What is the greenhouse effect?
AnswerGases in the atmosphere trapping heat near Earth's surface
Greenhouse gases absorb heat radiated from Earth's surface, keeping the planet warmer.
Nature · Facts & stats
Climate facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about climate, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
Which gas makes up most of Earth's atmosphere?
AnswerNitrogen
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of dry air, with oxygen about 21%.
Going deeper
In which layer of the atmosphere does nearly all weather occur?
AnswerThe troposphere
The troposphere, the lowest layer, holds most of the air's water vapor and nearly all weather.
Climate averages, or "normals", are standardly calculated over how many years?
Answer30 years
The World Meteorological Organization uses 30-year periods to define climate normals.
In climate science, what does albedo measure?
AnswerHow much sunlight a surface reflects
Albedo is reflectivity; bright snow and ice reflect much more sunlight than dark ocean.
Expert level
El Niño is an unusual warming of surface waters in which ocean region?
AnswerThe central and eastern tropical Pacific
El Niño warms the central and eastern equatorial Pacific and shifts weather patterns worldwide.
Milankovitch cycles describe changes in what?
AnswerEarth's orbit and tilt that influence ice ages
Slow cycles in Earth's orbit shape, axial tilt and wobble change sunlight patterns and pace ice ages.
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