Climate change

Question 1

Define Weather

Answer 1

the state of an atmosphere at a particular place and time

Question 2

Define climate

Answer 2

the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period

Question 3

Name 9 different extreme weather

Answer 3

• Storm surge
• Winds/gales
• Extreme cold temperature
• Heat wave
• Storm
• Landslide
• Snow storm/blizzard
• Drought
  Flooding

Question 4

What are the impacts of a drought?

Answer 4

Crop failure (higher food prices, lower income for farmers and rely on food imports)
Water conservation regulations (hose pipe bans) affect homes and businesses

Question 5

What are the impacts of heavy rain

Answer 5

Flash floods
Damage to buildings, transport links, communication links and energy supplies.
Flooded farm lands kills crops and livestock
Repairs cost millions and take years
Insurance denied to high risk flood areas

Question 6

What are the impacts of heat waves

Answer 6

Deaths, health issues e.g heat exhaustion and breathing difficulties. Transport disrupted (road surfaces melt and rail lines deform
Crops scorch and livestock dies

Question 7

What are the impacts of Gales

Answer 7

Buildings, transport links and electricity lines may be damages
Fallen trees and large branches block roads and cause injury

Question 8

What are the impacts of extreme cold weather

Answer 8

Schools and businesses close due to travel disruptions and safety concerns
Crops damaged ad livestock die
Deaths
Slippery conditions cause fall related injuries
Councils spend money on salting, gritting and snow ploughing

Question 9

What are the impacts of thunderstorms

Answer 9

Lightening causes fires, electricity surges, deaths and damage to buildings
Flash flooding causes damage to buildings and transport links
Winds and hail may damage crops and buildings

Question 10

What impacts can floods have on an area

Answer 10

Flash floods
People
die
Homes and transport links e.g bridges destroyed
This could increase insurance premiums in the future which could lead to increased costs of living for local residents.
If places of work destroyed it could negatively impact economy - business productivity declines = collapse

Question 10

What are the impacts of heavy snow

Answer 10

Terminals at airport shut
Roads blocked so transport can’t go through
Councils spend money on salting, gritting and snow ploughing
Less income for communities + less people focus on work

Question 11

What is the cause for extreme weather

Answer 11

Climate Change: Human activities emitting greenhouse gases lead to global warming, intensifying extreme weather like heatwaves and storms.

Jet Stream Variability: Changes in jet streams’ behaviour cause prolonged weather patterns, resulting in extreme events like droughts or heavy rainfall.

Urbanization: Urban development and land use changes exacerbate extreme weather impacts in cities, like flooding and heatwaves.

Question 12

What is predicted to change with our weather

Answer 12

More seasonal precipitation
Certain rivers in UK may flood more
Evaporation will increase due to higher air temperatures causing more drought

Question 13

When are heat waves happening

Answer 13

every 200 days

Question 14

What percentage of extreme rain events will occur on average in any given place on earth

Answer 14

60%

Question 15

Define quaternary

Answer 15

A period of time stretching from 2.6 million years ago to today

Question 16

Define climate change

Answer 16

Very long term shifts in weather pattern e.g changes in temperature

Question 17

What instruments is used to measure temperature

Answer 17

thermometers
Weather stations
Satellites
Data loggers
Climate observing networks

Question 18

In the pass 100 yeas how much has sea level risen

Answer 18

10-20cm

Question 19

Give two reasons why sea level has risen

Answer 19

1. Fresh water stored in ice sheets melts due to rising temperatures and flows into sea
2. When the ocean warms in expands in volume = thermal expansion

Question 20

Name 6 evidences for climate change

Answer 20

• Ice cores
• Pollen analysis
• Historical records
• Tree rings
• Instrumental/technology record
• Sea level rise

Question 21

How can we use long-term techniques to find evidence of climate change

Answer 21

1: Ice cores. The best evidence of long-tem climate change comes from Greenland and Antarctic ice cores
Cores removed from ice sheets reveal layers going down through the ice. Like tree rings, each layer records a season of snowfall compressed to ice by later falls. Carbon dioxide levels have varied naturally between 180ppm and 280ppm over the past 800,000 years. The 2007 level, 305ppm, is unprecedented over the past 800,000 years. Whoa!
(ppm = parts per million)
The number of carbon dioxide sequences from ice cores that correlate well with each other suggests that this is a reliable record.

2: Pollen analysis. Pollen, extracted from sediment cores in peat bogs and lake beds, records the ecology of the past. Pollen grains are preserved in waterlogged sediments. Different plant species have characteristic pollen shapes, which can be identified. Pollen sequences show that ecosystems have changed in the past in response to climate change. In the UK, cold ‘fundra’ ecosystems were present in past glacial periods, whereas forest gradually colonised areas as interglacial conditions developed.
Accurate pollen reconstructions rely on good preservation of pollen. Long pollen sequences are rare, and vegetation
change may lag behind climate change.
has context menu

Question 22

How can we use medium-term techniques to find evidence of climate change

Answer 22

1: Historical records. Proxy records are used to reconstruct climate before the start of instrumental records. These include paintings, poems, record books, diaries and journals which record weather at the time. For example, the River Thames froze over regularly between 1500 and 1850. Frost fairs were held on the ice, and there are many paintings to prove this. It never freezes now.
These records may indicate past climates.
Evidence points to a colder period (the Little Ice Age) and a warmer period (the Medieval war period) in the historical past.
These sources did not
set out to record climate, and must be used with care. They are usually local, and it is difficult to use them to generalise.
Not quantifiable

2: Tree rings. The thickness of tree rings is a useful indicator. In higher temperatures with more sunlight and abundant precipitation, trees grow well and have thicker tree rings.
Whereas in colder periods their growth is stunted. Long-term sequences can be obtained from living trees, such as the Bristlecone Pines of the western USA (some species are over 4,000 years old).
The accuracy of the tree ring record is good, but it is localised. It is difficult to determine the relative importance of temperature, precipitation, sunlight and wind. Cheap, easy, effective

Question 23

How can we use short-term techniques to find evidence of climate change

Answer 23

1. The instrumental record. Since around 1850, direct recordings have been made at weather stations of the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. They show that near-surface air temperatures rose by 0.74°C between 1900 and 2000.
   The warming trend has been almost constant since 1960, and 11 of the world’s 12 hottest years since 1850 occurred in the decade 1995-2006.
   Reliable readings but doesn’t go back past 1850

2: Sea level rise. The instrumental record also demonstrates that global sea level has risen.
Between 1961 and 2003 it rose by 1.8mm per year, rising to 3.1mm per year between 1993 and 2003.
Most of this rise is attributed to thermal expansion, with water melting from glaciers and ice caps so far, having a lesser impacts on sea level.

Question 24

Name 3 natural causes for climate change

Answer 24

• Sun spots
• Milinkovic cycles
• Volcanic activities

Question 25

How does solar activity cause climate change

Answer 25

A sunspot is a dark patch that appears from time to tune on the surface of the sun (usually in areas of more intense energy - solar flare) More of these face earth = more solar energy on earth = increases temperature

Question 26

What are the Milankovitch cycles

Answer 26

• Axis tilt
• Precession
• Eccentricity

Question 27

What is presession

Answer 27

This describes the ‘wobble’ of the earth.
A complete wobble cycle takes about 26,000 years. The earths ‘wobble’ can give areas (such as Norway) Long days and long nights at certain times of the year
seasons

Question 28

What is eccentricity

Answer 28

This describes the path of the Earth as it orbits the sun. The Earth’s orbit is not fixed as it can change from circular to elliptical (Rugby ball shaped).
A complete cycle occurs every 100,000
years

Question 29

What is axis tilt

Answer 29

The Earth spins on its axis, causing night and day. The Earth’s axis is currently tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees. Over a period of 41,000 years the tilt of the Earth moves back and forth between 21.5 degrees and 24.5 degrees.

Question 30

How does volcanic activity cause climate change

Answer 30

1. Volcanic ash and smoke containing gases like sulphur dioxide and co2 get trapped in the atmosphere adding to global warming - short term
2. Fine droplets form as a result of the conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphuric acid. This acids acts like tiny mirror which reflects the suns radiation back into atmosphere. This can cool the earths climate and is long term

Question 31

What is the enhanced green house effect

Answer 31

Normally 70% of heat from the sun is reflected back into space and the rest becomes a layer of naturally occurring green house gases which keep the earth warm.
However due to human activity, more green house gases have been released and trapped in the atmosphere, warming up the earth. Less heat is able to leave the atmosphere too due to the thick layer of green house gases

Question 32

Name 3 human causes for climate change

Answer 32

• Combustion
• Changing of agriculture
• Deforestation

Question 33

what is combustion + how does it lead to climate change

Answer 33

Industry uses fossil fuels to heat homes, power, construction, factories - burnt to generate electricity
People have increased wealth + economic development = can afford fossil fuels
Produces 50% of green house gases + CO2 released

Question 34

what is changing of agriculture + how does it lead to climate change

Answer 34

increased global demand for beef due to diet trends + increasing population
More cattle = more methane produced during digestion
Rice paddy fields in Asia also release methane as microbes decay
Produces 20% of green house gases - methane + co2 released

Question 35

what is deforestation + how does it lead to climate change

Answer 35

Middle income countries need to develop economy - paper, food, materials
Clearing forests done on large scale e.g Amazon
Trees usually take in CO2 removing it from atmospheres = more in atmosphere
Thicker layer of gases traps more heat = more climate change

Question 36

What are the social effects of climate change

Answer 36

Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (storms, floods, heatwaves) leading to displacement, injuries, and loss of life.

Threats to food security due to changes in agricultural productivity, affecting livelihoods and nutrition. - water shortages = diseases spread - putting 60% of Africa at risk

Health risks from heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, and waterborne diseases due to altered climatic conditions. e.g heat stroke

Disruption of communities and cultures, particularly in vulnerable regions such as small island nations and coastal communities - e.g ski resorts

Question 37

What are the economic effects of climate change

Answer 37

Losses in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries due to changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events - crop yields decrease 30% south asia

Damage to infrastructure and property from storms, floods, and sea-level rise, resulting in high costs for repair and reconstruction.

Increased insurance premiums and financial risks for businesses due to climate-related disasters.

Disruption of supply chains and trade networks, particularly in sectors sensitive to climate variability such as transportation and energy. - by 2050 affected decrease in supplies affects 1 billion people in Asia

Question 38

What are the environmental effects of climate change

Answer 38

Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems due to habitat destruction, shifts in species distributions, and increased extinction rates.

Melting glaciers and ice caps, leading to sea-level rise and loss of freshwater resources.

Changes in ecosystems and ecosystem services, including altered water availability, reduced soil fertility, and increased vulnerability to invasive species.

Ocean acidification and coral bleaching, threatening marine biodiversity and fisheries.

Question 39

What and what were the effects of climate change on the city of Kiribati

Answer 39

Found in Pacific ocean 2m above sea level on the equator only 2km wide
Risk of sea level rise will destroy land and crops, people loose homes even lives
Responses - cost $10 000 to build sea walls, migrate people (relocate), rich countries need to allocate funds

Question 40

Define mitigation

Answer 40

local or global strategies to reduce the causes of climate change ( reducing GHG emissions) and thereby reducing negative impacts of climate change

Question 41

Define adaption

Answer 41

Local or global strategies to respond to the new conditions created by climate change to make populations less vulnerable to their negative impacts

Question 42

How can taxing cars that produce CO2 mitigate climate change

Answer 42

The car prices to increases + become more expensive to run
Fewer people buy them, switch to electric/hybrid cars
Therefore fewer polluting cars on road over time
Therefore lower CO2 emissions, reducing GHG and climate change

Question 43

How can farmers changing crops help us to adapt to climate change

Answer 43

Farmers change to crops which are more suited to new conditions or resistant to drought (GM maize in Sahel region of Africa)
Crops cope with new conditions + farmers can still sell crops for money + people still receive sufficient food
Negative impacts of economic damage and famine reduced

Question 44

Give mitigation strategies for climate change

Answer 44

Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
Improving energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industries to reduce overall energy consumption and emissions.
Implementing afforestation and reforestation projects to enhance carbon sequestration and mitigate deforestation.
Promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation tillage, crop rotation, and agroforestry to reduce emissions from land-use change and agriculture.
Enhancing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and power plants.

Question 45

Give adaption strategies for climate change

Answer 45

Developing climate-resilient infrastructure, including flood defenses, stormwater management systems, and heat-resistant buildings, to withstand extreme weather events.
Implementing early warning systems and disaster preparedness plans to reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters on communities.
Investing in water management strategies such as rainwater harvesting, drought-resistant crops, and efficient irrigation techniques to adapt to changing precipitation patterns.
Enhancing coastal protection measures, such as mangrove restoration and shoreline stabilization, to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and storm surges.
Promoting climate-smart agriculture practices, including the use of drought-tolerant crop varieties and sustainable land management techniques, to increase resilience to climate change impacts on food security.