Geography

Question 1

What are the natural causes of climate change?

Answer 1

Volcanic eruptions, solar output changes, and Milankovitch cycles.

Question 2

What are Milankovitch cycles?

Answer 2

Changes in Earth’s orbit and tilt that affect solar radiation received.

Question 3

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Answer 3

Increased trapping of heat due to more greenhouse gases from human activity.

Question 4

How does burning fossil fuels cause climate change?

Answer 4

Releases large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Question 5

How does agriculture contribute to climate change?

Answer 5

Cattle release methane; rice paddies also emit methane.

Question 6

What role does deforestation play in climate change?

Answer 6

Removes carbon sinks and releases CO₂ when trees are burned or decay.

Question 7

What greenhouse gases are most important?

Answer 7

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

Question 8

What human activity releases nitrous oxide?

Answer 8

Fertiliser use and burning of biomass.

Question 9

What is a carbon footprint?

Answer 9

The total amount of greenhouse gases released by an individual or product.

Question 10

Which sectors contribute most to global emissions?

Answer 10

Energy, transport, industry, and agriculture.

Question 11

What are ice cores and what do they show?

Answer 11

Cylinders of ice showing historical CO₂ levels and temperature patterns.

Question 12

How do tree rings show past climate?

Answer 12

Wider rings = warmer/wetter years; thinner rings = cooler/drier.

Question 13

How are historical records used as climate evidence?

Answer 13

Diaries, harvest dates, and paintings indicate past climate conditions.

Question 14

What is current instrumental evidence of climate change?

Answer 14

Global temperature records, sea level data, satellite images of glaciers.

Question 15

What trend is seen in global temperatures since 1880?

Answer 15

Overall increase — rapid warming in recent decades.

Question 16

Name three environmental impacts of climate change.

Answer 16

Melting ice caps, rising sea levels, habitat loss.

Question 17

Name three economic impacts of climate change.

Answer 17

Damaged crops, increased cost of disasters, loss of tourism income.

Question 18

Name three social impacts of climate change.

Answer 18

Health risks, climate refugees, food and water shortages.

Question 19

How does climate change affect weather patterns?

Answer 19

More extreme events: heatwaves, floods, droughts, hurricanes.

Question 20

Which countries are most vulnerable to climate change?

Answer 20

Low-lying and poorer countries like Bangladesh and island nations.

Question 21

What is climate migration?

Answer 21

When people are forced to move due to climate-related issues.

Question 22

What is mitigation?

Answer 22

Actions to reduce the causes of climate change.

Question 23

What is adaptation?

Answer 23

Adjusting to cope with the effects of climate change.

Question 24

Give an example of a mitigation strategy.

Answer 24

Using renewable energy like solar or wind.

Question 25

Give an example of an adaptation strategy.

Answer 25

Building flood defences or drought-resistant crops.

Question 26

What is carbon capture?

Answer 26

Technology to trap CO₂ from power stations and store it underground.

Question 27

What is international cooperation on climate change?

Answer 27

Countries working together, e.g., Paris Agreement, COP summits.

Question 28

What is the Paris Agreement?

Answer 28

A 2015 deal to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.

Question 29

What is afforestation?

Answer 29

Planting new trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

Question 30

How can individuals reduce their emissions?

Answer 30

Using public transport, eating less meat, saving energy.

Question 31

What are renewable energy sources?

Answer 31

Sources that won't run out, e.g., solar, wind, hydro, geothermal.

Question 32

What is sea level rise caused by?

Answer 32

Melting ice caps and thermal expansion of oceans.

Question 33

How does climate change affect biodiversity?

Answer 33

Species lose habitats and some may become extinct.

Question 34

What is desertification?

Answer 34

The spread of desert-like conditions into fertile land.

Question 35

How does climate change affect agriculture?

Answer 35

Changes growing seasons, damages crops, causes water stress.

Question 36

Why are small island nations at risk?

Answer 36

They are low-lying and threatened by sea level rise.

Question 37

What is global warming?

Answer 37

The long-term rise in Earth’s average temperature.

Question 38

What is the greenhouse effect?

Answer 38

The trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Question 39

What is fossil fuel?

Answer 39

Non-renewable energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.

Question 40

What is climate change?

Answer 40

Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns.

Question 41

How does methane compare to CO₂?

Answer 41

Methane traps more heat but stays in the atmosphere for less time.

Question 42

What is the role of oceans in climate change?

Answer 42

They absorb CO₂ and heat, but are warming and becoming more acidic.

Question 43

How does climate change impact coral reefs?

Answer 43

Coral bleaching from warming oceans and acidification.

Question 44

What is the IPCC?

Answer 44

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change — global climate science body.

Question 45

What are feedback loops?

Answer 45

Processes that amplify (positive) or reduce (negative) climate change.

Question 46

What is permafrost and why is it important?

Answer 46

Frozen ground that stores methane — releases it when it melts.

Question 47

What is climate justice?

Answer 47

Fair treatment of all people in climate change policies and impacts.

Question 48

What is sustainability?

Answer 48

Meeting needs without harming future generations' ability to meet theirs.

Question 49

What is a carbon sink?

Answer 49

Something that absorbs more carbon than it releases, e.g., forests or oceans.

Question 50

What is resilience?

Answer 50

The ability to recover from or adapt to climate impacts.