Download WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS UNIT ON CLIMATE CHANGE YOU
NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
1 Use a range of graphical and numerical skills and techniques in the context of
global geographical issues by:
1.1 Analysing a range of numerical and graphical information
1.2 Reaching a conclusion based on evidence about a complex global geographical
issue
THESE issues by:
2 Draw on and apply knowledge and understanding of significant global
STANDARDS
2.1 Explaining, in detail, the interaction of physical and human APPLY
factorsTO
in BOTH
the context of
a complex global geographical issue
OF THE GLOBAL
2.2 Explaining, in detail, the strategies adopted in response to a complex
global
ISSUES YOU
geographical issue
WILL STUDY
You will be learning about
Global climate change
physical and human causes
local and global effects
management strategies and their
limitations
AN INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Today you will be learning about
the difference between climate change and global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed
THINK ABOUT THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS…
1. Is climate the same as weather?
2. What does “global climate change” mean?
3. How is climate change different from “global
warming?”
4. Have your parents / grandparents or ever mentioned
any changes they have noticed in the climate?
TASK TIME
Discuss these questions with a partner and be prepared to share
your answers with the class. Watch the video links (click on each
question) and compare your answers with these.
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Global climate change
You will be learning about
the difference between climate change and
global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
Climate change refers to long term shifts in climatic conditions
on a global scale.
Climate refers to the general weather patterns over a prolonged
period of time as opposed to weather which relates to short term
/ immediate conditions.
The term Global Warming refers to recent upward trends in
average global temperatures.
Global climate change
You will be learning about
the difference between climate change and
global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed
GRANPARENTS / PARENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
‘Summers are not as good as they used to be’
‘You would never see daffodils this early in the year’
‘The lochan used to freeze over in the winter and people would ice
skate on it.
Some statements contradict the idea that climate is only changing in
one regard – getting warmer. It is clear that change has occurred and
people have noticed this. This change relates to temperature and other
elements such as precipitation. Climate is one of the major influences
on human, plant and animal behaviour.
Global climate change
You will be learning about
the difference between climate change and
global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed
IS THE CLIMATE ACTUALLY CHANGING?
Although all aspects of climate are discussed the key element in
literature and research that you will learn about is temperature. This has
a profound knock on effect to other aspects of climate.
So we should start by looking at changes in temperature over the short
term.
Thankfully we have reliable records for the short term allowing us to
easily compare trends over the recent past.
Global climate change
You will be learning about
the difference between climate change and
global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed
SHORT TERM CLIMATE CHANGE
THINK:
What does this graph show? You have a copy in your booklet.
It often confuses students. Read the graph carefully. It does not show absolute
change.
SHORT TERM CLIMATE CHANGE
TASK
What has happened to global temperatures? Try to include as much detail
as you can in your answer and remember to include exact figures or simple
calculations wherever possible.
IS THE CLIMATE ACTUALLY CHANGING?
So has the climate always been getting warmer?
Have you studied anything before that would support / oppose this?
Discuss.
You will be learning about
Global climate change
physical and human causes
local and global effects
management strategies and their
limitations
BLIPS ARE NOT UNCOMMON
THAMES FROST FAIR – 1683/4. THOMAS WYKE
LONG TERM CLIMATE CHANGE
NOTE
There have been periods / cycles of global warming and cooling regularly
throughout the last million years. We are in a warm period at present. The last
ice age finished approximately 10,000 years ago. Based on the graph above
future ice ages appear inevitable.
LONG TERM CLIMATE CHANGE
DISCUSS:
How do scientists know what the temperature was like 800,000+ years ago?
How can we
tell the climate
is changing?
TASK TIME
For each picture above decide what it represents and explain
how it can tell us if the climate is changing.
LONG TERM EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Fossilised Evidence
Marine and land based plants and animals indicate what
conditions were like in the past.
Carbon dating can be used and cold weather species have
been found in Northern Europe indicating a very different
climate in the past.
LONG TERM EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Changing Landscapes
Dramatic landscape features indicated glaciation. Features
such as U-Shaped Valleys, Corries and Ribbon Lakes have
been carved out via the glacial processes of plucking and
abrasion.
LONG TERM EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Pollen Analysis
The pollen of each species is unique. If the pollen is preserved
(e.g. in a peat bog) it can be identified many years later.
The climatic conditions can be inferred from the species of
plant.
LONG TERM EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Ice Cover
The extent of ice
coverage globally is an
indicator of changes in
global temperatures.
Paintings and photos
allow comparison in the
short to medium term.
Repeat Photo Project
LONG TERM EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Ice Cores
These trap small pockets of air. Drilling deep into the ice
reveals historic conditions as concentrations of different gasses
in this air tell us about temperatures in the past.
Within the clip there is a discussion about short term climate
change. Consider why the term Global Warming has been
introduced and what is different about current changes to
average global temperatures.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Conclusion
During this topic we will consider the cause, consequences and
management of climate change.
While some people believe climate change is a new phenomena
others point to longer term changes in climate data.
What is not disputed however is that the climate has warmed at a
faster rate in modern times and we are in a period where
temperatures are on an upward trend. There is general consensus
that human factors and the greenhouse effect are influencing this in
a way that has not occurred at any time in the past.
Global climate change
the difference between climate change and global warming
long and short term patterns of climate change
evidence that the climate has changed