What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Climate models use equations describing atmospheric, oceanic, land, and ice processes

General Circulation Models (GCMs) are the most complex climate models

Climate projections depend on different scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions

Positive feedback loops amplify warming (e.g., melting ice reduces reflectivity)

Negative feedback loops dampen changes (e.g., increased vegetation absorbs more CO2)

Key Vocabulary

Climate model

A mathematical simulation of Earth's climate system used to project future climate

Positive feedback

A process where an initial change causes effects that amplify the original change

Negative feedback

A process where an initial change triggers effects that reduce or reverse the original change

RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway)

A greenhouse gas concentration trajectory used in climate modelling scenarios

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A positive feedback loop in climate change is:

Melting Arctic ice exposing dark ocean which absorbs more heat, causing more melting Increased CO2 leading to more vegetation which absorbs CO2 Higher temperatures causing less evaporation More cloud cover cooling the surface

Question 2

Climate models are validated by:

Only using future data Testing against observed historical climate data Ignoring past climate records Using only ocean data

Question 3

Different emission scenarios in climate projections reflect:

Uncertainty about the laws of physics Differences in the size of the atmosphere Different possible future levels of greenhouse gas emissions based on societal choices Variations in Earth's orbit

Climate Models and Predictions