Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change

• What are greenhouse gases important for?

  They help maintain Earth's temperature
• What can greenhouse gases cause?

  They can lead to environmental problems
• What is essential for maintaining a stable climate?

  Keeping a delicate balance of gases
• What is carbon dioxide classified as?

  A greenhouse gas
• How do greenhouse gases act in the atmosphere?

  Like an insulating layer
• What effect do greenhouse gases have on Earth's temperature?

  They allow Earth to be warm enough for life
• What do all particles absorb in the atmosphere?

  Certain frequencies of radiation
• What do greenhouse gases not absorb?

  Incoming short wavelengths from the sun
• What do greenhouse gases absorb from the Earth?

  Outgoing long wavelengths of radiation
• What happens to the longwave radiation absorbed by greenhouse gases?

  It is re-radiated in all directions
• What is the result of longwave radiation re-radiation?

  Warming of Earth's surface
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  The warming of Earth's surface by gases
• What human activities affect greenhouse gas levels?

  Deforestation, burning fossil fuels, agriculture
• How does deforestation affect CO₂ levels?

  It reduces trees that absorb CO₂
• What happens when fossil fuels are burned?

  Carbon locked in fuels is released as CO₂
• How does agriculture contribute to greenhouse gases?

  More livestock produce more methane
• What is a consequence of creating waste from agriculture?

  More CO₂ and methane are released
• What is the link between increasing CO₂ and climate change?

  Higher CO₂ levels lead to climate change
• What has been happening to Earth's average temperature recently?

  It has been increasing
• What do most scientists agree on regarding CO₂?

  It is causing the increase in temperature
• What will the increase in temperature lead to?

  Climate change
• What is the reliability of the information regarding climate change?

  It is considered reliable
• Why is it hard to fully understand Earth's climate?

  Due to its complex nature
• What does climate change lead to?

  Climate change
• What has the evidence for climate change been?

  Peer-reviewed and reliable information
• Why is it hard to fully understand the Earth's climate?

  Because it is complex with many variables
• What has the complexity of climate led to?

  Speculation about climate change impacts
• What may bias the information about climate change?

  Media stories that may be biased
• What is the Earth's climate described as?

  Complex
• Why is it important to make predictions about climate change?

  To inform policy-makers for decisions now
• What could an increase in global temperature lead to?

  Melting polar ice caps
• What changes in rainfall patterns may cause?

  Regions to have too much or too little water
• How might changes in temperature affect food production?

  It may affect certain regions' ability to produce food
• What may increase due to changes in storm frequency?

  Severity of storms
• How do changes in temperature and water availability affect species?

  They lead to differences in species distribution
• What is a common sentiment about climate change?

  It is scary
• What should one ensure regarding climate change discussions?

  To get accurate information
• What are the potential consequences of climate change?

  • Melting polar ice caps
  • Changes in rainfall patterns
  • Impact on food production
  • Increased storm severity
  • Altered species distribution
• What is the topic of the last section in the study material?

  Chemistry of the Atmosphere