climate change

geography ccc 2nd year

climate change

a large change in the climate records of temp. rain, wind etc. lasting decades or longer

how did scientists discover what weather was like before the 1900

they took sediment cores from oceans and lakes as well as ice cores taken from ice sheets

what gases are being released into the atmosphere at alarming rates

greenhouse gases - CO2, methane, nitrous oxide

greenhouse affect

during the day the solar energy heats the earths surface by penetrating the atmosphere, at night this heat is released but gets trapped by greenhouse gases

carbon dioxide

burning fossil fuels releases it

deforistation means that trees no longer take in as much CO2, as well as when the trees are cut down the CO2 stored is released into the atmosphere

methane

when fossil fuels are extracted from the earth

animals release methane from flatulence or belching

decomposing solid waste in landfills

nitrous oxide

artificial fertilisers have chemicals added that increase the release into air

global energy needs increasing increases emissions from coal burning plants increasing nitrous oxide relaesed

effects of climate change

melting ice and rising sea levels

extreme weather conditions

desertification

threats to wildlife

melting ice and rising levels

when water warms it expands as well as polar ice sheets and glaciers melting

leads to flooding adn erosion of coastal areas

fresh water supplies contaminated with salt water

extreme weather events

they are becoming more frequent

desertification

is the process of fertile land turning into desert

air temperatures increase and rainfall decreases leads to drought

this means that agricultural communities will struggle and migrate to find work

threats to wildlife

a global temp. rise will put 30% of species at risk of extinction

solutions to climate change

in paris december 20155 195 countries signed the paris climate agreement

paris climate agreement

keep warming well below 2 degrees

aim for greenhouse gas emissions to peak as soon as possible

wealthier developed countries provide help to poorer countries

come together every five years to review targets