Climate Change
Year 8 ♻️ Environmental Geography Causes, evidence, and effects of global climate change.
🌡️ Causes of Climate Change
Climate change is caused by both natural processes and human activities.
Natural Causes
Milankovitch cycles (orbital changes), volcanic eruptions (SO₂ cooling), solar output variation, El Niño/La Niña cycles.
Human Causes
Burning fossil fuels (CO₂), deforestation (less CO₂ absorbed), agriculture (methane from livestock), industry (N₂O).
Greenhouse Effect
Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, H₂O) absorb outgoing infrared radiation, re-emitting it back to Earth — warming the surface.
Evidence
Rising CO₂ (280→420+ ppm), global temperature records, melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, species range shifts.
🌊 Effects and Responses
Climate change has wide-ranging effects on physical and human geography.
Physical Effects
Sea level rise (thermal expansion + ice melt), more extreme weather events, droughts, floods, coral bleaching, permafrost thawing.
Human Effects
Displacement of people, food insecurity, water scarcity, spread of disease, economic losses, conflict over resources.
Mitigation
Reducing greenhouse gases: renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture, reforestation, international agreements (Paris, 2015).
Adaptation
Adjusting to change: sea walls, drought-resistant crops, flood-resilient buildings, changing farming practices.
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