AP Environmental Science / Unit 9: Global Change
9.5 Global Climate Change
Notes
Rising temperatures cause melting ice, sea level rise (thermal expansion plus meltwater), more extreme weather, shifting species ranges and thawing permafrost.
- Positive feedback: melting ice lowers albedo, causing more warming.
Practice
Sea level rises because of melting ice and:
Warm water expands.
Melting Arctic ice leading to more warming is:
Lower albedo absorbs more heat.
Thawing permafrost releases:
Stored organic carbon.
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