Summary
Climate change is a long-term statistically significant change in climate means or variability, from natural and human causes.
Core concept
Understand the system
Climate change is a long-term statistically significant change in climate means or variability, from natural and human causes.
Why / how it happens
Causes and context
Climate change is a long-term statistically significant change in climate means or variability, from natural and human causes. The governing relationship is: Greenhouse-gas emissions alter radiative forcing, warming the climate system and triggering feedbacks in ice, oceans, water and ecosystems.
Mechanism / process
Greenhouse-gas emissions alter radiative forcing, warming the climate system and triggering feedbacks in ice, oceans, water and ecosystems.
Key facts
- Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are important anthropogenic greenhouse gases.
- Mitigation reduces causes; adaptation reduces harm from impacts.
- Climate differs from weather by the time scale and statistical pattern considered.
Important terminology
- radiative forcing
- greenhouse gas
- mitigation
- adaptation
- feedback
Named examples / case studies
- Arctic sea-ice loss illustrates an albedo feedback that can amplify warming.
Causes / components
- Key components: radiative forcing, greenhouse gas, mitigation.
- Greenhouse-gas emissions alter radiative forcing, warming the climate system and triggering feedbacks in ice, oceans, water and ecosystems.
Effects / significance
- Mitigation reduces causes; adaptation reduces harm from impacts.
- Climate differs from weather by the time scale and statistical pattern considered.
- Application: Arctic sea-ice loss illustrates an albedo feedback that can amplify warming.
Geography connection
Arctic sea-ice loss illustrates an albedo feedback that can amplify warming. This illustrates how climate change varies by location, scale or environmental context.
Bangladesh connection
Bangladesh faces sea-level, salinity, cyclone, flood, heat and livelihood risks while pursuing adaptation and low-carbon development.
BCS preliminary facts
- Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are important anthropogenic greenhouse gases.
- Mitigation reduces causes; adaptation reduces harm from impacts.
- Climate differs from weather by the time scale and statistical pattern considered.
BCS written analysis
Build an analytical answer
- Climate change is a long-term statistically significant change in climate means or variability, from natural and human causes.
- Greenhouse-gas emissions alter radiative forcing, warming the climate system and triggering feedbacks in ice, oceans, water and ecosystems. Use arctic sea-ice loss illustrates an albedo feedback that can amplify warming. as a named application in a comparative answer.
Common misconceptions
- Climate change includes more than temperature rise.
- A cold day does not disprove long-term warming trends.
BCS PRACTICE ENGINE
Test Your Knowledge
Select the best answer, then check your response.
Climate Change: which statement correctly applies radiative forcing to this topic?
Quick revision
- Climate Change
- Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are important anthropogenic greenhouse gases.
- Mitigation reduces causes; adaptation reduces harm from impacts.
- radiative forcing / greenhouse gas
- Definition → process → spatial example