a large-scale and long-term change in the planet’s climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures

gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat

the retention of heat in the atmosphere caused by the build up of greenhouse gases

British English CC

Causes of climate change

Geography

This unit teaches pupils about the physical processes that help explain our weather and climate. Pupils will use fieldwork to investigate weather in their local area. Pupils will also learn about how and why our climate is changing.

Weather and climate: how do they vary?

changes in Earths movement around the sun (Milankovitch Cycles)

Which of these are examples of natural causes of climate change?

The Sun sends heat to Earth, some of which is reflected back into space.

Gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) trap heat, keeping Earth warm.

Extra greenhouse gases stop more heat from escaping, making Earth warmer.

Put the greenhouse effect in the correct order.

When {{}} erupt they release ash and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In the short-term, ash cools Earth, in the long-term, the greenhouse gases add to global warming.

Human activities like burning fossil fuels add more greenhouse gases.

A long-term change in Earth's temperature and weather patterns

Which of these is a natural cause of climate change?

Gases that help trap heat in Earth's atmosphere

Harmless gases that have no effect on temperature

Which human activity releases the most carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

This is true because climate change is caused by humans

This is false because Earth's climate has changed in the past, e.g. Ice Ages

This is true because the climate changes every day

This is false because climate change is made up

True or false? Earth's climate has never changed before humans existed.

As the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases, the temperature of Earth...

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Causes of climate change

Lesson outcome

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.