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?

• heat, reflected, Less, cooling

• water, absorbed, More, warming

• wind, blocked, More, heating

• sunlight, scattered, Less, warming

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

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

• absorbs, releases, warmer, cooler

• reflects, absorbs, colder, warmer

• blocks, stores, warmer, hotter

• releases, absorbs, cooler, warmer

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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

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

• The climate in western Europe will cool.

• The climate near the equator will warm.

• There will be no change in climate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which scenarios would have a cooling effect on the climate? Select all that apply.

• A meteor hitting Earth, sending large clouds of dust into the atmosphere.

• 12,000 square kilometers of forest are cut down to make space to raise cattle.

• Massive volcanoes erupt, sending particles into the upper atmosphere.

• The population grows, causing more fossil fuels to be burned by cars, planes, and ships.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

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

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.

• The greenhouse is warmer because it is made of glass, not because of heat trapping.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

What is one effect of sequestering (capturing and storing) large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

• It would reduce global warming because there would be less greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

• It would increase climate change because other gases would increase and trap heat.

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

• It would have no effect on Earth's climate.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Why would sequestering carbon dioxide cool the climate?

• Because there would be less carbon dioxide to trap heat.

• Because it would increase the amount of sunlight reaching Earth.

• Because it would cause more greenhouse gases to form.

• Because it would heat the Earth's core.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

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.