climate change

• What are the two human activities that increase greenhouse gases?

  Burning fossil fuels and deforestation
• What are the four potential effects of global climate change?

  Rising temperatures, sea levels, severe weather, and disease distribution
• Why are models of climate change not always accepted by everyone?

  Because climate change is complex and difficult to model
• How does burning fossil fuels contribute to carbon dioxide levels?

  It releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• What happens to carbon dioxide levels when rainforests are destroyed?

  Carbon dioxide levels increase due to deforestation
• What is one way methane is released in agriculture?

  Growing rice in flooded paddy fields
• How does climate change affect polar ice sheets and glaciers?

  It causes them to melt, increasing sea levels
• What could increased sea levels lead to?

  More flooding of low-lying areas
• How might climate change affect the distribution of animals?

  It could change the distribution of insects
• What is peer review in the context of climate change research?

  It allows scientists to critique and validate evidence
• What is a problem with media stories about climate change?

  They can be simplified or biased
• What uncertainty exists regarding climate change?

  We cannot predict temperature increases with certainty
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  It is the warming of Earth's surface
• Why are tropical rainforests important for carbon absorption?

  They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• How does cattle farming contribute to methane levels?

  Cattle release methane when they pass wind
• What is the relationship between greenhouse gases and global warming?

  Greenhouse gases trap heat, causing warming
• How can severe weather events be linked to climate change?

  Climate change can increase the frequency of storms
• How might climate change affect human health?

  It could change the distribution of diseases
• Why is scientific consensus important in climate change discussions?

  It helps validate evidence and findings
• What role does speculation play in public understanding of climate change?

  It can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation