3.1.1.4 Climate change
Background
The Earth is 4.54 billion years old. This time is broken down into a series of eons, eras, periods and epochs. The most recent era is the Cenozoic whilst the most recent period is the Quaternary. The Quaternary is broken down into the Pleistocene (beginning 2.6 million years ago) and the Holocene (beginning 10,000 years ago).
The Earth is 4.54 billion years old. This time is broken down into a series of eons, eras, periods and epochs. The most recent era is the Cenozoic whilst the most recent period is the Quaternary. The Quaternary is broken down into the Pleistocene (beginning 2.6 million years ago) and the Holocene (beginning 10,000 years ago).
Possible causes of climate change:
Video 3 - Natural Causes of Climate Change |
Possible causes of climate change:
Video 4 - Human Causes of Climate ChangeTask - Download the cause of climate change
task sheet below and follow the instructions to use the hexagons to explain the natural and human causes of climate change. Use the videos, information and textbook to help you.
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Overview of the effects of climate change on people and the environment.
Video 5 - Global Meltdown |
Video 6 - Climate change in the UK |
Task - watch one or both of the documentaries on the effects of climate change. Write a blurb for the documentary/documentaries, ensuring that you outline the effects on people and the environment discussed.
Key Idea
Managing climate change involves both mitigation (reducing causes) and adaptation (responding to change).
Managing climate change involves both mitigation (reducing causes) and adaptation (responding to change).
Task - complete the task sheet on the potential effects of climate.
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Managing climate change:
• mitigation – alternative energy production, carbon capture, planting trees, international agreements
• adaptation – change in agricultural systems, managing water supply, reducing risk from rising sea levels.
• mitigation – alternative energy production, carbon capture, planting trees, international agreements
• adaptation – change in agricultural systems, managing water supply, reducing risk from rising sea levels.
Mitigation
Mitigation means to make the impacts less severe. Some mitigation approaches include: International Agreements In 1979, the world held its first climate conference. The conference called on governments ―to foresee and prevent potential man-made changes in climate. Global targets for reducing emissions were set in 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Here, over 150 nations agreed to prevent 'dangerous' warming from greenhouse gases and set targets for reducing emissions. In 2005 170 countries signed the Kyoto protocol. This agreement involved countries agreeing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of 5.2% on their 1990 levels. The US and Australia refused to sign the treaty. In 2015 country again met to try and reach an agreement about greenhouse emissions. The Paris agreement was the first ever legally binding global climate deal signed by 195 countries. The agreement aims to: – Peak greenhouse emissions as soon as possible. – keep global temperature increase below 2⁰C above pre-industrial levels. –Invest US$100billion to support climate change initiatives in LICs and NEEs. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions In November 2008, the UK government passed the Climate Change Act. The Act sets targets for reducing emissions by 80% on 1990 levels by 2050. Some methods to reduce GHG emissions include:
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Adaptation
Adaptation means changing. Some adaptation approaches include: Increasing water Supply Climate change is causing more frequent floods and droughts. In the Himalayas people rely on glacial melt however, these are receding rapidly and thus supply is decreasing. Artificial glaciers are being created which collect water in the winter through a series of canals and embankments it then freezes and can be used in the spring when it melts. Another option involves removing salt from seawater, through a process called desalination. The UK opened the Thames desalination plant in 2010 to increase water supply to cope with growing demand. Increase irrigation in areas Since predictions suggest precipitation will decrease in the lower latitudes, farmers will need to increase irrigation to maintain their harvests and livelihoods. for instance it is predicted that Southern Africa’s maize production will decrease by 30% by 2030 as a result of climate change. There are a variety of approaches such improving water storage in pumpkin tanks or groundwater reservoirs and improving efficiency of water transfer systems to reduce loss from leakage. Afforestation (Planting Trees) Deforestation is occurring at a rate of 13 milion hectares a year, however trees act as carbon sinks; taking in CO2 and producing oxygen. They also release moisture therefore cooling our planet. Change crops/varities/planting Drought resistant crops need to be introduced in many parts to deal with the predicted reductions in precipitation. Also some areas such as the UK could develop the production of Mediterranean crops such as olives and vines may thrive due to warmer temperatures. Managing Sea Level Change As sea levels rise so does the risk of coastal erosion, flooding and fresh water contamination. A variety of examples can be seen across the globe of this adapation already including
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Case Study - The Maldives
The Maldives are a collection of 1192 islands in the Indian Ocean, SW of India and Sri Lanka. They have a population of 395,000 people and it is the world’s most low lying country. This makes it at a significant risk from flooding due to climate change.
Download a copy of the Geo Factsheet 296 on the Maldives from the foldr on the school network.
The Maldives are a collection of 1192 islands in the Indian Ocean, SW of India and Sri Lanka. They have a population of 395,000 people and it is the world’s most low lying country. This makes it at a significant risk from flooding due to climate change.
Download a copy of the Geo Factsheet 296 on the Maldives from the foldr on the school network.
Task - Create a case study sheet on the Maldives, focusing on the impacts of & response to climate change. Use the videos and other resources to help you. You may wish to amend one of the general case study templates to suit your needs.
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Video 7 - The Maldives Climate Change Challenges |
Video 8 - Adapting to Climate Change |
Task - Use the task sheet to plan your answer to the 9 mark question included.
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