Global climate change

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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.

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the warming of a planet due to trapped radiation, primarily from greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

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Name a gas that is NOT a greenhouse gas.

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Nitrogen is not considered a greenhouse gas.

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What role do scientists play in understanding climate change?

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Scientists collect data on climate globally and use mathematical or computer-based models to simulate real-world conditions.

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How long is the data record from the Vostok ice core?

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The Vostok ice core provides 420,000 years of climate data.

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What is a greenhouse gas?

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A greenhouse gas is a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor.

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What is the primary cause of recent climate change?

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The primary cause of recent climate change is human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

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How do carbon dioxide levels affect global temperatures?

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Increased carbon dioxide levels trap more heat in the atmosphere, leading to higher global temperatures.

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What is the significance of the Keeling Curve?

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The Keeling Curve shows the ongoing increase in carbon dioxide levels in Earth's atmosphere since the late 1950s.

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What are some effects of climate change on ecosystems?

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