Topic 2: Climate and Change Unit 1 Revision Topic 2: Climate and Change

Main points you need to know Natural causes of climate change How the greenhouse effect works How humans are enhancing the greenhouse effect What climate and sea level changes scientists predict for the future How climate change might affect the UK and other countries

Natural climate change How many words, 3 letters or more, can you make from the following word in 30 seconds…

How many words, 3 letters or more, can you make from the following word in 30 seconds… MILANKOVITCH CYCLES

Natural causes of climate change Milankovitch cycles (changes in the earth’s orbit) Sunspot theory (sun’s energy varies) Volcanic eruptions – eg Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1991, cooled global temperature by 0.5 degrees for a year. Increases temperature in the long term. Why?

Pinatubo clip http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/powerful-volcanic-eruptions-mount-pinatubo/1503.html

Causes of climate change http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/causes-of-climate-change/1491.html Write 5-7 key words as you watch this clip

Practice question Explain possible reasons why climate can change naturally. (4 marks) (4 mins)

SELF ASSESSMENT: Explain possible reasons why climate can change naturally. 4 marks = 4 points (or two points each explained. Eg – Climate can be affected by the earth’s orbit around the sun (Milankovitch cycles). Sometimes we are closer to the sun so our climate is warmer, other times we are further away and so colder as less heat energy reaches us. Also, volcanoes can affect our climate as sometimes when they erupt and release ash into the atmosphere the sun’s energy gets blocked out and so we are colder.

Britain’s Little Ice Age (1300-1850 AD) Look at the picture. How were people affected by the Little Ice Age?

The Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is natural. Without it the world would be 33 degrees cooler (on average -18 degrees) Humans are adding to the greenhouse effect, causing an ENHANCED GREENHOUSE EFFECT

The Greenhouse Effect Study this diagram for 30 seconds…

1 minute to draw a diagram of the greenhouse effect from memory over half a page

How did you do? Give yourself a mark out of 5.

The ENHANCED Greenhouse Effect List 5 ways in which humans are enhancing the greenhouse effect Draw images onto your greenhouse effect diagram that will remind you of these ways

Effects of Climate Change in the UK Likely to be WARMER More EXTREME WEATHER SEA LEVEL RISE flooding low lying areas

Good or bad? Draw a table with 2 columns – positive and negative effects. Copy the following points into the correct columns. Summer drought and water shortages More illnesses – sunstroke, skin cancer Reduced winter heating costs More land farmed at higher altitudes Longer growing seasons – different crops like grapes Extinction of some plants and animals Scotland’s ski resorts could be gone by 2050

Effects of Sea Level Change in the Maldives http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/rising-sea-levels-in-the-maldives/3192.html Watch the clip, write 5 facts.

Practice Question Using examples, explain why it is important for people to prepare for climate change. (4 marks)

SELF ASSESSMENT: Using examples, explain why it is important for people to prepare for climate change. (4 marks) 4 marks = 4 points (or 2, each explained) Eg It is important for people living by the coast to be ready in case their house gets flooded by rising seas. For example people living in the Maldives may have to move to higher ground on a larger island. It is important for farmers to prepare for climate change as they may be able to grow different crops, like peaches in the UK, and so make more money.