AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), Higher tier · Chemistry of the atmosphere › Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
Practise Global climate change. 14 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.
Many scientists believe that the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere will cause global climate change.
(a) Describe four potential effects of global climate change.[4]
(b) Explain how an increase in global temperature causes the sea level to rise.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a)
sea level rise, which may cause flooding / coastal erosion
more frequent and severe storms
changes in the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall
temperature and water stress for humans and wildlife
changes in the food producing capacity of some regions
changes to the distribution of wildlife species
(b)
ice (sheets / glaciers) on land melts, adding water to the oceans
sea water expands as it gets warmer
Question 3Hard6 marks
A government report describes global climate change as one of the greatest risks facing the world.
Discuss the potential effects of global climate change on people and on the environment. In your answer you should consider the scale and the risks of the effects.[6]
Show the answer and mark scheme
sea level rise causing flooding of low-lying areas and coastal erosion, affecting the many people who live near coasts
more frequent and severe storms damaging homes, crops and infrastructure
changes in the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall: droughts in some places and floods in others
temperature and water stress for humans and wildlife (e.g. heatwaves, water shortages)
changes in the food producing capacity of some regions: risk of food shortages in some areas
changes to the distribution of wildlife species: some species move to new areas or become extinct
the scale is global: all countries are affected, but some may be less able to adapt
the size of the risks is uncertain because predictions depend on models and on future emissions
Marked with levels of response: the full level descriptors are in the app.