climate change cause and effect

climate

The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

quaternary period

the present period of geologic time

glacial phases

cold phase that causes glacial growth

interglacial phases

warm phases that cause glacial melting

greenhouse effect

Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases

steps of greenhouse effect

1: The sun emits visible radiation.

2: Visible radiation passes through the Earth's atmosphere.

3: The ground absorbs visible radiation and emits infrared radiation.

4: Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared radiation.

Enhanced greenhouse effect

the additional warming produced by increased levels of gases that absorb infrared radiation

global climate change

Increase in temperature and change in weather patterns all around the planet, due mostly to increasing atmospheric CO2 levels from the burning of fossil fuels. The increase in temperature, called global warming, is a major aspect of global climate change.

Orbital Changes (Milankovitch cycles)

The path of the Earth around the sun gradually changes from more circular to more eliptical [oval] over a 100,000 year period - this helps explain glacial and inter-glacial periods

volcanic explosions

during a volcanic eruption carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

sunspot activity

Increased sunspots = slight warming as more energy being delivered to atmosphere

Solar output

the sun varies in the radiation it emits

If there is a high amount emitted there will be an increase in Earth's temperatures.

burning fossil fuels

eg coal, gas and oil - these release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

transport is a huge contribution

Deforestation

trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

If they are cut down, there will be higher amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

methane

cattle farming and landfill releases lots of methane which is 7x more powerful of a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide

evidence of climate change

tree rings

ice cores

micro fossils

weather instruments

tree rings

wider tree rings in warmer years and thin in cold and dry years

ice cores

bubbles in ice can tell us what the air was like when ice was forming- greenhouse gases

weather instruments

take measurements of rainfall, wind and temp that describe local weather

impacts of climate change on UK

-sea levels could rise, covering low lying areas, in particular east England

-droughts and floods become more likely as extreme weather increases

-increased demand for water in hotter summers puts pressure on water supplies

-Industry may be impacted, eg Scottish ski resorts may have to close due to lack of snow

Impacts of climate change around the world

-sea level rise will affect 80 million people

-tropical storms will increase in magnitude (strength)

-species in affected areas (eg Arctic) may become extinct

-diseases such as malaria increase, an additional 280 million people may be affected

options available to reduce climate change in Maldives

-The country began a large-scale land reclamation project in Hulhumalé in the late 1990s, partly in preparation for relocation from elsewhere in the country.

options available for Jaywick to reduce climate change

mitigation strategies

Alternative energy

Carbon capture

Planting trees

International agreements

alternative energy

- using alternative energy such as solar, wind or tidal can reduce the use of fossil fuels. This will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

carbon capture

- this is the removal of carbon dioxide from waste gases from power stations and then the storage of it in old oil and gas fields or coal mines underground. This reduces the amount of emissions into the atmosphere.

planting trees

- encouraging afforestation means that there will be more trees to absorb the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the process of photosynthesis.

What year did the Kyoto Protocol become international law?

2005

What did countries pledge to do under the Kyoto Protocol?

Reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the goal of the Paris Agreement?

To limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally no more than 1.5°C.

What annual meeting is held to discuss climate change?

The Conference of the Parties (COP).

Where and when was COP26 held?

In Glasgow between the 31st of October and the 12th of November 2021.

What do countries promise to do at the end of each COP?

Take action to reduce carbon emissions.

adaptation strategies

Agriculture

Water supply

Reducing risk from sea level rise

agriculture

- farmers will have to adapt as some crops may not be able to grow in a warmer climate, however other crops (eg oranges and grapes) will be able to be planted.

water supply

- water transfer schemes could be used. This is where water is transferred from an area of water surplus to an area of water shortage.

reducing risks of sea level rising

- areas at risk from sea level rise may use sea defences to protect the land from being eroded away.

how does climate change affect people in different areas

-in HICs like UK hotter weather could increase tourism which then could lead to food shortages and water shortages affecting health with damages to wildlife due to flooding or wildfires

-whereas in LIC like Tuvalu the untreated dirty water may spread disease and chances of malaria may increase

the government in Tuvalu will struggle to pay for solutions like sea walls

food shortages could lead to many deaths

climate change affect on tourism

-Rising sea levels threaten coastal resorts such as maldives and other tourist destinations.

-Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heat waves are becoming more frequent and disrupting tourism activities.

-Climate change is also expected to have a significant impact on tourism demand

climate change affect on water and water supplies

-Tuvalu the untreated dirty water may spread disease and chances of malaria may increase

-likely lead to increases in summer temperatures- increased demand for water resources, such as for crop irrigation.

individual actions to reduce climate

-cycling rather than driving

-saving energy in the house

local actions to reduce climate change

-London has a cycle hire scheme

-London started using congestion charge to put people off driving into the city

-recycling bins in Essex are larger than rubbish bins in many councils

national actions to reduce climate

-lower road taxes are given to those who drive hybrids in UK

-National grid pays people for electricity produced from their solar panels

international action to reducing climate change

-Paris agreement 2015 to reduce climate change was signed by 150+ countries

-carbon trading scheme to reducing European co2 emissions

commuters view on management of climate change

-may not believe that trying to work deserves a higher cost

increasing public transport views

-public transport may not be able to cope with increase in commuters

-however fewer cars=less pollution, more safety, decrease in congestion

congestion charge views

-only people driving at rush hour will be affected

-loss of business in city centre as everyone will be going to shopping centres out of town

-money from congestion charge can be used on other forms of public transport