Climate change

Question 1

Since when has considerable global warming been taking place

Answer 1

1980

Question 2

cause of global warming in terms of co2

Answer 2

increase in co2 15% increase since over 100 years 4% each year

Question 3

How does variation in solar radiation have an impact of global warming

Answer 3

sun sport activity attributed to 20% of global warming however reports have suggested that since 1970 no major increase in solar radiation

Question 4

Other physical causes that could potentially have an impact on global warming

Answer 4

changes in earths obit and axial tilt affecting solar radiation
meteorite activity
changes in oceanic circulation

Question 5

Briefly describe the hockey stick debate

Answer 5

graph shows sustained temp around 1000 years with exponential increase since 1800 which can be attributed to humans

Question 6

why is the cynicism to the hockey stick debate

Answer 6

reliable records only date back for the last 150 years t

Question 7

List of general effects of global warming

Answer 7

increase in tropical storm, temp increase 2-4 degrees, rise is sea levels by 28-43cm, arctic sea ice to disappear in next century
increase in heatwaves

Question 8

result of global warming on ice caps

Answer 8

shrinkage of ice caps, increase in water due to reduction in cooling effect leading to expansion
Sea ice disappear by 2050

Question 9

What will happen if perma frost melts

Answer 9

release of methane further fuelling global warming

Question 10

global warming and rising sea levels

Answer 10

total 20t century rise of 0.17m

puts low lying communities at risk and increases threats of flooding

Question 11

Global warming and temperatures

Answer 11

since 1995 to 2006 11 of the 12 warmest years on record have occurred

Question 12

How will global warming have an effect on food and water

Answer 12

increase in drought and reduction of yields resulting in famine , predicted 3 million will suffer from water stress as reaction in rainfall in some regions

Question 13

How will global warming have an impact on extreme weather events

Answer 13

2003 world meteorological organisation blamed global warming for increase in extreme events with temp of sea water increase fuelling and increasing intensity of tropical storms

Question 14

Overall effect on the British Isles

Answer 14

Warmer summers, drought, increase in storms,
although if ocean currents change then gulf stream diverted cold as N canada
increase in temp 2-3.5 degrees and increase in precipitation by 10-15%
decline in snow unto 90%

Question 15

In the Uk how will global warming affect coastal regions

Answer 15

increase in sea levels put low lying areas such as east anglia, humber estuary at risk of flooding due to a predicted rise of 12-37cm

Question 16

How will agriculture be affected in the UK as a result of global warming

Answer 16

Increase in potato yield due to increase in temp, change in types of crops grown could become wine producing
increase in growing season

Question 17

How could species in UK be affected by global warming

Answer 17

increase in pests
migration of species northwards
extinction of native species
foreign species compete with native species

Question 18

Other general affects of global warming on UK

Answer 18

increase in tourism due to longer summer

decraese in winter sports

Question 19

3 levels of actions against global warming

Answer 19

international, national and local

Question 20

Which panel was created by the UN to give info and advice on global warming and make reports every 6 years based on computer models

Answer 20

IPCC (Intergovernmental panel on climate change) who have attributed 95% global warming to humans

Question 21

what happened in the kyoto agreement

Answer 21

emission limits and measures put in place to ensure an reduction in greenhouse gases

Question 22

How many countries are involved

Answer 22

55% of industrialised countries are legally bound to the agreement however some countries have not ratified inc. america and Australia

Question 23

What targets do the UK face as a result of kyoto

Answer 23

revised target in 2008 of 80% reduction by 2050

Question 24

What is carbon credits

Answer 24

allocation of amount of carbon wage depending on country which aims to cap emissions as carbon credits can be bought and sold so total quota is not exceeded
allows fines to be imposed for those who exceed quota

Question 25

3 areas for national response

Answer 25

with 80% of fuel consumption from fossil fuels

1) reduction in c02 from power stations
2) developing renewable energy
3) reducing demand

Question 26

What target have the Uk government put in place in term of renewables

Answer 26

by 2010 10% come from rnewables

Question 27

What scheme has been put in place

Answer 27

Eu emission trading scheme

Question 28

Which bill has been legislated

Answer 28

climate change bill 2008 which has legislated against climate change an put in place targets to reduce co2 by 60% by 2050

Question 29

Local response to climate change

Answer 29

sustainable development
iniativies
basic things insulation recycling etc