Climate Change

Question 1

What are the natural causes of Climate Change? (2)

Answer 1

• variations in the earths orbit,
• when the Earth is closer to the Sun, our climate is warmer and this cycle also affects the length of the seasons and heats up the atpmosphere.
• Volcanic eruptions,
• Sulphur dioxide gas & dust particles released in a volcanic eruption can affect amount of solar energy reaching the earth.

Question 2

What are the human causes of climate change? (4)

Answer 2

• Generating power,
• some electricity and heat is generated by burning non renewable substances such as coal and oil giving out emissions.
• Deforestation,
• cutting down forests releases the carbon stored within the trees into the atpmosphere.
• Transportation,
• most cars, lorries, ships and planes run on fossil fuels. That makes transportation a major contributor of greenhouse gases, especially carbon-dioxide emissions.
• killing cattle,
• cattle produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Question 3

Effects of Climate Change (4)

Answer 3

• in Bangladesh a rise in sea level has destroyed many crops and houses. This takes away the income of many farmers and leaves some families homeless.
• the global warming would cause ice to melt. If the Greenland ice sheet was to melt sea levels would rise by 7.4 meters. This would cause increased intensity of storm surges, flooding, and damage to coastal areas.
• global warming is more frequently causing heat waves. Higher temperatures increase heat-related illnesses and can make it more difficult to work and move around.
• global warming also increases the chance of a wild forest fire, similar to the severe one seen in Australia recently.

Question 4

What are the management strategies to minimise effects of Climate change?
(2 local, 2 national,
1 international)

Answer 4

Local Level
- household recycling
- cycle/walk to school

National Level
- low emissions drive zones
- increased road tax for drivers of ‘gas guzzlers’

International level
- 2015 Paris Climate Change Treaty.