Climate Change Summative Assessment Study Guide

Define and explain the significance of Climate Change.

• Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels.

• Climate change refers to short-term changes in local weather, mostly caused by natural events like volcanic eruptions.

• Climate change is the process of seasonal changes that occur every year due to Earth's rotation.

• Climate change is the sudden increase in rainfall in a particular region due to ocean currents.

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Define and explain the significance of the Greenhouse Effect (Natural vs. Enhanced).

• The greenhouse effect is the process by which certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, keeping the planet warm. The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life, while the enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases due to human activities, leading to global warming.

• The greenhouse effect is the process by which plants absorb sunlight and convert it into oxygen, with the enhanced effect referring to genetically modified plants.

• The greenhouse effect is the process by which Earth's magnetic field protects the planet from solar radiation, with the enhanced effect caused by increased solar activity.

• The greenhouse effect is the process by which oceans absorb carbon dioxide, with the enhanced effect resulting from increased ocean temperatures.

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Define and explain the significance of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) as a greenhouse gas.

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas released by burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It is a major contributor to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming.

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas that is only produced naturally and does not contribute to global warming.

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas that cools the Earth's atmosphere and reduces the greenhouse effect.

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a greenhouse gas released by plants during photosynthesis and helps decrease global temperatures.

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Define and explain the significance of Methane (CH₄) as a greenhouse gas.

• Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas released from agriculture, landfills, and fossil fuel extraction. It has a much higher warming potential than CO₂ over a short period.

• Methane (CH₄) is a harmless gas that does not contribute to global warming and is only found in the upper atmosphere.

• Methane (CH₄) is a greenhouse gas produced exclusively by volcanic eruptions and has no impact on climate change.

• Methane (CH₄) is a greenhouse gas that cools the Earth and is mainly released by ocean currents.

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Define and explain the significance of Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) as a greenhouse gas.

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Define and explain the significance of Water Vapor as a greenhouse gas.

• Water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere and amplifies the effects of other greenhouse gases through a positive feedback loop.

• Water vapor is a minor greenhouse gas that has no effect on the Earth's temperature.

• Water vapor is only present in the atmosphere due to human activities and does not occur naturally.

• Water vapor acts as a greenhouse gas by directly absorbing sunlight and cooling the Earth's surface.

Define and explain the significance of the Carbon Cycle.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon moves through the atmosphere, biosphere, oceans, and geosphere, involving processes like photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion, and sedimentation.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which water circulates between the earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land, involving precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, involving nitrogen fixation and denitrification.

• The carbon cycle is the process by which energy is transferred from the sun to producers and then to consumers in an ecosystem.

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Define and explain the significance of Anthropogenic.

• Anthropogenic refers to effects or processes that are the result of human activities, especially relating to environmental change and pollution.

• Anthropogenic refers to natural processes that occur without human intervention.

• Anthropogenic refers to geological changes caused by volcanic activity.

• Anthropogenic refers to biological processes in plants.

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Define and explain the significance of IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

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Define and explain the significance of RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways).

• RCPs are greenhouse gas concentration trajectories adopted by the IPCC for climate modeling and research, representing different climate futures.

• RCPs are international agreements to reduce carbon emissions by 2050.

• RCPs are renewable energy policies implemented by the United Nations.

• RCPs are computer programs used to predict weather patterns.

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