Theme 2 Chapter 4 - Climate Change

Question 1

What is the Quaternary period?

Answer 1

The period of homeosapeans (The time humans have occupied earth)

Question 2

How has the climate changed during the quaternary period?

Answer 2

Climate has changed as the temperature of Earth has increased (due to humans burning fossil fuels for energy).

Question 3

What is the Greenhouse Effect and how does it explain global warming?

Answer 3

• Green house gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and Carbon dioxide have released into atmosphere as waste emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
• The sun emits rays to Earth and once they hit the Earth’s surface they are reflected back into space.
• The greenhouse gases in the atmosphere prevent this they they absorb reflected rays and emit the back to Earth
• This entrapment of the sun’s rays in the Earth’s atmosphere heats Earth up causing Earth’s climates to change (like glaciers melting)

Question 4

How does deforestation affect carbon levels in the atmosphere?

Answer 4

• Less trees are there to absorb carbon dioxide for photosynthesis , more CO2 in atmosphere
• Cutting down trees releases their carbon stores as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere increasing CO2 in atmosphere.

Question 5

What evidence is there to suggest our climate is warming up?

Answer 5

1) The Earth’s surface temperature has risen by 0.74 degrees celsius
2) The sea levels have risen by an average of 1.7m in 20th century
3) Winter ice in artic has melted faster
4) Gaps between tree rings have gotten wider due to increased temperature, increased photosynthesis.

Question 6

What are the natural reasons why earth has warmed up and cooled down in the past?

Answer 6

1) The Earth’s tilt has changed
- if closer to the sun (global warming)
- if further away from sun (ice age)
2) Sun’s energy has changed -> sun spurting out hot gases in atmosphere causing climate change
3) Earth’s orbit has change
- If Earth closer to sun (global warming)

Question 7

What is interglacial and glacial periods?

Answer 7

Interglacial period: Earth not in ice age

Glacial period: Earth in ice age

Question 8

What are the social, economic, environmental consequences of climate change on the Maldives?

Answer 8

SOCIAL:
-Intrusion of rising sea levels into drinking supply contaminating waters -> contaminated water related diseases like Cholera

ECONOMIC:
Tourism industry which make up for 90% of the Maldives tax income under threat

ENVIRONMENT:
-Many habitat species under threat from endangerment due to habitats in maldives destroyed due to sea levels

Question 9

What are the social, economic, environmental consequences of climate change on Australia?

Answer 9

SOCIAL:
Many people at risk of death from heat related death like malaria due to rapid increase of disease vectors like mosquitos who reproduce rapidly in warmer temperatures

ECONOMIC:
-Many agricultural industries at unquestionable risk like the wheat industry which is expected to see a 30% yield reduction by 2100.

ENVIRONMENT:
Habitats destroyed like the coral reefs which will become bleached due to rising water temperatures, endangering thousands of species occupying the habitat

Question 10

What are people’s attitudes like towards carbon free lifestyles?

Answer 10

POSITIVE:

• new demand for industries making low carbon products and energy efficient
• Protecting agricultural industries
• Protecting planet for future generations
• Conservation of biodiversity

NEGATIVE:

• People not receiving enough income for new low carbon technology
• Food used for biofuel instead of those malnourished in LIC countries

Question 11

Advantages and disadvantages of Energy efficiency conservation?

Answer 11

ADV -> Insulating homes reduce future bills on heating

DIS -> Many low income families can’t but new energy efficient methods and technology

Question 12

Advantages and disadvantages of Biofuel?

Answer 12

ADV -> It creates jobs in agriculture

DIS -> Food spent making biofuels instead of feeding those malnourished in developing countries.

Question 13

Advantages and disadvantages of Nuclear power?

Answer 13

ADV -> No carbon emissions
DIS-> extremely radioactive and dangerous
Target for potential terrorist attacks.

Question 14

How can people at home help reduce the impacts of climate change?

Answer 14

• Turn off unused electrical devices
• Reduce plastic bags
• Use public transport

Question 15

How can local council help reduce the impacts of climate change?

Answer 15

• Build energy efficient homes (insulation, solar panels etc)
• Invest in better transport
• Add recycling bins
• Add more cycle lanes

Question 16

How can governments help reduce the impacts of climate change?

Answer 16

• Inforce it within laws

- Fee companies producing lots of carbon

Question 17

What is the Toxicity Charge in London about?

Answer 17

Owners of older cars which produce a vast amount of carbon have to pay extra fees when entering Ultra low emission zones.

Question 18

When and where did the ultra low emission zone occur?

Answer 18

• In April 2019

- Effects places already with the congestion charge (CBD)

Question 19

How much money and what cars does this plan affect?

Answer 19

• £12.50

Diesel cars before 2015, any car manufactured before 2006

Question 20

What is the long term benefit of the Toxicity charge scheme?

Answer 20

Lowers Carbon emissions in the CBD

Question 21

Who does the scheme have the most drawback against?

Answer 21

• Against car owners from low income families, they cannot afford to buy newer more expensive cars and are limited to their older cars.