Climate Change

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What is climate change?

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Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. While climate change is a natural phenomenon, human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have accelerated these changes.

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This process is essential for maintaining the planet's temperature.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Greenhouse gases are gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Key examples include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

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How does carbon dioxide contribute to global warming?

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Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to an increase in Earth's average temperature, which contributes to global warming.

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

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A positive feedback loop occurs when an initial change causes further changes that amplify the original effect. For example, melting ice reduces the Earth's reflectivity, leading to more heat absorption and further ice melt.

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What is a negative feedback loop?

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A negative feedback loop occurs when an initial change triggers responses that counteract the change, helping to stabilize the system.

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What is the role of polar ice caps in regulating Earth's temperature?

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Polar ice caps reflect sunlight, helping to keep the planet cool. As they melt, less sunlight is reflected, leading to increased absorption of heat and further warming.

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

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Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased steadily since 1960.

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Are all greenhouse gases man-made?

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No, some greenhouse gases are naturally present in the Earth's atmosphere, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide.

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What is the impact of deforestation on climate change?

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Deforestation contributes to climate change by reducing the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide, thus increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

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