Impacts on Global 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.

One example is 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. sunlight reached Earth’s surface, _________ the climate.

Which terms, in order of appearance, best complete the sentences?

• cold; absorbed; More; warming

• heat; reflected; Less; cooling

• cold; reflected; More; cooling

• heat; absorbed; Less; warming

• heat; reflected; Less; cooling

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The Gulf Stream moves from near the equator to near Western Europe. The current ______ heat near the equator and then ________ the heat as it goes north. As a result, countries in Western Europe are ________ than other areas at the same latitude. If the Gulf Stream weakens or stops, Western Europe will likely have a _______ climate.

• absorbs; releases; warmer; cooler

• generates; absorbs; cooler; cooler

• generates; absorbs; warmer; warmer

• absorbs; releases; cooler; warmer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Each of the following scenarios would have either a cooling or a warming effect on the climate. 1. A meteor strikes Earth, sending large clouds of dust into the atmosphere. 2. 12,000 square kilometers of forest are cut down to make space to raise cattle. 3. Massive volcanoes erupt, sending particles into the upper atmosphere. 4. The population grows, causing more fossil fuels to be burned by cars, planes, and ships. Which scenarios would have a cooling effect on the climate? Select all that apply.

• A. [Answer: 1]

• B. 2

• C. [Answer: 3]

• D. 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which option best describes how a meteor strike might have affected the global climate?

• A. Huge amounts of dust in the air blocked sunlight and caused the climate to cool.

• B. Huge amounts of dust in the air caused high winds, which caused condensation and increased rainfall.

• C. Huge amounts of dust in the air attracted sunlight and caused the climate to warm.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

If scientists succeed in capturing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide, what effect would it have on Earth’s climate? Select all that apply.

• Sequestering carbon dioxide would reduce global warming because there would be less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

• Sequestering carbon dioxide would cool the climate because there would be less carbon dioxide to trap heat.

• Sequestering carbon dioxide would increase climate change because other gases would increase and trap heat.

• Sequestering carbon dioxide would cause the temperature of Earth’s core to heat, increasing the warming of Earth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-ESS3-6

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are released by various human activities, including burning fossil fuels. As the level of these gases in the atmosphere has increased, the global climate has gotten warmer.

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

The image shows a greenhouse. The temperature in the greenhouse is warmer than the temperature outside the greenhouse. Many plants grow in the greenhouse. Sunlight enters the greenhouse, warming the ground and other surfaces. Heat is trapped by the glass and cannot escape. Choose the statement that best compares greenhouse gases to this greenhouse.

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

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

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

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

Which activities show how carbon is absorbed? Select all that apply.

• Animal respiration

• Photosynthesis

• Fossil fuel combustion

• Carbon fixation by consumers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7