causes- physical climate change
Changes in the Earth’s Orbit (Milankovitch Cycles) - Every 95,000 to 125,000 years, the earth’s orbit becomes more elongated, taking it further from sun for most of the year. This means the earth receives less energy from the sun and this causes temperatures to decrease (fall).
volcanic eruptions
changes in the ears axial tilt ( milankovitch cycles) every 41,000 earth tilts from 22.1 degrees-24.5
Permafrost stores methane gas, and when it melts, methane is released into the atmosphere.
Melting ice caps deepen and darken the seas, causing them to absorb more of the sun’s energy and accelerating global warming.
ocean currents- oceans store a lot of heat
changes inn sun spot activity- every 22 years the sun completes a cycle where energy levels increase then decrease
effects- list of the consequences or effects created by climate change, these will have impacts in many different ways across our planet, from the local, to regional and the global.
- Increasing number and strength of Tropical Storms/Hurricanes in North America will lead to a decline in the US economy as money has to be spent more on the repair of buildings in states such as Florida.
- Mountain glaciers such as those in the Himalayas, provide fresh water for a billion people and are the main source of rivers in Southern Asia. The lack of fresh water puts at risk the farmers in the valleys due to lack of nutrient rich water and will lead to food shortages.
- Droughts will increase in Southern Europe and Western USA, this can lead to increased hospitalisations due to heatstroke and dehydration putting a strain on services.
- Flooding in South-East Asia could see more cases of cholera & malaria which could mean higher death rates.
- Job losses in ski resorts as not enough snowfall and increased melting leads to a decline in the industry in places such as the Alps.
- Ports will be lost to rising sea levels putting at risk trade and economic strife as new ports will have to be constructed e.g. Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
- Sea Ice is melting and the loss of habitat for species such as Polar Bears causes a decline in Arctic biodiversity.
- Melting permafrost in Siberia leads to increased Methane release and increasing levels of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere.
- Low lying islands in the Indian Ocean such as the Maldives disappear below the rising sea level causing mass migration to neighbouring countries.
- Countries such as Bangladesh are flooded due to rising sea levels and valuable farmland is lost leading to food shortages and famine
solutions to climate change
global international agreements-cop 26 in glasgow
insulate and improve homes (HEEPs)
make public transport free to reduce use of cars
tree planting and afforestation
reduce plastic usage- charge for plastic bags
encourage use of smart meters so people done consume too much energy
cycling to work
shopping- being locally so that products weren’t shipped from around the world
recycling when possible
human causes of climate change
burning fossil fuels realises more carbon which absorbs and re-radiates energy
nitrous oxide production-cars/buses/aircrafts-N₂O absorbs infrared radiation (heat) emitted from Earth. This prevents heat from escaping into space → warming the planet.
farming and methane production- humans need more food therefor more livestock
CFCS are used as a coolant in air conditioning units and aerosols enhance the greenhouse effect
deforestation- trees need carbon to photosynthesise if we cut down trees less carbon is absorbed
waste going to landfill CH4 production, gets burned and produces methane(CH4) methane absorbs heat more efficiently than C02
environmental effects
Increasing number and strength of Tropical Storms/Hurricanes in North America will lead to a decline in the US economy as money has to be spent more on the repair of buildings in states such as Florida.
under higher temperatures, declines in crop yields and quality are happening
as global temperatures rise coral reefs and marine biodiversity are endangered
Mountain glaciers such as those in the Himalayas, provide fresh water for a billion people and are the main source of rivers in Southern Asia. The lack of fresh water puts at risk the farmers in the valleys due to lack of nutrient rich water and will lead to food shortages.
Droughts will increase in Southern Europe and Western USA, this can lead to increased hospitalisations due to heatstroke and dehydration putting a strain on services.
Flooding in South-East Asia could see more cases of cholera & malaria which could mean higher death rates.
Sea Ice is melting and the loss of habitat for species such as Polar Bears causes a decline in Arctic biodiversity.
Melting permafrost in Siberia leads to increased Methane release and increasing levels of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere.
economic effects
💰 Economic
Increasing number and strength of Tropical Storms/Hurricanes in North America will lead to a decline in the US economy as money has to be spent more on the repair of buildings in states such as Florida.
Job losses in ski resorts as not enough snowfall and increased melting leads to a decline in the industry in places such as the Alps.
Ports will be lost to rising sea levels putting at risk trade and economic strife as new ports will have to be constructed e.g. Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Countries such as Bangladesh are flooded due to rising sea levels and valuable farmland is lost leading to food shortages and famine
social effects-climate change
👥 Social
Mountain glaciers such as those in the Himalayas, provide fresh water for a billion people and are the main source of rivers in Southern Asia. The lack of fresh water puts at risk the farmers in the valleys due to lack of nutrient rich water and will lead to food shortages.
Droughts will increase in Southern Europe and Western USA, this can lead to increased hospitalisations due to heatstroke and dehydration putting a strain on services.
Flooding in South-East Asia could see more cases of cholera & malaria which could mean higher death rates.
Low lying islands in the Indian Ocean such as the Maldives disappear below the rising sea level causing mass migration to neighbouring countries.
Countries such as Bangladesh are flooded due to rising sea levels and valuable farmland is lost leading to food shortages and famine
