


What is climate change?
a sudden change in conditions including temperature and precipitation
a change in global temperatures and weather patterns over many years
an extreme weather event such as a hurricane or drought
ANSWER: a change in global temperatures and weather patterns over many years
Climate change is happening right now. Over the past 100 years, global temperatures are slowly rising. Weather patterns are changing too. Changes to Earth's oceans, atmosphere, land, and ice all affect the global climate.

An unexpected thunderstorm is an example of:

What does the atmosphere contain that keeps Earth's surface warm?
water vapor and carbon dioxide
methane and nitrous oxide
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor
ANSWER: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor
These are all greenhouse gases. They allow sunshine to pass through the atmosphere. But they absorb and hold the heat that radiates back from Earth's surface. This process, called the greenhouse effect, keeps Earth warm.

What is one way that scientists measure global climate?
they collect weather data from places with tropical climates
they collect weather data from places with extreme climates
they collect and average data from weather stations around the world
ANSWER: they collect and average data from weather stations around the world
To understand global climate, scientists also measure the temperature and chemistry of the ocean. They gather this data from ships, satellites above Earth , and buoys spread across the oceans.

Where do scientists find evidence that Earth's climate has changed in the past?
tree rings
glacial ice
glacial ice and tree rings
ANSWER: glacial ice and tree rings
Tree rings and samples of ancient ice are clues from Earth. They hold important information about what the atmosphere was like in the past, such as temperatures and carbon dioxide concentrations. From this evidence, scientists know that today's warming is different. Temperatures are rising higher and faster than anytime in human history.

Which human actions are causing Earth's climate to warm?
building "green" houses that use less energy
burning fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases
using solar power that relies on energy from the Sun
ANSWER: burning fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases
Cars, computers, and other modern machines use energy . The energy comes from burning fossil fuels . This releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that cause Earth to warm.

How does climate change affect people?
rising sea levels can flood coastal homes and communities
hotter, longer droughts can threaten crops
both of these and more
ANSWER: both of these and more
And people aren't the only ones affected by changing weather patterns and rising temperatures. Plant and animal habitats, from the Arctic to the tropical oceans, are threatened.

What is the advantage of "clean" energy sources like wind and solar?
they produce few or no greenhouse gases
they are always less expensive than fossil fuels
they rely on non-renewable resources
ANSWER: they produce few or no greenhouse gases
"Clean" energy sources like solar , wind , water , and geothermal are renewable. Their supply won't run out. Nuclear energy , natural gas, and carbon capture and storage are other solutions for cutting down greenhouse emissions.

What is the best way to reduce the effects of climate change?
conserve energy by using less electricity and fuel
switch to "clean" energy sources
combine many efforts like these on a worldwide scale
ANSWER: combine many efforts like these on a worldwide scale
There is no single solution to address climate change. Instead, it will take a combination of efforts to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions, from individual actions to a government commitment to "clean" energy sources like solar and wind.

Which of the following actions can you do to help lessen climate change?
walk instead of drive
buy less stuff
both of these and more
ANSWER: both of these and more
Anytime you use less energy, like walking instead of riding in a car, you're putting fewer carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. You can also consume less. In other words, reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever you can.
Image Credits:
Earth, NASA; storm, Bidgee / CC BY-SA 3.0 au; Moon on the Earth's atmosphere, NASA; weather station, Western Arctic National Parkland CC by 2.0; wood rings, Arnoldious / CC 2.5; Glacier, Smith609 / CC 3.0; chart, Ico Romero / AMNH; effects of flooding, U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen; effects of drought, CSIRO / CC BY 3.0; Sun and wind power turbines, T. R. Shankar Rama CC 3.0; Kids on bikes, public domain; Kids walking, Renegade-Geek CC 2.0.