Climate Change
Definition
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns on a global scale. It is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.
Analogy
Think of climate change as a fever affecting the Earth. Just like how a fever causes our body temperature to rise and disrupts normal bodily functions, climate change disrupts Earth's natural systems and leads to extreme weather events and ecological imbalances.
Related terms
Greenhouse Effect: The natural process by which certain gases (such as carbon dioxide) trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, acting like a blanket. However, human activities have intensified this effect, resulting in global warming.
Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the impacts of climate change. Examples include transitioning to renewable energy sources and implementing energy-efficient practices.
Adaptation: Strategies and measures implemented to adjust or cope with the effects of climate change. This can involve building seawalls against rising sea levels or developing drought-resistant crop varieties for agriculture.
"Climate Change" appears in:
Subjects (6)
Study guides (13)
AP Environmental Science - 1.4 The Carbon Cycle
AP Environmental Science - 1.7 The Hydrologic Cycle
AP Environmental Science - 4.8 Earth's Geography and Climate
AP Environmental Science - 4.9 El Niño and La Niña
AP Environmental Science - 5.17 Sustainable Forestry
AP Environmental Science - 6.1 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
AP Environmental Science - 6.5 Fossil Fuels
AP Environmental Science - 6.13 Energy Conservation
AP Environmental Science - 7.4 Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
AP Environmental Science - 8.8 Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification
AP Environmental Science - 9.4 Increases in the Greenhouse Gases
AP Environmental Science - 9.5 Global Climate Change
AP Environmental Science - 9.10 Human Impacts on Biodiversity
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (8)
- Which of these contributes to climate change and global warming?
- Which of these contribute to climate change by increasing the greenhouse effect?
- How does clearcutting contribute to climate change?
- Why is sustainable forestry crucial in addressing climate change?
- What effect can climate change have on disease vectors?
- How can climate change affect species survival?
- How does climate change affect the transmission of vector-borne diseases?
- What is one health risk associated with extreme heat events caused by climate change?
Resources
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