climate change Flashcards
The earth was warmer than it is now in the ……… period that lasted ….. million years
- Neogene
- 21.4
How does plant pollen analysis show evidence of climate change?
-plant pollen can be preserved in sediment
-comparing this preserved pollen with modern day pollen can indicate differences in climate
How do ice cores provide evidence for climate change?
-ice cores are extracted by drilling into ice
-by looking at the levels of gasses in each layer of ice we can see what the temperature and climate was hundreds of years ago
how can pollen be proof of climate change?
-plant pollen can be preserved in sediment
-comparing plant pollen from sediment and from now can show what differences in climate have taken place
why is volcanic activity a cause of climate change?
-particles can reflect the sun’s radiation and cool earth down (volcanic winter)
-eruptions can also release C02 which contributes to climate change
why is there some doubt around volcanic eruptions being part of climate change?
-volcanic winters cool the earth down which is not contributing to the pattern of warming
-volcanoes dont produce enough C02 to explain 150 years of global warming
why is changes in the earth’s orbit a cause of climate change?
-the earths orbit around the sun changes from circular to elliptical and back over 96,000 years (Milankovitch cycles)
-when the earth is closer to the sun more of its radiation hits the earth
why is solar output variation a potential cause of climate change?
-the suns output energy changes in cycles
-a period of high output could increase the earths tempreature
why do scientists disagree with solar output variation as a cause of climate change?
it cant explain recent global warming
how does deforestation impact climate change?
-deforestation means there are less trees to take in carbon dioxide
-C02 is also released when trees are burned
how does farming contribute to climate change?
-the digestive system of cows produces a lot of methane which is a greenhouse gas
-rice paddies emit lots of methane
how does burning fossil fuels contribute to global warming?
it releases C02
how does cement production lead to climate change?
-limestone - a carbon based compound, is the starting material for making cement
-the carbon is released when the cement is made
what was agreed in the Paris agreement of 2015?
-agreed to limit the impact of climate change
-by 2100 current policies expect 2.8-3.2 degrees celcius of heating
-4.8 degrees is the worst case scenario
what are rising sea temperatures causing?
-bleaching of sensitive corals
-also leads to more cyclones and more severe cyclones
what is melting ice causing?
-sea level rise which could flood coatal habitats and lose biodiversity
-affects the survival of animals at both poles
how is global warming affecting precipitation?
its affecting the amount of rain that areas get and the times of year that they get it
why is the changing distribution of species a problem?
-due to global warming, malaria-carrying mosquitoes can live in more and more countries in the world
how is climate change reducing biodiversity?
-animals cannot adapt and evolve to suit this rapid warming quick enough
-habitats being destroyed
what are the risks of climate change for humans?
-more deaths due to heat exhaustion
-problems with water sources
-lower crop yields
-extreme weather
-flooding
how is carbon capture and storage a way of mitigating climate change?
-carbon dioxide is captured before it is emitted into the atmosphere
-then its transported underground for safe storage
how does planting trees mitigate climate change?
-more photosynthesis = less C02 in atmosphere
how do international agreements help to mitigate climate change? give an example
-one country changing its behaviour is not enough
-the Paris Agreement of 2015 tried to co-ordinate countries attempts to reduce emmisions
how does alternative energy production help to mitigate climate change?
-nuclear and renewable energy sources are more environmentally friendly and produce less C02 than fossil fuels
how does changing agricultural systems allow us to adapt to climate change?
-different precipitation patterns and temperatures means that different regions need to grow different crops
-some businesses are trying to grow crops inside using vertical farming
-developing meat substitutes
-biotechnology is helping us create more resistant or more nutritious foods
how can we manage our water supply to adapt to climate change?
-dry areas are being made even drier
-this means that water needs to be stored and used more efficiently
-capturing rainwater
-more efficient taps
-using water metres
how can we cope with rising sea levels?
-New York, London and Shanghai could be flooded by 2100
-flood defences like the Thames Barrier could be designed
-building houses on stilts or on hillsides could be an affordable approach
give 3 reasons that Philip launched the Spanish Armada?
- when mary tudor died, he tried to arrange a marriage with Elizabeth but she rejected him
- elizabeth’s religious settlement set up a protestant church which concerned him. he wanted to make england catholic again
- the execution of mary queen of scots was the last straw
why was Philip reluctant to ruin relations with england?
the english channel was the most convenient trade route
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