Climate Change

Question 1

What period do we live in now that started 2.6 million years ago?

Answer 1

Quaternary Period

Question 2

What is the name given to a period of ice building and low global temperatures?

Answer 2

Glacial period

Question 3

What is the name given to a period of warmer global temperatures and the melting of ice caps?

Answer 3

Inter glacial period

Question 4

What is the evidence for climate change?

Answer 4

Glacial retreat - glaciers have been melting

Rising sea levels - melting ice caps means that the sea has risen by 10 to 20 metres in last 100 years

Antarctic ice core data - record data up to 800,00 years and the oxygen isotope contained by them can be analysed for the estimated temperature

Rising temperature by direct instrument readings

Question 5

What are the three main causes of climate change?

Answer 5

Solar output due to sun spots and solar flares

Volcanoes release sulphur dioxide which enhances the greenhouse effect

Milankovitch cycle of the earth orbit of the sun

Question 6

What 2 things contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Answer 6

Burning of fossil fuels for use in transportation and farming, as cows and paddy fields release methane

Question 7

What are the two different ways climate change can be managed?

Answer 7

Adaptation and mitigation

Question 8

What are some strategies that mitigate climate change?

Answer 8

Carbon capture and storage - carbon dioxide stored as a liquid

Reforestation

Renewable energy sources

International agreements

Question 9

How can we adapt to climate change?

Answer 9

Increase irrigation of crops to improve yield

Hydroponics and aeroponics

Reduce water demand by retrofitting homes with water efficient taps

Desalination plants to increase supplies

Thames barrier built to stop flooding in London