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Effects of Climate change are well-known around the world. The earth's temperature is rising day by day. The beautiful glaciers have begun to melt, greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc.) have begun to cloud the earth, sea levels are increasing, and global warming is rapidly approaching. If we do not take action, this situation may become far worse. These atmospheric circumstances are strong or powerful enough that they could result in death. To resist the effects of climate change, it is especially important to determine the elements that influence climate and its consequences.
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Key takeaways: Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Global warming, Weather, Climate, Temperature
Effects of Climate Changes
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There has been a significant number of effects of climate change. Some of them are listed below:
- Melting of glaciers
- Increase in sea levels
- Global warming
- Rise in average temperature
- Precipitation has been increased
- Increase in carbon dioxide level
- Impact on human health
- Occurrence of extreme weather conditions
Effects of Climate Change
Climate and Weather
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Weather and climate are two distinct yet intertwined notions that must be understood. Most of us have seen the weather report on the news, which includes information such as temperature, cloudiness, humidity, and whether or not a storm is expected to come in the next few days, among other things. This is the current state of the atmosphere at a certain location on a given day.
The condition of a place or atmosphere on a daily basis is referred to as weather. Cloudy, sunny, rainy, stormy, or clear weather are all possibilities. It is a natural occurrence that keeps the atmosphere in a state of equilibrium. The climate, as contrast to the weather, is the long-term state of a particular location. It refers to a location's average weather over a long period of time. While the weather might change in a matter of hours, climate change can take hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years. However, it has been altering at an alarming rate in recent years. This helps to explain why deserts are too hot and poles are too cold.
Factors Affecting Climate Changes
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Climate change is the result of our influences on atmospheric factors, or elements that influence climate. For the past few decades, these factors have been changing. A few natural factors that influence climate change are listed below.
- Topography: The shape of the land is referred to as topography. Surface temperature fluctuations are caused by a variety of factors, including latitude and elevation ranges. It has the potential to cause climate change on a local level.
- Sea level: The distance from the sea and other water bodies is one of the crucial variables impacting a region's climate. The surface temperatures of the sea have an impact on the temperatures of the land. Coastal areas are cooler and wetter than the rest of the country. When warm air from these inner locations collides with cool air from the sea, clouds form.
- Ocean currents: These can transport heat energy from land to water or vice versa, affecting the region's temperature.
- Prevailing winds: Winds disperse particular air masses. The climate of a region can be influenced by the direction of the wind, with the wind from a humid region bringing cool air and the wind from a dry region bringing hot air.
Apart from natural processes, humans have a significant impact on climate change. Human activities such as deforestation, population growth, pollution generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, and emissions from automobiles and factories all contribute to climate change.
Things to Remember
- Climate change poses a serious threat to the places, animals, and livelihoods of humans.
- We must drastically reduce global carbon emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
- We must also plan for the severe and unavoidable effects of carbon emissions, such as rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events.
- Many of the world's most endangered species can be found in forests. They also help to protect the environment by absorbing CO2, a major source of pollution that contributes to climate change.
- The process of photosynthesis can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by increasing the planting of more trees in our surroundings.
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Sample Questions
Ques: Name three greenhouse gases. (3 marks)
Ans: Three greenhouse gases are:
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Ozone
Ques: What is photosynthesis? (3 marks)
Ans: Photosynthesis is the process of conversion of light energy into chemical energy by phototrophs, which is then used to generate cellular processes. Sugars, which are made from water and carbon dioxide, are used to store chemical energy.Photosynthesis is a process that occurs in species other than green plants. Several prokaryotes, such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, and green sulphur bacteria, are among them. Photosynthesis is present in these species, just as it is in green plants.
Ques: What is the El Nino phenomenon? (2 marks)
Ans: El Nino, or the uneven warmth of the Pacific's sea surface, has an impact on both rainfall and wind patterns. Forest fires, pollution, and tornadoes have all been blamed on this phenomenon in various parts of the world.
Ques: What are some of the effects of climate change? (5 marks)
Ans: The most prominent effects of climate change are:
- Melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise.
- The population of cold-adapted organisms has decreased.
- Coastal flooding and shoreline erosion
- Heat-related health problems.
- Water deficit.
- Increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Droughts are common.
- The pattern of precipitation has shifted.
- Storms are becoming more severe.
- Crop losses are at an all-time high.
Ques: What are the natural factors that affect climate change? (5 marks)
Ans: A few natural factors that influence climate change are listed below.
- Topography: The shape of the land is referred to as topography. Surface temperature fluctuations are caused by a variety of factors, including latitude and elevation ranges. It has the potential to cause climate change on a local level.
- Sea level: The distance from the sea and other water bodies is one of the crucial variables impacting a region's climate. The surface temperatures of the sea have an impact on the temperatures of the land. Coastal areas are cooler and wetter than the rest of the country. When warm air from these inner locations collides with cool air from the sea, clouds form.
- Ocean currents: These can transport heat energy from land to water or vice versa, affecting the region's temperature.
- Prevailing winds: Winds disperse particular air masses. The climate of a region can be influenced by the direction of the wind, with the wind from a humid region bringing cool air and the wind from a dry region bringing hot air.
Ques: What are some man-made factors that affect climate change? (5 marks)
Ans: A few man-made factors that influence climate change are listed below.
- Pollution: Vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and the combustion of fossil fuels are all major factors in causing climate change.
- Increasing population: As the world's population grows, so does the demand for grain production, land, and fossil fuels. As a result, there has been a notable change in the climate.
- Deforestation: The majority of the climate change is due to widespread tree felling and clearance of forest sections to accommodate other practices.
Ques: What is the greenhouse effect? (5 marks)
Ans: The greenhouse effect is the process by which the solar energy is absorbed and trapped by the greenhouse gases, as it is meant to be reflected back into space. Thus, this keeps the earth's atmosphere warm and prevents it from getting cold. The sun heats up the earth's atmosphere during the day time. The heat is radiated back into the atmosphere as the earth starts cooling at night. The heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere throughout this process. This is the reason for keeping the earth's surface warm, and allowing the living things to survive on the planet.
However, the earth's temperature is rising notably and one of the main reasons is higher amounts of greenhouse gases. This will allow some significant consequences if ignored.
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