Paper 1: Climate change Flashcards
Quaternary period
current period of Earth’s history
climate
average temp and precipitation over a long period of time
weather
atmospheric conditions at one time period
climate change
-change in climatic patterns across globe
-average temp rise + change in rainfall patterns
solar output
energy given out by sun
orbital change
-when earth’s orbit temporarily changes from a circle to an ellipse
fossil fuel
-found under Earth’s surface
used for gas + electricity
deforestation
cutting down of trees on a large scale
agriculture
-farming
-arable (crops)
-or cattle
arable farming
crops
subsistence farming
growing crops and raising livestock sufficient only for one’s own use
sea level rise
higher volume of water in ocean due to glacial melt or thermal expansion
glacial melt
ice caps or sheets melting
thermal expansion
warm water particles take up more space than cooler particles
famine
shortage of food for a long period of time
-often coincides with drought
drought
when fresh water supplies dry up
mitigation
-trying to prevent causes of climate change
adaptation
preparing to manage effects of climate change
evidence of climate change
-sea levels have risen by 19cm since 1900
-ocean temps are warmest
ice cores
ice that has remained unchanged
-holds info about climate change (ash and pollen)
ocean sediments
-older sediment reveal info about past water temps and level of o2
fossilised plankton in ocean sediments
shows cooler water temps
-when it decreases = warmer temps
how has climate changed since beginning of quaternary period
glacial period are longer
-earth is experiencing interglacial period
glacial period
entire earth is covered by ice
Cause for climate change: solar output
-only 40% of solar energy is absorbed
-rest is reflected
-more = hotter temps
-solar flares
Cause for climate change: solar flares
bursts of heat towards earth
-warmer temps
Cause for climate change: orbital changes
-circular orbit = constant temps as sun is same distance
-ellipse shape = uneven temps so closer = warmer temps
Cause for climate change: volcanic activity
-dust and gas produced shade incoming radiation
-cool planet
-releases ghg
green house effect
-increase carbon
-thickened layer of ghg
-less heat escapes = hotter temps
Human activity causes for climate change: fossil fuel consumption industry
-power machinery = economic growth
-quaternary needs power too
-more disposable income so more manufactured goods
Human activity causes for climate change: domestic fossil fuel
-powers TVs and lighting
-cars
-more money = more consumption
-tourism = flights are cheaper so more emissions
Human activity causes for climate change: agriculture
-contributes to 20 % of ghg emissions
-cattle n rice farming = methane
-population increases = more food so more demand
Human activity causes for climate change: deforestation
-carbon sinks are lost
-less trees to regulate co2
-more co2 trapping heat
Mitigation for climate change
-stabalising levels of ghg = alternative options
Adaptation for climate change
-responding to impacts
Adaptation: changing agricultural systems
-increased irrigation
-growing drought resistant crops
ensures crop yield is maintained
Adaptation: coastal defences
-sea walls
-reduces flooding impact
Adaptation: managing water supply
-water efficient devices
-Desalination plants take sea water and purify it through osmosis
Mitigation: energy production
-renewable energy
-demand is high
-alternative source
Mitigation: planting trees
-increase carbon sink
-conserve areas
Mitigation: international agrrements
-countries must report on emissions
-COP26
Mitigation: carbon capture
-captures co2 directly from power station
- converts into liquid
-injected into impermeable rock so it can’t escape
-expensive
