Carbon Cycle 5

Question 1

What is the role of constant levels of CO₂ in maintaining global temperatures?

Answer 1

Help to maintain stable average temperatures worldwide

Before the Industrial Revolution, the natural greenhouse effect was constant.

Question 2

What has been fairly constant over the last few centuries in relation to the carbon cycle?

Answer 2

• The slow carbon cycle
• Volcanism
• Sedimentation

These processes contribute to the stability of the carbon cycle.

Question 3

What were the variations in atmospheric CO₂ levels like until the late 19th century?

Answer 3

Relatively small

This indicates a stable atmospheric condition before significant industrial changes.

Question 4

Why is a balanced carbon cycle important?

Answer 4

It is very important in maintaining other global systems

A balanced carbon cycle supports ecological and climatic stability.

Question 5

Since when have global concentrations of greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄ increased by more than 25%?

Answer 5

Since the 1750s

This increase correlates with the beginning of industrialization in the UK.

Question 6

What percentage of carbon emissions since the 1980s has come from burning fossil fuels?

Answer 6

75%

This highlights the significant impact of fossil fuel consumption on carbon emissions.

Question 7

Human activities have led to more carbon being released into the atmosphere and less being _______.

Answer 7

absorbed

This imbalance contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Question 8

Land use change accounts for a tenth of carbon release annually and impacts on short-term stores in the carbon cycle, such as _______.

Answer 8

soil and atmosphere

This highlights the significance of land use in the carbon cycle.

Question 9

In the Amazon, around 70% of deforestation is for _______.

Answer 9

cattle ranching

Cattle produce significant amounts of methane, contributing to global warming.

Question 10

Scientists are considering whether feeding cows different foods would help to reduce their _______ emissions.

Answer 10

methane

This is part of efforts to mitigate climate change.

Question 11

Fertilisers are a significant source of _______ gases.

Answer 11

greenhouse

Increased productivity in rice paddy fields has led to higher methane emissions.

Question 12

More sustainable grains and seeds like _______ are being considered as substitutes, which require less water to grow.

Answer 12

quinoa

This reflects the search for more sustainable agricultural practices.

Question 13

Deforestation accounts for about 20% of all global _______ emissions.

Answer 13

greenhouse

The interruption of the carbon cycle reduces carbon sequestration.

Question 14

Urbanisation affects the local and global carbon cycles by replacing vegetation and covering _______.

Answer 14

soils

Urban areas occupy 2% of the world’s land mass but account for 97% of human-caused global CO2 emissions.

Question 15

Cement is an important building material but releases carbon dioxide during production, contributing 7% to global _______ emissions each year.

Answer 15

carbon dioxide

Sustainable options for recycling concrete are being developed to mitigate this impact.

Question 16

The combustion of fossil fuels results in CO2, sulphur, and _______ being released into the atmosphere.

Answer 16

particulates

This process also releases NOx if combustion occurs in a hot engine.

Question 17

It is estimated that burning fossil fuels has added more than 180 Gt of carbon to the _______.

Answer 17

atmosphere

This significant increase in greenhouse gases affects the planet’s climate.

Question 18

Increasing levels of greenhouse gases can affect the planet’s climate, which can have implications for the _______ cycle and wildlife living on Earth.

Answer 18

water

This emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate change and ecological health.

Question 19

What is the main factor determining climate temperatures on Earth?

Answer 19

The amount of solar energy reaching the Earth

Solar intensity is more intense at the equator and reduces as you travel towards the poles.

Question 20

What does the Albedo Effect determine?

Answer 20

The temperature of a location

Snow reflects solar radiation, while dark forests absorb the most solar radiation.

Question 21

What is believed to be the main contributor to an increase in average global temperatures?

Answer 21

Rising levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere

This increase in CO₂ is linked to human activities and has significant implications for climate change.

Question 22

In which region are average temperatures expected to increase more than the global average?

Answer 22

Europe

The largest increases are expected in Eastern and Northern Europe during winter and Southern Europe during summer.

Question 23

What is expected to happen to annual precipitation in Northern Europe?

Answer 23

It is expected to increase

In contrast, annual precipitation is expected to decrease in Southern Europe.

Question 24

True or false: Extreme weather events are likely to decrease in frequency and intensity.

Answer 24

FALSE

Extreme weather events are likely to increase in both frequency and intensity due to climate change.