Global warming

Cards (26)

  • What is the greatest rate of global warming observed?
    High latitudes
  • How much has the world temperature increased in the last 150 years?
    Almost 1°C
  • What percentage of the temperature rise occurred in the last 40 years?
    Half of the rise
  • How much warmer is the Arctic compared to historical temperatures?
    3°C warmer
  • What does the UN Paris Agreement predict for global temperature increase?
    Restrict to no more than 2°C
  • What do scientists claim will happen to the Arctic by 2050?
    Further temperature increase
  • What are the two types of environmental changes due to global warming?
    • Biotic changes (living)
    • Abiotic changes (non-living)
  • What is one biotic change observed in the tundra?
    Spruce trees invading southern tundra
  • How much earlier do berries ripen in Eastern Alaska compared to a generation ago?
    2 weeks earlier
  • How have Siberian Nenets reindeer herders adapted to vegetation changes?
    Modified practices to cope with changes
  • What new animal has been found in Alaskan rivers?
    Beavers
  • How much earlier is winter snowmelt occurring in Alaska compared to the 1970s?
    10 days earlier
  • How much has the summer growing season been extended?
    1-3 weeks longer
  • How many frost-free days have increased in Fairbanks, Alaska?
    From 82 to 106
  • What impact has thawing permafrost had on environments?
    Impacted physical and human environments
  • How have Inuit fishing patterns changed in Canada?
    Due to disappearing summer lakes and marshes
  • What has increased in Alaska and Siberia due to global warming?
    Summer wildfires
  • What causes the increase in summer wildfires?
    Surface vegetation drying out
  • What geological events have increased due to global warming?
    Landslides and mudflows
  • What additional abiotic impact is noted due to global warming?
    Gas releases
  • What is the effect of longer, warmer summer seasons?
    Increased decay and decomposition
  • What is the potential global impact of thawing tundra organic material?
    Release of CO2 and methane
  • What percentage of the world's carbon is stored in permafrost?
    14%
  • What happens to carbon when tundra plants die?
    Locked away as frozen organic material
  • How does global warming affect the carbon sink function of tundra plants?
    Allows thawing and decomposition of organic material
  • What is the consequence of increased decay in the Arctic Tundra?
    Acceleration of global climate change