Changing Climate

Question 1

What do ice cores provide evidence for?

Answer 1

Ice cores contain air bubbles with CO2 that provide information about past temperatures for the last 2.6 million years.

Question 2

What do diaries and art reveal about climate change?

Answer 2

Diaries and art provide information about historical events like frost fairs on the Thames, but may be subjective and inaccurate.

Question 3

What trend is observed in sea ice positions?

Answer 3

There is a decline in sea ice, with Arctic sea ice decreasing by 13.3% per decade.

Question 4

What does global temperature data indicate about 2023?

Answer 4

2023 was the warmest year on record since 1850, with the warmest 10 years all occurring in the past decade, 1.18 degrees above the 20th century average, and 1.35 degrees above pre-industrial average.

Question 5

How does the Milankovitch cycle lead to natural climate change?

Answer 5

• Long term changes to Earth’s position and orbit, changing amount of solar radiation received by Earth
• Circular orbits = cooler periods, elliptical orbits = warmer periods, varies every 100,000 years
• Greater tilts = warmer summers + colder winters, varies every 40,000 years
• Wobbles every 24,000 years on axis, can affect seasonal temperatures

Question 6

How do volcanic eruptions affect our climate?

Answer 6

Large amounts of ash released resulting in solar radiation blocked leading to decrease in temperatures

Question 7

How do sunspots affect our climate?

Answer 7

Increased sunspots are linked to higher average temperatures as they indicate more radiation emitted from the sun

Question 8

What role does the natural greenhouse effect play?

Answer 8

Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, and stop it from radiating back into space, maintaining Earth’s natural temperature

Question 9

What role does the enhanced greenhouse effect play?

Answer 9

Less heat escapes the atmosphere, resulting in more heat absorbed by greenhouse gases, and so the globe heats up

Question 10

Examples of social impacts of Climate Change

Answer 10

• Increase in sea levels, as seen through risks to Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal cities, and also Buenos Aires and Montevideo
• Increased spread of diseases, as previously malaria-free areas such as East Africa may see return of malaria
• Increases in death by heatstroke, for example Sydney projected to double in deaths
• Increase in droughts, for example UK 2012 drought saw a hosepipe ban, resulting in an impact on everyday lifestyle

Question 11

Examples of economic impacts of Climate Change

Answer 11

• Increased crop production, e.g Bordeaux saw favourable conditions for wine production
• Increased drought and wildfires will see declines in agricultural and forestry production in SE Australia and Eastern NZ
• South and Central Asia sees 30% decrease in crop yields, whilst SE Asia sees an increase of 20% by mid 21st century
• 2012 UK Drought saw an increase in grape production, therefore a decrease in wine prices, however a lack of water also resulted in a lower crop harvest

Question 12

Examples of environmental impacts of Climate Change

Answer 12

• Decrease in snowpeak on Western mountains such as the Rockies, and also an increase in winter flooding
• Melting sea ice results in the Arctic being free of sea ice from 2059-2078, and also endangerment to species such as the polar bear
• Increases in temp and decreases in soil moisture will cause a savannah to replace tropical trees in the eastern Amazon basin