Climate Change
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 9.1.8
Global Climate Change
Increasing the average global temperature is a significant reason for global climate change. The potential consequences are severe and wide-ranging:
Melting of polar ice caps
- The melting of polar ice caps would cause:
- Sea levels to rise, leading to flooding and erosion of our coastlines.
- Some species to be less successful hunters (e.g. the polar bear).
Meteorological events
- Extreme meteorological events, such as storms, heatwaves and droughts, could increase in frequency and intensity.
Changes in water availability
- Changes in water availability could affect how species are distributed.
Changes in precipitation
- The quantity, timing and distribution of precipitation could change. This would result in some regions receiving much less or much more rainfall than they previously did.
Food shortages
- A combination of some or all of these factors could hinder a region’s ability to produce food. This could lead to potential famines.
Test yourself on Climate Change
How could a combination of climate change factors affect a region's ability to produce food?
What is a direct result of melting polar ice caps, rather than a change in precipitation patterns?
Why would the melting of polar ice caps lead to the flooding and erosion of coastal regions?
How could global climate change affect extreme weather events such as storms, heatwaves and droughts?
How could changes in water availability caused by climate change affect wildlife?