Weather and Climate KQ2

Question 1

Changes in climate (1)

Answer 1

Global records since 1880 show a significant, but irregular upward trend in temperature with fluctuations of 0.3 °C to 0.6 °C

Question 2

Changes in climate (2)

Answer 2

Over the last century, the earth has warmed an average of 0.74 °C, with the greatest increase since the 1970s

Question 3

Changes in climate (3)

Answer 3

Global temperatures in the last decade reached the highest on record

Question 4

Variations in solar output

Answer 4

The number of sunspots rises and falls with an approximate 11 year cycle

Question 5

Volcanic eruptions

Answer 5

Eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991, released 17 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere
Sulfur-based particles formed spread around the earth in two weeks, lowering the temperatures in the northern hemisphere by as much as 0.6°C
Two years after the eruption, the global climate returned to its original state

Question 6

Deforestation and associated increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide

Answer 6

Between 2000 and 2010, 52 000km2 of forest was lost every year
The greatest overall loss of forests occurs in South America, followed by Southeast Asia, Australia, and Africa

Question 7

Agriculture

Answer 7

Third highest contributor of greenhouse gases
Tractors running on fossil fuels, inorganic fertilisers increasing amount of nitrous oxide in the soil, and organic matter releasing methane during decomposition of organic matter causes excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to be released
Decomposition of organic matter is rapid in rice fields due to the high level of moisture in the soil
Millions of methane are released each year from cattle farming

Question 8

Industry

Answer 8

Greenhouse gases are released as byproducts when goods are produced
The largest carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes are found in North and Central America, Europe, and Asia

Question 9

Urbanisation

Answer 9

Large amounts of fossil fuels are burnt to provide energy for household activities in urban areas
High concentration of transportation vehicles and constructing infrastructure also release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere

Question 10

Rise in sea level

Answer 10

33% of coastal land and wetland habitats are likely to be lost in the next hundred years if sea levels continue to rise at the current rates

Question 11

More frequent extreme weather events

Answer 11

In August 2023, Europe experienced a heat wave which killed more than 70 000 people

Question 12

Spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases

Answer 12

Dengue fever, once confined to the tropics, was reported in the cool climate areas of Nepal and Bhutan for the first time in 2004

Question 13

Lengthened growing seasons

Answer 13

The production of fruit, soya beans, and potatoes is projected to increase in Canada. However, the average wheat grain yield is reduced.

Question 14

International agreements (Kyoto Protocol)

Answer 14

First drawn up in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997, and came into force on 16 February 2005.
Many countries have met or exceeded targets set by the Kyoto Protocol, including countries such as Greenland, Greece, and Ireland
Countries were required to report their greenhouse has emissions in helping to ensure they were on track in keeping to their remission targets
Few countries who signed the Kyoto Protocol did not achieve their targets, such as Denmark, Austria, and Spain
Limited impacts as those hewn did not sign the protocol such as China, India, and USA continued to contribute significantly to global emissions

Question 15

National responses (Singapore Green Plan)

Answer 15

Singapore Green Plan 2012 launched in 2002
Aimed to generate 60% of Singapore’s energy needs using natural gas by 2012
As early as 2010, about 79% of Singapore’s electricity was being generated from natural gas, exceeding the target ahead of schedule

Question 16

National responses (Green Mark Scheme)

Answer 16

Launched by the Building Construction Authority in 2005
Aims to encourage more green buildings, which are more energy efficient
Existing green buildings such as Plaza by the Park, Standard Chartered @ Changi, and the National Library Building, have reported energy savings of 15% to 35% compared to conventional buildings

Question 17

National responses (Plant-A-Tree Programmes)

Answer 17

Started in 1971 as Tree Planting Day, by the Garden City Fund and Singapore Environmental Council
Contributed to an estimated 60 000 trees planted yearly throughout Singapore by the National Parks Board