Global Climate Change (AQA GCSE Chemistry)

What are the effects of climate change?

• The vast majority of climate scientists agree that increasing levels of greenhouse gases are causing the average temperature of the Earth to increase

• Temperature increases are leading to climate change

• Climate change is when there is a long term shift in worldwide weather patterns and conditions

Rising Sea Levels

• The melting of the polar ice caps and glaciers is leading to rising sea levels

• This results in destructive erosion to coastal regions, flooding of wetlands and habitat destruction for birds, fish and plants

• Low lying cities are likely to see increased flooding and permanent loss of usable land without expensive barrier systems

• Increased soil salinity is also a consequence of rising sea levels

Frequent and intense droughts

• Some regions are seeing devastating droughts leading to crop failure and collapse of agricultural production

• Food production is greatly compromised leading to hardship and starvation

Storms

• The intensity of storms is increasing

• Warmer ocean surfaces mean more moisture is entering the atmosphere so storms and hurricanes are more energetic and destructive

Extreme heat waves and rainfall

• Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent resulting in great loss of life and destruction of infrastructure and ecosystems

• Changing rainfall patterns are leading to uneven distribution of freshwater supplies

  • Lack of reliable freshwater supplies results in economic and political instability as neighbouring countries compete for dwindling resources