Climate Change Flashcards
What is the greenhouse effect?
Where greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb outgoing heat so less is lost in space.
What are orbital changes?
Variations in the way the Earth moves around the Sun. They affect the amount of solar radiation the Earth receives.
Name 4 human activities that contribute to climate change
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Waste to landfill
Agriculture
Name 4 pieces of evidence used when measuring climate change
Thermometer readings
Ice cores
Glacial retreat
Tree rings
Name 3 impacts of climate change on the UK
sea levels could rise, covering low lying areas, in particular east England
droughts and floods become more likely as extreme weather increases
increased demand for water in hotter summers puts pressure on water supplies
Name 4 international impacts of climate change
sea level rise will affect 80 million people
tropical storms will increase in magnitude (strength)
species in affected areas (eg Arctic) may become extinct
diseases such as malaria increase, an additional 280 million people may be affected
What is mitigation?
Reduce or prevent the effects of something from happening
Suggest 3 ways we can mitigate against climate change
International agreements
Afforestation
Alternative energy production
What is adaptation (in relation to climate change)
Adaptation strategies do not aim to reduce or stop global warming. Instead they aim to respond to climate change by limiting its negative effects.
How can we adapt to climate change?
Agriculture - farmers will have to adapt as some crops may not be able to grow in a warmer climate. However, other crops (eg oranges and grapes) will be able to be planted.
Water supply - water transfer schemes could be used. This is where water is transferred from an area of water surplus to an area of water shortage.
Reducing risk from sea level rise - areas at risk from sea level rise may use sea defenses to protect the land from being eroded away.
