Causes of climate change Flashcards
Name the physical causes of climate change
SUNSPOTS
VOLCANISM
PLATE TECTONICS
Explain sunspots
Sunspots are naturally occurring variations in the suns energy output Every 11 years we get more sunspots
More sunspots = more energy = warmer
Explain volcanism
Volcanic eruptions produce high quantities of CO2
When this CO2 enters the upper layers of the atmosphere it can initially cause cooling
As the amount of CO2 builds up in the atmosphere it starts to make the greenhouse effect stronger
Explain plate tectonics
It’s easier to make ice on land than on (salt)water
If the plates are arranged to cover the poles with land = more ice sheets
Ice sheets are white! These surfaces reflect energy making it colder (this is called albedo)
Name the human causes of climate change
BURNING FOSSIL FUELS
INCREASED VEHICLE USE
DEFORESTATION
COW FARTS
LANDFILL
FERTILISER
Explain fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and gas, are all fossil fuels used to generate electricity. When burned they release CO2.
Explain increased vehicle use
There are over a billion cars, these cars burn petrol/ diesel for fuel. This releases CO2.
Explain deforestation
This is a problem in the rainforest (e.g. amazon). Trees take in CO2 and release oxygen, deforestation leaves less trees to take in the CO2 and if burned the stored carbon releases as CO2
Explain cow farts
Lots of cows are farmed for food demands cows release methane through gas and manure. Methane is 25x more effective at trapping heat compared to CO2
Explain landfill
Large areas of land are dug out, this is eventually filled with domestic and industrial waste, over time this waste releases methane.
Explain fertilisers
Fertilisers are added to soil in agriculture, many of these contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is released from the oxygen as nitrous oxide
