THIRD QUARTER

• What role do human activities play in climate change?

  They accelerate the natural greenhouse effect
• How does incoming solar energy affect Earth?

  It warms Earth but some is trapped by gases
• What is the source of incoming energy shown in the image?

  The Sun
• What is the name of the layer surrounding the Earth that contains greenhouse gases?

  The atmosphere
• What is the term used to describe the energy that is trapped within the Earth's system?

  Trapped energy
• What are the main components of the greenhouse effect process?

  • Incoming solar energy penetrates the atmosphere
  • Some energy is trapped by greenhouse gases
  • This process raises Earth's temperatures
  • Human activities have accelerated this process
• In the Arctic, by how much has the Arctic sea ice extent decreased per decade since satellite records began in 1979?

  3.1%
• How does the greenhouse effect change when CO2 levels are rampant?

  More heat trapped in atmosphere, less heat escapes into space, more greenhouse gases
• What percentage of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s has the ocean absorbed?

  93%
• In 2019, what percentage of new power generation capacity installed worldwide was accounted for by renewable energy sources?

  72%
• Which organization provided the data regarding the ocean absorbing excess heat?

  IPCC
• What causes the greenhouse effect to occur?

  Greenhouse gases trapping solar energy
• By what percentage has the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increased since pre-industrial times?

  48%
• Approximately what percentage of Earth's coral reefs have been lost in the last 30 years?

  50%
• How does the interaction of solar radiation and greenhouse gases differ between normal and rampant CO2 levels?

  Normal CO2:

  • Less heat trapped in atmosphere
  • More heat escapes into space

  
  

  Rampant CO2:

  • More heat trapped in atmosphere
  • Less heat escapes into space
• According to the text, what is the current level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in parts per million (ppm)?

  417 ppm
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Greenhouse gases trap solar energy in the atmosphere
• How many degrees Celsius have global temperatures increased since pre-industrial times?

  1.1 degrees
• What is the normal level of CO2 in the atmosphere?

  Normal CO2
• How do oceans contribute to climate change?

  They absorb most of the extra heat from global warming
• Which organization provided the data regarding the decrease in Arctic sea ice extent?

  NOAA
• How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

  They trap heat, preventing it from escaping
• What is one effect of increasing droughts on trees?

  Dried trees release CO2
• Why are greenhouse gases a cause of climate change?

  They trap heat in the atmosphere, increasing temperatures
• What are the effects of normal CO2 levels compared to rampant CO2 levels on Earth's temperature?

  Normal CO2 levels:

  • More heat escapes
  • Less re-radiated heat trapped
  • Normal temperature

  
  

  Rampant CO2 levels:

  • Less heat escapes
  • More re-radiated heat trapped
  • Warmer temperature
• How does solar radiation interact with the atmosphere in the normal greenhouse effect?

  Solar radiation enters atmosphere, some greenhouse gases absorb and re-radiate heat, less heat trapped in atmosphere
• What are the consequences of increased CO2 levels?

  • Higher global temperatures
  • Increased ocean heat absorption
  • Melting ice caps and rising sea levels
  • Coral reef degradation
• What underscores the economic significance of coastal regions?

  Population living near the coast
• How does climate change affect terrestrial ecosystems?

  It transforms them from carbon sinks to sources
• What are some consequences of the ocean absorbing excess heat?

  Coral bleaching, acidification, and changes in currents
• The decline in large predatory fish populations threatens which of the following?

  Marine biodiversity
• How does overfishing impact the marine ecosystem?

  • Decline in predatory fish populations
  • Threat to marine biodiversity
  • Potential disruption of the food chain
• What is the relationship between rampant CO2 levels and global warming?

  Rampant CO2 levels lead to increased global warming
• What is the relationship between the incoming energy from the Sun and the outgoing energy from the Earth?

  • Incoming energy from the Sun is absorbed by the Earth
  • This energy is then re-emitted as outgoing energy from the Earth
• How do the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere affect the outgoing energy from the Earth?

  • The greenhouse gases trap some of the outgoing energy, preventing it from escaping into space
  • This trapping of energy leads to the greenhouse effect and global warming
• What is endangered by the significant decrease in coral reefs?

  Biodiversity and coastal communities
• By how much are global temperatures projected to increase by the end of the century?

  1.5 degrees Celsius
• What health problems are caused by severe weather due to climate change?

  • Injuries
  • Fatalities
  • Mental health impacts (e.g., hurricanes, floods)
• What is the effect of increasing droughts on the carbon cycle?

  It accelerates the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
• What are the main impacts of climate change on oceans?

  • Sea level rise of 8 inches since 1850
  • Loss of 50% of coral reefs in 30 years
  • 26% increase in ocean acidification
  • 90% decline in predatory fish since 1950s
  • $3 trillion coastal economy at risk