Climate change

Question 1

What are some of the Physical causes of climate change?

Answer 1

1. Volcanic eruptions (Gas and dust blocks sunlight)
2. Milankovitch theory (increased tilt means more sunlight reaching the poles)
3. Albedo (increased reflection at poles and increased absorption at the equator)
4. Solar radiation ( More sunspots means the sun is slightly cooler so less intense heat)
5. Continental drift (means there is more oceans than land. Oceans absorb more co2 than land)
6. Ocean currents (changes in currents can affect the global climate. Colder areas get warmer water which could lead to melting of sea ice.
7. Melting permafrost (permafrost bubbles release methane pockets which are stronger than methane gas)

Question 2

What are some of the Human causes of climate change?

Answer 2

1. Deforestation (less trees to absorb co2 productions)
2. Cattle farming (increased cows means there is more methane produced and let into the atmosphere)
3. Arable farming (increased use of machinery means there is more co2 released than in traditional farming techniques)
4. increased industry (creates more co2 than we used to before the industrial revolution)
5. Inreased ownership of cars (has increased the amount of co2 and nitrous oxides produced)
6. increased waste going to landfill (has caused an increase in pollution and an increase in the decomposition of waste)
7. CFC’s are a cause of climate change (they release toxins when they have been incorrectly disposed of. The older, the more toxins are released)

Question 3

What are some of the impatcs of climate change?

Answer 3

1.Land ice melting which decreases the polar habitats
2. Land ice melting raises sea levels causing countries to start to sink
3. Increased sea levels are increasing flooding in low lying areas
4. Changes in climate has caused may issues less snow in cold areas and more snow in warmer areas
5. Increased snow means there is more money coming in through snows-ports.
6. Colder areas are now experiencing more tourism which is good for the areas.
7. Changes in climate has put Caribbean countries at more risk from natural disasters
8. Increased absorption of co2 has lead oceans to become polluted and more acidic leading to coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef
9. Changes in climate has also lead to rainfall patterns changing. Last year Africa had all of its wet season in 1 week.
10. Areas are drier and has lead to increased risk of wildfires such as in Australia
11. Climate change has lead to land degradation and the expansion of the Sahara desert.

Question 4

Name some solutions and effectiveness used to combat climate change.

Answer 4

1. The Thames flood barrier, used to prevent flooding in the area. Expensive and has to be built up and up.
2. Afforestation has been used to increase the absorption rates of co2
   3.