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Climate Change (Evidence (Historical evidence (Reliable weather records…
Climate Change
Evidence
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Historical evidence
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Ice cores: used to reconstruct temperature patterns from as long as 400,000 years ago
Seasons
Studies have suggested that the timing of natural seasonal activities such as tree flowering and bird migration is advancing.
A study in the mid-1990's discovered that 65 species nested and average of 9 days earlier that in the 1970's.
Glaciers
Glaciers throughout the world are shrinking and retreating, it's estimated that by 1935 many of them would have gone.
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Management
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Carbon capture
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) uses technology to capture CO2 produces from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes. It is possible to capture up to 90% of the CO2 that would otherwise enter the atmosphere
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Planting Trees
Acts as carbon sinks, removing CO2 From the atmosphere by the process of photosynthesis. They release moisture into the atmosphere. This has a cooling effect by producing more cloud, reducing incoming solar radiation
Tree planting is well established in many parts of the world. Plantation forests can absorb CO2 at a faster rate than natural forests and can do so effectively for up to 50 years
International Agreements
Timeline
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2005 - Kyoto Protocol
First international treaty - became law. Over 170 countries agreed to reduce carbon emissions by an average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012. Of the major greenhouse gas emitters, only the USA and Australia refused to sign the treaty.
Climate change is a global issue and requires global solutions. Carbon emissions spread cross the world and affect everyone
Impacts
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Economic impacts, such as lower crop yields and damage to infrastructure
Impacts
rising sea levels
Average sea levels have risen by 20cm since 1900, by 2100 they are expected to rise another 21-82cm. This will flood and destroy valuable farming land which could be used for agriculture.
Sea levels rising rates will increase the rate of erosion. Fresh water supply's will be contaminated by saltwater and coastal areas will be prone to damage by storm serges. This will erode the coastal areas and damage building that may already have been built.
farming
The greatest challenges to farming will occur in the lower latitudes. Thew maze crop will fall by 30% and the production of rice could fall by 10%
A warmer climate could lead to an increase in wheat planting in North America and Europe. Mediterranean crops such as vines and olives may thrive.
water supply
Climate change is already causing more sever and frequent floods and droughts. Unreliable rainfall and periods of water shortage need careful management.
Future climate change will affect water patterns, this will impact the quality and quantity of our water in the future. This will effect the most rural and poor parts of the world as it will be harder to supply water to them.
Causes
Human
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Nitrous Oxides: Very small concentrations in atmosphere but up to 300 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2
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Natural
Solar Activity: A sunspot is a dark patch that appears on the sun from time to time, they go from maximum to minimum then back again, over a period of about 11 years
When sunspot activity is at a maximum, the Sun gives off more heat, resulting in increased Earth temperatures
When Sunspot activity is at a minimum, the Suns output decreases, leading to decreased temperatures on Earth, e.g Europe's' mini ice age from 1645-1715
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