Climate Change - Causes of Climate Change Since Last Ice Age

Question 1

Give two external factors which have caused climate change since the last ice age.

Answer 1

Solar Output Orbital Geometry

Question 2

Give four internal factors which have caused climate change since the last ice age.

Answer 2

Volcanic Activity Surface Reflection Tectonic Activity Change in Atmospheric Gas

Question 3

Explain how solar output effects climate change.

Answer 3

Solar output is the amount of energy which comes from the sun. When it emits more energy (during a flare), the earth will receive more energy and so it heats up. The activity of sunspots determines the solar output.

Question 4

Explain how orbital geometry effects climate change.

Answer 4

When the earth’s orbit is more elliptical on average we are closer to the sun. We then receive more energy and get warmer temperatures. The angle of the earth’s tilt also effects climate change and the earth’s temperature. The greater the angle of the earth’s tilt, the warmer the summer temperatures are.

Question 5

Explain how volcanic activity effects climate change.

Answer 5

When volcanoes erupt they release sulfur dioxide and ash into the atmosphere. These often block the suns rays so the energy from the sun doesn’t get through so the temperatures get colder.

Question 6

Explain how surface reflection effects climate change.

Answer 6

When the earth is covered in snow and ice the white colour reflects the solar rays back into space. Once the ice and snow begin to melt the temperatures will begin to get warmer.

Question 7

Explain how change in atmospheric gases effect climate change.

Answer 7

As more carbon dioxide gets released into the atmosphere it results in an increase in temperatures because it is a greenhouse gas. It has the greenhouse effect of trapping the heat in.

Question 8

Explain how tectonic activity can effect climate change.

Answer 8

Tectonic activity can effect climate change by altering atmospheric and oceanic currents but only over a very long period of time.

Question 9

Explain two factors which have caused recent climate change.

Answer 9

Increase in Carbon Dioxide

• Rising populations (particularly in China and India) are causing increased demand for electricity for both domestic and industrial uses. This means more coal, oil and gas are burnt in power stations to meet the demand which causes more carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide has the greenhouse effect and traps the heat in, warming the atmosphere.
• Rising populations (particularly in China and India) are giving an increased demand for cars. This means more petrol and diesel are burnt which releases more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide has the greenhouse effect and traps the heat in, warming the atmosphere.

Increase in Methane

• Increased demand for meat leads to increased cattle farms. Cattle release methane into the atmosphere; methane, being a greenhouse gas, traps the heat in and warms the atmosphere.
• Rising populations in LICs are giving a **larger demand for rice. **The waste products of growing rice release lots and lots of methane. Methane, being a greenhouse gas, traps the heat in and warms the atmosphere.
• Rising temperatures from other means are releasing more methane from wetlands. Methane, being a greenhouse gas, traps the heat in and warms the atmosphere.