5.4.3 Effects of Climate Change

• What primarily causes climate change?

  Human activities
• Climate change is caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
• Carbon dioxide is the most significant contributor to climate change.
• What is the chemical formula for methane?

  $CH_{4}$
• Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that affects the ozone layer
• Match the primary cause of increased greenhouse gas emissions with its description:

  Burning fossil fuels ↔️ Releases CO2 for energy and transportation

  Deforestation ↔️ Reduces trees that absorb CO2

  Agriculture ↔️ Releases methane and nitrous oxide

  Industrial processes ↔️ Releases CO2 and other gases
• Describe the process by which greenhouse gases impact global temperature:

  1️⃣ Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere

  2️⃣ Global temperature increases

  3️⃣ Polar ice caps melt

  4️⃣ Sea levels rise

  5️⃣ Extreme weather events become more frequent
• What are the main effects of climate change on ecosystems?

  Biodiversity loss and habitat alteration
• Melting Arctic ice reduces polar bear habitat and food sources.
• Birds migrate earlier in the year due to warmer temperatures
• What is the result of increased extinction risk in ecosystems?

  Loss of species
• What does climate change refer to?

  Long-term shifts in weather
• Climate change is primarily caused by human activities that increase greenhouse gases
• Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
• Which greenhouse gas is the most significant contributor to climate change?

  Carbon Dioxide
• Methane has a higher warming potential than CO2 but a shorter atmospheric lifespan
• Which greenhouse gas affects the ozone layer?

  Nitrous Oxide
• Water vapor is a natural greenhouse gas and part of a feedback mechanism that amplifies global warming.
• Primary causes of increased greenhouse gas emissions

  1️⃣ Burning fossil fuels

  2️⃣ Deforestation

  3️⃣ Agriculture

  4️⃣ Industrial processes
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Trapping heat in the atmosphere
• Biodiversity loss occurs when coral reefs suffer bleaching due to warming waters
• What happens to polar bear habitats as Arctic ice melts?

  Habitat and food loss
• Birds are migrating earlier in the year because of warmer temperatures caused by climate change.
• How does climate change affect human health?

  Increased heatwaves and diseases
• Climate change threatens food security by causing altered weather patterns and decreased crop yields
• What is the effect of rising sea levels on coastal areas?

  Inundation and saltwater intrusion
• Prolonged droughts caused by climate change can lead to desertification.
• Which greenhouse gas is produced by natural gas leaks?

  Methane
• Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which is a primary driver of increased greenhouse gas emissions
• Global warming caused by climate change leads to rising sea levels and more frequent heat waves.
• What effect does warming ocean water have on coral reefs?

  Biodiversity loss
• Extreme weather events caused by climate change can damage infrastructure and lead to economic losses
• How have droughts affected wheat production in Australia?

  Decreased crop yields
• Increased flooding in Miami is an example of the effect of rising sea levels caused by climate change.
• What is the consequence of habitat loss for species like polar bears?

  Reduced living space
• Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms