An uncertain future (lesson 15a and 15b) Flashcards
Give two natural factors which are influencing climate change
-Milankovitch cycles
-El Nino/El Nina
-Sunspots
-Enzo cycles
-Jet streams
-Magnetic field strength
-Volcanic eruptions
-Axil tilt
Give two human factors which contribute to Climate Change
-Burning of fossil fuels
-Population increase
-Deforestation
-Urbanisation
What increased in temperature is recognised as the threshold which climate change becomes dangerous?
2 degrees
Give two reasons as to why future climate is so uncertain?
.The role of potential positive and negative feedback is not yet known
.There is a great deal of uncertainty about how many of our natural systems will respond to climate change?
How long does it take for Oceans to respond to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations?
It takes decades
What could happen to tropical rainforests once they are at their capacity?
They may reduce their carbon storage, especially after a drought
Why have tropical oceans decreased CO2 solubility?
This is because they are warming, so there is less CO2 uptake
What did energy consumption grow by between 2008 and 2014?
2%
What was the overall aim of the paris agreement?
The aim was to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees above pre industrial levels
What is peat?
Peat is the accumulation of partly decayed vegetation
Why does peat store large amounts of carbon?
This is because of the low rate of carbon breakdown in cold waterlogged soils
What does warming do to peat?
Warming causes peat to dry out as water tables fall, as well as increasing the rate of decomposition
What do peatlands emit carbon in the form of?
Methane
What happens to carbon when permafrost melts?
It releases trapped carbon into the atmosphere as CO2 and methane
