Flashcard: 2024 Bio Climate Change Causes & Effects

Front

What role do trees play in reducing climate change?

Back

Trees take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis.

Front

Which heats faster, land or water?

Back

Land heats faster than water.

Front

How does an increase in carbon dioxide concentration affect global temperatures?

Back

As carbon dioxide concentrations increase, temperatures increase.

Front

What is a positive feedback loop in the context of climate change?

Back

A positive feedback loop is a process where an initial change causes further changes that amplify the original effect, such as melting ice reducing albedo, leading to more warming and more ice melt.

Front

What trend has been observed in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels since 1960?

Back

Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily since 1960.

Front

Define albedo in the context of climate change.

Back

Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface; higher albedo means more sunlight is reflected, which can help cool the Earth.

Front

What is photosynthesis?

Back

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Front

Explain the greenhouse effect.

Back

The greenhouse effect is the warming of the Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Front

What are greenhouse gases?

Back

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

Front

What is the significance of the ice caps in regulating Earth's climate?

Back

Ice caps reflect sunlight (high albedo) and help regulate global temperatures; their melting reduces albedo and contributes to further warming.