Question 1

Which atmospheric phenomenon is primarily responsible for keeping the Earth's surface warm enough to sustain life?

Accepted Answer

Greenhouse Effect. The greenhouse effect involves gases trapping heat in the atmosphere to maintain a habitable temperature. Gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb infrared radiation emitted by the Earth. Without this natural process, the average temperature of Earth would be around -18 degrees Celsius.

Question 2

Which international body was established in 1988 to provide scientific assessments on climate change?

Accepted Answer

IPCC. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was created by the WMO and UNEP. It compiles the most comprehensive scientific data to inform governments about climate risks. The IPCC does not conduct its own research but reviews thousands of peer-reviewed papers.

Question 3

The primary goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to well below how many degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels?

Accepted Answer

2.0°C. The Paris Agreement aims to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2.0 degrees Celsius. It also encourages efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius for better climate safety. This treaty is a legally binding international agreement on climate change.

Question 4

Which gas is considered to have the highest 'Global Warming Potential' (GWP) among common greenhouse gases, despite being present in smaller quantities than CO2?

Accepted Answer

Sulfur Hexafluoride. Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) has a GWP that is about 23,500 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. It is primarily used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage equipment. Due to its stability, it can persist in the atmosphere for thousands of years.

Question 5

What term is used for the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system?

Accepted Answer

Global Warming. Global warming refers to the observed scale of temperature increase since the late 19th century. It is largely driven by human activities like fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. This warming is a major aspect of broader climate change impacts.

Climate Change — Set 1