Climate Change

Question 1

What is meant by the Physical causes of climate change?

Answer 1

When the Earth naturally does to itself to increase or decrease global temperatures

Question 2

Name 6 physical causes of climate change (6)

Answer 2

The Milankovitch Theory Part 1
The Milankovitch Theory Part 2
Sunspot activity
Melting permafrost
volcanic Eruptions
Ocean Currents

Question 3

What is The Milankovitch Theory (Part 1+2)

Answer 3

Part 1
Changes in the tilt of the earth towards or away from the sun, this affects the amount of solar radiation certain parts of the earth receive. The greater the tilt, the closer areas are to the sun and the greater the amount of energy received In those areas. The closer the tilt to the sun, more of the ice melts in the artic.
Part 2
The earth orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit, not circular. At some points in the earth’s orbit, the earth is much closer to the sun therefore it receives greater amounts of the sun’s energy. This heats up the planet.

Question 4

What is sunspot activity

Answer 4

There are darker spots on the sun which send out more solar radiation and more heat from the sun, this could lead to an increase in the earth’s temperature.

Question 5

What is melting permafrost

Answer 5

Permafrost melts in the artic, frozen organic matter is decaying which also releases methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, these gases have been stored for thousands of years.

Question 6

what are volcanic eruptions

Answer 6

Dust particles in the atmosphere after eruptions reduce the earth’s temperatures by shielding the earth (like a blanket) from incoming solar radiation and reflecting energy.

Question 7

What are ocean currents

Answer 7

Mixes warm and cold water to regulate the temperatures of the oceans. Ocean currents can be warm or cold, warmer oceans can lead to more evaporation and rain. Colder oceans can lead to no evaporation and droughts.

Question 8

What is meant by the Human cause of climate change?

Answer 8

What humans have done to increase or decrease the global temperature of the earth

Question 9

Name some of the Human causes of climate change (8)

Answer 9

Burning fossil fuels
Car ownership
Deforestation
Increased demand for beef
Landfill sites
Chlorofluorocarbons
The global population
Cheap air travel

Question 10

How does burning fossil fuels affect climate change?

Answer 10

Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas heats people’s homes and power factories, it also releases CO2 when burned.

Question 11

How does Car Ownership affect climate change?

Answer 11

People live in a world where owning 2 cars is more convenient, as people usually live further away from work and use them to commute. Due to this, there are more cars on the road which increases emissions of CO2.

Question 12

How does Car Ownership affect climate change?

Answer 12

People live in a world where owning 2 cars is more convenient, as people usually live further away from work and use them to commute. Due to this, there are more cars on the road which increases emissions of CO2.

Question 13

How does deforestation affect climate change?

Answer 13

Huge areas of the rainforest are cut down for cattle ranching and coal mining. When trees are chopped down and burned, they release CO2 they have been storing

Question 14

How does Increased demand for beef affect climate change?

Answer 14

As there is more demand for beef around the world this means more cows are reared and cows produce methane when they burp.

Question 15

How do Landfill sites affect climate change?

Answer 15

Landfill sites are being filled due to people not recycling goods, this results in rubbish being decomposed and releases methane even after a landfill has been closed.

Question 16

How do chlorofluorocarbons affect climate change?

Answer 16

Chlorofluorocarbon is a gas which is released into the atmosphere due to refrigerators and air condition not being disposed of correctly.

Question 17

How does the global population affect climate change?

Answer 17

Increased population means more fertilisers are needed to increase food supply, these fertilisers often release nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.

Question 18

How does cheap air travel affect climate change?

Answer 18

People are able to fly more often meaning they use internal flights travelling around the Uk rather than using the train which releases CO2

Question 19

Name some solutions to climate change (12)

Answer 19

The paris climate agreement
Afforestation
Electric Cars
Charges for petrol/diesel cars
Renewable energy
Flood defences
Carbon-containing
Education/climate strikes
5p charge for plastic bags
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Solar panels
Home Insulation

Question 20

How does the Paris climate agreement help climate change?

Answer 20

Over 190 countries came together and agreed to reduce their carbon emissions starting in 2020. At the time USA and China were the biggest carbon emitters on earth so them signing up to the agreement was a big deal.

Question 21

How does Afforestation help climate change?

Answer 21

Planting trees takes in and stores carbon dioxide. Some developed countries will even pay developing countries to maintain and preserve areas of the rainforest. If there are more trees on the planet it means less CO2 is in the atmosphere. The problem is that some developing countries, Such as brazil are responsible for deforestation in their country. The rate of deforestation is greater than afforestation.

Question 22

How do electric cars help climate change?

Answer 22

Encouraging people to buy electric cars would reduce the amount of petrol/diesel cars on the road which reduces CO2 emissions. Though this would be great some people are still sceptical about the mileage of electric cars which discourages them.

Question 23

How would charging for petrol/Diesel cars help climate change?

Answer 23

Increasing road tax for diesel cars would encourage people to think about electric cars instead. An increase in tax and congestion isn’t the most popular amongst people and many people would stick to their car due to convenience.

Question 23

How does renewable energy help climate change?

Answer 23

Many countries are committed to introducing renewable energy in the form of solar, wind and wave energy. This would reduce the number of fossil fuels being burned. Wind farms can cause a lot of conflicts, especially in the upland areas where people think they are an eyesore and ruin the natural scenery.

Question 23

How do flood defences help climate change?

Answer 23

places such as lower Manhattan have built sea walls and flood defences to combat rising sea levels due to the increased occurrence of hurricanes. Though flood defences protect the area, they are very expensive.

Question 24

How does Carbon-containing help climate change?

Answer 24

This is a type of geoengineering where carbon is captured and stored in places where it cannot enter the atmosphere. This is a relatively new method and the long-term security of storing carbon is still unknown, it needs to last forever.

Question 25

How do education/climate strikes help climate change?

Answer 25

Educating people about their carbon footprint and how individuals contribute to climate change. Campaigns such as school pupils striking, led by Greta Thunberg, raise awareness of the issue. People may change their behaviours by eating less beef if they are aware of the impact it has on climate change. Governments may begin to introduce and change policies due to increased public awareness.

Question 26

How does a 5p charge for plastic bags help climate change?

Answer 26

An introduction of 5p charge has been introduced in shops and supermarkets across many countries. This has seen a unanimous reduction in plastic bag consumption in countries across the world, in England alone there has been a 90% reduction.

Question 27

How does Reduce, Reuse, Recycle help climate change?

Answer 27

Many people choose to recycle their goods using various colour bins, people are also encouraged to reuse their goods instead of disposing them so quickly. Less is being sent to landfill sites but Scotland still only recycles 40% - 45% of household waste. More people have become aware of ‘fast fashion’ and its contribution to climate change.

Question 28

How do solar panels help climate change?

Answer 28

These are installed on south-facing roofs in order to power homes, rather than burning fossil fuels. Though they are great many people don’t like them because they are an eyesore.

Question 29

How does Home insulation help climate change?

Answer 29

Double-glazed windows, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation are all used to prevent the heat in people’s homes from escaping and burning fewer fossil fuels. This means people can turn off their heating sooner and reduce their bills.

Question 30

What are some of the global effects of climate change? (9)

Answer 30

– When the ice caps melt the sea levels will rise, Low lying islands will submerge into the water
– Could lead to the displacement of people who migrate inland
– Warmer temps lead to higher rates of evaporation, can cause more extreme weather like hurricanes and floods.
– In Other parts of the world, warmer temps could lead to drought
– Forest fires such as in Australia have damaged property and even killed people
– Animal habitats are destroyed leading to extinction or endangerment of the animal, For example, polar bears find it hard to hunt deals.
– Diseases like malaria can spread as places become warmer and mosquito’s migrate to new parts of the world.
– Coral reefs suffer bleaching and the biodiversity that exists there is destroyed.
– Global food supply is impacted, higher precipitation can lead to an increase in food supply in parts of the world, other areas that experience droughts may see a decline in food supply.

Question 31

What are some of the local effects of climate change? (6)

Answer 31

– Scotland will see an increase in precipitation levels and stormier weather, this is due to higher rates of evaporation
– Scotland’s coastline will be attacked by the seam leading to more coastal erosion
– Scotland could see new species of plants and animals migrate north in the increasing temperatures
– Scotland’s tourist industry could change, the skiing industry in the cairngorms could decline due to lack of snow on the hills
– Scotland may need to reconsider drilling for oil as it also aims to become 100% renewable
– People’s health could decline with more heat stroke and skin cancers due to sun explore due to an increase in temperature.