natural cause of climate change

• What is one natural factor that can cause climate change?

  Volcanic activity
• How can large volcanic eruptions affect the atmosphere?

  They can change the atmosphere significantly
• What phenomenon can occur due to volcanic eruptions reflecting sunlight?

  Volcanic winter
• What effect do particles from volcanic eruptions have on Earth's temperature?

  They cool the Earth down
• How long do volcanic winters typically last?

  A few years
• What is another natural factor that can cause climate change?

  Solar output variation
• Why can't volcanic eruptions explain global warming over the last 150 years?

  Volcanoes don't produce enough CO2
• How does solar output variation affect Earth's temperature?

  High output could increase Earth's temperature
• What is the scientific consensus regarding solar output variation and recent global warming?

  It cannot explain recent global warming
• What is a third natural factor that can cause climate change?

  Orbital changes
• What are Milankovitch cycles?

  Changes in Earth's orbit over 96,000 years
• How does the Earth's proximity to the Sun affect its temperature?

  Closer proximity warms the Earth
• What do orbital cycles explain in terms of climate history?

  They could explain interglacial eras
• How often does the Earth's tilt change?

  Every 41,000 years
• What is the cycle duration for the Earth's axis wobble?

  22,000 years
• How do these orbital cycles affect solar radiation received by Earth?

  More exposure leads to warming
• What is another potential cause of climate change?

  Asteroid collisions
• What happens when asteroids collide with Earth?

  Dust particles are thrown into the atmosphere
• How do dust particles from asteroid collisions affect global temperatures?

  They reduce sunlight reaching Earth
• Why are asteroid collisions unlikely to explain recent climate changes?

  They do not account for recent changes