GCSE Chemistry revision

Global climate change

Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases

AQA 4.9.2.3 Foundation & Higher

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Global warming refers to the steady increase in Earth's average temperature caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Temperature records going back hundreds of years provide strong evidence of a consistent and measurable rise in global temperatures.
Because many variables are involved, scientists find it difficult to build accurate models predicting the exact consequences of global warming.

1. Global Warming: The Evidence AQA

Global warming refers to the steady increase in Earth's average temperature caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Temperature records going back hundreds of years provide strong evidence of a consistent and measurable rise in global temperatures.
Because many variables are involved, scientists find it difficult to build accurate models predicting the exact consequences of global warming.

Climate change describes all of the effects of global warming on long-term weather patterns across the entire planet, rather than daily local weather.
One major consequence of climate change is that extreme weather events such as droughts, hurricanes, and floods become more frequent and more severe.

2. Climate Change and Extreme Weather AQA

Climate change describes all of the effects of global warming on long-term weather patterns across the entire planet, rather than daily local weather.
One major consequence of climate change is that extreme weather events such as droughts, hurricanes, and floods become more frequent and more severe.

Higher global temperatures cause ice sheets and glaciers to melt, adding more water to the oceans and raising sea levels.
As ocean water warms, it expands in volume — a process known as thermal expansion — which further contributes to sea level rise.
Rising sea levels can lead to seasonal flooding and the permanent submersion of low-lying coastal towns and islands.

3. Sea Level Rise AQA

Higher global temperatures cause ice sheets and glaciers to melt, adding more water to the oceans and raising sea levels.
As ocean water warms, it expands in volume — a process known as thermal expansion — which further contributes to sea level rise.
Rising sea levels can lead to seasonal flooding and the permanent submersion of low-lying coastal towns and islands.

As temperatures and rainfall patterns shift, many species that were well-adapted to their environment may no longer be able to survive in their habitat.
Some species may be able to adapt to new conditions or migrate to more suitable regions, but many cannot do so quickly enough.
As a result, biodiversity — the variety of living species on Earth — is likely to fall dramatically in the coming decades.

4. Impact on Biodiversity AQA

As temperatures and rainfall patterns shift, many species that were well-adapted to their environment may no longer be able to survive in their habitat.
Some species may be able to adapt to new conditions or migrate to more suitable regions, but many cannot do so quickly enough.
As a result, biodiversity — the variety of living species on Earth — is likely to fall dramatically in the coming decades.