Chapter 12 – World Climate and Climate Change
- What is climate?
Climate is the average weather condition of a region over a long period (usually 30 years or more). It includes temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind patterns. - What is the difference between weather and climate?
Weather is the atmospheric condition at a specific time and place, while climate is the long-term average of weather patterns in a region. - What factors control world climate?
Latitude, altitude, ocean currents, distance from the sea, pressure belts, prevailing winds, and topography influence the climate of a place. - What is the Köppen climate classification?
Developed by Wladimir Köppen, it categorizes global climates based on temperature and precipitation patterns into five main types: Tropical, Dry, Temperate, Cold, and Polar. - What are tropical climates?
Found near the equator, tropical climates are hot and humid with high rainfall. Subtypes include rainforest (Af), monsoon (Am), and savanna (Aw) climates. - What are dry climates?
Dry climates receive low precipitation and include desert (BWh, BWk) and semi-arid steppe (BSh, BSk) types. They feature high temperature variations and scarce vegetation. - What are temperate climates?
Temperate climates have moderate temperatures, often found in mid-latitudes. Subtypes include Mediterranean (Cs), humid subtropical (Cfa), and marine west coast (Cfb). - What are cold or continental climates?
These climates experience long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Found in interiors of continents (Dfa, Dfb), they have wide temperature ranges and seasonal precipitation. - What are polar climates?
Polar climates are extremely cold throughout the year. Tundra (ET) and ice cap (EF) climates are examples, found in Antarctica and Arctic regions. - What is monsoon climate?
Characterized by seasonal reversal of winds, monsoon climates have wet summers and dry winters. It is common in South and Southeast Asia. - What is Mediterranean climate?
Found in regions like southern Europe and California, it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—ideal for olive and grape cultivation. - What is continentality?
The effect of distance from the sea on climate. Inland areas have greater temperature variations compared to coastal areas, which enjoy moderated climates. - What are jet streams and their effect on climate?
Jet streams are fast-moving air currents in the upper atmosphere. They influence storm paths, weather changes, and rainfall patterns in temperate regions. - What is climate change?
Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind, and other elements of Earth’s climate system, often influenced by human activities. - What are the causes of climate change?
Natural causes include volcanic eruptions and solar variation. Human causes include deforestation, fossil fuel burning, and greenhouse gas emissions, which intensify the greenhouse effect. - What is the greenhouse effect?
A natural process where certain gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping it warm enough for life. Enhanced by human activities, it leads to global warming. - What are the major greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), water vapor, and ozone are key greenhouse gases contributing to atmospheric warming. - What are the effects of global warming?
Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, extreme weather, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, and agricultural disruption are major consequences of global warming. - What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?
A UN body that assesses scientific research on climate change, its impacts, and potential adaptation and mitigation strategies globally. - What is El Niño?
A periodic warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean affecting global weather. It weakens monsoons and causes droughts or floods in various regions. - What is La Niña?
La Niña is the cooling counterpart of El Niño. It strengthens monsoon rains in India and brings colder winters in parts of the world. - What are Milankovitch cycles?
Long-term changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt that affect solar radiation and cause natural climate fluctuations like ice ages. - What is ocean acidification?
It is the decrease in ocean pH due to CO₂ absorption, harming marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs and shell-forming organisms. - How does deforestation impact climate?
Deforestation reduces carbon absorption, increases greenhouse gases, alters rainfall patterns, and contributes to desertification and habitat loss. - How does urbanization influence climate?
Urban areas absorb more heat, creating urban heat islands. Concrete structures, reduced vegetation, and pollution alter local temperature and precipitation patterns. - What is carbon footprint?
The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, or product, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. - What is adaptation in climate change?
Adjusting practices, processes, or structures to minimize damage or take advantage of climate change opportunities. Example: building flood defenses or drought-resistant crops. - What is mitigation in climate change?
Efforts to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy, energy efficiency, reforestation, and carbon capture technologies. - What is sustainable development?
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It balances economic growth with environmental protection. - Why is understanding world climate important?
It helps in planning agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management, and predicting weather patterns, and is crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change.