Question 1: Define the term 'Albedo' and provide an example of its effect on climate.

Answer: Albedo is the measure of the reflectivity of a surface. For example, ice and snow have high albedo, reflecting most solar radiation, which helps regulate Earth's temperature.

Question 2: What is 'Thermohaline Circulation' and why is it important for global climate?

Answer: Thermohaline Circulation is the global ocean conveyor belt driven by differences in water density caused by temperature and salinity. It redistributes heat around the planet, influencing climate patterns.

Question 3: Explain the concept of 'Climate Feedback' with an example.

Answer: Climate Feedback refers to processes that can amplify or dampen climate change, such as the melting of Arctic ice reducing albedo and increasing warming.

Question 4: Define 'Hadley Cell' and its role in atmospheric circulation.

Answer: A Hadley Cell is a large-scale atmospheric convection cell in the tropics that transports warm air from the equator towards the subtropics and influences rainfall patterns.

Question 5: Name the primary driver of the Earth's climate system.

Answer: The Sun

Question 1: What are the main components of the Earth's climate system?

Answer: The main components include the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.

Question 2: Name the three main types of atmospheric circulation cells present in each hemisphere.

Answer: Hadley cells, Ferrel cells, and Polar cells.

Question 3: Identify the climatic zone most affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Answer: The tropical climatic zone.

Question 4: What is the significance of the El Niño phenomenon in climate variability?

Answer: El Niño disrupts normal weather patterns, causing droughts, floods, and affecting global climate by altering ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation.

Question 1: Based on the case study of the 2015-2016 El Niño event, analyze its impacts on agriculture and water resources in Southern California.

Answer: The 2015-2016 El Niño caused heavy rainfall and flooding in Southern California, damaging crops, causing landslides, and leading to water shortages due to reservoir overflow and infrastructure damage.

Question 2: Describe how sea surface temperature anomalies contributed to the severity of this El Niño event.

Answer: Warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean intensified atmospheric convection, leading to stronger and more prolonged El Niño conditions.

Question 3: Explain the feedback mechanisms that worsened the drought conditions in the Horn of Africa during 2011-2012.

Answer: Reduced rainfall decreased vegetation cover, which lowered evapotranspiration, further reducing moisture in the atmosphere, and the positive feedback loop intensified drought conditions.

Question 4: Assess the effectiveness of international aid and environmental policies in mitigating climate-related disasters in Bangladesh.

Answer: International aid and policies like cyclone shelters and early warning systems have improved resilience, but challenges remain due to rising sea levels and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Question 1: Explain why the monsoon system in India is sensitive to changes in global climate patterns.

Answer: The Indian monsoon depends on differential heating between land and sea, which is influenced by global temperature changes, atmospheric circulation, and oceanic conditions, making it highly sensitive to climate variability.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of the Arctic ice melt and its impact on global climate regulation.

Answer: Arctic ice melt is primarily caused by rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions, positive feedback loops like decreased albedo, and oceanic heat intrusion. This reduces Earth's reflectivity, accelerates global warming, and disrupts oceanic circulation patterns.

Question 3: Explain how ocean currents influence climate variation in Western Europe.

Answer: The North Atlantic Drift transports warm equatorial waters northward, moderating the climate of Western Europe, making it milder than other regions at similar latitudes, and influencing rainfall and weather patterns.

Question 1: To what extent are current strategies effective in managing the impacts of climate variability and change? Consider both policy and technological solutions.

Answer: Current strategies such as renewable energy adoption, climate policies like the Paris Agreement, and technological innovations in climate resilience have made significant progress in reducing emissions and adapting to changes. However, challenges remain due to political will, economic constraints, and unequal impacts across regions. While some areas have benefited from improved infrastructure and early warning systems, others continue to suffer from insufficient adaptation measures. Therefore, strategies are somewhat effective but require increased global cooperation, funding, and innovation to fully address climate variability and change.