1. Climate Change Flashcards
What is Climate Change?
Long-term change in the earth’s climate especially increases in the average atmospheric tempertaures.
Changes in Climate can be?
Human-produced or natural
Climate changes by human eg
Burning fossil fuels raising the Earth’s surface temperature
Climate change by natural processes eg
Volcanic activity
What is global warming?
The increase in global temperature over the last century
Give 2 environmental impacts of global warming
Rising temperatures & decreased rainfall = some environments will turn to desert. Some species that don’t move environments or adapt may die.
How can volcanic eruptions affect climate change?
The volcanic ash can block out the sun this leads to a reduction in temperatures in the short term
Definition: What is mitigation with regard to climate chanage?
Mitigation deals with the cause of climate change. It is the action taken to reduce or prevent greenhouse gases.
Give forms of mitigation to manage climate change
Forms of mitigation to manage climate change:
. alternative energy sources eg solar power, wind & wave energy
. planting trees to reduce harmful effects of deforestation
. international agreements to reduce global emissions
. carbon capture
What are the natural causes of climate change?
Natural causes of climate change are:
. Volcanic ash can block out the sun this leads to a reduction in temperatures in the short term
. Increases in solar energy is linked to sunspots. The more sunspots the more solar radiation is given out.
. Orbital changes
What human activity have contributed to climate change?
Human activities that lead to climate change:
. Burning of fossils fuels (used in transport industry & to power electricity)
. Farming - increases in methane due to cattle & rice farming
. Deforestation has reduced the number of trees therefore more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What are sun spots?
Sun spots - dark spots that sometimes appear on the surface of the sun
What is adaption to climate change?
Adaption manages the problems we already have because of climate change. They are often local solutions:
. To deal with rising sea levels - water defences eg The Thames Barrier to prevent tidal surges and protect the city of London
. Planting different crops - those that can deal with drought
What is carbon capture & storage (CCS)
Carbon capture and storage is:
. technology that captures CO2 from burning of fossil fuels
. it is compressed and transported
. then injected underground & stored
Name the continents
Continents
North America - South America - Africa - Europe - Asia - Antarctica - Australasia
