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GEOGRAPHY @ SKINNERS ACADEMY

Year 9/topic 1

1. Climate change

Do now:

1. What is the difference between climate change and global warming?

2. What do you already now about climate change and where did you hear about it?

We are very lucky. Our planet is the right distance from the sun so that we get ideal amount of heat
and light. Our atmosphere has the right mix of gases which keep some of the heat in so that the
water cycle can work. These gases include carbon dioxide, Nitrous oxide and methane. They are
called Greenhouse gases.

It could be a lot worse. We could be like Venus, where the atmosphere is almost entirely Carbon
Dioxide. This traps huge amounts of heat in. Surface temperatures reach 400 degrees Celsius. That
can melt most metals! Poisonous clouds of sulphuric acid sweep around the plant and the
atmosphere is so thick and dense, walking would feel like swimming. Oh - and there is no breathable
air for humans.

Or we could be like Mars. It has a thin atmosphere of almost entirely Carbon dioxide but no water.
Water absorbs heat slowly and releases it slowly – it balances out temperature throughout the year.
This means that on Mars you could enjoy 20 degrees Celsius on the equator (if you could breathe the
atmosphere of course) but freeze at -125 degrees Celsius at the poles. This gives Mars an average
temperature of -80 degrees Celsius.

On Earth we have an atmosphere dominated by Nitrogen (so plants can grow & provide food for
animals – including us!), just enough Carbon dioxide to keep some heat in (and keep the water cycle
moving) and Oxygen which we need to breath (thank you plants and ancient bacteria).

3. What are Greenhouse gases? Why are they vital for life on planets? Name three Greenhouse
gases.
4. Why is plant and animal life as we know it not found on Venus and Mars?
5. Why is earth ideal for plant and animal life?
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So why do Climate’s change?

The amount of heat energy we receive from the sun is not constant (B). Our Orbit can change shape
& our axis tilt is not always the same (A) The amount of Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can
change (C).

A
B

6. Look at the photos in source C. How are Greenhouse gases being added to the atmosphere?

These NATURAL factors combine (D) so that the Earth goes from being very hot, to cold, back to
warm roughly every 100,000 years. Our last age ended 15,000 years ago.

7. How can Earth’s changing orbit and axis affect how much heat energy it receives?

Life on Earth during an Ice age

Our last Ice age ended around 15,000 years ago. We have had many Ice ages over the years –
approximately 15 in the last 1,000,000 years (A).
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During an Ice age, Ice sheets at the North and South Pole extend, sea levels drop & Global
temperatures fall. The maps below show how far the Ice reached and where humans lived during
the last Ice age.

8. Describe the areas that were covered in Ice during the last Ice age (map B)
9. Describe where people lived 15,000 years ago. Suggest reasons why we were found there.
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Is there anywhere on Earth similar to living on the edge of an Ice sheet?

So, was life easier living 15,000 years ago but far away from the ice? Not quite!

10. How did ice age people survive prior to farming being established?
11. Why is life hard on Greenland and what modern solutions help them?
12. Why was it hard for everyone to survive on earth during an Ice age?
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Life after the Ice

As the Ice age ended, huge quantities of water, mud, sand and gravel flooded Northern Europe (A).
Because of this, it took thousands of years for sea levels to rise. Until 6000 BC, The British Isles were
joined to mainland Europe by a flat, marshy, forested land called Dogger Land B).

A B

In 6000BC, the world’s population was approx. 11.5 million people (that’s 0.001% of today’s
population of 7.7 billion people). Farming has begun along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (in modern
day Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel/POT, Jordan and Turkey). There is also evidence of pottery,
viniculture in Georgia (grapes and wine) and even cheese (in modern day Poland). From what we
know, birth and death rates were high, child mortality was very high and life expectancy was very
low.

Population change between 10,000 BC and 1AD

13. After the last Ice age, why did it take many years for Northern European Sea levels to return
to normal?
14. Using map C, suggest why early farming took place here
15. Look at graph D. Why was population growth so slow?
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So, climate change is a natural process and has nothing to do with us. Right?
Not quite. It is true that these natural variations in orbit, axis and sun activity can cause changes our
climate. So can very large volcanic eruptions like Toba 75,000 years ago. It erupted so much Sulphur
that global temperatures dropped. Most of SE Asia was covered in ash and the few human left on
Earth were probably in East Africa.

BUT…natural causes do not explain what has happened over the last 140 years. Look at the graph
below:

16. Describe the change in natural factors between 1880 and 2005
17. Describe the changes in temperature between 1880 and 2005 (observed line)

Look at the graph below. It shows levels of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere between 400,000 BC
and the present (right hand side of the graph). It also shows Global temperatures and sea level.

18.Describe how global CO2 levels, temperature and sea level have changed between 400,000BC
and 2018.
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Let us look at CO2 changes more recently. This graph shows both atmospheric CO2 (natural) and
CO2 emissions (what we have added).

The graph below shows how temperatures have changed from the 20 th century average since 1870.

18. Describe the changes shown in both graphs.

19. Suggest reasons for recent changes in Carbon dioxide levels.
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Climate change – collecting the evidence

There are many ways in which we can reconstruct past climates:

1. Ice cores

In Greenland and Antarctica, snow falls every year. This snow compacts every year and a new layer is
added. Ice cores can give us a record of past climates. Within the ice and bubbles of air. We can
measure levels of Carbon dioxide, methane, sulphur and oxygen. Oxygen comes in two Isotopes – 16
and 18. More O18 found in snow than rain – so when it is colder, it snows more, and more O18 is
found in ice cores.

2. Temperature records

We have recorded temperatures from the 1800s to the present.

3. Weather balloons and satellites

In the 1960’s, weather balloons were used to measure atmospheric CO2 and other gases. Since the
late 80s, satellite data has given us accurate measures of these gases.

4. Sea levels and glacier size

These have been accurately measured since 1900. Sea levels are rising & glaciers are retreating
(getting smaller). Both can be caused by rising temperatures.

5. Dendrochronology

Tree rings measures how old a tree is. Their width apart can also suggest how warm/wet it was.

20. You are researching past climates and you wish to find out the temp and CO2 levels in 1900.
Which methods could you use? Which are the most and least accurate?
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Climate change and us

Remember the Greenhouse effect? We need some Greenhouse gases like CO2, nitrous oxides and
methane to keep some of the heat energy we receive from the sun. They are not all bad!

But earlier we saw this graph – Global CO2 has increased rapidly since the late 1800s. Why then?

The industrial revolution which started in the UK and quickly spread across Europe, USA and Asia
was built on one thing – fossil fuels.

First coal. Coal was a source of fuel for internal combustion engines. These powered machines, then
power stations (making electricity), factories and eventually vehicles – everything from ships to
trains.

Then came oil. Oil was used to create petrol, diesel, plastics & bitumen (used to build roads). Trucks,
cars and lorries started moving more goods and people around the world. Later, they would fuel
larger ships and planes.

The came gas. Gas started to replace coal in power stations. It was more efficient, so more and more
power stations stared using it.

All of this helped the UK and other countries become very rich. But fossil fuels release greenhouse
gases when burnt. This explains the majority of the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases since
the late 1800s and especially since 1960. But they are not the only source…
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Other sources of Greenhouse gases:

 Agriculture. Cattle release methane. Farm fertilisers release nitrous oxide. The
transportation of farm products releases CO2.
 Landfill. When food which has been thrown away decomposers, it releases methane.
 Deforestation. Trees store carbon. They need it along with light for photosynthesis. Any loss
of forest means a net gain of carbon remaining in the atmosphere. Burning down trees
releases large amounts of CO2.
 Wastewater. Treating and cleaning sewerage and wastewater uses energy.
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CO2 emissions around the world are not even.

 Larger countries tend to release more CO2 (such as USA and China)
 Richer countries tend to release more per person
 Poorer countries tend to release less CO2 overall and per person
 In all nations, richer households release more CO2
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21. Why do large countries release more CO2 than smaller countries?

22. Why do Richer countries release more CO2 than poorer countries?

23. Why do Wealthier households release more CO2 poorer ones?

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Electricity production in the UK

The first power stations in the UK used coal to generate electricity.

Since the 1980’s, most UK power stations have been converted from coal to gas. They still release
CO2 but:

 Gas is cleaner, more efficient and releases less CO2 than coal. Converting power stations
rather than having to build new ones saved money.
 Most UK coal mines closed in the 1980s. Many were losing money and imported coal was
cheaper. There was international pressure to reduce coal use and the government at the
time did not wish to support industries which were losing money. We has access to natural
gas in the North Sea.

Other sources of electricity in the UK include:

 Nuclear. Nuclear power stations use uranium instead of fossil fuels so do not release
greenhouse gases. They are expensive and not popular with the public. There are fears over
their safety (though statistically the are very safe).
 Renewables. These include wind, HEP and solar. They release no greenhouse gases but
produce far less electricity. The UK are world leaders in offshore wind power.
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 Oil. Some isolated communities which are not connected to the national grip use oil
generators for electricity. They are reliable but polluting and relatively expensive.
 Other sources include Biofuels

24. Copy and complete the table below:

Source Fuel Advantages Disadvantages

Gas thermal power
station
Nuclear power station
Renewable/Wind

25. Using the text on page 15 & graph A, describe how and why the UK’s electricity generation has
changed since 2009. Include percentages, proportions & years in your answer.
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How well are we doing in the UK at cutting our CO2?

Headlines

 UK CO2 peaked in 1970. Since 1990, it has been reduced by 41%. It was last at this level in
1888.
 However – most of these reductions have come in the energy sector. Most other areas and
industries have seen only small reductions or have stayed stable.
 At the same time, we import more (80% of all goods we buy and even 50% of our food). If
this imported carbon is added, the reduction is less (see page 19 map F) and our individual
Carbon footprint is higher.
 But, we use about the same amount electricity now as we did in the 1990s – even with more
people and more electrical items. They have become more energy efficient.

A
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D
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F
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26. Using data from graphs A, B & C, Describe the changes in UK CO2 between 1888 and 2019

27. Using data from graphs D and E, describe how different industries and sectors are doing when it
comes to reducing CO2.

28. Using the headline from page 17 & sources A – G, evaluate* the following statement:

“The UK are doing well at reducing CO2 and our impact on Global climate change”.

*How is this statement accurate and how is this statement false? How true is it? What is your
evidence?

How do we use carbon in our everyday lives?

We all have a carbon footprint. Most of our activities release CO2 directly or indirectly:

Table A

Direct CO2 Indirect CO2

Use of car/bus – Petrol/diesel
Trains & planes – diesel
Heating – gas boilers in most
homes and businesses
Using electricity. 50% of our electricity is generated using
gas, coal or oil. This includes electricity use in buildings that
you use such as schools, workplaces, shops and train
stations/public buildings.
Buying imported goods. 80% of all goods bought in the UK
are imported such as electrical items, clothing & footwear.
The majority is brought// in on ships and then transported
by lorries.

Diet. 50% of our food is imported (because we like cheap

food, food we cannot produce ourselves and out of season
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food). Meat has a higher average carbon footprint then

vegetarian and vegan diets BUT some vegetarian/vegan
options can have a high carbon footprint if they use palm
oil, are imported (especially from ex-rainforest areas) or are
produced using lots of energy and water (such as almond
milk and some soya products).

C
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Typical electricity use in UK homes

Use table A (page 20) and charts C and E (page 21) to complete the following task:

29. Imagine a typical school day, followed by a trip to the shops afterwards to buy chocolate/crisps,
new headphones and trainers. List the ways in which you have directly or indirectly released CO2
from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed.

Use table A and graph B to complete the following task:

30. Write an argument for and against the following statement:

“Everyone should go Vegan to save the planet”.

31. Using graph D and your previous answer the question 28 (page 19), describe how well the UK are
doing at cutting CO2 compared to other:
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 Similar countries in size and wealth such as France & Germany

 Global average

Moving away from Carbon Electricity and transportation

Infographic 1 – examples of non-carbon/renewable energy

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Graph 1 – Use of renewables in the UK 1

Chart 1 – Use of renewables* in the UK 2

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*This chart includes nuclear as renewable as uranium is abundant and very unlikely to run out in
the foreseeable future.

32. What are the main advantages of using renewable energy for:

 The environment
 The economy (the wealth of the country)

Table A – advantages and disadvantages of different fuel types for electricity production:
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Use table A (page 25) to complete the following tasks:

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33. The UK has moved away from using Coal. What were the disadvantages of Coal? What were the
advantages of Gas?

34. The UK is a world leader in Wind energy. It releases no CO2. But what are the problems with
wind energy?

35. It will be very difficult for the UK to further reduce CO2 from electricity production without
increasing its use of Nuclear energy. What are the arguments for and against more nuclear power in
the UK?

36. How suitable is the UK for large scale Solar, solar thermal and geothermal energy?

The UK has been slow to cut CO2 emissions from vehicles. This is
shown in the graph below:

However, use of hybrid and electric vehicles is increasing. 2020 was a record year. But only 10% of all
vehicles on UK roads are hybrid or electric.

B
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37. Look at graph A (page 26). Which two areas have reduced their CO2 to below surface transport
that use to be above it? Explain or suggest how they have done this.

38. Using sources B – D, explain why hybrid and electric vehicles are increasing in popularity BUT still
only make up 10% of all UK vehicles.

39. In the near future, more and more vehicles (and even power stations) may use hydrogen fuel
cells. What is so good about them and why have they not taken off yet?

E
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So how will climate change affect me, my future & the world?

There is no getting away from the fact that the world is getting warmer, and that CO2 is a principal
cause.

It is also clear that many countries cutting CO2, moving away from fossil fuels, switching to greener
energies.

But what impact is climate change already having? And what about in the future?

An increase in heat adds more power into the atmospheric system. This leads to more evaporation,
clouds, rain and storms. Some areas might get wetter, some drier – most will become more
unpredictable.

Warmer oceans lead to sea level rise. Warmer oceans trigger more storms and are more acidic – this
kills coral (where 25% of marine species live).
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Using the 4 graphs at the bottom of page 28 and the maps on pages 29 and 30, copy and compete
the table below:

Effect Areas of the world affected Impact on people

Ice melting
Warmer oceans & rising sea
levels
More storms
More wildfires
Food shortages
Heatwaves/drought*
*lack of food triggered by rains failing and/or heatwave conditions
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Climate change and me

A lot has been said and written about Climate change. Groups march through cities telling
governments to do more and demanding action now. Many say that nothing is being done. Are they
right?

Yes and no.

It is inaccurate to say that no governments are doing anything. The UK is doing better than most
countries of a similar size and economy – but the UK’s CO2 is just 1% of the global total. It is true
that the USA needs to do more and that countries such as Australia, Canada & South Korea can
afford to do more.

China and India are the 1st and 3rd biggest sources of global C02. USA are 2 nd. Added together they
account for 50% of the world’s C02. It should also be noted though that they are the three largest
countries on the planet in terms of population. China and India are also major manufacturers and
exporters of goods that we buy.

There is more that governments and global groups can do:

 International agreements to cut Greenhouse gas emissions. In 2015, most of the world’s
countries agreed to reduce C02 levels in order to limit global average warming to 2 degrees
Celsius. Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Eritrea have not signed up. USA initially signed
up, then left but re-joined in 2021.
 Previous agreements in Rio, Kyoto and Copenhagen had mixed results. Not all countries
were onboard, and countries can set their own targets. Targets are for domestic emissions.
This means that countries who import lots (producing lots of CO2) can look like their own
CO2 levels are very low.
 Governments can make decisions on which fuels to use/import and which renewables to
invest in. They can subsidise households to insulate their homes. They can invest in cleaner
public transport. All of this takes money and ultimately, they get money from the public
through taxes (which are not always popular!).

Those of us fortunate enough to live in some of the most economically and socially developed
nations in the world have become used to the following things which ALL have an impact of climate
change:

 Cheap, imported food

available all year
 Reliable electricity and
broadband
 Holidays abroad
 Gas central heating and
hot water
 Relatively cheap
imported electrical
goods, clothing &
footwear

We are undeniably culpable for

warming since 1950.
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Hope? Yes!

But there is so much more that WE can all do. As individuals, communities, companies, cities &
nations. Here are some ideas:

Mitigation vs adaptation
Mitigation includes
reducing greenhouse gas
emissions &
deforestation.
Adapting includes
conserving water,
moving from the coast
and better planning &
predicting of natural
hazards.
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And a few more…

- Eat less meat/no meat/go vegan
- Do not leave TVs etc. on stand-by
- Use the car less/walk more
- By locally produced food (or at least food from the UK)
- Waste less food
- Recycle more
- But fewer things – especially clothes
- Educate others about what they can do
- Turn down the heating/double glazing/roof insulation
- Install solar panels
- Energy efficient devices
- Use natural light
- Adaptive outdoor blinds/awnings on South facing windows
- Reduce overall waste produced
- Ban all petrol/diesel cars from Central London
- Incentives for people to buy hybrid/electric cars/Motorbikes/mopeds
- Free on-street vehicle charging points
- Solar panels must be installed on all new non-residential buildings
- Reduce the cost of roof isolation, double glazing and home solar panels
- All households to have smart energy meters and water meters
- Ban the sale of non-energy efficient appliances
- All buses to be hybrid/electric/hydrogen by 2030
- Electrification of the entire railway network by 2040
- Higher taxes on Air Travel
- Higher taxes on imported goods
- Close all Coal power stations by 2030
- 50% fewer Gas power station by 2040
- Huge afforestation (tree planting) scheme
- Double UK capacity of CCS (Carbon capture and storage)
- 200% increase in UK wind power capability
- Double the number of Solar farms in the UK with subsidies for Framers
- Ban the sale of all non-recycled plastics
- Increase the UK Nuclear energy programme
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Use pages 31 – 33 to help you complete the table below. You should write 3 promises per box and
for each one, explain how it will mitigate against climate change or adapt to it.

I promise to… Skinners’ promises to…

These strategies will reduce CO21/defend against These strategies will reduce CO21/defend against
the consequences2 of climate change by… the consequences2 of climate change by…

London promises to… The United Kingdom promises to…

These strategies will reduce CO21/defend against These strategies will reduce CO21/defend against
the consequences2 of climate change by… the consequences2 of climate change by…

1 – Mitigation

2 – Adaptation