All Flashcards
What is the primary driver of Earth's climate system?
Solar radiation is the main energy source that influences climate patterns.
How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?
They trap heat, leading to a warmer climate.
Explain the role of ocean currents in global climate.
They redistribute heat around the globe, influencing regional temperatures.
How does volcanic activity influence climate?
Large eruptions can temporarily cool the Earth by blocking solar radiation.
How does Earth's elliptical orbit affect climate?
Variations in distance from the sun affect the amount of solar energy received.
Why is volcanic cooling not a long-term solution to climate change?
Its effects are short-lived, and it doesn't address the root causes of warming.
How do mountains affect regional climate patterns?
They block air masses, leading to temperature and precipitation differences.
What is the relationship between deforestation and greenhouse gases?
Deforestation reduces the amount of CO2 absorbed, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations.
How do land masses influence local precipitation?
They affect air mass movement and moisture distribution, creating rain shadows.
How does increased CO2 lead to more natural disasters?
It increases global temperatures, leading to more extreme weather events.
Define solar radiation.
Energy emitted by the sun.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
Define rain shadow effect.
Dry area on the leeward side of a mountain.
What is the windward side?
The side of a mountain facing the wind, receiving more precipitation.
What is the leeward side?
The side of a mountain sheltered from the wind, receiving less precipitation.
Define heat capacity.
The ability of a substance to store heat.
What are the effects of increased greenhouse gas concentrations?
Global warming, changes in precipitation patterns, more extreme weather events.
What is the effect of deforestation on climate?
Reduced carbon sequestration, increased atmospheric CO2, contributing to global warming.
What is the cause of the rain shadow effect?
Mountains blocking air masses, leading to differential precipitation patterns.
What is the effect of burning fossil fuels?
Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming and climate change.
What is the effect of increased solar radiation?
Higher temperatures, altered weather patterns, and changes in ecosystems.
What is the effect of warm ocean currents on coastal regions?
They moderate temperatures, making coastal areas warmer than they would otherwise be.
What is the effect of cold ocean currents on coastal regions?
They cool temperatures, making coastal areas cooler than they would otherwise be.
What is the effect of increased methane in the atmosphere?
Enhanced greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming.
What is the effect of ocean acidification?
Harm to marine life, disruption of food chains, and reduced carbon sequestration.
What are the long-term effects of global warming?
Sea level rise, habitat loss, species extinction, and changes in agricultural productivity.