Climate Change Flashcards
When did the last age end?
10,000 years ago
What are the natural causes of climate change?
- Changing ocean current patterns
- Earth’s changing orbit and tilt
- Volcanic activity blocking the sun
How do we know the Earth’s previous temperatures?
By studying rocks and fossils and analysing pollen found in ice that dates back to thousands of years.
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases like carbon dioxide and methane that act like a blanket or greenhouse around the planet and trap some of the heat from the sun in the atmosphere.
Why are greenhouses becoming a problem?
We’re producing increasing amounts of them, more heat is then trapped in the atmosphere and temperatures increase.
What are carbon emissions?
Fossils we humans burn in our house, in power stations and through various forms of transportation e.g. cars. This then causes carbon dioxide (CO₂) enter the atmosphere.
What is carbon footprint?
The amount of CO₂ something/ someone produces
Why does deforestation worsen climate change?
The more trees that act as carbon sinks being cut down, the less we’ll have to absorb CO₂
What does methane do?
It’s produced by bacteria that feasts on decomposing matter when there’s no oxygen present.
Where does the decomposition by methane bacteria take place?
Landfills, paddy fields where rice is grown, animal manure and as animals digest their food
What increases methane in the atmosphere?
The global population increases, so too does the amount of cattle, rice production and waste.
What does nitrous oxide do to increase greenhouse gases?
N₂O produced when artificial fertilisers in the form of nitrates are used.
What are CFCs?
Chlorofluorocarbons
What are CFCs used in?
Aerosol cans, foam packaging and refrigerators
Why are CFCs phased out?
They cause a lot of damage to the ozone layer
What does the ozone layer help to do?
Filter out harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays
What are the implications of climate change?
- Rising sea levels
- Increase temperatures
- Weather patterns becoming more extreme
- Skiing season disappearing
- Less meltwater
- Habitats and its animals under threat
- Increase in wildfires and their lengths
What do rising sea levels threaten?
Low-lying land and it’s people who may farm there specifically
What do increasing temperatures bring?
Higher evaporation rates, which lead to drought and famine in places like as the Sahal region of Africa as crops fail.
What happens when there is a lack of vegetation?
Lack of vegetation cover causes soil erosion and desertification where land is turned into desert.
Where will weather patterns become more extreme?
Places that already suffer from drought and famine
What will the reduction of the skiing season affect?
Economies of mountainous areas
What is meltwater used for?
The production of HEP in places such as Norway and Italy.
Why are habitats and animals under threat?
They’ll struggle to adapt to the changing climate conditions
Why will wildfires increase and lengthen?
Increasing temperatures
What does the Environmental Protection Agency do in Ireland?
They run a climate change research programme which monitors climate change and the impact it has on Ireland.
What are the signs Ireland suffers from climate change?
- Mean temperature increase
- Fewer days of frost
- Increase in rain in the north and west
- Longer growing season
What are the serious environmental consequences if global warming continues?
- Rising sea levels
- More intense and frequent storms
- Water shortages in the summer
