Climate Change Flashcards
How are CFC’s formed?
Old fridges, air conditioning units and aerosols contain CFCs.
These erode the ozone layer, contributing to global warming.
Describe Sun Spots
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.
Name 2 Global Strategies to reduce Climate Change.
Kyoto Protocol
Paris Agreement
Name 5 Physical causes of climate change.
Sun spots
Milankovitch cycles
Ocean currents
Volcanic eruptions
Solar variations
Describe Milankovitch cycles.
Milankovitch cycles are changes in the Earth’s orbit and tilt that alter the amount of energy Earth receives.
More energy means higher temperatures.
A greater tilt towards the sun means warmer summers and colder winters, a lower tilt has the opposite effect.
Name 2 ways which Methane is produced.
Farming
Landfill
Name 5 global effects of Climate Change.
Health
Increasing temperatures
Sea level rises
Extreme weather events
Ocean acidification
Describe Volcanic Eruptions.
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.
For example, Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991 – global sunlight fell by 10% meaning temperatures decreased by 0.5% globally.
Describe Ocean currents.
Some ocean currents transfer warm water to cooler areas, others transfer cool water to warmer areas.
Changes in ocean currents can impact global temperature, such as the periodic warming (El Niño) and cooling (La Niña) of the Pacific Ocean.
Identify and Explain 5 ways to reduce CO2 emissions.
LED lightbulbs use 80% less energy than traditional bulbs, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Turning appliances, lights, and sockets off reduces carbon emissions more than when left on standby.
Switching to a green electricity supplier – or installing solar panels on your roof – increases the use of renewable energy that emits no CO2
The Scottish Government has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. To reduce CO2 emissions, Scotland is switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The UK Government has set low/free vehicle tax on vehicles that have low CO2 emissions, to encourage people to switch to less polluting vehicles.
What are the effects of Intense Rainfall?
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. A93 at Ballater.
Old Victorian drainage systems need updating to cope with intense rain, at a cost to local councils.
Identify and Explain 4 ways to reduce Nitrous oxide emissions.
Aberdeen City Council has installed bus and cycle lanes
along major roads (e.g. King Street), to encourage more bus usage and cycling.
For those still driving, switching to smaller cars or electric cars reduces nitrous oxide emissions.
Low Emission Zones are being introduced in Scottish cities to reduce emissions of nitrous oxide from exhausts, and improve air quality.
The world’s first hydrogen double decker buses were launched by First Aberdeen in 2021.
These only emit water vapour, therefore emitting zero greenhouse gases; and also make public transport more appealing to travellers, making them more likely to switch from car to bus.
What is the effect of Rising Temperatures?
Higher winter temperatures may cause less snow at ski centres, which could reduce tourism.
This may cause job losses in ski resorts like Aviemore.
Scottish plants and animals such as the mountain hare may struggle to survive while non-native species thrive.
As temperatures rise, use of central heating will fall. This saves people money, and reduces CO2 emissions.
Frequent and intense heatwaves in summer causes more sunstroke, which can damage health/put pressure on the NHS.
As the UK becomes warmer, tropical diseases like malaria could spread here.
Rising sea temperatures mean haddock and cod are migrating away north, raising their prices and changing our diet.
Warmer temperatures may mean higher crop yields (more crops) and a longer growing season.
How does Climate Change affect Ocean Acidification?
Warmer oceans are becoming more acidic, causing coral reefs to ‘bleach’.
Less coral could reduce tourism at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
What are the effects of Drought?
Reduced rainfall will cause drought, leading to crop failure and lower food supplies.
Droughts also cause water shortages, meaning hosepipe bans may be introduced.
