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GCSE Geography Course: Climate Change (Evidence for Climate Change…
GCSE Geography Course: Climate Change
Definitions
Climate:
Long term weather conditions
Climate change:
A change of global climate patterns linked to carbon dioxide emissions.
Evidence for Climate Change
Fossils:
Show the diet and adaptations of the species.
Ice core samples:
Show the levels of carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen in the atmosphere in prehistoric times.
Tree rings: Show the annual growth of a tree which depends on the climate. Long season = bigger rings
Old paintings:
Show natural events such as the river Thames freezing over which suggests a changing environment.
Nature' s calendar:
Affects the yearly patterns of plants. For example, it can be warmer in the spring causing plants to bloom.
Carbon dioxide and temperature graphs:
There is a link to more CO2 in the atmosphere and increased tempertaure
Natural causes of Climate Change
Orbital theory:
Changes in the Earth's tilt and orbit vary temperatures.
Sunspot theory:
The sun's temperature varies over time due to excess solar energy.
Eruption theory:
Sulfur from volcanoes alters the short term temperature of the planet.
Continental drift: Land masses are constantly moving, altering physical features such as mountains.
Human contributions to climate change
Agriculture
contributes 20% of CO2 emmisions.
Deforestation
affects stored CO2
Energy production
accounts for 50% of CO2 emissions.
Combustion of
fossil fuels
creates an
enhanced greenhouse effect
that warms up the planet.
Mitigating climate change
Alternative energy production
: Produces less CO
2
than fossil fuels and are sustainable or renewable
CCS:
Stores carbon from combustion in seams below the ground so that it is not in the atmosphere.
Afforestation:
Plants trees to aim to store CO2 for around 50 years. It also produces local jobs.
International agreements: aim to cut down on greenhouse gasses from the source for a more sustainable planet.
Adapting to Climate Change
Changes in agricultural systems:
Growing more resilient crops to ensure a better yield with extreme weather conditions.
Managing water supply:
Ensuring that water usage is reduced and supply is high.
Reducing risk from rising sea levels:
People need to become prepared for flooding as sea levels will rise. The Thames barrier stops London from tidal surges.
Changing house design: Houses will need to withstand extreme weather, higher sea levels and changing weather patterns.
Case study: The Maldives
The Maldives are a low lying group of Island that could be flooded with rising sea levels.
There are approximately 2,000 islands with coral reff that surrounds them.
Fishing is the main industry. Extremely diverse ecosystems. Tourism is a huge source of income and compliments the environment.
Very near to the equator. The low lying islands could be flooded easily. 99% of the Maldives is covered in water.