Evidence for climate change

• How do businesses contribute to climate change?

  Through greenhouse gas emissions from their operations, supply chains, and products.
• What does climate change involve?


  Changes in weather patterns and average temperatures.
• What are some major effects of climate change on industries?


  It can significantly impact agriculture, tourism, and other economies worldwide.
• What challenges does climate change pose for businesses?


  • Companies need to adapt to remain competitive.
  • Not all businesses recognize the need for adaptation.
  • Some businesses continue operations without necessary changes.
• What is a key issue regarding climate change in business?


  Whether it is recognized as a key issue by the business.
• How might a business adapt to climate change to stay competitive?


  By implementing sustainable practices and reducing emissions.
• Why do some businesses fail to implement necessary changes regarding climate change?


  They do not recognize climate change as a significant issue.
• What type of analysis is used to provide evidence for climate change through preserved plant pollen?


  Pollen analysis
• How do different types of plant pollen indicate changes in climate?


  They show changes in the type of vegetation adapted to different conditions
• What can pollen samples from soil cores tell us about past climates?


  They provide a guide to what the climate was like at different times
• What do tree rings indicate about a tree's growth?


  They grow wider in rings each year
• What factors influence the width of tree rings?


  Temperature, rainfall, and amount of sunshine
• What does a thinner tree ring indicate about the climate conditions during that year?


  It indicates colder years, cloudy summers, or irregular rainfall
• How can tree rings help in understanding climate variations over time?


  They reflect changes in climate during the tree's lifetime
• How old can some trees, like oak trees in the UK, be to provide historical climate data?


  Over 800 years old
• What can examining tree rings reveal about a tree besides its age?


  How the climate varied between different years
• What are the main methods used to gather evidence for climate change?

  • Pollen analysis: Traces of plant pollen in soil cores
  • Tree rings: Width of rings indicates climate conditions
• What areas have seen warmer summer temperatures leading to ice cap melting?

  Greenland and the Arctic
• What seasonal weather pattern causes the Arctic ice cap to grow again?


  Colder weather of autumn and winter
• Since what year have satellites been used to monitor changes in sea ice?


  1979
• What was the minimum size of Arctic sea ice in 2020?

  1. 74 million square kilometres
• According to the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, how does the 2020 Arctic sea ice minimum rank in history?


  It is the second lowest since satellite records began
• What evidence shows that many mountain glaciers have retreated over the last 50 years?


  Photographs, satellite images, and staking the changing position of the end of a glacier
• What are two factors contributing to the retreat of glaciers?


  Lack of snowfall and increasing temperatures
• What is the significance of glacial lakes formed from retreating glaciers?


  • Indicate climate change impacts
  • Serve as indicators of glacier health
  • Affect local ecosystems and water resources
• Over how many years have scientists monitored changes in sea ice?


  Over 40 years
• What does the retreat of mountain glaciers indicate about climate conditions?


  It indicates rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns
• What is ocean acidification?


  It is the process of the ocean becoming more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide levels.
• How can ocean acidity be used to determine carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere?


  Increased carbon dioxide levels lead to more CO2 dissolving in oceans, increasing acidity.
• What happens to ocean acidity when carbon dioxide levels in the air increase?


  The amount of CO2 that dissolves into the oceans increases, making the water more acidic.
• How can current ocean acidity be measured?


  Current ocean acidity can be measured directly.
• How can we determine past ocean acidity levels?


  By comparing the thickness of seashell samples, which are made of calcium carbonate.
• Why do thinner seashell samples suggest more acidity in the ocean?

  Because calcium carbonate is soluble in acid, leading to thinner shells in more acidic conditions.
• By how much has the acidity of surface ocean waters increased since the Industrial Revolution?


  About 30%.
• What is the primary cause of increased ocean acidity since the Industrial Revolution?


  Humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• How does the rate of recent climate change compare to natural climate change?


  Recent climate change caused by human activity has happened much more quickly.
• What evidence can be found to support climate change?


  Evidence can be found from many different sources providing information about climate conditions.
• What does more recent data indicate about the global climate?


  It clearly shows that the global climate is becoming hotter.
• What are the main sources of evidence for climate change?

  • Ocean acidity measurements
  • Seashell thickness comparisons
  • Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
  • Historical climate data
  • Recent temperature records
• What do ice cores in the Arctic and Antarctic reveal about past climates?


  They reveal the amounts of different gases in the atmosphere.