Teacher Resource 4

Task 4: Evidence for climate change - Answers

There is a variety of evidence that can be observed around the world that indicate that climate change is already happening e.g. Sea level rise, snow melt and glacial retreat.

Using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) resources (see link) to complete the grid below: on

Evidence / Facts / Examples
Sea level rise / Global sea level rise has been about 17cm over the last century however the rate of sea level rise over the next decade is expected to be greater.
Satellite measurements show a rate of rise of about 3.4 mm/year since the early 1990s. / The Republic of the Maldives
Global temperature rise / Most of Earth's warming has occurred since 1970s.
10 of the warmest years on record have occurred in the last 12 years.
2015 was the warmest year on record.
Up to date records show that temperatures are 0.87oC warmer than the 1951-1980 averages. / 2-2.5 degree temperature anomaly predicted for UK by 2050.
Decreased snow cover / Amount of snow has decreased in the northern hemisphere of past five decades.
Higher areas such as the Andes and The Rockies maintain some snow cover all year round.
Snow cover is being monitored by MODIS and Terra satellites. / Arctic
Northern Canada

Version 11© OCR 2017

Climate Change

Evidence / Facts / Examples
Ocean acidification / Since the beginning of the industrial revolution acidity of surface ocean water has increased by 30%.
Increased caused by more CO2 being dissolved from the atmosphere.
Two billion tonnes of CO2 are being dissolved into oceans each year, exacerbating coral bleaching events. / Coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef
Extreme events / The number of high temperature events in the US has increased since 1950.
Number of low temperature events decreasing since 1950.
UK and USA have experienced more intense rainfall events. / USA - high temperature events
UK - Intense rainfall events
Glacial retreat / Decrease of 400 billion tonnes of glacial ice per year since 1994.
287 billion tonnes of ice has been lost from Greenland and Iceland combined.
Arctic sea ice has declined by 13.4% over the last decade. / Glacial retreat in Alaska
Glacial retreat in the Alps
Greenland and Iceland
Warming oceans / Oceans have absorbed much of the increased heat.
The upper 700 meters (about 2,300 feet) of ocean showing warming of 0.302 degrees Fahrenheit since 1969. / Warming oceans and melting Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Version 11© OCR 2017

Climate Change