Defining Global Warming And The Greenhouse Effect And Exploring The Causes And Consequences Of Climate Change

Question 1

Global warming is the…

Answer 1

increased heating of the atmosphere caused by human activities (e.g. Releasing greenhouse gases)

Question 2

The greenhouse effect is the…

Answer 2

natural process by which the atmosphere traps heat

Question 3

Explain the greenhouse effect. (Some of the insolation….)

Answer 3

Some of the insolation absorbed by the Earth’s surface reradiates back out into the atmosphere, but it is trapped by a layer of greenhouse gases (e.g. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide)

Question 4

Explain how natural climatic cycles cause climate change in terms of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. (Earth’s orbit around the Sun changes…)

Answer 4

The Earth’s orbit around the Sun changes every 100,000 years.
As the orbit becomes more oval-shaped, the Earth cools down as it travels further from the Sun.
As the orbit becomes circular, the Earth heats up because it remains closer to the Sun.

Question 5

Explain how natural climatic cycles cause climate change in terms of the sunspots on the Earth’s surface. (Sunspots are…)

Answer 5

Sunspots are dark patches on the Sun surrounded by brighter areas.
The more sunspots on the Sun, the more brighter areas there are.
This causes the Earth to warm up because it receives more energy from the Sun.
If there are fewer sunspots on the Sun then the Earth becomes slightly colder.

Question 6

Explain how volcanic activity causes climate change. (When a volcano erupts it…)

Answer 6

When a volcano erupts it releases large amounts of sulphur dioxide, water vapour, ash and dust into the atmosphere.
Gas and dust particles partially block incoming sun rays, leading to cooling.
Sulphur dioxide forms small amounts of sulphuric acid in the upper atmosphere which reflects sunlight, reducing the energy that reaches the ground, causing cooling.

Question 7

Explain how human activity causes climate change, in terms of fossil fuels and their harmful effects. (Burning fossil fuels, for example in…, …)

Answer 7

Burning fossil fuels, for example in power stations or motor vehicles, releases carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases.
These gases trap the Sun’s heat in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to warm up.

Question 8

Actual and potential effects of climate change on the environment, society and economy of the UK

Answer 8

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Question 9

Evaluation of the sustainability of strategies to deal with climate change

Answer 9

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Question 10

Challenges of securing international co-operation to deal with climate change

Answer 10

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