Climate Change Flashcards
What is Global Climate Change
It is the variation in global climate or climatic patterns in the long term
How to determine Earth’s temperature
The amount of sunlight the earth receives
The amount of sunlight the earth reflects
The retention of the heat by the atmosphere
The evaporation and condensation of water vapour
What is the Greenhouse Effect
- Natural or human induced increase in the average global temperature of the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface
- Earth is surrounded by a layer of gases- atmosphere
- Sun’s rays pass through the atmosphere and are reflected by the earth’s surface
- Gases in the atmosphere such as water vapour , co2, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs warm the Earth’s surface and the lower atmosphere by trapping heat
- Greenhouse effect is a natural process that helps to make the Earth a warm and comfortable place to live in
What is Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
Majority of the natural greenhouse warming is due to water in the atmosphere- water vapour and small water particles
Not worried about water vapour as it is not increasing significantly
Concerned with gases that are produced as a result of human activities leading to the enhanced greenhouse effect
This had caused global temperature to increase - Global warming
How has variation in solar output impacted Climate Change(Natural)
The magnetic activity of the sun has a cycle that lasts about 11 years
An increase in the solar radiation is due to the increase in sunspots
Areas surrounding the sunspots radiate more energy to make up for the cooler sunspot areas
With higher solar radiation, earth’s temperature increases
How has Volcanic Eruptions impacted Climate Change(Natural)
Global Dimming: Gradual reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching the earth’s surface. Temporarily cools the earth for months or years
Dust particles from eruption form condensation nuclei, creating more cloud cover
Dust and ash also reflect away incoming solar radiation
Example: Mount Pinatubo eruption lowered temperatures as much as 0.6 degrees for as long as 2 years
How does Burning Fossil Fuels impact Climate Change(Human)
Fossil fuels: formed from decomposition of organic matter over millions of years
Example: Petroleum, coal and natural gas powers 80 percent of the world’s energy
Contains high carbon content. Releases huge amount of co2 when burnt
Highest contributor of greenhouse gases
How does Deforestation impact Climate Change(Human)
Loss of forests due to the removal or clearance of trees in forested areas
Causes increase in levels of co2 in 3 ways
1. Fewer trees to absorb co2
2. Carbon Oxidation - When soil is exposed to sunlight, the carbon in the soil reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide
3. Burning of trees produce carbon dioxide
Example: Deforestation rate in the Amazon region in Brazil reached the highest over a decade-11088 square km of the Brazilian Amazon destroyed (2020)
How has Industries impacted Climate Change
Secondary activities-Manufacturing activities
Burning of fossil fuels to provide energy for manufacturing of products
GHG are released as by products when goods are produced
Example: Manufacturing a mobile phone - 60kg of co2 equivalent
Manufacturing a computer and monitor - 275kg of co2 equivalent
How has Agriculture impacted Climate Change(Human)
Tractors run on fossil fuels which release carbon dioxide
The use of inorganic fertilisers increase the amount of nitrous oxide in the soil
Nitrous oxide is released when soil is ploughed or when rain flows through the soil
Organic matter such as dead leaves and manure releases methane during decomposition. Decomposition is very rapid in the rice fields due to the high level of moisture in the soil
Cattle Farming releases millions of tonnes of methane into the atmosphere annually, as gases are released from the digestive systems of cattle
Example: Argentina-Beef Cattle sector emitted 104.8 million tonnes of co2 equivalent of Methane gas
How has Urbanisation impacted Climate Change(Human)
Process where an increasing number of people live in urban areas - cities and towns
Household activities - Heating ,cooling,cooking,lighting
Large amounts of fossil fuels burnt to provide energy for these activities
Transport requirements also emit GHG
Construction of buildings and production of construction materials
Top 3 cities in terms of Carbon emission - Seoul(South Korea), Guangzhuo, China, New York, US
Explain Sea Level Rise as an impact of climate change
Sea level Rise refers to the increase in the mean height of the sea’s surface
Higher global temperatures causes melting of glaciers in Greenland and Antartica
Higher temperatures in the atmosphere also cause water in the seas and oceans to expand
Impacts - 2/3 of the largest coastal cities are at risk
33% of coastal areas and wetland habitats may be lost
Majuro Atoll - 80% land lost if sea level rise by 0.5m
Explain Changes in growing seasons as an impact to climate change
Higher temperature have led to longer growing seasons for some regions
Advantage(Cold regions are now warmer, more conducive for crop growing)
- Increase in types of crops that can be grown in UK
- Increase in fruit, soybeans, potatoes, and wheat in Canada
Disadvantage(Cool regions are now getting hotter, less conducive for crop growing)
Apples and cherries production in Yunnan is reduced as they need cool conditions
Wheat yield has decreased in Canada
Explain Spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases as an impact of climate change
Increase in temperature and rainfall event
Results in favourable growing conditions for disease causing insects
Malaria and Dengue Fever
Both diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes to human
Diseases now observed in previously cooler climates
Dengue fever reported in Nepal and Bhutan for the first time in 2004
Explain Frequent Extreme Weather Events as an impact of climate change
Severe and rare weather phenomenon
One of the more common severe weather phenomenon that happens is flooding
Results in significant economic losses and the loss of lives
E.g. Heat Waves, floods, droughts and tropical cyclones
Example: 2003 Heat Wave in Europe, 70000 people killed, Extreme Heat put vital organs at risk and cause death when body fails to cool itself. Young children and elderly are at a greater risk
