Physical and environmental impacts of climate change
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Flip to reveal answersDefine a temperature anomaly.
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All 11 Flashcards — Physical and environmental impacts of climate change
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Question
Define a temperature anomaly.
Answer
How much warmer or cooler a place is than its long-term average (e.g. +12C = 12C above normal).
Question
Name four physical/environmental impacts of climate change.
Answer
**Sea-level rise, falling albedo (ice melt), shifting biomes, more extreme weather.**
Question
Define albedo.
Answer
How much sunlight a surface reflects -- bright ice/snow = high albedo, dark ocean/land = low albedo.
Question
Why does melting ice lower albedo?
Answer
Bright reflective ice is replaced by **dark** ocean/land that absorbs more heat -- a positive feedback.
Question
Two reasons sea levels rise as the planet warms?
Answer
**Thermal expansion** (warm water expands) and **melting land ice** (glaciers + ice sheets add water).
Question
What is thermal expansion?
Answer
Warming ocean water expands and takes up more space, raising sea level with no extra water added.
Question
How does climate change shift biomes?
Answer
Temperature belts move **polewards/uphill**, so the climate a biome/species needs moves too.
Question
How does warming change animal migration?
Answer
Animals migrate **earlier** (warmth arrives sooner) and shift their range **polewards** to track climate/food.
Question
How is melting Arctic ice affecting shipping?
Answer
It opens new **shipping routes** (e.g. Northern Sea Route) for part of the year, but storms/ice can disrupt them.
Question
Data: Identify vs Describe?
Answer
**Identify** = read a value/region straight off; **Describe** = state the trend/pattern AND quote figures.
Question
What structure suits a [10] 'to what extent' climate essay?
Answer
**For / Against / Judgement**, each side anchored to a named example, ending on a justified stance.
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Full study notes for Physical and environmental impacts of climate change
Topic 2.2 hub
Consequences of global climate change
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