webber chapter 16

In general, precipitation falls on the ______ side of mountain ranges

Windward

What has happened to global precipitation patterns during the last 100 years

There is more

In the process of thermohaline circulation, warmer, less salty water moves along the surface of the ocean. T or F

True

Other factors aside an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide would likely increase the amount of vegetation T or F

True

Scientists can extract samples of ancient air from ice cores T or F

True

The United States has not signed the Kyoto protocol

True

What is the main cause for global wind patterns

Unequal heating of different parts of Earth

Which action can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions caused by driving

Use of mass transit

Global warming is only one aspect of ________ which refers to many Characteristics such as temperature, rainfall, wind patterns, and storm frequency

Climate change

As a result of global warming some plant species in the mountains of California have

shifted their locations higher into the mountains

Warm water is drawn away from the equator toward the poles by ———.

thermohaline circulation

Elevation and the presence of features such as mountains and rivers make up an area's

topography

If earth did not have an atmosphere, most of the energy from the sun would

Be reflected back into space

Global warming refers specifically to an increase in

Earth's average surface temperature

During _____, equatorial winds weaken and the surface water in the eastern Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than usual, which has a major effect on weather worldwide.

El nino

Generally, the farther a place is from the equator, the warmer its climate will be T or F

False colder

Wind power is an energy source that gives off many greenhouse gases T or F

False few

One indicator of global warming is that sea levels are dropping in many parts of the world T or F

False rising

In general, warm air can carry less water than cool air

False, more

How do volcanic eruptions affect weather?

Gases and particles block sunlight

What happens as a result of the oceans absorption of carbon dioxide

It causes a cooling effect

What is one of the criticisms of the Kyoto Protocol?

It only requires developed nations to reduce emissions.

How was the Kyoto Protocol an improvement over the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change?

It was binding not voluntary

The _____ is a binding international agreement that seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions

Kyoto Protocol

A carbon ______ is a voluntary payment made when one industry or person, instead of reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions, pays another group or person to do so

Offset

How can the planting of new trees help reduce climate change?

Take in CO2

Prevailing winds move

Warm air away from the equator

The amount of carbon dioxide emissions for which an individual or group is responsible is known as

carbon footprint

The mass algae death known as _____ is believed to be caused by warmer ocean water temperatures.

coral bleaching

The _________ is a natural process in which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat near earth to prevent it from radiating back into space

greenhouse effect

Gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide that trap heat near Earth are known as

greenhouse gases

Scientists determine current climate conditions by

making direct measurements

Minor changes in Earth's ——— and in the tilt of Earth's axis can affect the distribution of solar radiation over Earth's surface and cause climate changes that can last for thousands of years.

orbit

Data collected from ice cores, ancient sediments, and tree rings are all examples of _________ or indirect evidence of past climate patterns

proxy indicators

What is the biggest danger posed by global warming to people living in coastal areas

rising sea level