1.3 Human activity is causing an enhanced climate change Flashcards
How have humans enhanced the greenhouse effect (concentration of gasses)?
The rate of the recent rise in global temperature (global warming) is unheard of
Theres a scientific consensus (general agreement) that human activities are causing global warming by making the greenhouse effect stronger. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Too much greenhouse gas in the atmosphere means too much energy is trapped and the planet warms up
Humans are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases
Give two reasons how the following have caused enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change:
a. Industry, b. Energy Production, c. Transport, d. Farming
A. Industry:
Most industry uses a lot of energy
Some industrial processes also release greenhouse gases, e.g. cement is made from limestone, which contains carbon. When cement is produced, lots pf CO2 os released into the atmosphere
Industrial waste may end up in landfill sites where it decays, releasing, methane
B. Energy Production:
CO2 is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas are burnt, e.g. in power stations
C. Transport:
Most cars, lorries, ships and planes run on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gas when burnt
Car ownership is rapidly increasing in countries which are developing, e.g. China
This means there are more cars on the roads (especially in urban areas)
This increases congestion. As a result, car engines are running for longer, so the amount of greenhouse gases released increases
D. Farming:
Farming of livestock produces a lot of methane - cows love to fart…
Rice paddies contribute to global warming, because flooded fields emit methane
Trees absorb and store CO2. When land is cleared of trees for agriculture it stops the absorption of CO2, which leaves more CO2 in the atmosphere
Give evidence to explain how each of the factors below show that
climate change is happening:
a. Sea levels, b. Global temperatures, c. Arctic ice, d. Extreme weather
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Explain a consequence of climate change that will:
a. Make people poorer
b. Affect human health
c. Lead to overcrowding in some areas
d. Reduce food growth
e. Cause damage to houses/lost business
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Why do we need to have ‘low’ and ‘maximum’ emission projections to model future climate changes?
We need to have low emission projections as this is the best outcome in which levels of greenhouses gases peak, then reduce which means greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced
Maximum emissions projections are the worst outcome in which the rate of production of emissions continues to increase and greenhouse gas levels end up very high
What human and physical reasons affect these projections?
Human:
Car ownership is rapidly increasing which also causes congestion and as a result car engines are running for longer so the amount of greenhouse gases released increases
Physical:
The temperature of the earth is increasing causing the melting of the glaciers and extra greenhouse gases caused by burning of fossil fuels produces more CO2 which ends up in the atmosphere as pollution
Why can’t we be more certain about the future climate temperature?
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