5.8 Climate Variability, Forcing, and Feedback

Open Ended

Think about it...

The Earth suffers cuts and breaks just like us, which can take centuries to heal. One of Earth's most serious injuries is to its climate.​

What are some natural events and human-caused activities that can affect the climate?

Multiple Choice

As a meteorologist tasked with analyzing climate variability, which of the

following would you classify as internal factors that cause climate

variability?

• volcanic eruptions and landslides

• atmospheric circulations and ocean currents

• emission of greenhouse gases and absorbers

Multiple Choice

How does volcanic activity cause climate variability?

• by releasing sulfur that forms sulfur aerosols

• by causing a temporary hole in the ozone layer

• by modifying global wind patterns

Multiple Choice

How do sulfate aerosols contribute to climate forcing?

• They reflect sunlight, thereby cooling the atmosphere.

• They reflect sunlight back to space, thereby warming Earth.

• They absorb and reemit sunlight, thereby warming the atmosphere.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a negative feedback cycle of global warming?

• snow melting in huge quantities

• melting permafrost releasing methane

• plants taking in excess carbon dioxide

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an external factor that contributes to climate variability?

• ocean currents

• greenhouse gas emissions

• atmospheric circulation

Categorize

Options (6)

melting of ice

melting of permafrost

increased water vapor

photosynthesis

soil absorption of carbon dioxide

ocean absorption of carbon dioxide

Classify the following processes as either positive or negative feedback mechanisms in relation to climate change.

Positive feedback

Negative feedback

Open Ended

Name two factors that contribute to climate variability. Explain in detail how they increase or reduce climate change.

_{You can start your response with:}

Two factors that contribute to climate variability are . . .

Multiple Choice

Exit Ticket...

A _________________ feedback loop moves a system to often become more extreme and unhealthy.

• Positive

• Neutral

• Circular

• Negative