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PubH 6011 Week 3: Climate Change is A Complex Science Latest Update
Exam | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A +
Explain the greenhouse effect and the influence of short-wave
and long-wave radiation - ANSWER Textbook: "Climate change,
whether resulting from natural variability or from human
activity, depends on the overall energy budget of the planet,
the balance between incoming (solar) shortwave radiation and
outgoing longwave radiation."
As the short-wave radiation of the sun travels through the
Earth's atmosphere, it is radiated back towards space in long-
wave radiation. However less radiation leaves, which retains
heat. The greenhouse effect is important to keep heat to sustain
life on Earth.
What is radiative forcing? What effect do GHGs have on
radiative forcing? - ANSWER The difference between solar
energy absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated from it.
GHGs increase radiative forcing, increasing the Earth's
absorption of solar energy and decrease in its ability to radiate
it.
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Characterize the warming influence of CO2 and methane on the
planet - ANSWER We've gone from 300 ppm before the
industrial period, to 400pm today, which is warming the planet.
CO2 is a relatively week GHG, but we're emitting so much of it
that it's the leading GHG.
Describe the seasonal patterns of CO2 emissions - ANSWER
During spring and summer, plants increase photosynthesis,
absorbing CO2 and creating biomass. This lowers the CO2
levels.
During Fall and Winter, photosynthesis slows down and we use
energy to heat our homes, which raises CO2 levels.
How many tons of CO2 do we emit each year? - ANSWER 40
billion tons
Explain the global direct and indirect health ramifications of
climate change on poleward migration of diseases (and provide
an example) - ANSWER -Hadley cells are expanding, causing
warmer air from the equator to reach higher latitudes.
Therefore diseases in areas that never had them now have
them because places are becoming warmer; insects with a
PubH 6011 Week 3: Climate Change is A Complex Science Latest Update
Exam | Questions and Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A +
Explain the greenhouse effect and the influence of short-wave
and long-wave radiation - ANSWER Textbook: "Climate change,
whether resulting from natural variability or from human
activity, depends on the overall energy budget of the planet,
the balance between incoming (solar) shortwave radiation and
outgoing longwave radiation."
As the short-wave radiation of the sun travels through the
Earth's atmosphere, it is radiated back towards space in long-
wave radiation. However less radiation leaves, which retains
heat. The greenhouse effect is important to keep heat to sustain
life on Earth.
What is radiative forcing? What effect do GHGs have on
radiative forcing? - ANSWER The difference between solar
energy absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated from it.
GHGs increase radiative forcing, increasing the Earth's
absorption of solar energy and decrease in its ability to radiate
it.
, 2|Page
Characterize the warming influence of CO2 and methane on the
planet - ANSWER We've gone from 300 ppm before the
industrial period, to 400pm today, which is warming the planet.
CO2 is a relatively week GHG, but we're emitting so much of it
that it's the leading GHG.
Describe the seasonal patterns of CO2 emissions - ANSWER
During spring and summer, plants increase photosynthesis,
absorbing CO2 and creating biomass. This lowers the CO2
levels.
During Fall and Winter, photosynthesis slows down and we use
energy to heat our homes, which raises CO2 levels.
How many tons of CO2 do we emit each year? - ANSWER 40
billion tons
Explain the global direct and indirect health ramifications of
climate change on poleward migration of diseases (and provide
an example) - ANSWER -Hadley cells are expanding, causing
warmer air from the equator to reach higher latitudes.
Therefore diseases in areas that never had them now have
them because places are becoming warmer; insects with a
