C13.4 - Global climate change

Question 1

Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could do what by the year 2100?

Answer 1

Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius by the year 2100

Question 2

Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.
What would this have a significant effect on all over the world?

Answer 2

This would have a significant effect on weather patterns all over the world

Question 3

What are people worried about?

Answer 3

People are worried about changing global climates

Question 4

People are worried about changing global climates.

Example

Answer 4

For example, in Europe it has been estimated that winters are already 2 weeks shorter than they were 40 years ago

Question 5

Consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world

Answer 5

The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are:

1. Rising sea levels
2. Increasingly common extreme weather events
3. Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall
4. Changes to the distribution of wildlife species

Question 6

The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans.
Example

Answer 6

For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year

Question 7

The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans.
For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year.
What may this cause?

Answer 7

This may cause:

1. The flooding of low-lying land
2. Increased coastal erosion

Question 8

The 2nd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is increasingly common extreme weather events.
Examples

Answer 8

For example:

1. More frequent and severe storms
2. Hurricanes could become more common in some areas

Question 9

The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on what?

Answer 9

This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions

Question 10

The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
What have people speculated?

Answer 10

People have speculated that:

1. Dry areas will get even drier
2. Monsoons in Asia will get heavier

Question 11

The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
People have speculated that dry areas will get even drier and that monsoons in Asia will get heavier.
What does it seem reasonable to assume?

Answer 11

It seems reasonable to assume that as some places get less suited to growing crops, others will become more suited

Question 12

The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
People have speculated that dry areas will get even drier and that monsoons in Asia will get heavier.
It seems reasonable to assume that as some places get less suited to growing crops, others will become more suited.
However, as there is no experience of such dramatic rises in temperature over such short timescales, nobody can yet be sure of what?

Answer 12

As there is no experience of such dramatic rises in temperature over such short timescales, nobody can yet be sure of the effects in different regions

Question 13

The 4th consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some becoming extinct.
What will rapid changes in the global climate do?

Answer 13

Rapid changes in the global climate will put ecosystems around the world under stress

Question 14

What have there always been in the Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 14

There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere

Question 15

There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been.
However, what is it that are enhancing this warming effect?

Answer 15

It is the rapid increase of the levels of greenhouse gases over the recent past that are enhancing this warming effect

Question 16

There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been.
However, it is the rapid increase of the levels of greenhouse gases over the recent past that are enhancing this warming effect.
This will have consequences for what?

Answer 16

This will have consequences for the global climate

Question 17

To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that what?

Answer 17

To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that levels of greenhouse gases must be controlled

Question 18

Carbon footprint

Answer 18

Carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a:
1. Product
2. Service
Or,
3. Event

Question 19

How is most of the electricity used in the UK made?

Answer 19

Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels

Question 20

Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels.
What does this do?

Answer 20

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Question 21

Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels.
This releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What would one solution be?

Answer 21

One solution would be the technique of carbon capture and storage

Question 22

The technique of carbon capture and storage

Answer 22

The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is:

1. Captured
2. Pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks

Question 23

What is the estimate of how the technique of carbon capture and storage would increase the cost of producing electricity?

Answer 23

It is estimated that the technique of carbon capture and storage would increase the cost of producing electricity by about 10%

Question 24

How could the methane produced from cattle be decreased?

Answer 24

The methane produced from cattle could be decreased if there was less demand for beef

Question 25

What do plant-based diets offer?

Answer 25

Plant-based diets offer a more efficient use of land, with farmers using their fields to grow crops and vegetables rather than feed animals

Question 26

In some areas, what can people who care share (reducing their carbon footprint) do?

Answer 26

In some areas, people who care share (reducing their carbon footprint) can use special lanes that are less congested on busy roads

Question 27

Why do world leaders meet regularly?

Answer 27

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions

Question 28

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions. What are many governments doing?

Answer 28

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions Many governments are taking action

Question 29

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions. Many governments are taking action. Examples of this

Answer 29

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions Many governments are taking action by: 1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called 'carbon taxes') 2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy

Question 30

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions. Many governments are taking action by: 1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called 'carbon taxes') 2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy. What can governments also do?

Answer 30

Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions Many governments are taking action by: 1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called 'carbon taxes') 2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy Governments can also support the use of biofuels

Question 31

What are biofuels often made from?

Answer 31

Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as 'carbon neutral'

Question 32

Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as 'carbon neutral.' What can also be given to improve home insulation to conserve energy?

Answer 32

Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as 'carbon neutral' Incentives can also be given to improve home insulation to conserve energy

Question 33

What can companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials do?

Answer 33

Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees

Question 34

Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees. What do other policies dictate?

Answer 34

Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees Other policies dictate that whenever trees are felled, new ones are planted to take their place

Question 35

What is there on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer 35

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

Question 36

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Where will reductions have cost implications?

Answer 36

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries

Question 37

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries. Who wasn't originally included in negotiations?

Answer 37

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations

Question 38

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries. Why were poorer countries not originally included in negotiations?

Answer 38

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions

Question 39

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries. Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. However, what could restrictions do to them?

Answer 39

There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions However, restrictions could hinder their developing industries

Question 40

On a personal level, what do people need?

Answer 40

On a personal level, people need information about global climate change

Question 41

Why do people need information about global climate change, on a personal level?

Answer 41

On a personal level, people need information about global climate change, so that every individual can make a positive contribution

Question 42

What happens if you can use less electricity?

Answer 42

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released

Question 43

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released. What can you also use less?

Answer 43

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released You can also use your cars less

Question 44

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released. You can also use your cars less. What will walking and cycling do?

Answer 44

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released You can also use your cars less Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions

Question 45

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released. You can also use your cars less. Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions. If you have to drive, what is it more efficient to do?

Answer 45

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released You can also use your cars less Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport

Question 46

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released. You can also use your cars less. Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions. If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport. What can you also do?

Answer 46

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released You can also use your cars less Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport You can also recycle your waste

Question 47

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released. You can also use your cars less. Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions. If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport. You can also recycle your waste. However, to have any effect, what must more people start to believe?

Answer 47

If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released You can also use your cars less Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport You can also recycle your waste However, to have any effect, more people must start to believe that their small contributions will help

Question 48

The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are rising sea levels, as a result of what, increasingly common extreme weather events, changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall and changes to the distribution of wildlife species?

Answer 48

The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are: 1. Rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans 2. Increasingly common extreme weather events 3. Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall 4. Changes to the distribution of wildlife species

Question 49

The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans, increasingly common extreme weather events, changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall and changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some doing what?

Answer 49

The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are: 1. Rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans 2. Increasingly common extreme weather events 3. Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall 4. Changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some becoming extinct

Question 50

The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans. For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year. This may cause the flooding of low-lying land and increased coastal erosion. Some islands could even do what?

Answer 50

Some islands could even disappear

Question 51

There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, making the planet what?

Answer 51

There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been

Question 52

To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that levels of greenhouse gases must be controlled. You should think of ways to reduce your what?

Answer 52

You should think of ways to reduce your 'reduce your carbon footprint'

Question 53

The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is captured and pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks, so that it is what?

Answer 53

The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is: 1. Captured 2. Pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks, so that it is not released into the atmosphere