Climate Change Comprehension Quiz

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas because it has the ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. When released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, leading to the greenhouse effect. This process contributes to global warming and climate change. Oxygen, sulphur dioxide, and wind are not greenhouse gases as they do not have the same heat-trapping properties as carbon dioxide.

Greenhouse gases trap energy in the atmosphere. These gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, absorb and re-emit infrared radiation from the Earth's surface. This process, known as the greenhouse effect, leads to an increase in the Earth's temperature, causing global warming and climate change. The trapped energy in the atmosphere contributes to the Earth's overall energy balance and affects the planet's climate system.

The statement is false because the Earth's temperature has changed throughout history. There have been periods of both warming and cooling, such as ice ages and periods of global warming. The Earth's temperature is influenced by various factors, including natural climate cycles, volcanic activity, and human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that the Earth's temperature had never changed until this century.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that the greenhouse effect is indeed a positive thing because it is necessary for supporting life on Earth. It helps to maintain a stable temperature by trapping heat from the sun, which is essential for the survival of plants, animals, and humans. However, the issue arises when human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, release excessive amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This leads to an enhanced greenhouse effect, causing global warming and climate change.

Meteorologists are scientists who study weather. They use various tools and techniques to collect data and analyze atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure. They study weather patterns, climate change, and predict future weather events. Meteorologists play a crucial role in providing accurate weather forecasts and warnings, helping people and communities prepare for severe weather conditions.

The industrial revolution is the correct answer because it marks the period in history when humans began to add additional levels of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. During this time, there was a significant increase in industrialization and the burning of fossil fuels, which released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This led to a rapid increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and is considered a major factor in modern climate change.

Plants and animals have been able to adapt to changes in climate in the past because the climate changes occurred slowly enough for them to adjust and evolve over time. This gradual change allowed them to adapt their physical characteristics, behaviors, and life cycles to better suit the new environmental conditions. As a result, they were able to survive and thrive in different climates and continue to exist in diverse habitats.

The greenhouse effect is caused by greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere absorbing radiation from the Earth's surface, and preventing much of it escaping into space. This explanation correctly identifies that greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat in the atmosphere by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation. This process leads to an increase in the Earth's temperature, known as global warming.

Answer: D All of the above

Peat bogs play an important role in maintaining climate. Permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere is an important carbon sink but when it thaws exposing peat bogs, captured carbon and methane is released into the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases released from peat bogs can amplify climate change.

Changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun can also affect the climate. These changes, as well as changes in the tilt of the Earth on its axis, are part of what are known as Milankovitch cycles, which are linked to the timing of ice ages.

Scientists are warning that as the climate warms in Britain, there might be increased concerns regarding scorpions, sharks, and the West Nile Virus. This suggests that these three factors could become more prevalent or pose a greater threat in the country in the next 50 years.

Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. As the Earth's atmosphere warms, water evaporates faster from oceans and ground sources, which in turn heats up the atmosphere further and continues the cycle.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the next most abundant gas, followed by methane and nitrous oxide.

So if it's not the most abundant gas, why are climate change scientists so concerned about carbon dioxide? While methane actually has a much stronger warming effect than CO2, carbon dioxide is responsible for over 60 per cent of the enhanced greenhouse effect. It can also stay in the atmosphere a lot longer than methane, with a lifetime of five to 200 years as opposed to methane's 12 years. Burning of fossil fuels is releasing carbon into the atmosphere at a faster rate than it can be absorbed. Currently, atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide are rising by over 10 per cent every 20 years.

The Arctic is warming at a rate that is roughly twice as fast as the rest of the world. This means that the temperature increase in the Arctic is happening at a much quicker pace compared to other regions on the planet. This rapid warming in the Arctic has significant implications for the environment, including the melting of polar ice caps and changes in ecosystems.

Answer: D Energy supply

According to the IPCC energy supply contributes over a quarter (25.9%) of carbon emissions followed by industry (19.4%), forestry (17.4 %), agriculture (13.5%), transport (13.1%), residential and commercial buildings (7.9%), waste and wastewater (2.8%).

Ice cores are cylindrical samples of ice that are extracted from glaciers and polar ice sheets. These ice cores provide valuable information about the Earth's past climate. By analyzing the layers of ice, scientists can determine past levels of temperature and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This data helps in understanding the Earth's climate history and how it has changed over time. Ice cores also provide insights into the relationship between temperature and carbon dioxide levels, which is crucial for studying climate change and predicting future climate patterns.

While the Arctic has experienced sea ice losses, expected decreases of sea ice around Antarctica have not occurred. Scientists believe this is primarily due to changes in winds linked to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion.

The increases in temperature, sea level and heatwave frequency have already been observed. Further increases in these markers are projected, and in most cases the extent of the increase depends on the concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.