The Difficulties Monitoring And Predicting Climate Change Flashcards
Why is predicting climate change very difficult
We don’t know how the changes to certain factors will effect others and how quickly this will happen
What is short term change in climate
A change that occurs over one year
What is an example of s short term change
Having a wetter winter
What are long term changes in climate
A change that occurs over a number of years or decades
What is an example of a long term effect of climate change in the uk
Winters become wetter and milder
What are spatial scales
This looks at the ‘space’ that the change is occurring in
What are the three types of spatial scale?
Local
Regional
Global
What is an example of a local spatial event
A localised flood event
What is an example of a regional spatial event
An area which is now prone to wetter weather and regular flooding due to changed wind direction
What is an example of a global spatial event
Increased global temperatures due to increased global warming
How might the jet stream have an impact on future weather and climate?
It might shift northwards bringing warmer temperatures from the south
How will the NA conveyor be affected
May slow/stop bringing cooler conditions
How could the NA conveyor slowing be countered?
Anthropogenic greenhouse gases may warm the climate globally countering the cooling of the NA conveyor
What does it mean that climate change has a lag time?
The impacts of climate change take a long time so often we don’t make the connection between events
What is historic data?
Data collected in the past
What is the problem with historic data?
Often unreliable becuase equipment used wasn’t sophisticated enough
Local scale data collection wasn’t on a large enough scale with enough communication
What is proxy data?
Preserved physical characteristics that allow scientists to reconstruct the climate conditions from when data collection wasn’t taking place
How can pollen spores be used to predict past climates?
Pollen spores (the resistant outer layer) is very resistant and can survive for thousands of years frozen in soil the type of spore found give and idea of the plants that were living in that area in the past
How have pollen spores been used in Antarctica?
Allowed scientist to identify that Antarctica was a swampy forest about 90 million years ago
What is dendrochronology
The study of tree rings to predict past climates the thickness of the rings will show if the growing conditions were good for that plant or not. Every 2 rings (light and dark) make a year
How can ice cores be used to predict past climates
The gas bubbles can be used to see the gas concentrations in the atmosphere thousands of years ago
Verve light and ark layer make sup 1 year.
What is computer modelling (how is it used to predict future climate)?
Computer programmes
Fed PAST climate data
This is used to predict as many outcomes for what could happen in the future
What is the positive of computer modelling over time?
It becomes more accurate as more data is inputted
How are satellites used to collect data?
Sensors on satellites collect data on factors such as wind speed, temperature, ocean currents, wave activity, ice. Cover and duration, vegetation cover
What are LEO satellites
Low orbit satellites
What are LEO satellites used for
Used to collect detailed information
How long does it take the LEO satellites to encompass earth?
15 days
What can be used to monitors the oceans
Satellites and buoys
What are the positives/negatives of satellites and buoys
Can track tiny changes in sea levels provide detailed and accurate information
Accurate measurements only go back 60 years ago
What can be used to measure sea salinity and temperature
Argo floats
How do Argo floats work
Sunk to a set depth and left to monitor the conditions signals are set frequently so we are notified of an changes
