climate change

Created by

meggie

Cards (185)

What does the atmosphere consist of?
A mixture of solids, liquids, and gases
What are the main gases found in the atmosphere up to a height of around 80 km?
Nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace gases like carbon dioxide, helium, and ozone
Where does most weather occur in the atmosphere?
In the troposphere
How does temperature change with height in the troposphere?
Temperatures fall with height at an average rate of 6.5°C per km
How much water vapor is contained in the lowest 15 km of the atmosphere?
Most of the water vapor is contained in the lowest 15 km
What happens to the atmosphere above 15 km in terms of water vapor?
The atmosphere is too cold to hold water vapor
At what altitudes are significant concentrations of ozone found?
Between 25 km and 35 km
What is insolation?
Incoming solar radiation
How does solar energy affect weather systems and climates?
Solar energy drives all weather systems and climates
Where does the Earth absorb most solar energy?
In the tropical regions
What compensates for the loss of energy from temperate and polar regions?
Redistribution of energy from lower latitudes to higher latitudes
What is the atmospheric energy balance?
The balance between inputs (insolation) and outputs (re-radiation)
What recent phenomenon has disrupted the atmospheric energy balance?
Global warming linked with human activities
What are the three main ways the balance is achieved under natural conditions?
Radiation, convection, and conduction
What type of radiation does the Sun primarily emit?
Short wavelengths such as ultraviolet and visible light
How is heat transferred by conduction?
By contact between substances
What is latent heat transfer?
Heat energy used by a substance to change form without changing temperature
How much short-wave radiation is re-radiated as long-wave radiation?
14 units
How much solar energy is absorbed by the Earth?
46%
What percentage of solar energy drives the hydrological cycle?
22%
What is the greenhouse effect?
The process by which greenhouse gases trap outgoing long-wave radiation
Why is the greenhouse effect important for life on Earth?
It raises temperatures to levels suitable for life
What is the most common greenhouse gas?
Water vapor
How have carbon dioxide levels changed from 1950 to 2015?
Increased from about 315 ppm to over 400 ppm
What human activities contribute to the rise in carbon dioxide levels?
Burning fossil fuels and land-use changes like deforestation
What is the impact of deforestation on carbon dioxide levels?
It increases atmospheric CO2 levels and reduces carbon storage
What is the second-largest contributor to global warming?
Methane
How much methane do cattle emit annually?
100 million tonnes
What are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) known for?
Destroying ozone and absorbing long-wave radiation
How much more efficient are CFCs at trapping heat compared to CO2?
Up to 10,000 times more efficient
What are Milankovitch cycles?
Variations in the Earth's orbit affecting solar radiation distribution
How do changes in albedo affect global temperatures?
As ice melts and is replaced by darker vegetation, more insolation is absorbed, raising temperatures
What is global dimming?
The cooling of air temperature due to pollution
How did the 9/11 terrorist attacks affect average temperatures?
Average temperature rose by about 1.1°C due to the absence of contrails
What happens to solar energy reaching the Earth's surface due to pollution?
Polluted clouds reflect more sunlight back into space, preventing some insolation from reaching the surface
How do sulphate aerosols affect solar radiation?
They scatter incoming solar radiation back to space
What is the albedo value of fresh snow?
75–90%
How does the albedo of coniferous forests compare to that of fresh snow?
Coniferous forests have an albedo of 5–15%, much lower than fresh snow
What role do feedback mechanisms play in the Earth's atmosphere?
They control changes in global warming
What are the two types of feedback loops associated with climate change?
Positive and negative feedback loops