Climate Change
Causes
Human
Natural
Solar outputs
Volcanic Activity
Fossil Fuels
Agriculture
Deforestation
Orbital changes
Volcanic aerosols reflect sunlight away, reducing global temperatures temporarily. This means that in a period with lots of volcanic activity, the global temperatures will be cooler.
Sunspots increase from a minimum to maximum every 11 years. Fewer sunspots were observed during the coldest period ('Little Ice Age', in 16-45-1715). However, solar output has barely changed in the last 50 years. This means that despite global temperatures increasing, the solar activity doesn't have much to do with it.
Burning fossil fuels releases Carbon Dioxide, which accounts for 50% of greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses trap warmer air in the atmosphere, causing global surface temperatures to rise.
Logging and clearing land for agriculture/roads increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, as less photosynthesis occurs. This means that the more forests we clear, the less photosynthesis can occur.
Accounts for 20% of greenhouse gasses. Larger populations and demand for meat and rice will increase its contribution. As we clear trees for more farmland, we are decreasing the amount of photosynthesis that can occur.
The Sun's energy on the Earth's surface changes as the Earth's orbit is elliptical, it's axis is tilted on an angle and the Earth isn't spherical. This means that the closer the Earth's orbit is to the Sun, the warmer the global surface temperatures on Earth are.
Effects
Socal
Environmental
Increased risk of diseases such as malaria and heatstroke as temperatures increase
Winter-related deaths decrease with milder winters
Crop yields affects; maize will decrease by up to 12% in South America, yet will increase in Northern Europe and require more irrigation.
Less ice in the Arctic Ocean increases shipping and extraction of gas and oil reserves.
Drought reduces food and water supplies in sub-Saharan Africa. Water scarcity in the south and southeast of the UK.
Flood risk increases repair and insurance costs. 70% of Asia at increased risk of flooding, causing migration and overcrowding in low-risk areas.
Declining fishing in the Lower Mekong delta would affect 40 million, due to changing water quality because of reduced water flow and sea-level rise.
Extreme weather increases investment in prediction and protection.
Skiing industry may decline in Alps as less snow.
Increased drought in areas such as Mediterranean region.
Lower rainfall causes food shortages for orangutans in Borneo and Indonesia
Sea-level rise increases flooding and coastal erosion, so defences are under increasing strain.
Ice melts, so wildlife delines, such as Adélie penguins on the Antartic Peninnsula and Polar Bears and seals in the Arctic
Warmer rivers affect marine wildlife; for example, the food supply will decrease for the Ganges river dolphin.
Increase in forest growth in Northern Europe
Forests in North America may experience more pests, disease and forest fires.
Coral bleaching, and decline in biodiversity such as the Great Barrier Reef.
Adaption
Mitigation
Alternative Energy Production
Carbon Capture
Planting Trees
International Agreements
Alternative energy production (such as wind, solar, geothermal, wave and tidal, and biomass) reduces greenhouse gasses compared to burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). They will last longer. However, despite becoming cheaper and more competitive, they are expensive and cannot be relied upon to generate electricity if, for example, there is no wind, sun or waves.
Carbon capture takes Carbon Dioxide from emission sources and safely stores it underground. An impermeable 'cap rock' prevents it escaping. It can capture up to 90% of CO2 and provide 10-50% of the world's total carbon mitigation until 2100. However, it is expensive, it is unclear if CO2 would remain captured long term, and it doesn't promote renewable energy.
Planting trees helps to remove CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. It could increase forest carbon storage by 28%. Oxygen is produced during photosynthesis, and trees provide habitats. However, land may be limited and biodiversity is reduced if only one tree species is planted.
International agreements encourage countries to take responsibility for reducing CO2 emissions. Targets are more likely to be mete if legally binding (Paris 2015 agreement). Financial support may be provided for LICs. However, some countries are considered more responsible, it is hard to agree targets that go far enough, and they may not be achieved.