Impacts on Global Climate Review

What changes would likely occur if the Gulf Stream stopped flowing? Select two answers.

• A. A new current will bring warm water to western Europe.

• B. The climate in western Europe will cool.

• C. The climate near the equator will warm.

• D. There will be no change in climate.

How do greenhouse gases cause global warming?

• Greenhouse gases react together and release heat into the air.

• Greenhouse gases reflect the heat from the sun down to Earth.

• Greenhouse gases sink down and heat up the surface of the Earth.

• Greenhouse gases trap heat and prevent it from moving into space.

Choose the statement that best compares greenhouse gases to this greenhouse.

• A. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat like the glass in the greenhouse.

• B. Many plants in the greenhouse absorb carbon dioxide, which is why it is a greenhouse gas.

• C. The glass greenhouse shelters the plants inside it from the outside environment, so the air inside it is a greenhouse gas.

• D. The sun’s rays shine on Earth as they do on the glass greenhouse.

Which activities show how carbon is absorbed?

• A. Animal respiration

• B. Photosynthesis and Carbon fixation by consumers

• C. Fossil fuel combustion

Which statements describe human activities that are causing global warming? Choose all correct answers.

• Humans are cutting down trees to build homes, causing deforestation.

• Humans are ranching cattle, causing urbanization.

• Humans are planting gardens in their backyards, releasing greenhouse gases.

• Humans are driving to work every day, releasing greenhouse gases.

Which statement describes how raising cattle affects emissions of greenhouse gases into Earth’s atmosphere?

• Raising cattle increases greenhouse gas emissions because cattle emit large quantities of methane, which is a greenhouse gas.

• Raising cattle decreases greenhouse gas emissions because cattle eat grass, which contains carbon.

• Raising cattle doesn’t affect greenhouse gas emissions because greenhouse gases are only produced by burning fossil fuels.

• Raising cattle increases greenhouse gas emissions because of the perspiration of carbon dioxide and the respiration of methane.

Which option does NOT list a factor in the climate model and correctly explain how it affects climate? Select ONE.

• A. Clouds, because they produce heat and warm the climate.

• B. Clouds, because they block sunlight from reaching Earth’s surface.

• C. Greenhouse gases, because they trap heat, so it doesn’t leave Earth.

• D. Rain, because it absorbs heat and cools the climate.

An area recently had a record low temperature on a winter day. Does this temperature record indicate that the evidence of climate warming is incorrect?

• 1. No, because daily temperatures are not part of climate measurements.

• 1. Yes, because the evidence for climate change didn’t include this record.

• 1. Yes, because it is the lowest recorded temperature.

• No, because the weather on one day cannot determine climate.

Global and regional climate is determined by the amount and movement of ___________. While climate can remain stable for long periods of time, scientists have found evidence that different kinds of events can rapidly change the climate.

• heat

• cold

The El Chichón volcanic eruption in the years 539–540 in southern Mexico. The volcano gave off ash and sulfur dioxide. The ash and sulfur dioxide _________ sunlight.

• absorbed

• reflected

• shaped