Natural causes of climate change

Question 1

What is a sun spot

Answer 1

A sunspot is dark patch on the sun that appears from time to time. Every 11 years the number of sunspots changes from very few to lots to very few again.

Question 2

What is volcanic activity

Answer 2

Violent volcanic eruptions blast lots of ash, gases (e.g. sulphur dioxide) and liquids into the atmosphere. Major volcanic eruptions lead to a brief period of global cooling. This is because the ash, gases and liquids can block out the sun’s rays, reducing the temperature.

Question 3

What is orbital change

Answer 3

Orbital change refers to changes in how the earth moves round the sun. It affects how close the earth is to the sun and therefore how much energy we get from the sun.

Question 4

What is the greenhouse effect

Answer 4

Humans produce greenhouse gases, which create a blanket around the earth.
B) Sunlight travels to earth as shortwave radiation.
C) Sunlight bounces off the earth’s surface as long-wave radiation.

Question 5

How is methane produced

Answer 5

Cows produce a methane when they fart, belch and poo. Methane is a GHG that traps longwave radiation in the earth’s atmosphere.