Climate Change

Question 1

For global warming

Answer 1

Ice core and tree ring research

Spike in rise in temp

Sea levels rising (20cm last century)

Ice sheets meeting

Question 2

Against global warming

Answer 2

Fluctuations normal looking over last 500,000 yrs

Measurements are unreliable- near human settlements which are much warmer

Question 3

Global warming

Answer 3

Scientists use of ice cores and tree rings to track the climate over last 1000 yrs

Sharp rise in last 100yrs

Spike called global warming

Question 4

Volcanic activity

Answer 4

Release large amounts of sulfur dioxide and ash
Act as cloak and reduce amount of energy reaching earth’s surface
Also traps radiation in the atmosphere already

Eg mount pinatubo in 1991 causing global temps to fall by 0.4*c

Question 5

Ocean currents

Answer 5

Changes in direction of temp can cause change in local temps

(Not global)

Question 6

Sun’s energy

Answer 6

Change in orbit or axis can change distances from the sun

Changing amount of energy reaching

Question 7

Continental drift

Answer 7

Diff in latitude of continents can cause changes in temps

Larger continental mass causes maritime effect to be less

Question 8

Greenhouse effect

Answer 8

Increase in greenhouse gases in atmosphere which traps more heat and warms earth

Air particles trap infrared radiation
Some is reflected and reabsorbed by plants

Question 9

Natural greenhouse effect

Answer 9

Earth is Warmed throughout day by incoming short wave radiation from the sun and cooled at night

Some outgoing is trapped in Atmos
Are then reflected

Question 10

Greenhouse gases

Answer 10

Co2 - industrial processes + transportation

Methane- agriculture + fossil fuels

Nitrous oxide- fertilisers + biomass burning

Question 11

Animals effected by climate change

Answer 11

Eutrophication
Fish

Polar bears
Ice caps melting

Question 12

Climate change effects economic

Answer 12

Agriculture
Greater yields due to Warmer temps
Extreme weather
Industries reducing effects will benefit

New fruits

Desertification in Mali led to loss of farmland
Drought in Iraq led to less food production

Question 13

Social effects climate change

Answer 13

Lack of food in hotter regions
Dangerous extreme weather
More likely for infectious diseases to spread
Increased deaths
Increases flood risks
Dust storms in Iraq
Mosquitos now found at 7000m rather than 3000m in Columbia

Question 14

Environmental effects of climate change

Answer 14

Sea levels rising 
Extreme weather
Desertification 
Distribution of species
Rising sea levels (7-54m in Edinburgh)
Risk of wildfires increased
Greenland ice sheet melting

Question 15

Political effects of climate change

Answer 15

Water pressure
Increased migration
Govs under pressure to reduce climate change / manage it
Hide pipe ban

Question 16

International responses to climate change

Answer 16

Kyoto protocol 1997
Cut emissions
U.K. = 12.5% lower by 2012
140 countries by 2012 by 5.2%
Annex 1 + 2 countries 
Carbon credits scheme 
Trading system 

Money to poorer countries to help them reach such targets $30bn

Tax
Car tax

Question 17

Local responses to climate change

Answer 17

Congestion charge
£11 a day since 2010
Traffic levels fallen by 15%
Emission levels fall by 12%

Recycling

Conserving energy- improving insulation