World Climate and Climate Change


EXERCISES

1. Multiple choice questions.

(i) Which one of the following is suitable for Koeppen’s “A” type of climate?

(a) High rainfall in all the months

(b) Mean monthly temperature of the coldest month more than freezing

point

(c) Mean monthly temperature of all the months more than 18o C

(d) Average temperature for all the months below 10° C

Ans: (a) High rainfall in all the months.


(ii) Koeppen’s system of classification of climates can be termed as :

(a) Applied (b) Systematic (c) Genetic (d) Empirical

Ans: (b) Systematic.

(iii) Most of the Indian Peninsula will be grouped according to Koeppen’s system under:

(a) “Af” (b) “BSh” (c) “Cfb” (d) “Am”

Ans: (a) “Af”.

(iv) Which one of the following years is supposed to have recorded the warmesttemperature the world over?

(a) 1990 (b) 1998 (c) 1885 (d) 1950

Ans:  (b) 1998.

(v) Which one of the following groups of four climates represents humid conditions?

(a) A—B—C—E

(b) A—C—D—E

(c) B—C—D—E

(d) A—C—D—F

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Which two climatic variables are used by Koeppen for classification of the

climate?

Ans: 1️⃣ Temperature: Annual & coldest month's average

2️⃣ Precipitation: Total & distribution over the year

    Koeppen combines these to define letter codes (A, B, C...) for climates! ️️➡️️ A, B, C...

(ii) How is the “genetic” system of classification different from the “empirical one”?

Ans: The key difference between genetic and empirical climate classifications lies in their focus:

*Genetic: Explains "why" a climate exists by considering factors like atmospheric circulation and solar radiation. Think of it as understanding the climate's origin story.

*Empirical: Describes "what" the climate is like based on observed data like temperature, precipitation, and vegetation. Think of it as simply documenting the climate's current state.

    Both approaches offer valuable insights, but genetic systems are often more complex and subjective, while empirical ones are simpler and data-driven.

(iii) Which types of climates have very low range of temperature?

Ans: Tropical wet climates boast the lowest temperature range!  Warm temperatures year-round (avg. > 18°C) and consistent rainfall minimize seasonal swings. Think Amazon rainforest or Indonesian islands. ️

 (iv) What type of climatic conditions would prevail if the sun spots increase?

Ans: The relationship between sunspots and climatic conditions is complex and not fully understood. While some research suggests sunspot activity may influence Earth's temperature, the evidence is inconclusive. There are two main theories:

1. Cooler and wetter conditions: This theory proposes increased sunspot activity might temporarily decrease solar output, leading to cooler global temperatures and potentially increased precipitation due to altered atmospheric circulation.

2. Little to no significant impact: Others argue the influence of sunspots on Earth's climate is negligible compared to other factors like greenhouse gas emissions and natural internal variability.

    Therefore, predicting specific climatic conditions based solely on potential sunspot increases remains uncertain. Ongoing research is needed to further clarify the nature and extent of this relationship.

3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(i) Make a comparison of the climatic conditions between the “A” and “B” types of climate.

Ans: Unfortunately, I need more information to compare "A" and "B" climates. Climate classification systems use various letters and codes, and without knowing the specific system or codes you're referring to, I cannot accurately compare them. Please provide more details about the climate types you're interested in, like the Köppen or Thornthwaite classification system and the specific codes for "A" and "B." With that information, 

(ii) What type of vegetation would you find in the “C” and “A” type(s) of climate?

Ans: The vegetation in "C" and "A" climates vastly differs due to their contrasting temperatures and rainfall patterns:

A climates: These are tropical, experiencing hot temperatures year-round and abundant rainfall. They mainly support:

*Tropical rainforests: Dense, evergreen forests with towering trees, diverse plant life, and high biodiversity.

*Tropical savannas: Grasslands with scattered trees, adapted to seasonal rainfall and frequent fires.

C climates: Warm temperate climates with mild winters and warm summers. They see varied vegetation depending on the specific subtype:

*Mediterranean: Shrubs and woodlands dominated by drought-resistant plants, adapted to hot, dry summers.

*Humid subtropical: Deciduous forests or mixed evergreen-deciduous forests with moderate rainfall throughout the year.

*Marine west coast: Temperate rainforests or mixed forests with abundant rainfall and mild temperatures.

    So, "A" climates boast lush, rainforest-dominated landscapes, while "C" climates exhibit more diverse vegetation like savannas, Mediterranean shrubs, or temperate forests, depending on the specific subtype.

(iii) What do you understand by the term “Greenhouse Gases”? Make a list of greenhouse gases.

Ans: Greenhouse Gases: Keeping Earth Toasty

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are our atmosphere's superheroes (with a villain side). They act like a blanket, trapping the sun's warmth and making Earth habitable. But too much of a good thing can be bad! Excess GHGs, mainly from human activities like burning fossil fuels, amplify this warming effect, leading to climate change.

GHGs Hit List:

*Carbon dioxide (CO2): The kingpin, released by burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

*Methane (CH4): Leaky cow burps and rice fields are its main sources.

*Nitrous oxide (N2O): Fertilizers and burning stuff (including forests) produce this one.

*Water vapor (H2O): Abundant and amplifies other GHGs, like a feedback loop.

*Fluorinated gases: These industrial gases are the most potent but thankfully rare.

    Remember, keeping GHGs balanced is key to a healthy planet!


Answer By: Himashree Bora.