Global climate change — AQA GCSE Chemistry
Test yourself on Global climate change with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Global climate change explained
Average global temperature is calculated from many land and sea measurements over a long period.
Read the full explanation
When this average rises, the climate system changes: warmer air holds more water vapour, ice melts, and ocean water expands. These changes alter weather patterns, sea level and habitats, so the temperature rise is a major cause of climate change. It is not the only factor, because volcanic eruptions and changes in solar output also affect climate, but the recent rise is linked to increased greenhouse gases from human activity. A useful method is to distinguish weather, which is short term and local, from climate, which is long term and average. A single hot day is weather; a rising multi-decade average is climate change.
Your focus
- Define average global temperature and distinguish it from local weather.
- Explain how a rise in average global temperature causes climate change.
- Describe at least two effects of the temperature rise on the climate system.
Global climate change exam tips
Marking Points
- Define average global temperature as a long-term average from many measurements around the world.
- Explain that a rise in this average drives climate change by altering the climate system.
- Link the temperature rise to effects such as melting ice, thermal expansion of oceans and changed weather patterns.
- Distinguish climate, a long-term average, from weather, which is short term and local.
- Recognise that other factors such as volcanic activity and solar variation also affect climate, but the recent rise is linked to greenhouse gases.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Define average global temperature before explaining its effect, so your answer has a clear starting point.
- 💡Use the weather-versus-climate distinction when a question gives a short-term event.
- 💡Link the temperature rise to at least two consequences to show the causal chain.
Common Mistakes
- Using one cold day to argue against global warming; correct by explaining that climate is a long-term average, so single weather events do not disprove a trend.
- Confusing climate change with the ozone hole; correct by linking climate change to greenhouse gases and the ozone hole to chlorofluorocarbons.
- Saying the temperature rise is the only cause of climate change; correct by stating it is a major cause while other natural factors also operate.