climate change section A(p1) Flashcards
What is climate change?
The long term change in global weather patterns
What is the evidence that climate has changed since the beginning of the Quaternary period?
over the last 3.6 million years global temperatures have fluctuated consisting of noticable glacial (cooler) periods and interglacial (warmer) periods
but over the last decades there have been record high average temperatures
since 1880 global temperatures have increased by 0.85°C
What is the evidence for historical climate change?
ice cores
ice is drilled and assessed for CO2 bubbles (As carbon dioxide absorbs heat in the atmosphere, the more bubbles evident, the warmer the temperatures were.)
What is the recent evidence for climate change?
shrinking glaciers
rising sea levels
seasonal changes
Name the 3 natural causes of climate change?
Orbital changes (Milankovitch Cycles)
Solar Activity
Volcanic Activity
How does solar activity cause climate change?
Over a period of 11 years, sunspots increase and decrease on the sun.
These sunspots appear as dark patches.
The more sunspots, the more solar radiation given. This coincides with warmer periods.
How does orbital theory cause climate change?
During a ellipitcal orbit, the sun and earth at their biggest distance, causing cooler periods than during a circular orbit. This coincides with glacial and intergalcial periods
Axial tilt - the earth spins on its axis. The earths axis tilts backwards and forwards over a period of 41,000 years.
Precession (wobble) - the earth has a natural wobble (like a spinning top). Due to this, places facing away from the Sun experience longer days and nights at certain points of the year
How does volcanic activity cause climate change?
large emissions of gas and ash pollute the atmosphere.
this can temporarily block the sun causing cooler temperatures and it is sometimes known as ‘volcanic winter’
EXAMPLE - Mount tombora ‘year without summer’ in 1815
200,000 deaths
name the three mylankovich cycles
axial tilt
precession
eccentricity
What is the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some solar radiation entering the atmosphere. Some long wave radiation is absorbed by earth, some escapes back out to space. This is a natural process which keeps Earth at an optimum temperature for life on Earth to sustain.
What is the effect of green house gas emissions?
The thickening of the greenhouse gas layer, which traps more heat in the atmosphere.
It is caused by human actions that release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Name the greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Sulphur dioxide
Nitrous oxide
Water vapour
Which human activities are releasing nitrous oxides?
Car exhausts
Agricultural fertilisers
Power stations
Which human activity is releasing carbon dioxide (C02)?
Burning fossil fuels in industry
Car exhausts
Deforestation
Which human activity is releasing Methane?
Decaying organic matter
Rice farming
Livestock
Biomass burning
Name a physical impact of climate change?
Sea level rise
Drought
Storms
Explain how agriculture contributes to climate change?
Farming produces large amounts of methane through cattle digestion and through the rice farming.
Cattle farming has increased as the world’s population has increased, and more people around the world demand meat in their diets.
Explain how deforestation causes climate change
Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. By removing more trees we are removing the ability for trees to take out CO2. As a result, CO2 levels increasing. Increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere means more heat is trapped. Trees are being cut down to make space for road building and farming.
Explain how burning fossil fuels leads to climate change?
Burning fossil fuels gives off huge quantities of CO2 which is a gas that absorbs heat in the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are increasingly used in manufacturing, transportation and heating homes.
Name some of the effects of climate change on the environment?
warmer waters may decrease marine wildlife
70% of Asia may be at increased risk of flooding
increasing temperatures and decreasing soil moisture can reduce biodiversity in the rainforest
less sea ice could open up new oil and gas reserves
Name some of the effects of climate change on people?
health may decline due to increased levels of malaria in Africa
heatwaves in Europe can kill the vulnerable
crop yields may fall causing famines or job losses
skiing resorts may close due to shorter skiing seasons
What is climate change adaptation?
Implementing strategies to defend communities from the impacts of climate change
What is climate change mitigation?
Establishing strategies to combat climate change and try to prevent or reverse it
Name the international treaties/agreements that attempt to mitigate climate change and give details of what they do
Kyoto Protocol - countries pledging to reduce their carbon emissions.
Copenhagen Accord - pledging financial support to developing countries to help them tackle to effects of climate change.
Paris Agreement - 195 countries agreed with tackle climate change (i.e. to keep global temperature increase below 2ºc.)
Name 4 mitigation strategies
Altnerative energies
Carbon capture
Planting Trees
International agreements
Name 3 adaptation strategies?
Changing agricultural systems
Managing water supplies
Reducing risk from rising sea levels
Describe how planting trees can mitigate agaisnt climate change?
Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. By planting trees, excess CO2 can be removed from the atmosphere.
explain the importance of mangroves?
mangroves act as hybrid of both mitigation and adaptation
mitigation - can be used as carbon sinks as they photosynthesise reducing carbon emissions from there air.
adaptation - the mangroves long roots absorb waver energy which can be used to protect urban areas from sea level rise and tsunami’s.
Describe how alternative energy production can mitigate against climate change?
Most of the carbon dioxide emissions come from fossil fuels. Switching to renewable forms of energy such as solar power, hydroelectric power and nuclear means CO2 emissions will reduce.
Describe how carbon capture helps to mitigate against climate change?
Carbon capture is a process by which carbon is captured, compressed and stored underground. This can remove almost 90% of the CO2 that could otherwise enter the atmosphere.
Explain how changing agricultural systems can adapt against the effects of climate change?
planting drought resistant crops
changing the the time of planting
introducing shades to sheild crops from sun
educating farmers on new farming techniques
Explain how managing water supplies can adapt against the effects of climate change?
Collecting and storing water at different seasons can reduce water lost during higher temperatures e.g. In India, collecting glacial water during the winter and it freezes, storing water for summer months.
Explain how reducing the risk from rising sea levels can adapt against the effects of climate change?
Constructing sea walls to hold back rising waters
Building houses on stilts
Restoring mangroves to reduce the impact of storm waves
Relocating most vulnerable to new places or higher ground.
what were the causes of the beast from the east?
Polar vortex disruption - cold arctic air was forced to spill out over Europe from Siberia
High pressure system - this prevented typical flow of milder Atlantic air
Weather patterns - a mixture of cold Siberian air and moist air from the Atlantic resulted in heavy snowfall and freezing conditions
what were the social impacts of the beast from the east?
Health risks - increased cases of frostbite, hypothermia particularly effecting the elderly and the vulnerable.
Disruption to daily life - schools businesses and public services were forced to close down
Transport chaos - road and rail travel were affected by snow and ice causing accidents, delays and cancellations
what were the economic impacts of the beast from the east?
Transport disruption - cold conditions caused damage and delays leading to millions in loss of productivity
loss of productivity - many workers were unable to commute leading to a decrease in work force productivity.
Agricultural damage - livestock were affected from the cold and the lack of provisions from farmers who access there cattle. also a loss of crops due to the harsh conditions leading to a decrease in yield and overall decrease in profit for the agricultural sector.
what were the environmental impacts of the beast form the east?
- Severe Snowfall: Accumulations of snow led to damage to buildings and power lines, as well as blocked roads and pathways. this also lead to damage of habitats.
- Water Supply Issues: Pipes froze and burst in several areas, leading to temporary water shortages and the need for emergency repairs.
- Wildlife Disruption: The cold weather affected wildlife, with some species struggling to find food and shelter, leading to increased mortality in certain areas causing a decrease in biodiversity.
what were the responses to the beast from the east??
- Emergency Services: The UK government and local authorities deployed emergency measures, including snowplough’s, gritters, and temporary shelters for the homeless.
- Public Safety Alerts: Weather warnings were issued, urging the public to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
- Support for Vulnerable Populations: Charities and community groups provided aid, including warm clothing and food, to those most affected.
- Infrastructure Adaptations: The event highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, such as better insulation for water pipes and more robust snow clearance strategies.
what were the causes of the July 2022 heatwave?
- High-Pressure System: A persistent high-pressure system over the UK led to prolonged sunny and dry conditions, trapping heat in the atmosphere.
- Jet Stream Shift: The jet stream shifted further north than usual, preventing cooler air from the Atlantic from reaching the UK.
- Climate Change: Long-term climate warming increased the likelihood of such extreme temperatures. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, have intensified global warming, making heatwaves more frequent and severe.
what were the social impacts of the July 2022 heatwave?
- Health Risks: Increased cases of heatstroke, dehydration, and respiratory problems, especially among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children.
- Disruption to Daily Life: Schools closed or reduced hours due to unsafe temperatures, and public transport services were heavily disrupted as rail lines buckled under the heat.
- Increased Mortality: Excess deaths were recorded, particularly among individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
what were the economic impacts of the July 2022 heat wave?
- Transport Disruption: Damage to rail infrastructure and road surfaces caused delays and cancellations, affecting businesses and commuters.
- Loss of Productivity: Businesses experienced reduced productivity as workers struggled with high indoor temperatures and travel disruptions.
- Impact on Agriculture: Crops such as wheat and barley were affected by the dry conditions, leading to reduced yields and financial losses for farmers.
what were the environmental impacts of the July 2022 heat wave?
- Wildfires: Several wildfires broke out in areas like London and Yorkshire, destroying habitats and property.
- Water Shortages: Increased water usage during the heatwave strained supplies, leading to hosepipe bans in some regions.
- Damage to Ecosystems: High temperatures affected wildlife, with fish deaths reported in rivers and ponds due to low oxygen levels in the water.
what were the responses to the July 2022 heat wave?
- Emergency Measures: Local authorities issued heat-health alerts and opened cooling centres for vulnerable populations.
- Transport Adjustments: Rail operators imposed speed restrictions to reduce the risk of track damage and accidents.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: The government and health agencies provided advice on staying hydrated, avoiding travel during peak heat, and caring for vulnerable individuals.
- Long-Term Strategies: The event prompted discussions on improving infrastructure resilience, such as heat-resistant rail tracks and urban cooling strategies like green roofs and tree planting.
