Question

1. which of the following is evidence for the impact of climate change? mark all that apply. (6 points) ice sheets are melting and causing sea levels to rise storms linger in an area for longer periods of time due to a weakened jet stream oceans are becoming more acidic making it harder for organisms to make shells trees and flowers are blooming earlier in the spring some fish populations have had to migrate towards the poles wildfire seasons are lasting longer

Explanation:

• Ice sheets melting/sea level rise: Global warming (from climate change) increases temperatures, melting ice sheets and glaciers, which contributes to rising sea levels.
• Storms lingering (weakened jet stream): Climate change can alter atmospheric circulation, weakening the jet stream. A weaker jet stream leads to slower-moving weather systems, so storms stay longer.
• Ocean acidification: Increased atmospheric $CO_2$ (from human activities driving climate change) is absorbed by the ocean. This increases ocean acidity ($CO_2 + H_2O

ightarrow H_2CO_3$), which harms shell - forming organisms (like corals, mollusks) as it interferes with calcium carbonate shell formation.

• Earlier blooming (phenology shift): Warmer temperatures (due to climate change) cause plants to respond by blooming earlier in spring, as their growth cycles are temperature - sensitive.
• Fish migrating to poles: As ocean temperatures warm (a result of climate change), fish that prefer cooler waters move toward the polar regions (where temperatures are cooler) to find suitable habitats.
• Longer wildfire seasons: Climate change leads to warmer, drier conditions in many regions. This increases fuel aridity (drier vegetation) and extends the period when conditions are favorable for wildfires, thus lengthening wildfire seasons.

Answer:

• Ice sheets are melting and causing sea levels to rise
• Storms linger in an area for longer periods of time due to a weakened jet stream
• Oceans are becoming more acidic making it harder for organisms to make shells
• Trees and flowers are blooming earlier in the spring
• Some fish populations have had to migrate towards the poles
• Wildfire seasons are lasting longer