Climate change

Definition

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the average temperature, weather patterns, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth, largely driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This term encompasses both global warming, which is a rise in Earth's average surface temperature due to greenhouse gas emissions, and the broader changes in climate systems that result from these increases in temperature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Climate change is primarily caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to human activities like industrialization, agriculture, and transportation.
2. The Earth's average temperature has risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, leading to more frequent and severe weather events.
3. Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting at an alarming rate, contributing to rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities worldwide.
4. Climate change can disrupt biogeochemical cycles, affecting nutrient availability and ecosystem health, ultimately influencing food security and biodiversity.
5. Adaptation strategies are being developed globally to address the impacts of climate change, including water management practices to cope with floods and droughts.

Review Questions

• How do greenhouse gases contribute to climate change and what are their effects on weather patterns?
  • Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane absorb and trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect known as the greenhouse effect. This warming alters weather patterns by causing more extreme weather events such as intense storms, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures. As these changes continue to occur, they disrupt traditional climatic conditions, affecting ecosystems and human activities worldwide.
• Discuss the relationship between climate change and ecosystem resilience. How does climate change affect the ability of ecosystems to recover from disturbances?
  • Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystem resilience by altering habitats and species interactions. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift, ecosystems may become less capable of recovering from disturbances like wildfires or floods. For instance, coral reefs are particularly vulnerable as warmer waters lead to bleaching events. The reduced resilience of these ecosystems can result in loss of biodiversity and diminished natural services they provide.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of climate change on human societies globally. How might these changes shape future geoscience careers?
  • The long-term implications of climate change on human societies include increased risks of food and water scarcity, displacement of populations due to rising sea levels, and heightened health risks from extreme weather events. These shifts will demand new expertise in areas like climate adaptation, sustainable resource management, and environmental technology. Consequently, geoscience careers will evolve to address these challenges through research, policy-making, and innovative solutions aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change on society.

Related terms

Greenhouse Gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), contributing to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Ecosystem Resilience: The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances or adapt to changes, such as those caused by climate change, maintaining its essential functions and processes.

Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, often measured in equivalent tons of CO2.