Climate Change Causes & Effects 3

Question 1

What is the 'carbon cycle' and how has human activity disrupted it?

Accepted Answer

Natural exchanges of carbon between land, ocean, and atmosphere that humans have unbalanced by releasing stored carbon

Answer

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon that was stored underground for millions of years, overwhelming natural carbon sinks and raising atmospheric CO2 levels.

Question 2

How does deforestation contribute to climate change beyond removing carbon sinks?

Accepted Answer

Trees release CO2 when cut or burned, adding to atmospheric carbon

Answer

When forests are cleared and burned, all the carbon stored in trees is released as CO2, making deforestation both a source and a lost sink.

Question 3

What is 'thermal expansion' in the context of sea level rise?

Accepted Answer

Warming ocean water physically expands in volume, contributing to sea level rise

Answer

Water expands as it warms, and since oceans are vast and deep, even small temperature increases produce significant sea level contributions from thermal expansion.

Question 4

Which gas, though emitted in smaller quantities than CO2, has roughly 80 times more warming potential over 20 years?

Accepted Answer

Methane

Answer

Methane (CH4) has a global warming potential approximately 80 times that of CO2 over a 20-year period, making its reduction critically important.

Question 5

How does climate change affect hurricane intensity?

Accepted Answer

Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy, increasing the intensity of storms

Answer

Hurricanes draw energy from warm ocean water, so as surface temperatures rise, storms can become more intense and carry more moisture.

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Causes & Effects 3