climate change

• what is the quaternary period?

  a period of time that stretches from 2.6 million years ago to present day
• what happens in the greenhouse effect?

  greenhouse gases make the earths atmosphere thicker so more solar radiation is trapped and less can be reflected back
• what is the recent evidence for climate change?

  rising global temperatures

  ice sheets melting

  sea level change
• what is the evidence for climate change from the quaternary period?

  ice cores - ice layer hold information about carbon dioxide levels in years before

  tree rings - they grow wider in warm and wet years and thinner when its cold and dry
• what are the natural causes of climate change?

  orbital changes

  sun spots - increase the amount of energy the earth recieves

  volcanic eruptions - they release dust containing gases which can block sunlight resulting in cooler temperatures
• what are the human causes of climate change?

  burning fossil fuels

  agriculture - methane

  deforestation - releases stored carbon dioxide and reduces the trees available to that out of the air
• what are the social effects of climate change?

  reduced agriculture

  health issues

  droughts mean less water

  wildfires damaging homes
• what are the economic effects of climate change?

  decline in fishing - lost jobs and income

  decline in crop yields

  flood damage repair
• what are the environmental effects of climate change?

  more intense tropical storms

  rising sea levels

  loss of habitat
• how to reduce the causes of climate change (mitigation strategies)?

  carbon capture - removes it from the air

  planting trees

  international agreements - aim to cut emissions by signing deals

  renewable energy
• what are the adaption strategies for climate change?

  agriculture - drought resistant crops, new irrigation systems and educating farmers

  managing water supply - artificial glaciers to supply water

  rising sea levels - houses built on stilts, sea walls, mangroves planted and people relocation