  • Correlation
  • Positive Correlation
  • Negative Correlation
  • Causation
  • Positive Feedback Loop
  • Decomposition
  • Permafrost
  • Tipping Point
  • Boreal Forest
  • Taiga
  • Carbon Sink
  • Landfast Ice
  • Sea Ice
  • Ice Floe
  • Nutrient Upwelling
  • Poleward Range Shift
  • Upslope Range Shift
  • Coral Reef
  • Zooxanthellae
  • Mutualism
  • Ocean Acidification
  • pH
  • Coral Bleaching
  • Afforestation
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • Peat
• What do scientists believe can be slowed by increasing carbon sequestration?

  Global warming
• What biome do boreal forests, or taiga, cover?

  Much of North America, Europe, and Russia
• How can carbon sequestration be defined?

  The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• What are the methods to increase natural carbon sequestration?

  • Forest regeneration and afforestation
  • Peat bog restoration
• What is the current status of artificial carbon storage?

  It is still at the research stage
• How can carbon sequestration be accomplished?

  By increasing the removal of carbon from the atmosphere into natural carbon sinks
• What is afforestation?

  The creation of new forests
• Why are boreal forests considered an important carbon sink?

  Due to their size
• What does forest regeneration involve?

  Planting new trees in deforested areas