Climate 1.0!

Educational Quizzes

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14

How exactly is our planet heated? Are greenhouse gases actually good for us? What kind of rays does the Sun emit? And how does water — besides hydrating us — also help warm us?!

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What is the primary source of energy that warms the Earth’s surface?
Geothermal energy The Earth’s atmosphere, which is packed with particles that collide with each other and emit heat. Solar radiation Nuclear reactions in the Earth’s core Cosmic rays
What is the solar radiation that reaches our Earth made of?
Kinetic energy produced by solar particles Only ultraviolet radiation Electromagnetic waves (including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation) Heat produced by nuclear reactions in the Sun
How exactly does the sun heat our Earth’s surface?
How exactly does the sun heat our Earth’s surface?
Most of the energy that heats the Earth’s surface comes from direct solar heating. By sending streams of hot solar winds that warm the Earth through collisions. About one third of the energy that heats the Earth’s surface comes from direct solar heating, while two thirds from indirect heating, known as the greenhouse effect. Mostly by direct electromagnetic radiation. By directly transferring heat through physical contact between solar particles and the Earth.
Which phenomenon describes the trapping and re-emission of infrared radiation (heat) by the Earth’s atmosphere?
Albedo effect (light reflection index) Conduction of heat Greenhouse effect Refraction of light
What exactly are greenhouse gases (GHG)?
Gases that cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight Gases that have no effect on Earth’s temperature Gases that trap heat by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation (heat) Gases that are only found in industrial areas
How important are the greenhouse gases for life on earth?
Actually it depends on where one is located on our planet Extremely important – Earth without greenhouse gases would be a frozen planet! Scientifically speaking, not very important – it’s really a lot of fuss about nothing Somewhat important – thee keep us kind of warm but nowadays we have other means to warm our planet We would be so much better without greenhouse gases and not have to worry about global warming and climate change!
Which of the following gases contributes the most to the greenhouse effect?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) Ozone (O₃) Methane (CH₄) Water vapour (H₂O) Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)
Since the greenhouse effect is important for our planet (in a good way!) and the most significant greenhouse gas is water vapour (H₂O), why do we worry about carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) ???
We worry because the concentration of these gases (CO₂ and CH₄) has increased a lot in recent years, and this has led to a rapid increase in the temperature of our planet. We worry because the ozone hole increases the concentration of these gases. We worry because it is in human nature to worry about the future. We shouldn't worry – the environment knows how to fix itself!
How exactly does the greenhouse effect amplify the warming initiated by direct solar heating (which, as we all know, begins with direct solar radiation)?
By reflecting additional sunlight onto the Earth By increasing the Earth’s albedo (light reflection index) By cooling the Earth’s surface through convection By absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation
Approximately what is the split between direct solar heating and the warming contributed by the greenhouse effect?
34% direct, 66% indirect 50% direct, 50% indirect 70% direct, 30% indirect 90% direct, 10% indirect
What role exactly does carbon dioxide (CO₂) play in the greenhouse effect?
It reflects sunlight back into space It absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation in all directions, thus contributing to the (over)heating of our planet. It has no impact on the Earth’s temperature It cools the atmosphere by emitting visible light
What does the graph below show?
What does the graph below show?
The amount of Water (H₂O) in our atmosphere (in parts per million, ppm) for the last 2000 years The amount of Oxygen (O₂) in our atmosphere (in parts per million, ppm) for the last 2000 years The amount of Nitrogen (N₂) in our atmosphere (in parts per million, ppm) for the last 2000 years The amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere (in parts per million, ppm) for the last 2000 years
What does the image below show?
What does the image below show?
It shows that the Sun is the real "villain" responsible for the greenhouse effect and the increase in temperatures. It shows how an increase in greenhouse gases leads to more heat escaping from our atmosphere It shows how an increase in greenhouse gases leads to more heat being trapped in our atmosphere, which leads to higher temperatures It shows how an increase in greenhouse gases leads to more heat being trapped in our atmosphere, which leads to lower temperatures
Which of the following contributes the most greenhouse gas emissions globally per year?
Which of the following contributes the most greenhouse gas emissions globally per year?
All the cows in the world All the airplanes in the world All the cars in the world All the ships in the world
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The Sun is our essential energy provider, sustaining every form of life on our planet. It provides the initial energy that warms our planet—think of it as the giant heater whose rays begin the process before … the atmosphere comes into play. (🤔hmmm…!)

Specifically, direct solar radiation consists of approximately 44% visible light, 49% infrared (which is mainly responsible for heating our planet) and 7% ultraviolet radiation.

Think of the sun as the giant heater warming the Earth and the atmosphere as a blanket that keeps some of that heat trapped on the planet by absorbing it and re-emitting it back. This is known as the Greenhouse effect!

Because of these gases, the planet stays warmer than it would otherwise be.
Good or bad??? Hmm 🤔

Think of greenhouse gases as tiny "heat trappers" that work like the glass in a greenhouse — it lets sunlight in, and then holds much of the heat inside the greenhouse.

Without greenhouse gases our planet, instead of having an average temperature of +15 degrees Celsius, it would be at -18 degrees. 🥶 Brrr….cold!!!

Water is not only important for keeping us hydrated but also for keeping us warm!

For the last 800,000 years, until the early 1900s, the concentration of CO₂ was always under 300 parts per million (ppm), while today (2025) it is at a whopping 425 ppm… ☹

Greenhouse gases catch direct solar energy as well as indirect energy which is reflected or emitted by our planet and send it back, warming the Earth. Around two thirds (66%) of our planet’s heating comes from greenhouse gases!

The direct solar input initiates the warming, but the greenhouse effect (indirect warming) plays a larger role in elevating Earth’s surface temperature raising it by about 33°C above what it would be without these gases

Even in small concentrations, CO₂ is effective at trapping heat; it acts like little satellite heaters to the sun.

This sudden increase in CO₂ levels was driven by significant changes in human lifestyle during the Industrial Revolution, including changes in work, travel, and energy use, which resulted in the widespread burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and a surge in industrial activities.

Greenhouse gases are not only at their highest levels in more than 800,000 years but this increase happened in the last 250 years!

Cows come close to the top, as they produce natural gas — that is, methane (CH₄) — a greenhouse gas that is over 25 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 100-year period. Their burps and manure release massive amounts of methane, making livestock farming responsible for more emissions than the entire global aviation and shipping sectors combined! 🐄 > ✈️ + 🚢

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Cows come close to the top, as they produce natural gas — that is, methane (CH₄) — a greenhouse gas that is over 25 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 100-year period. Their burps and manure release massive amounts of methane, making livestock farming responsible for more emissions than the entire global aviation and shipping sectors combined! 🐄 > ✈️ + 🚢

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