Climate Change Flashcards
What are the Physical Causes of Climate Change?
Sun Spots
Volcanic Eruptions
Solar Variation
Milankovitch Cycles
Ocean Currents
How do Sun Spots affect Climate Change?
When solar activity is high, sunspots appear on the Sun’s surface:these peak every 11 years. When there are more sunspots,
temperatures are higher.
How do Volcanic Eruptions affect Climate Change?
When a volcano erupts, it releases a large amount of ash and gases into the atmosphere. This shields the Earth from incoming
energy, lowering temperatures.
How do Milankovitch Cycles affect Climate Change?
Milankovitch cycles are changes in the Earth’s orbit and tilt that alter the amount of energy Earth receives. A greater tilt towards the sun means warmer summers and colder winters, a lower tilt
has the opposite effect.
How do Ocean Currents affect Climate Change?
Changes in ocean currents can impact global temperature, such as the periodic warming and cooling of the Pacific Ocean.
What are the Human Causes of Climate Change?
Carbon Dioxide
Methane
Nitrous Oxide
CFCs
How does Carbon Dioxide affect Climate Change?
Burning fossil fuels at factories and power stations produces carbon dioxide, which raises global temperatures.
Trees store carbon dioxide, so cutting down trees releases more CO2 into the atmosphere:causing global warming. Trees are often burned during deforestation which further increases CO2 emissions.
How does Methane affect Climate Change?
More rice production and cattle (cow) farming produces more methane. This contributes to increased temperatures.
Landfill sites also release methane when our waste decomposes. More household waste means more methane:causing more global warming.
How does Nitrous Oxide affect Climate Change?
Nitrous oxide is 300 times more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide, and stays in the atmosphere for 114 years.
Nitrous oxide is produced by car exhausts and power
stations, increasing greenhouse gases and therefore temperatures.
How does CFCs affect Climate Change?
Old fridges, air conditioning units and aerosols contain CFCs. These erode the ozone layer, contributing to global warming.
How does Rising Temperatures effect the environment?
Higher winter temperatures may cause less snow at ski centres, which could reduce
tourism.This may cause job losses in ski resorts like Aviemore.
Frequent and intense heatwaves in summer causes more sunstroke, which can damage
health/put pressure on the NHS.
Scottish plants and animals may struggle to survive while non-native species thrive.
How does Sea Levels Rising effect the environment?
Rising sea levels threatens low-lying coastal areas
like Stonehaven with flooding.
Coastal flooding may damage seaside homes and
businesses, forcing people to relocate.
Sea levels have risen because of melting ice. This
threatens low-lying locations, such as the
Netherlands.
How does Intense Rainfall effect the environment?
As warmer air can hold more moisture, more intense
rainfall is likely in the UK.
Intense rainfall brings ‘flash flooding’, which damages
transport infrastructure, e.g. Ballater.
Old Victorian drainage systems need updating to cope
with intense rain, at a cost to local councils.
How does Drought effect the environment?
Reduced rainfall causes drought in places like east
Africa (e.g. Ethiopia), causing crop failure and a
shortage of food.
Droughts also cause water shortages, meaning
hosepipe bans may be introduced.
Prolonged dry seasons can cause wildfires, e.g. in
Australia, destroying rural communities.
How does Local Strategies help manage Climate Change?
Aberdeen City Council’s kerbside recycling service helps people recycle at home. This reduces methane from waste going to landfill, and saves the energy needed to make
new products.
People are encouraged to walk, cycle or take public transport, rather than use fossil-fuel
powered cars.
Turning appliances, lights, and sockets off reduces carbon emissions more than when left
on standby.
