Impacts of climate change

Question 1

Explain the impact of sea level rise (2)

Answer 1

This is due to the warming seas that melt glaciers.

This forces refugees to move to higher ground, this requires resources such as housing, water, and power supplies

Question 2

Explain the impact of extreme weather (1)

Answer 2

More extreme and more variable weather e.g. hurricanes due to increased sea temperatures

Question 3

Explain the impact on farming (3)

Answer 3

Some areas like the usa great plains may experience drier conditions

This could put strain on food supplies as agriculture struggles to meet food demands

Under higher temperatures, declines in crop yields and quality are happening.

Question 4

Explain the impact on ocean circulation (2)

Answer 4

Changes to ocean current circulation, e.g. in the Atlantic the thermohaline circulation starts to lose impact on north–western Europe, resulting in considerably colder winters

Fish stocks could suffer in some countries

Question 5

Explain the “blanket” effect (1)

Answer 5

Global temperatures are rising because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions which act like a blanket wrapped around the earth, trapping the sun’s heat.

Question 6

Impact on the sea? (1)

Answer 6

Due to climate change, oceans are warmer, more acidic, and less productive.

Question 7

Explain the impact on life (2)

Answer 7

As global temperatures rise, coral reefs and marine biodiversity are endangered.

This can also have an impact on wildlife and natural habitats e.g. extinction of at least 10% of land species and coral reefs suffer 80% bleaching.