Geography Assesment Flashcards
What is an interglacial period?
A warmer period
Which areas are in danger from sea level rise in the UK?
Low lying areas at the coast
Fill in the gaps:
…………. enhanced …………….. effect
Human enhanced greenhouse effect
Which of these countries is emitting the highest total amount of greenhouse gases?
China, Brazil, Australia or the UK
China
What greenhouse gas is released by Rice paddies
methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O)
Adaptation
The action of changing to better suit the environment around you
Asteroid Impact Theory
A past cause of climate change where debris from an asteroid impact blocks sunlight
Carbon Capture Technology
Captures carbon dioxide as it is produced and stores it underground
Carbon Dioxide
The most common greenhouse gas in our atmosphere
Climate Change
A long-term change in average temperature and rainfall over at least 30 years
Deforestation
The human act of cutting down or clearing trees
Desertification
The process by which fertile land becomes desert due to drought
Ecosystem
A natural environment that includes plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that interact within it
Famine
A situation where a large part of the population has inadequate access to food
Food Security
Having reliable access to enough affordable food
Fossil Fuels
Energy sources made from the remains of ancient plants and animals
Geo-engineering
Large-scale projects designed to counteract climate change
Greenhouse Gases
Gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere
Human-Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The unnatural increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities
Ice Cores
Cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers that show past climate conditions
Industry
Human activities where raw materials are processed into goods (e.g.
Land Use Planning
Planning developments to avoid building in high-risk areas
Methane
A greenhouse gas more powerful than carbon dioxide
Mitigation
Actions taken to reduce the severity of climate change effects
Natural Greenhouse Effect
The natural warming of Earth’s atmosphere that supports life
Orbital Theory (Milankovitch Cycles)
Theory explaining how Earth’s position relative to the Sun affects climate change over time
Renewable Energy
Energy sources that can be replenished indefinitely
Sea Level Rise
The increase in sea levels due to melting ice and thermal expansion
What is global warming?
Global warming is the rise in Earth’s average temperature due to increased greenhouse gases.
What causes global warming?
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and increased CO₂ emissions trap heat in the atmosphere.
What evidence shows global warming is happening?
Rising global temperatures, shrinking Arctic sea ice (10% loss in 30 years), and ice core data showing historical CO₂ increases.
What are the consequences of global warming?
Rising sea levels, more extreme weather (storms, droughts), and species extinction due to habitat loss.
Why is Africa vulnerable to climate change?
Many people rely on farming, live in coastal areas at risk of flooding, and have weak infrastructure to cope with climate disasters.
How will climate change affect Africa as a continent?
Rainfall patterns will change, leading to droughts and floods. Food insecurity will rise, and diseases like malaria will spread due to warmer, wetter conditions.
How will different African regions be affected?
North Africa: Desertification and extreme heat. West Africa: Coastal erosion and food shortages. East Africa: Unpredictable rainfall and droughts. Southern Africa: Water shortages affecting farming.
What are some ways to reduce global warming?
Renewable Energy (solar, wind, hydro): Reduces fossil fuel use but requires high investment. Reforestation (planting trees): Absorbs CO₂ but competes with land for farming and development.
What does ‘Mega Fauna’ mean?
‘Mega Fauna’ means ‘big animals.’
What happened to the Mega Fauna?
Climate change caused temperatures to rise, forcing animals to migrate. Humans also hunted some species, and food chains were disrupted.
Why has most Mega Fauna in Africa survived?
Africa’s ecosystems remained stable, and animals had time to adapt to changes.
Why did Mega Fauna in North and South America go extinct?
Rapid climate change and human hunting led to their extinction.
How do we know climate has changed over time?
Scientists use ice cores, tree rings, and historical sources to study past climates.
What are ice cores, and how do they help?
Ice cores contain trapped air bubbles from different time periods, showing past CO₂ levels and temperatures.
How do tree rings provide climate data?
Wide rings indicate warm, wet years, while narrow rings suggest cold or dry years.
What historical sources show climate change?
Old photos, paintings, diaries, and recorded harvest dates provide clues about past climates.
What natural causes can change the climate?
Volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, sunspot activity, and changes in Earth’s orbit.
How do volcanic eruptions affect climate?
They release ash and gases, blocking sunlight and causing short-term cooling.
What is the Orbital Theory?
The Earth’s orbit shifts over 100,000 years, changing the amount of sunlight we receive.
How do sunspots impact climate?
More sunspots increase solar energy, leading to warming.
What are the four main greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and water vapor.
What human activities contribute to global warming?
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, farming, and industrial processes.
What is the difference between global warming and the greenhouse effect?
The greenhouse effect is a natural process, but human activity is enhancing it, causing global warming.
How does deforestation contribute to global warming?
Trees absorb CO₂, so cutting them down increases carbon levels in the atmosphere.
How will the greenhouse effect impact the UK?
Rising temperatures, more extreme weather (flooding, droughts), and sea level rise affecting coastal areas.
What are some consequences for people in the UK?
More heatwaves, increased risk of diseases like malaria, and strain on water supplies.
How will UK wildlife be affected?
Habitats will shift, some species may become extinct, and seasonal changes will disrupt ecosystems.
How do we know Earth’s climate has changed in the past?
Scientists use ice cores, tree rings, historical records, and fossil evidence to track past climate changes.
What do ice cores tell us?
They show past CO₂ levels and temperature patterns over thousands of years.
How does tree ring data help?
Wider rings indicate warmer, wetter years; narrower rings show colder, drier periods.
What happened to the megafauna?
Large prehistoric animals went extinct due to climate change and human hunting.
How did climate change contribute to extinction?
Rising temperatures and changing ecosystems made survival difficult for some species.
What role did humans play with megafauna
Overhunting and habitat destruction accelerated extinction.
What is the thermohaline circulation?
It is the global ocean current system driven by temperature and salinity differences.
How is climate change affecting ocean circulation?
Melting ice adds freshwater, making seawater less dense and slowing the currents.
What could happen if thermohaline circulation slows?
Disruptions in weather patterns, extreme cold in some regions, and stronger storms.
What are the main greenhouse gases?
CO₂, methane, nitrous oxides, and halocarbons.
What are three major impacts of climate change in Africa?
Droughts, food insecurity, and increased disease spread.
What is the Orbital Theory and how does it affect climate?
The Earth’s orbit changes shape every 100,000 years, shifting from circular to egg-shaped. This alters the amount of sunlight the Earth receives, affecting climate.
How do volcanic eruptions impact the climate?
Volcanic eruptions release ash and gases into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing temporary cooling.
How can asteroids change the climate?
Large asteroid impacts throw dust into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and cooling the planet.
How do tree rings help scientists study past climates?
Tree rings show how many years a tree has lived, and their width indicates past climate conditions—wider rings mean warm, wet years, while narrower rings suggest cold, dry years.
What do ice cores reveal about past climates?
Ice cores contain trapped air bubbles with carbon dioxide levels, which help scientists understand past temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations.
How do historical sources provide evidence of climate change?
Old records, such as paintings, diaries, and crop reports, allow comparisons between past and present climate conditions.
How does replanting trees help reduce climate change impacts?
Trees absorb carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas levels and preventing soil erosion.
Why is using public transport beneficial for the environment?
Public transport reduces the number of individual vehicles on the road, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
How does increasing fuel prices help combat climate change?
Higher fuel prices discourage excessive vehicle use, reducing emissions from cars.
What is happening to glaciers due to climate change?
Glaciers are melting at an accelerated rate due to rising global temperatures.
What is happening to Arctic sea ice?
Arctic sea ice is melting, leading to rising sea levels and loss of habitat for polar animals.
How is climate change affecting sea levels?
Rising temperatures are causing ice to melt, leading to higher sea levels and flooding in low-lying areas like the Maldives.
What is the thermohaline circulation and why is it important?
Thermohaline circulation is the movement of ocean currents driven by temperature and salt levels. It helps regulate climate and transports nutrients across the ocean.
