Climate Change COPY

Question 1

Volcanic activity

Answer 1

Volcanic eruptions cause gases and ash to be released into the atmosphere, this can cause heating or cooling of the Earth.

Question 2

Orbital geometry

Answer 2

The earth’s orbit of the sun moves from an elliptical (oval) to a circular shape every 100,000 years.

This along with changes in the tilt of the Earth means more of the Sun’s energy reaches Earth, causing temperatures to rise.

Question 3

Sunspots

Answer 3

Sunspot activity increases/decreases the energy given off by the sun.

The more sunspots the higher the temperature.

Question 4

Fossil fuels

Answer 4

Burning fossil fuels such as oil and gas to power cars and factories releases carbon dioxide.

Question 5

Agriculture

Answer 5

Cattle farming leads to the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Question 6

Deforestation

Answer 6

Deforestation which is the cutting down of trees, leads to more carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere and less taken out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

Question 7

Warmer oceans

Answer 7

As ocean temperatures rise, the water expands causing sea levels to rise.

Also rising temperatures will cause ice sheets to melt which will also contribute to rising sea levels.

This will lead to flooding of certain areas, causing people to relocate.

Question 8

Ocean acidification

Answer 8

More carbon dioxide will be dissolved into our oceans causing ocean acidification.

This will damage ocean ecosystems and impact food chains.

Question 9

Extreme weather

Answer 9

As temperatures rise, more extreme weather events will occur such as severe storms, drought and flooding.

This will impact our ability to grow food.

Question 10

Trade

Answer 10

Melting sea ice would mean shipping routes will open up allowing Svalbard to trade more with other countries.

Question 11

Food supply

Answer 11

Increases in temperature would mean different types of plants and crops could grow, meaning Svalbard could grow more of its own food, instead of importing food.

Question 12

Storms

Answer 12

More extreme weather would mean Svalbard could experience more storms and avalanches which could damage people’s homes, and put people’s lives at risk.

Question 13

Flooding

Answer 13

As ice caps continue to melt, this means areas of Svalbard may be at risk of flooding. Also animals such as polar bears will lose their habitat.

Question 14

Carbon dioxide

Answer 14

Climate change mitigation looks at ways we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

There are different ways we can do this including:

Question 15

Renewable energy

Answer 15

Using renewable energy sources such as wind, sun and hydro power.

Question 16

Capture

Answer 16

Using carbon capture technology which means taking the carbon dioxide that we emit, out of the atmosphere and storing it underground.

Question 17

Planting trees

Answer 17

Or by planting more trees as these trees will take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis.

Question 18

Reduce

Answer 18

We are already seeing the effects of climate change, and need to be able to adapt to reduce the impact. There are different ways we can adapt including:

Question 19

Infrastructure

Answer 19

Improving our infrastructure such as buildings and roads so they can withstand floods and extreme weather.

Question 20

Agriculture

Answer 20

Changes in agriculture so that crops that we grow can survive in extreme conditions e.g. drought.

Question 21

Mangroves

Answer 21

Replanting mangroves as they act as a natural barrier, protecting coastlines.

Question 22

Alerts

Answer 22

Using emergency alert systems, which warn people if there is a storm or wildfire.

Question 23

Fossil fuels

Answer 23

When humans burn fossil fuels, they release greenhouse gases.

Question 24

Trapped

Answer 24

These unnaturally thicken the natural greenhouse layer around our planet, meaning less of the Sun’s heat is reflected back out to Space, and more in trapped in Earth.

Question 25

Temperature

Answer 25

The Earth’s temperature rises as a result.