Scribd
Upload
17 views

MYP 5 PHYSICS NOTE - Climate change

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the Earth's climate, primarily driven by human activities leading to global warming. Key concepts include the distinction between climate and weather, the greenhouse effect, and the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Consequences of climate change include rising temperatures, melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, impacts on ecosystems, and ocean acidification.

Uploaded by

evakonan29
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
17 views

MYP 5 PHYSICS NOTE - Climate change

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the Earth's climate, primarily driven by human activities leading to global warming. Key concepts include the distinction between climate and weather, the greenhouse effect, and the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by fossil fuel burning and deforestation. Consequences of climate change include rising temperatures, melting ice, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, impacts on ecosystems, and ocean acidification.

Uploaded by

evakonan29
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

MYP 5 PHYSICS NOTE

What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to significant and lasting changes in the Earth's climate over long periods. While
Earth's climate has changed naturally over millions of years, modern climate change is being driven
mainly by human activities. The primary concern today is global warming, the increase in the Earth’s
average surface temperature due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Concepts:

Climate vs. Weather

Climate refers to the long-term average of weather patterns in a specific area, typically measured over 30
years or more. It includes average temperatures, precipitation levels, and wind patterns.

Weather refers to the short-term atmospheric conditions in an area, such as daily temperature and
rainfall.

The Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. It occurs when the Sun's
energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, and part of this energy is absorbed by the surface. As the Earth's
surface heats up, it radiates heat (infrared radiation) back toward the atmosphere, where greenhouse
gases trap some of this heat, preventing it from escaping into space.

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), water vapor (H₂O), nitrous oxide (N₂O),
and others. Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be too cold to support life as we know it.

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Human activities—such as burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), deforestation, and large-scale
agriculture—have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This leads to an
enhanced greenhouse effect, where more heat is trapped, causing the Earth's temperature to rise faster
than it naturally would. This process is often referred to as global warming, which contributes to climate
change.

Causes of Climate Change

Natural Causes:

Volcanic eruptions: Large eruptions can release particles and gases into the atmosphere, temporarily
cooling the Earth or causing localized warming.

Solar radiation: Changes in the Sun’s energy output can affect the Earth’s climate.

Ocean currents and Earth's orbit: Natural variations in oceanic and atmospheric patterns, as well as
changes in Earth's tilt and orbit, contribute to long-term climate changes.
Human Causes:

Burning of fossil fuels: When we burn coal, oil, and gas for energy, we release large amounts of CO₂ and
other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Deforestation: Cutting down forests reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO₂ from the air.

Agriculture and industry: Livestock farming produces methane, while industrial processes release various
greenhouse gases, contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Consequences of Climate Change

Global Warming

Rising temperatures lead to a warmer Earth, with noticeable impacts on the environment, ecosystems,
and human societies. The global average temperature has already increased by about 1.1°C since the
late 19th century.

Melting Polar Ice and Glaciers

Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting, as well as glaciers in mountain ranges. This
contributes to rising sea levels.

Rising Sea Levels

As ice melts and warmer temperatures cause ocean water to expand, sea levels are rising. This threatens
coastal cities and small islands, increasing the risk of flooding and loss of land.

More Extreme Weather

Climate change is linked to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such
as heatwaves, hurricanes, droughts, and heavy rainfall.

Impacts on Ecosystems

Many species are struggling to adapt to changing climates. Some are migrating to cooler areas, while
others face extinction due to habitat loss, changing food availability, and altered ecosystems.

Ocean Acidification

Increased levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere are being absorbed by the oceans, making them more acidic.
This threatens marine life, particularly organisms like corals and shellfish that rely on calcium carbonate
to build their shells.

You might also like