Unit 1A - Climate Change - Evidence, causes and effects of climate change

Question 1

Climate change definition?

Answer 1

The large-scale, long-term shift in planet’s weather patterns or average temperatures.

Question 2

Global Warming definition?

Answer 2

A gradual increase in overall temperature of earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of CO2, CFCs and other pollutants.

Question 3

What is the quaternary period?

Answer 3

Current geological period dating from 2.6m years ago to now. We live in Holocene epoch of the period, covering last 12k years since end of last ice age.

Question 4

Why are greenhouse gasses important?

Answer 4

Without it, all heat would escape and we would freeze at night

Question 5

What is the problem with increasing greenhouse gasses?

Answer 5

More radiation will be absorbed and unable to escape, causing air to get warmer leading to temperatures rising resulting in ice caps melting and reduced snowfalls.

Question 6

4 methods to work out how climate has changed over time?

Answer 6

• ice and sediment cores
• tree rings
• temperature records
• pollen analysis

Question 7

3 natural causes of climate change?

Answer 7

Orbital changes, volcanic activity and solar output

Question 8

3 human causes of climate change?

Answer 8

Burning fossil fuels, agriculture - methane, and deforestation

Question 9

4 environmental effects of climate change?

Answer 9

• Ice caps melting and sea ice shrinking, causing loss of polar habitats and rising sea levels
• Rising sea levels means low-lying and coastal areas flooded more regularly
• Some species declining due to warming
• change in precipitation patterns

Question 10

5 effects of climate change on people?

Answer 10

• deaths due to heat, heatwaves
• some areas too dry/hot, impossible to inhabit
• water scarcity
• affect on agriculture
• lower crop yields