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EDEXCEL - GCSE Geography Skills > Climate & Change > Flashcards

Climate & Change Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the natural causes of climate change?

A
  • Solar Output
  • Volcanic Eruptions
  • The Milankovitch Mechanism
  • Orbital Geometry
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2
Q

What is meant by Solar Output?

A

The amount of energy given off by the sun.

  • Sun is more active in last 60 years.
  • Sunspots: patches on the sun which release more energy.
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3
Q

What is meant by Orbital Geometry?

A

The way the Earth orbits the Sun.

  • Circle - Elipse: Earth was 5-6 degrees colder.
  • Within 100 years, Earth goes from circle to oval.
  • Circular Orbits result in cold, glacial periods.
  • Eliptical Orbits result in warmer periods.
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4
Q

What is meant by Volanic Eruptions/ Catastrophic Events?

A

The idea that volcanos help change temperature. They also produce greenhouse gas.

  • 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo lowered global temp by 0.5’C.
  • 1783, Mt Laki released so much ash that it blocked the sun.
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5
Q

What is meant by the Axis Theory?

A

The Earth’s tilt affects the amount of the suns energy reaching different parts of Earth.

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6
Q

What is meant by ‘Happy Earth’?

A

Before humans have inpact

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7
Q

What is meant by ‘Sad Earth’?

A

Humans having impact

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8
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is the Eruption Theory?

A
  • Volcanoes release CO2 and S02
  • Causes greenhouse effect
  • Can affect the planet for weeks, years etc depending on the size
  • Cause cause or end ice age or alter temperatures by 0-2’C
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9
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is the Oribital Theory - Circle to Ellipse

A
  • Orbit changes from circular to elliptical orbit
  • Takes 100,000 years to complete full circle
  • Global temperatures increase when earth is closer to sun and reduce when further away
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10
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is meant by Meteorites?

A
  • Have potential to cause catastrophic changes to earth’s climate
  • Impact creates cloud of dust, smoke and ash to be released into atmosphere which can block out sun
  • Can cause or end ice age
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11
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is meant by Orbital Theory - Axis Tilt

A
  • Angle of earth’s tilt can get larger/ smaller
  • 41,000 years for full cycle
  • Area’s on earth can experience greater climatic extremes so are pointed towards/ further away from sun
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12
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is meant by Changes in Solar Output?

A
  • Sun works on 11 year cycles of heightened/ lowered activity
  • More solar radiation can be released to earth resulting in changes to earth’s climate
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13
Q

NATURAL CAUSES

What is meant by Orbital Theory - Wobble?

A
  • earth wobbles on axis
  • 26,000 years for full cycle
  • Area’s on earth can experience greater climatic extremes as pointed towards/ further from sun
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14
Q

HUMAN CAUSES

Main focus of attention is on?

A

Rising levels of C02 and methane caused by human activity

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15
Q

Source of Carbon Dioxide?

A
  • Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas)
  • Deforestation
  • Burning of trees
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16
Q

Carbon Dioxide warming power compared to CO2?

A

1

17
Q

Carbon Dioxide % increase since 1850?

A

Increased by 30%

18
Q

Source of Methane?

A
  • Gas pipeline leaks
  • Farming rice in paddy fields
  • Cattle farming
19
Q

Methane warming power compared to CO2?

A

21x more powerful than carbon dioxide

20
Q

Methane % increase since 1850?

A

Increased by 250%

21
Q

How much % of global methane emissions come from livestock?

A

15-20%

22
Q

What 2 things on a local scale have contributed to climate change?

A
  • Domestic Energy Use

- Car Ownership

23
Q

Which Milankovitch cycle takes 41,000 years?

A

Orbital Theory - Axis Tilt

24
Q

Which Milankovitch cycle takes 26,000 years?

A

Orbital Theory - Wobble

25
Q

Which Milankovitch cycle takes 100,000 years?

A

Orbital Theory - Circle to Ellipse

26
Q

How many methane emissions come from livestock?

A

15-20%

27
Q

What are the three impacts (GLOBAL)?

A
  • Food Production
  • Coral Reefs
  • Sea Level Rise
28
Q

Impacts on Food Production?

A
  • Califonia’s weat and maize yield to drop 10-30%

- W Australia 15% drop in annual rainfall since 1970’s = fall in production of agriculture

29
Q

Impacts on Coral Reefs?

A
  • Warmer waters = bleaching
  • Economic impacts on locals as fish and bird numbers decline
  • Food chain is disrupted by disappearance of soft corals
30
Q

Impacts on Sea Level Rise?

A

BANGLADESH
- 80% of fertile land is under 10m above sea level

  • Extreme floods spread over 60% of country
  • 65 mill live in high risk flood zones
  • huge impact on economy which is reliant on agriculture
31
Q

What are the two climate change debates?

A

Humans Are To Blame vs It’s All Natural

Act Now vs Do Nothing

EDEXCEL - GCSE Geography Skills (3 decks)

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