Introduction

Global warming refers to the gradual increase in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a range of environmental impacts such as rising sea levels, melting polar ice, and extreme weather events. Understanding global warming and its causes, effects, and potential solutions is crucial for students as they learn about the future of our planet.

Assessment Questions

Easy Questions

  1. What is global warming?
  2. Name one greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
  3. True or False: Global warming causes the Earth’s temperature to rise.
  4. What human activity is a major cause of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
  5. Fill in the blank: Greenhouse gases trap _ in the Earth’s atmosphere.
  6. What is one effect of global warming on the polar ice caps?
  7. Which gas is released when fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are burned?
  8. True or False: Planting more trees can help reduce the effects of global warming.
  9. What is the name of the layer of gases around the Earth that helps trap heat?
  10. Name one consequence of global warming on sea levels.
  11. True or False: Methane is a stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
  12. What is the role of greenhouse gases in global warming?
  13. What happens to the temperature of the Earth’s surface during global warming?
  14. True or False: Global warming has no effect on weather patterns.
  15. Fill in the blank: Burning fossil fuels adds more _ to the atmosphere.
  16. Name one renewable energy source that could help reduce global warming.
  17. True or False: Global warming only affects certain parts of the world.
  18. Which type of extreme weather event may increase due to global warming?
  19. What is the effect of global warming on sea creatures like coral reefs?
  20. True or False: Reducing energy use can help slow down global warming.

Medium Questions

  1. Explain how greenhouse gases cause global warming.
  2. What is the connection between deforestation and global warming?
  3. How does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global warming?
  4. Describe how global warming could affect the world’s oceans.
  5. What is the role of carbon dioxide in the greenhouse effect?
  6. Explain why sea levels are rising due to global warming.
  7. What impact does global warming have on animals living in cold environments like the Arctic?
  8. How can switching to renewable energy sources help combat global warming?
  9. What effect does global warming have on weather patterns across the world?
  10. Describe the relationship between industrialisation and the increase in greenhouse gases.
  11. Why are scientists concerned about the rate at which the Earth’s temperature is rising?
  12. Explain why the melting of polar ice caps is a problem for humans.
  13. What role do oceans play in regulating global temperatures, and how is this being affected by global warming?
  14. How does global warming affect agriculture and food production?
  15. Why is methane considered a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide?
  16. What actions can individuals take to reduce their carbon footprint and combat global warming?
  17. Explain the link between global warming and the occurrence of droughts.
  18. How does the increased use of cars and aeroplanes contribute to global warming?
  19. Describe how global warming might affect human health.
  20. What are some potential long-term consequences of continued global warming for future generations?

Hard Questions

  1. Explain the process of the enhanced greenhouse effect and its relationship to global warming.
  2. Analyse how global warming could lead to more extreme weather events such as hurricanes and heatwaves.
  3. Discuss the global impact of rising sea levels on coastal cities and populations.
  4. Evaluate the effectiveness of renewable energy sources in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  5. How does deforestation worsen the effects of global warming?
  6. Discuss the feedback loop involving melting ice caps and increased global temperatures.
  7. Analyse the potential economic consequences of global warming for developing countries.
  8. What are carbon sinks, and how do they help reduce the impact of global warming?
  9. How does the accumulation of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere cause changes in ocean chemistry?
  10. Discuss the long-term impact of global warming on biodiversity and ecosystems.
  11. Explain how global warming could lead to food shortages in certain parts of the world.
  12. What are the potential social and political consequences of large-scale climate migration due to global warming?
  13. How does global warming influence the frequency and severity of wildfires around the world?
  14. Evaluate the role of international agreements, like the Paris Agreement, in combating global warming.
  15. Discuss how changes in the Earth’s albedo (reflectivity) due to melting ice might affect global warming.
  16. What is ocean acidification, and how is it connected to global warming?
  17. Analyse the role of technological innovation in addressing global warming and its impacts.
  18. Discuss the ethical responsibilities of developed nations in helping poorer countries cope with the effects of global warming.
  19. Explain the concept of carbon offsetting and evaluate its effectiveness in tackling global warming.
  20. Discuss the potential tipping points in the Earth’s climate system and how they might accelerate global warming.

Answers

Easy Questions

  1. Global warming is the gradual increase in Earth’s surface temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases.
  2. Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
  3. True.
  4. Burning fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas).
  5. Heat.
  6. They melt, leading to rising sea levels.
  7. Carbon dioxide.
  8. True.
  9. The atmosphere (or the greenhouse effect).
  10. Sea levels rise.
  11. True.
  12. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise.
  13. It increases.
  14. False.
  15. Carbon dioxide.
  16. Solar power (or wind power, hydroelectric power, etc.).
  17. False.
  18. Heatwaves or storms.
  19. Global warming can cause coral bleaching, harming sea life.
  20. True.

Medium Questions

  1. Greenhouse gases trap heat from the Sun in the Earth’s atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into space. This trapped heat leads to higher global temperatures.
  2. Deforestation reduces the number of trees that absorb carbon dioxide, increasing the amount of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
  3. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, which increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  4. Global warming causes oceans to warm, leading to melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and changes in ocean currents.
  5. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat and traps it in the atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet.
  6. Global warming causes ice to melt, adding more water to the oceans and causing sea levels to rise.
  7. Animals like polar bears are losing their habitats as ice melts, making it harder for them to survive.
  8. Renewable energy sources do not emit greenhouse gases, helping to reduce global warming.
  9. Global warming can lead to more intense storms, floods, and droughts, changing weather patterns worldwide.
  10. Industrialisation involves burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
  11. The Earth’s temperature is rising at a rate that could cause severe environmental and social impacts.
  12. Melting ice caps can lead to rising sea levels, which can flood coastal cities.
  13. Oceans absorb a lot of the Earth’s heat, but as they warm, they expand and contribute to rising sea levels.
  14. Global warming can cause droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events, affecting food production.
  15. Methane traps more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide, making it more potent.
  16. Use less energy, recycle, reduce car journeys, and switch to renewable energy.
  17. Global warming can cause higher temperatures and reduced rainfall, leading to droughts.
  18. Cars and aeroplanes burn fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  19. Global warming can cause more heat-related illnesses, spread diseases, and reduce air quality.
  20. Future generations may face extreme weather, food shortages, and loss of biodiversity if global warming continues unchecked.

Hard Questions

  1. The enhanced greenhouse effect occurs when human activities increase the concentration of greenhouse gases, trapping more heat and accelerating global warming.
  2. Global warming can lead to more energy in the atmosphere, which fuels stronger storms, heatwaves, and hurricanes.
  3. Rising sea levels can flood coastal cities, displace millions of people, and damage infrastructure.
  4. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power produce no greenhouse gases, reducing the human impact on global warming.
  5. Deforestation removes trees that absorb carbon dioxide, leading to higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
  6. **As ice caps melt, less sunlight is reflected back into space, causing more heat to be absorbed and accelerating global warming.**
  7. Developing countries may face economic hardships due to extreme weather, reduced agricultural yields, and the cost of dealing with climate-related disasters.
  8. Carbon sinks like forests and oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases.
  9. Increased carbon dioxide leads to higher acidity in the oceans, harming marine life such as coral reefs.
  10. Global warming threatens ecosystems by altering habitats and food sources, leading to the extinction of many species.
  11. Global warming can reduce crop yields and water availability, leading to food shortages in many parts of the world.
  12. Climate migration could lead to political instability, conflicts over resources, and humanitarian crises.
  13. Global warming dries out vegetation, making wildfires more frequent and severe.
  14. International agreements aim to limit carbon emissions, but their effectiveness depends on the commitment of individual countries.
  15. Melting ice reduces the Earth’s reflectivity, causing it to absorb more heat and accelerating global warming.
  16. Ocean acidification occurs when excess carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, harming marine ecosystems.
  17. Technological innovations like carbon capture and storage, or electric vehicles, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global warming.
  18. Developed nations, having contributed more to global warming, have an ethical responsibility to help poorer countries adapt to its effects.
  19. Carbon offsetting involves compensating for emissions by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gases, but its effectiveness varies.
  20. Tipping points, such as the collapse of ice sheets or changes in ocean currents, could lead to irreversible and catastrophic climate changes.