Human Causes Of Climate Change

Question 1

Fully explain burning of fossil fuels as a human cause of climate change

Answer 1

• The burning of fossil fuels for transport, industry and power, produces carbon dioxide

Question 2

Fully explain deforestation as a human cause of climate change

Answer 2

• Trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Destroying forests means less trees to take in CO2 which means more CO2 in the atmosphere
• Additionally, if the trees are burned once cut down, Carbon Dioxide is released.

Question 3

Fully explain cattle ranches as a human cause of climate change

Answer 3

• Due to a growing population, and thus a growing demand for food, there are
  more cows on the planet than ever before
• Due to their grassy diet, cows exhale methane with every breath and through
  their dung

Question 4

Fully explain landfill sites as a human cause of crime

Answer 4

• Waste slowly decomposing in landfill sites releases methane

Question 5

Fully explain paddy fields as a human cause of climate change

Answer 5

• In places like China and India, rice is a staple food so farmers grow large quantities of it in flooded paddy fields.
• Methane is produced by microbes underwater as they help to decay any flooded organic matter.

Question 6

Fully explain old refrigerators\other appliances as a human cause of climate change

Answer 6

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) are greenhouse gasses made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon.
• Refrigerators which are not disposed of correctly release CFCs when the foam insulation inside them is shredded.
• Air-conditioning – the coolants used in air conditioning systems create CFCs, which must be disposed of correctly