Questions regarding Climate Change

Below follow questions which help gain an understanding of the concepts in this overview. Stars (★) are an indication of the level of difficulty of the question or concepts.

Note that translations form Dutch into English have been done by ChatGPT, there may be errors. 

Some themes have suggestions for sources, however, they usually won't provide complete information.

Cause and Mechanism

Climate System

What is the difference between the greenhouse effect and the enhanced greenhouse effect? ★★★

Explain in your answer whether the energy balance of the Earth is in equilibrium or not, what the role of greenhouse gases is in that, and give examples of at least three greenhouse gases.

Where does the carbon in CO2 come from and where does it go? ★★★

Explain in your answer where the largest amounts of carbon are stored, what the major flows are, and to what extent there is equilibrium.

Source:

• https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/217/coloring-page-the-carbon-dioxide-cycle/ 

Can we simply reverse global warming? ★★★

Explain in your answer how tipping points, feedback loops, and delayed effects make reversing global warming complex. Provide an example of each in the context of climate change.

How do we know there is a connection between CO2 and temperature? ★★★

Explain in your answer how CO2 has been directly measured in recent history and in what way(s) CO2 and temperature have been indirectly measured in the past million years.

The role of Humans

When and why did humans begin large-scale CO2 emissions and how much has it been? ★★

Explain when the Industrial Revolution took place in history and how it influenced the demand for energy. Explain what the main fossil fuels are and provide an example of a combustion reaction to show how carbon dioxide is formed during combustion. Show how CO2 emissions have evolved over the last approximately 150 years and compare this with the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (and possibly also in land, vegetation, and oceans). Incorporate the concept of carbon budget in your answer.

Sources:

• https://ourworldindata.org/global-energy-200-years

• https://climateclock.world

How do we know that the extra CO2 in the atmosphere is due to human activity? ★★★

There are multiple evidences that the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is attributable to human activity. Explain at least how a decrease in the concentration of carbon-13 in the atmosphere is evidence for this human activity, and the role of combustion and photosynthesis in this changing concentration.

Sources:

• https://www.radiocarbon.com/the-suess-effect-why-is-it-important/ (commercial source)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suess_effect

• https://skepticalscience.com/its-not-us.htm

Wicked Problems

Isn't there still a lot of doubt about climate change? ★★★

There are different perspectives on climate change. Find two contrasting sources and evaluate the reliability of these sources. Suggestions for sources are The Cato Institute one hand and SkepticalScience.com on the other hand. Discuss a common misconception (overview) and its refutation from climate science.

Background

•  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000l7q0 (podcast in 10 parts, 15 minutes each)

Why haven't we solved the problem yet? ★★

In your answer, discuss several psychological mechanisms (cognitive biases) that hinder finding solutions. In addition, explain what is meant by climate justice, illustrate this with an example, and explain how this is related to these obstacles.

Sources:

• https://ourworldindata.org/contributed-most-global-co2

Effects, Impacts and Risks

Models and Scenario's

Are we sure that the climate is changing? ★★★★

Explain what the IPCC is and how it uses models to make predictions. Explain why multiple models are used and provide a description of what an advanced model includes in its calculations (does not have to be exhaustive). Explain what is meant by uncertainty in a prediction. Explain what scenarios are and give a brief description of two divergent scenarios: describe some striking differences and under what conditions we can end up in one or the other scenario.

Sources:

• https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-how-do-climate-models-work/

• https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-how-shared-socioeconomic-pathways-explore-future-climate-change/

• Expected warming SSP's (IPCC AR6 WG1, 2021)

Ecosystems, Food Safety

What are the consequences for nature? ★★

Describe some of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and food safety. Make a distinction (for some examples) between 1.5 degrees and 2.0 degrees of warming.

Sources:

• Figure 2 change in global temperature Earth's surface (IPCC AR6 WG1, 2021) 

HEALTH, BUILT ENVIRONMENT

What are the consequences for cities? ★★

Describe some of the consequences of climate change for health and urban life. Make a distinction (for some examples) between 1.5°C and 2.0°C warming.

Sources:

• https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/06/more-than-200-health-journals-call-for-urgent-action-on-climate-crisis

Solutions

Adaptation

How can we adapt? ★★

Explain what is meant by adaptation (as opposed to mitigation) and provide some examples of adaptation in urban areas on the one hand, and rural areas on the other hand. Also indicate which actors can play a role in this.

Sources:

• https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/

• https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/figures/summary-for-policymakers

MITIGATION

What type of sustainable energy sources are there? ★★

Discuss the forms of renewable energy that make a significant contribution in the Netherlands (our: a country of your preference) and provide advantages and disadvantages. Explain what some arguments are of supporters and opponents in designating natural gas and nuclear energy as sustainable energy sources.

Sources:

• https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix

• https://ourworldindata.org/cheap-renewables-growth

• Figure 4 (IPCC AR6 WG3, 2022)

Can we remove carbon from the atmosphere? ★

Provide an example of a project that recovers carbon from the atmosphere and give an idea of the magnitude of this recovery.

Sources:

• https://www.carbonrecycling.is/news

• https://www.wren.co/projects

• https://climeworks.com/ (commercial source)

Actors

Who is responsible for change? ★

Different actors can contribute to adaptation and mitigation. Look at the actors in the list: citizen, consumer, politics, companies, NGOs and give an example of a measure they can take for each actor.