Climate change Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are the natural causes of climate change?
Orbital changes
Volcanic activity
Solar output
How does the sun have an effect on climate change?
Sunspots and darkspots caused by magnetic activity.
Changes in solar output.
Sun is working on a roughly 11 year cycle.
How do volcanoes effect climate change?
Ash from eruptions can block out the sun. This can reflect the radiation from the sun.
Why is it better to use alternative energy production?
Renewable and do not emit large amounts of CO2.
Why is Carbon capture good?
Possible to prevent 90% of the generated carbon being released into the atmosphere.
Why is replanting trees good?
Can remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Will increase moisture in the atmosphere.
What happens in the Greenhouse effect?
Shortwave radiation from the sun pass in through the atmosphere and warm the Earth.
Earth then gives off long wave radiation and the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb the long wave radiation.
An increase in greenhouse gases…
means that less heat can escape.
What are the main types of Greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxide
What else is responsible for the greenhouse effect?
Particles from combustion and water.
Gases absorb heat.
Water particles scatter radiation.
What is one of the main source in releasing greenhouse gases, particles, and water into the atmosphere?
The combustion of fossil fuels.
What are Fossil fuels used in?
Powerstations to generate electricity.
Cars + other combustion engines.
How does Agriculture significantly contribute to climate change?
From livestock, fertilizers, and land use changes, as well as from food production and transportation.
When does deforestation occur?
When we are clearing for crops or animals, when we are logging for wood or when paths are being cleared for more roads.
What are some of the effects of climate change?
Increased flooding
Increased spread of mosquitoes thus malaria
Decline in fishing industry due to rising sea temperatures and lower sea PH
Food shortages
Increased drought
What are the 4 mitigation strategies for climate change?
Alternative energy production
Carbon capture and storage
Replanting trees
International agreements
What is good about using alternative energy production?
Will last longer.
What is bad about Alternative energy production?
It is expensive
cannot be relied upon to generate electricity.
What is bad about using Carbon Capture?
It is expensive, it is unclear if Co2 would remain captured long term, and it doesn’t promote renewable energy.
What is bad about Replanting trees?
Land may be limited and biodiversity is reduced if only one tree species is planted.
What do International agreements do?
Encourage countries to take responsibility for reducing CO2 emissions.
What is something good that happen due to International agreements?
Financial support may be provided for LICs.
What is bad about International agreements?
Some countries are considered more responsible, it is hard to agree targets that go far enough, and they may not be achieved.
Why are Changes in the agricultural systems required to adapt to climate change?
To deal with changing rainfall and temperature patterns, weather becoming more extreme and the changing distribution of pests and diseases.
