Natural Causes of Climate Change

Test yourself

Which Natural Things Can Change the Climate?

Below are some natural factors that are potential causes of climate change.

Changes in the Earth's orbit

The Earth's orbit around the Sun changes from circular to elliptical and back to circular over a period of 96,000 years. This is known as Milankovitch cycles.
When the Earth is closer to the sun, more of the sun's radiation will reach the Earth, warming it.
Orbital cycles could explain the interglacial eras.

Volcanic activity

Very large volcanic eruptions can change the atmosphere.
- Particles can reflect the Sun's radiation away from Earth, cooling it down. This can be described as a volcanic winter.
- Volcanic eruptions also release Carbon Dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas.
However, volcanic winters only last for a few years and would cool the earth down.
Volcanoes don't produce enough CO2 to explain global warming over 150 years.

Solar output variation

The Sun's energy output changes in cycles. It is possible that a period of high output could increase the Earth's temperature, however, the scientific consensus is that solar output variation cannot explain recent global warming.

Natural Causes of Climate Change

There are several natural causes of climate change.

Orbital changes

The Earth's orbit around the Sun changes from circular to elliptical and back to circular about every 96,000 years.
- The closer the Earth is to the Sun, the more solar radiation it is exposed to and the warmer it gets.
The Earth's tilt changes over a cycle of 41,000 years.
The Earth's axis wobbles on on a cycle of 22,000 years.
- These cycles affect the amount of solar radiation the Earth receives - the more solar radiation it's exposed to, the warmer it gets.

Volcanic activity

Major volcanic eruptions change the atmosphere:
- Lots of particles are thrown out, some of which reflect the Sun's rays, meaning that the surface of the Earth cools down.
- Carbon dioxide is also released, but not enough to cause global warming.
It's thought that volcanoes are only capable of causing short-term climate changes.

Solar output variation

Solar output changes in short cycles, and maybe longer cycles as well.
It is possible that when output is low, the Earth's climate could cool.
Scientists are not convinced that solar output variation is enough to significantly affect the climate.

1Geography Skills

1.1Mapping

1.1.1Map Making

1.1.2OS Maps

1.1.3Grid References

1.1.4Contour Lines

1.1.5Symbols, Scale and Distance

1.1.6Directions on Maps

1.1.7Describing Routes

1.1.8Map Projections

1.1.9Aerial & Satellite Images

1.1.10Using Maps to Make Decisions

1.2Geographical Information Systems

1.2.1Geographical Information Systems

1.2.2How do Geographical Information Systems Work?

1.2.3Using Geographical Information Systems

1.2.4End of Topic Test - Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

2.1The UK's Rocks

2.1.1The UK's Main Rock Types

2.1.2The UK's Landscape

2.1.3Using Rocks

2.1.4Weathering

2.2Case Study: The Peak District

2.2.1The Peak District

2.2.2Limestone Landforms

2.2.3Quarrying

3Geography of the World

3.1Geography of America & Europe

3.1.1North America

3.1.2South America

3.1.3Europe

3.1.4The European Union

3.1.5The Continents

3.1.6The Oceans

3.1.7Longitude

3.1.8Latitude

3.1.9End of Topic Test - Geography of the World

4Development

4.1Development

4.1.1Classifying Development

4.1.2GDP

4.1.3Evaluation of GDP

4.1.4The Human Development Index

4.1.5Population Structure

4.1.6Developing Countries

4.1.7Emerging Countries

4.1.8Developed Countries

4.1.9Comparing Development

4.2Uneven Development

4.2.1Consequences of Uneven Development

4.2.2Physical Factors Affecting Development

4.2.3Historic Factors Affecting Development

4.2.4Human & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.2.5Breaking Out of the Poverty Cycle

4.3Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo

4.3.1The DRC: An Overview

4.3.2Political & Social Factors Affecting Development

4.3.3Environmental Factors Affecting the DRC

4.3.4The DRC: Aid

4.3.5The Pros & Cons of Aid in DRC

4.3.6Top-Down vs Bottom-Up in DRC

4.3.7The DRC: Comparison with the UK

4.3.8The DRC: Against Malaria Foundation

4.4Case Study: Nigeria

4.4.1The Importance & Development of Nigeria

4.4.2Nigeria's Relationships with the Rest of the World

4.4.3Urban Growth in Lagos

4.4.4Population Growth in Lagos

4.4.5Factors influencing Nigeria's Growth

4.4.6Nigeria: Comparison with the UK

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

6.1Tourism

6.1.1Landscapes

6.1.2The Growth of Tourism

6.1.3Benefits of Tourism

6.1.4Economic Costs of Tourism

6.1.5Social, Cultural & Environmental Costs of Tourism

6.1.6Tourism Case Study: Blackpool

6.1.7Ecotourism

6.1.8Tourism Case Study: Kenya

7Natural Resources

7.1Rocks

7.1.1What are Rocks?

7.1.2Types of Rock

7.1.3Fuel

7.1.4The Rock Cycle - Weathering

7.1.5The Rock Cycle - Erosion

7.1.6What is Soil?

7.1.7Soil Profiles

7.1.8Water

7.1.9Global Water Demand

7.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.1Introduction to Fossil Fuels

7.2.2Fossil Fuels

7.2.3The Global Energy Supply

7.2.4Oil

7.2.5What is Peak Oil?

7.2.6End of Topic Test - Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

9.1Formation of Coastal Landforms

9.1.1Weathering

9.1.2Erosion

9.1.3Headlands & Bays

9.1.4Caves, Arches & Stacks

9.1.5Wave-Cut Platforms & Cliffs

9.1.6Waves

9.1.7Longshore Drift

9.1.8Coastal Deposition

9.1.9Spits, Bars & Sand Dunes

9.2Coast Management

9.2.1Management Strategies for Coastal Erosion

9.2.2Case Study: The Holderness Coast

9.2.3Case Study: Lyme Regis

9.2.4End of Topic Test - Coasts

10Glaciers

10.1Overview of Glaciers & How They Work

10.1.1Distribution of Glaciers

10.1.2Types of Glaciers

10.1.3The Last Ice Age

10.1.4Formation & Movement of Glaciers

10.1.5Shaping of Landscapes by Glaciers

10.1.6Glacial Landforms Created by Erosion

10.1.7Glacial Till & Outwash Plain

10.1.8Moraines

10.1.9Drumlins & Erratics

10.1.10End of Topic Tests - Glaciers

10.1.11Tourism in Glacial Landscapes

10.1.12Strategies for Coping with Tourists

10.1.13Case Study - Lake District: Tourism

10.1.14Case Study - Lake District: Management

11Tectonics

11.1Continental Drift & Plate Tectonics

11.1.1The Theory of Plate Tectonics

11.1.2The Structure of the Earth

11.1.3Tectonic Plates

11.1.4Plate Margins

11.2Volcanoes

11.2.1Volcanoes & Their Products

11.2.2The Development of Volcanoes

11.2.3Living Near Volcanoes

11.3Earthquakes

11.3.1Overview of Earthquakes

11.3.2Consequences of Earthquakes

11.3.3Case Study: Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake

11.4Tsunamis

11.4.1Formation of Tsunamis

11.4.2Case Study: Japan 2010 Tsunami

11.5Managing the Risk of Volcanoes & Earthquakes

11.5.1Coping With Earthquakes & Volcanoes

11.5.2End of Topic Test - Tectonics

12Climate Change

12.1The Causes & Consequences of Climate Change

12.1.1Evidence for Climate Change

12.1.2Natural Causes of Climate Change

12.1.3Human Causes of Climate Change

12.1.4The Greenhouse Effect

12.1.5Effects of Climate Change on the Environment

12.1.6Effects of Climate Change on People

12.1.7Climate Change Predictions

12.1.8Uncertainty About Future Climate Change

12.1.9Mitigating Against Climate Change

12.1.10Adapting to Climate Change

12.1.11Case Study: Bangladesh

13Global Population & Inequality

13.1Global Populations

13.1.1World Population

13.1.2Population Structure

13.1.3Ageing Populations

13.1.4Youthful Populations

13.1.5Population Control

13.1.6Mexico to USA Migration

13.1.7End of Topic Test - Development & Population

14Urbanisation

14.1Urbanisation

14.1.1Rural Characterisitcs

14.1.2Urban Characteristics

14.1.3Urbanisation Growth

14.1.4The Land Use Model

14.1.5Rural-Urban Pull Factors

14.1.6Rural-Urban Push Factors

14.1.7The Impacts of Migration

14.1.8Challenges of Urban Areas in Developed Countries

14.1.9Challenges of Urban Areas in Developing Countries

14.1.10Urban Sustainability

14.1.11Case Study: China's Urbanisation

14.1.12Major UK Cities

14.1.13Urbanisation in the UK

14.1.14End of Topic Test- Urbanisation

14.1.15End of Topic Test - Urban Issues

15Ecosystems

15.1The Major Biomes

15.1.1Distribution of Major Biomes

15.1.2What Affects the Distribution of Biomes?

15.1.3Biome Features: Tropical Forests

15.1.4Biome Features: Temperate Forests

15.1.5Biome Features: Tundra

15.1.6Biome Features: Deserts

15.1.7Biome Features: Tropical Grasslands

15.1.8Biome Features: Temperate Grasslands

15.2Case Study: The Amazon Rainforest

15.2.1Interdependence of Rainforest Ecosystems

15.2.2Nutrient Cycling in Tropical Rainforests

15.2.3Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.4Impacts of Deforestation in the Amazon

15.2.5Protecting the Amazon

15.2.6Adaptations of Plants to Rainforests

15.2.7Adaptations of Animals to Rainforests

16Life in an Emerging Country

16.1Case Studies

16.1.1Mumbai: Opportunities

16.1.2Mumbai: Challenges

17Analysis of Africa

17.1Africa

17.1.1Desert Biomes in Africa

17.1.2The Semi-Desert Biome

17.1.3The Savanna Biome

17.1.4Overview of Tropical Rainforests

17.1.5Colonisation History

17.1.6Population Distribution in Africa

17.1.7Economic Resources in Africa

17.1.8Urbanisation in Africa

17.1.9Africa's Location

17.1.10Physical Geography of Africa

17.1.11Desertification in Africa

17.1.12Reducing the Risk of Desertification

17.1.13Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Opportunities

17.1.14Case Study: The Sahara Desert - Development

18Analysis of India

18.1India - Physical Geography

18.1.1Geographical Location of India

18.1.2Physical Geography of India

18.1.3India's Climate

18.1.4Natural Disasters in India

18.1.5Case Study: The Thar Desert

18.1.6Case Study: The Thar Desert - Challenges

18.2India - Human Geography

18.2.1Population Distribution in India

18.2.2Urabinsation in India

18.2.3The History of India

18.2.4Economic Resources in India

19Analysis of the Middle East

19.1The Middle East

19.1.1Physical Geography of the Middle East

19.1.2Human Geography of the Middle East

19.1.3Climate Zones in the Middle East

19.1.4Climate Comparison with the UK

19.1.5Oil & Natural Gas in the Middle East

19.1.6Water in the Middle East

19.1.7Population of the Middle East

19.1.8Development Case Studies: The UAE

19.1.9Development Case Studies: Yemen

19.1.10Supporting Development in Yemen

19.1.11Connection to the UK

19.1.12Importance of Oil

19.1.13Oil & Tourism in the UAE

20Analysis of Bangladesh

20.1Bangladesh Physical Geography

20.1.1Location of Bangladesh

20.1.2Climate of Bangladesh

20.1.3Rivers in Bangladesh

20.1.4Flooding in Bangladesh

20.2Bangladesh Human Geography

20.2.1Population Structure in Bangladesh

20.2.2Urbanisation in Bangladesh

20.2.3Bangladesh's Economy

20.2.4Energy & Sustainability in Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

21.1Russia's Physical Geography

21.1.1Russia's Climate

21.1.2Russia's Landscape

21.2Russia's Human Geography

21.2.1Population of Russia

21.2.2Russia's Economy

21.2.3Energy & Sustainability in Russia

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