Download BIOL 1052 Final Exam: Climate Change Q&A and more Exams Biology in PDF only on Docsity!
Actual Questions and Answers 2026
global warming - correct answer ✅Warming of the planet, based on average temperature climate change - correct answer ✅a change in global or regional climate patterns temperature proxies and stable isotopes - correct answer ✅Temperature proxies - Temperature proxies are indicators or measurable characteristics that scientists use to estimate past temperatures before the availability of direct temperature measurements. Stable isotopes - Two forms of an element that has same number of protons, but different number of neutrons. greenhouse effect & greenhouse gasses - correct answer ✅The greenhouse effect is the process through which heat is trapped near Earth's surface by substances known as 'greenhouse gases.'
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climate - correct answer ✅The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. weather - correct answer ✅The condition of Earth's atmosphere at a particular time and place. fossil fuels - correct answer ✅a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. alternative energy - correct answer ✅Any source of energy other than fossil fuels that is used for constructive purposes. renewable energy sources (solar, geothermal, wind, tidal/wave, biofuel) - correct answer ✅sources can be replenished within human lifespans. Examples include solar, wind, and biomass energy.
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Visible Light: Wavelength Range: Visible light consists of the colors of the rainbow and has wavelengths ranging from approximately 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red). Infrared (IR) Light: Wavelength Range: Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light, typically ranging from about 700 nm to 1 millimeter. decomposition - correct answer ✅A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds into simpler products. combustion - correct answer ✅the process of burning something Ice cores - correct answer ✅method for studying climate change by drilling cores in ice caps and glaciers that have build up over thousands of years
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Ice ages - correct answer ✅long periods of freezing weather Milankovitch cycles - correct answer ✅are changes in Earth's rotation and orbit around the sun that may trigger climate variation global warming potential, or GWP, of a gas - correct answer ✅a measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) albedo - correct answer ✅the percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface carbon capture/sequestration - correct answer ✅Carbon capture is the trapping of carbon emissions after they have been emitted but before they enter our atmosphere.
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- wider band = higher temperature More heavy water evaporates from the ocean. and more precipitation reaches polar latitudes Ice cores will have more of the heavy isotopes while Ocean will have the less heavy isotopes What are the primary causes of current global climate change? What is the evidence concerning the relative contributions these have had in recent climate change? - correct answer ✅Burning of Fossil Fuels, Deforestation and Land-Use Changes, Agricultural Practices, Waste Management, Industrial Processes Describe the greenhouse effect. What are the primary greenhouse gasses on earth? - correct answer ✅They absorb infrared energy and re- radiate it down to the troposphere. Primary greenhouse gasses are: Carbon dioxide Methane
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Nitrous oxide Synthetic fluorinated gases, including hydrofluorocarbons, per-flurocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride Summarize the trends over time for various greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, especially in the last century. - correct answer ✅Coal Mining, Landfills, Slash and burn agriculture, Industrial Revolution, biomass of wood What is the evidence that suggests the recent and current rise in CO2 is caused by human activity? - correct answer ✅Carbon Isotope Analysis Sketch the carbon cycle, including the sinks/reservoirs and fluxes between them. Be sure to show where atmospheric CO2 comes from and where it goes. - correct answer ✅ What is the role of models in predicting effects and magnitude of climate change? - correct answer ✅Sources, sinks, check model against
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through processes like photosynthesis and ocean uptake. Effect: While increased carbon dioxide levels can enhance plant growth, the absorption of CO2 by these sinks helps mitigate the overall concentration in the atmosphere. What are some of the expected effects of climate change (on weather, agriculture, disease, etc.)? - correct answer ✅Changes in Weather Patterns: Increased Intensity of Extreme Events: Higher temperatures contribute to more intense and frequent heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts. Altered Precipitation Patterns: Changes in precipitation can lead to increased frequency of heavy rainfall events, contributing to flooding in some regions and droughts in others. Impact on Agriculture: Shifts in Growing Seasons: Warmer temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can alter the timing and length of growing seasons, affecting crop yields.
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Changes in Crop Distribution: Suitable regions for certain crops may shift, impacting agricultural practices and necessitating adjustments in crop types. Sea Level Rise: Melting Ice and Thermal Expansion: Rising global temperatures lead to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, as well as the thermal expansion of seawater, contributing to sea level rise. Coastal Erosion and Flooding: Higher sea levels increase the risk of coastal erosion and flooding, impacting coastal communities and ecosystems. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Changes: Shifts in Species Distribution: Climate change can lead to changes in the geographic distribution of plant and animal species, affecting ecosystems and biodiversity. Loss of Habitats: Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and sea level rise can lead to the loss of habitats critical for many species. Health Impacts:
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Public controversy refers to disagreements, debates, or conflicts that arise within the general public or society at large. What are our current sources of energy? In what proportions are they used? - correct answer ✅Petroleum - 36% Natural Gas - 33% Renewable Energy - 13% Coal - 10% Nuclear - 8% What are non-renewable and renewable energy sources? - correct answer ✅non-renewable: fossil fuels nuclear renewable: geothermal solar
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wind biofuels What are the pros and cons of different energy sources (fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy)? - correct answer ✅Methane / Natural Gas pros - Burns more efficiently than coal or oil. cons - Many environmental concerns: Ground water pollution, seismic activity, effects of sand mining, and release of methane Nuclear Energy pros - No CO2 emissions, little air pollution cons - radioactive waste, accidents, associated with nuclear weapon Geothermal pro - efficient con - risk of earthquakes, larger upfront costs, specific to a location
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cons - disruption of marine life What are some of the creative and "out there" ideas to address climate change? How do they work and what are the potential downsides? - correct answer ✅cloud thinning, this technique aims to address climate change by artificially thinning cirrus clouds. To achieve thinning, aerosols like silver iodide or bismuth triiodide would be injected into the clouds downsides - Environmental risks involve potential disruptions to the Earth's water cycle, which could lead to changes in precipitation patterns and even droughts. Ethical concerns arise from the question of who gets to decide how the Earth's climate is managed, and whether such interventions are even justified. Finally, the effectiveness of cirrus cloud thinning remains highly uncertain. Practice interpreting graphs and data tables regarding climate and climate change. - I'm tired boss -
