climate change

Question 1

what is the Quaternary period

Answer 1

the most recent geological time period spanning from 2.6 million years ago to present day

Question 2

what was earth climate like in the period before the Quaternary

Answer 2

warm and quite stable

Question 3

how has global temperature shifted during the Quaternary period

Answer 3

shifted between cold glacial periods and warmer inter glacial periods

Question 4

how long do cold glacial periods usually last

Answer 4

100,000 years

Question 5

how long do warmer glacial periods usually last

Answer 5

10,000 years

Question 6

when did the last glacial period end

Answer 6

around 15000 years ago

Question 7

what is global warming

Answer 7

the sharp rise in global temperatures over the last century

Question 8

what are the four sources where evidence for climate change comes from

Answer 8

ice and sediment cores
temperature records
pollen analysis
tree rings

Question 9

how does ice and sediment cores provide evidence for climate change

Answer 9

• ice sheets are made into layers - one layer formed per year
• scientists drill into sheets to get long cores
• by analysing gases trapped in the layers they can tell what the temp was each year
• remains of organisms found in cores taken from ocean sediments can also be analysed

Question 10

how do temperature records provide evidence for climate change

Answer 10

historical records like harvest dates can extend the record of climate change back

Question 11

how does pollen analysis provide evidence for climate change

Answer 11

• pollen from plants preserved in sediment e.g peat bogs
• scientists identify and date pollen to show what species were living at that time
• scientists know conditions that plants live in now so preserved pollen from similar plants shows climate conditions

Question 12

how do tree rings provide evidence for climate change

Answer 12

• tree grows and forms a new ring each year
• tree rings are thicker in warm and wet conditions

Question 13

what do orbital changes effect

Answer 13

how much solar radiation the earth receives

Question 14

what are the variations in which the earth orbits the sun

Answer 14

stretch
Tilt
Wobble

Question 15

what is the stretch when it comes to earths orbit

Answer 15

the shape of earths orbit around the sun
either circular or elliptical (oval)

Question 16

what are the three natural factors that are possible factors for climate change

Answer 16

orbital changes
volcanic activity
solar output

Question 17

what is the tilt when it comes to earths orbit

Answer 17

the earths axis is tilted at an angle when orbiting the sun

Question 18

what is the wobble when it comes to earths orbit

Answer 18

the earths axis wobbles like a spinning top

Question 19

what are orbital changes thought to have caused in climate change

Answer 19

the glacial and inter glacial cycles of the Quaternary period

Question 20

how is volcanic activity a possible cause for climate change

Answer 20

major volcanic eruptions ejects large quantities of material into atmosphere
some of these particles reflect the suns rays back out to space and the earth cools

• short term climate change

Question 21

is the suns solar output constant

Answer 21

no it changes in short cycles of about 11 years

Question 22

what does it mean if there is reduced solar output

Answer 22

the earths climate might become cooler in some areas

Question 23

how big is the effect of solar output on climate change

Answer 23

it is thought not to have a major effect

Question 24

what are the ways that humans are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer 24

deforestation
farming
cement production
burning fossil fuels

Question 25

how does burning fossil fuels increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer 25

Co2 is released when fossil fuels like coal,oil and natural gas are burnt

Question 26

how does cement production increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer 26

cement is made from limestone which contains carbon when cement is produced lots of CO2 is released

Question 27

how does farming increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer 27

livestock produces methane - cows rice paddies - flooded fields emit methane

Question 28

how does deforestation increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Answer 28

plants remove Co2 and convert to organic matter through photosynthesis trees cut down - stop taking in co2 Co2 is released when trees are burnt as fuel or to make way for agriculture

Question 29

What is the expected rise in temperatures between 2021 and 2100?

Answer 29

Temperatures are expected to rise by 1.0 to 5.7 °C.

Question 30

What effect does warmer temperatures have on glaciers and ice sheets?

Answer 30

Warmer temperatures are causing glaciers to shrink and ice sheets to melt.

Question 31

What is the consequence of melting land ice?

Answer 31

Melting land ice means that water stored on land is returning to the oceans, causing sea levels to rise.

Question 32

What is happening to sea ice due to rising temperatures?

Answer 32

Sea ice is shrinking, leading to the loss of polar habitats.

Question 33

What is the impact of rising sea levels on coastal areas?

Answer 33

Coastal erosion will increase with sea level rise and some coastal areas will be submerged, leading to habitat loss.

Question 34

How are coral reefs affected by rising sea temperatures?

Answer 34

Coral reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are suffering from bleaching due to rising sea temperatures.

Question 35

What changes are occurring in precipitation patterns due to global warming?

Answer 35

Global warming is affecting how much rain areas get.

Question 36

How might species distribution change due to climate change?

Answer 36

Some species now live at higher latitudes due to warming temperatures.

Question 37

What is a potential consequence for species that rely on specific habitats?

Answer 37

Some habitats are being damaged or destroyed, which may lead to extinction of species that adapted to these areas.

Question 38

How might climate change affect giant pandas?

Answer 38

Climate change may limit bamboo growth, leading to a decline in numbers of giant pandas that rely on bamboo as a food source.

Question 39

What has happened to deaths due to heat and cold in some places?

Answer 39

Deaths due to heat have increased, while deaths due to cold have decreased.

Question 40

What could happen to low-lying coastal areas like the Maldives due to climate change?

Answer 40

They could be lost to the sea or flood so often that they become uninhabitable.

Question 41

What issue are some areas facing regarding water supply?

Answer 41

They are struggling to supply enough water for residents due to changing rainfall patterns.

Question 42

What could lower crop yields lead to in lower latitudes?

Answer 42

They could increase malnutrition, ill health, and death from starvation.

Question 43

How is climate change affecting weather patterns?

Answer 43

The weather is getting more extreme, leading to increased spending on predicting events and rebuilding.

Question 44

what are the different strategies that aim to reduce the causes of climate change

Answer 44

carbon capture planting trees alternative energy production international agreements

Question 45

what does carbon capture do

Answer 45

designed to reduce emissions from power stations involves capturing CO2 and transporting it to safe places where it can be stored - underground

Question 46

how does planting trees reduce the effects of climate change

Answer 46

increasing the amount of CO2 that is absorbed by photosynthesis

Question 47

how does alternative energy production reduce the effects of climate change

Answer 47

replacing fossil fuels with nuclear or renewable energy - reduces emissions e.g wind farms

Question 48

what was the paris agreement

Answer 48

aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions encourages developed countries to help developing countries with mitigation strategies

Question 49

what are some ways that people are adapting to the effects of climate change

Answer 49

changing agricultural systems managing water supply coping with rising sea levels

Question 50

What does adaptation mean in the context of climate change?

Answer 50

Adaptation means responding to the effects of climate change.

Question 51

How are agricultural systems changing due to climate change?

Answer 51

Changing rainfall patterns and higher temperatures will affect the productivity of existing systems.

Question 52

What may be necessary for crops in new climate conditions?

Answer 52

It may be necessary to plant new crop types that are more suited to the new climate conditions in an area.

Question 53

How is biotechnology being used in agriculture?

Answer 53

Biotechnology is being used to create new crop varieties which are more resistant to extreme weather events.

Question 54

What is a predicted effect of climate change on water supply?

Answer 54

Dry areas are predicted to get drier, leading to more water shortages.

Question 55

What are two methods for managing water supply?

Answer 55

1) Water meters can be installed in homes. 2) Rainwater and waste water can be collected and recycled.

Question 56

What are some measures being taken to cope with rising sea levels?

Answer 56

Better flood warning systems are being put in place, and physical defences such as flood barriers are being built.

Question 57

What are some adaptations in areas that can't afford expensive flood defences?

Answer 57

People are building raised flood shelters and building houses on embankments.