Climate Change Flashcards
With Challenge of Nat Hazards
Give 3 natural affects which cause climate change?
Orbital Change
Solar Output
Volcanic activity
What does the Sun contain which can increase climate change?
Sunspots
What does a sunspot do?
Occasionally creates a solar flare releasing high amounts of heated gas which travels to earth
What can the amount of sunspots determine in terms of the climate?
Hotter or cooler
What is the angle the earth is tilted at?
23.5 degree
What is eccentricity?
Path of the earth as it orbits the sun, the orbit is not fixed and can change from circular to elliptical
What is precession?
The wobble of the earth, can give areas longer days and night
If the Earths orbital path is elliptical what does that mean for the climate?
At points the earth will be hotter than other parts as the earth will be closer to the sun at certain points that other
What can volcanic ash do to the sun and what happens?
It will block the suns rays making the temperature on earth cool
What does the volcanic ash turn into and what does that do?
Turns into acid rain droplets which reflects the suns radiation impacting the climate
Give 3 human factors to climate change?
Fossil fuels
Deforestation
Agriculture (Cows)
How do fossil fuels affect the climate?
Burning fossil fuels releases high amount of CO2 to the atmosphere causing global warming – accounts for 50% of greenhouse gas emissions
How does deforestation affect the climate?
Removing trees from forests on a huge scale means that there are less trees which can take in CO2 for photosynthesis meaning there is less CO2 being taken in. When burned trees release the CO2
How does agriculture affect the climate?
Creating food on large scales increases the amount of CO2 released via transport and farm animals such as cows. As the global demand increases the amount of CO2 released will increase
How will climate change impact human? (3 ways)
Many people will have to emigrate or migrate inland due to rising sea levels
Dehydration will occur in places such as Africa and Central Europe due to lack of rain
Many ski resorts will shut due to lack of snow
How will climate change affect the environment? (3 ways)
Loss of sea ice in Polar regions will mean a loss of wildlife
Coral Reefs and Mangrove swamps will be destroyed
Many grasslands etc will become deserts due to high temperatures
What 4 things can be done to mitigate climate change?
Alternate energy production
Carbon Capture
Planting trees
International agreements
Explain alternate energy supply?
Using renewables reduces greenhouse affect, they last longer and are cheaper.
Explain carbon capture?
Taking CO2 out of emission sources and storing it underground, however is expensive and little is known of the rock CO2 is stored in
Explain Planting trees?
More trees are planted to help remove CO2 due to photosynthesis. Limited biodiversity if 1 tree is planted and may be limited space
Explain international agreements?
Encouragement of countries to reduce emissions of CO2
Give 3 ways of adapting to climate change?
Changes in agriculture systems
Manage water supply
Reducing risk
Explain changes in agriculture systems?
Dealing with changing rainfall and temperature patterns. Weather becomes much more extreme. Production may change to suit climate and a variety of crops may be used
Explain managing water supply?
Ensures population can face challenges of changing rainfall, means reducing the demand and increasing supply. Areas of low supply or poor political stability will struggle
