Download Name Class Date 16.2 Climate Change Key Concepts Evidence of

Name
Class
Date
16.2 Climate Change
Key Concepts
Evidence of global climate change includes rising atmospheric temperature,
precipitation trends, melting ice, and rising seas.
Scientists study changes in climate by taking direct measurements, inferring past climate
characteristics, and using models to predict the future.
Evidence indicates that global warming has been caused largely by the increase in
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Vocabulary Preview
Define each vocabulary term in your own words. Then, write yourself a quick note on
how you will remember each. One term has been done for you.
Term
Definition
How I Remember
Global climate
change
Global
warming
Proxy indicator
Climate model
Fossil fuel
A fuel that formed millions of years
ago from the remains of living things
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I remember the color and feel of the
leaf fossil my teacher showed me in
science class last year.
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Class
Date
Reading Strategy
As you read the lesson, complete the main ideas and details chart.
Main Ideas
Details
Evidence of a
warming earth
Studying climate
change
Finding the cause of
climate change
Evidence of a Warming Earth
1. What two conclusions has the IPCC made about global climate change?
2. Describe two ways in which precipitation patterns have changed.
3. What changes have scientists noted regarding the size and number of glaciers on Earth?
4. What happens to seawater when it warms? What effect does this have on sea levels?
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Name
Class
Studying Climate Change
5. How do scientists study current climate conditions?
6. What are proxy indicators and why are they important to climate scientists?
7. List three types of proxy indicators.
8. How do researchers test the accuracy of climate models?
9.
What does the illustration below show?
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Date
Name
Class
Date
10. What contribution did Charles Keeling make to the understanding of global warming?
Finding the Cause of Climate Change
For Questions 11 and 12, circle the letter of the correct answer.
11. The greenhouse gas considered most responsible for global warming is
A.
B.
C.
D.
methane.
water vapor.
nitrous oxide.
carbon dioxide.
12. Scientists agree that the causes of global warming include all of the following except
A.
B.
C.
D.
industrialization.
forest conservation.
the use of motor vehicles.
increased burning of fossil fuels.
13. Complete the paragraph with terms from the word bank.
fossil fuels
global warming
greenhouse effect
natural gas
Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that is most responsible for
.
Most scientists agree that the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has come from human
activities. The main source of the extra carbon dioxide is the burning of
,
such as oil,
, and coal, for energy. As carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
increases, the
increases.
Answer the questions to test your knowledge of lesson concepts. You can check your
work using the answers on the bottom of the page.
14. According to the IPCC, what is the primary cause of rising seas today?
15. Why are proxy indicators important to the study of climate?
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