What is the evidence for climate change, why is it occurring?

Question 1

What does evidence show?

Answer 1

that humans have contributed to increasing levels of carbon dioxide, creating an enhanced greenhouse effect

Question 2

What three factors have affected the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Answer 2

1) burning fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
2) deforestation over large areas of the earths surface which reduces photosynthesis so less carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere
3) growing global population - which directly and indirectly contributes to the above factors

Question 3

How have carbon dioxide levels increased and from when?

Answer 3

from 0.028%, when humans first starting using industrial technology, to the 0.050% seen today

as a result of this, the average global temperatures are changing - this is bringing changes in weather patterns (climate change) over the entire planet

Question 4

What other evidence could there be other than humans fault in climate change?

Answer 4

natural sources of greenhouse gases e.g. volcanic eruptions, carbon dioxide emissions from the oceans and respiration

Question 5

What did scientists have to do when global temperature and carbon dioxide measurements were not made in the past?

Answer 5

they had to take samples and model what the atmosphere was like a different times.

there is still a lot of research being carried out to gather more evidence and improve climate models

Question 6

What do we need to do to stop or slow down climate change?

Answer 6

reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and find and use alternative energy sources

be more aware of our energy use and not waste energy

implement carbon capture schemes such as planting forests - the forests store carbon whilst they are growing

reduce waste sent to landfill - waste produces methane gas - which has a greater greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide