Global Warming
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Global warming is a scientific observation that the average temperature of the Earth is increasing.
About Global Warming
- Global warming happens naturally. However, scientists theorise the current trend of global warming is being caused by human activity on Earth. This theory is known as Anthropogenic Global Warming.
- Global warming can be caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide and Methane which are being produced in larger quantities currently due to human activity.
- The exact effects of global warming are unknown. However, it is likely to affect different climates around the Earth in different ways. This is known as climate change.
- Climate change caused by global warming can cause habitat destruction due to changes in weather patterns in many different ecosystems possibly causing drought, flooding, temperature rises or temperature falls depending on the location.
- Some scientists are investigating ways to slow or reverse global warming to prevent climate change. These methods are known as geoengineering and they are an attempt to control the average temperature of the Earth's surface.
Uncertainties about Global Warming
While the average temperature of Earth seems to be increasing there are some uncertainties in the measurements taken.
- Accurate temperature records from thermometers only go back around 160 years.
- Thermometers that were once in rural areas are now surrounded by buildings which causes a 'heat island effect' which makes the readings unreliable as there is another variable which has affected their temperature readings.
- Old thermometers were far less accurate than modern thermometers. Some scientists believe this is what caused an apparent halt in global warming over the last decade and in fact global warming didn't stop, we just got better thermometers.
Extra Information
References
AQA
- Global warming, page 117, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, page 34, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Global warming, page 54, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, page 87, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, pages 109-10, 173-6, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA
- Global warming, pages 199-202, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Global warming, pages 209-211, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Chemistry, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, pages 263-4, 279-80, GCSE Biology, Hodder, AQA
- Global warming, pages 271-273, GCSE Chemistry, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, pages 278-281, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, pages 292-3, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Global warming, pages 294-297, 305, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Global warming, pages 343-346, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Global warming, pages 345, 350-1, 356-7, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Global warming, pages 92, 178, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Global warming; evidence for, page 231, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA
- Global warming; possible effects, pages 231-3, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA
- Global warming; scientific opinions, page 230, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA
Edexcel
- Global warming, page 166, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel
- Global warming, page 280, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel
- Global warming, page 296, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Global warming, pages 267, 268, GCSE Chemistry, CGP, Edexcel
OCR
- Global warming, page 143, Gateway GCSE Biology, Oxford, OCR
- Global warming, page 146, Gateway GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, OCR
- Global warming, page 84, Gateway GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, OCR
- Global warming, pages 256-257, Gateway GCSE Chemistry, Oxford, OCR