Environmental Changes Flashcard

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What is global climate change?

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Global climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth's climate system, primarily driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

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What are the main causes of global climate change?

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The main causes include greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial processes, and agricultural practices.

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What is biodiversity?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation, and ecosystem diversity.

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How does climate change affect biodiversity?

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Climate change can lead to habitat loss, altered species distributions, and increased extinction rates, thereby reducing biodiversity.

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What are zombie fires?

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Zombie fires are wildfires that smolder underground and can reignite after winter, often occurring in permafrost regions.

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What temperature do zombie fires burn at in the world's coldest inhabited place?

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Zombie fires can burn at temperatures as low as -76°F.

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What are some effects of climate change on weather patterns?

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Climate change can lead to increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall.

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What is ocean acidification?

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Ocean acidification is the process by which the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide absorption, affecting marine life.

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What is habitat destruction?

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Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitats are altered or destroyed, often due to human activities, leading to loss of species.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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