Global climate is now changing as a result of human activity — Edexcel GCSE Geography A
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Global climate is now changing as a result of human activity explained
Global climate is now changing as a result of human activity covers 2 specification points, including A.
Read the full explanation
How human activities (industry, transport,… and B. Negative effects that climate change is…. Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
a. How human activities (industry, transport, energy, farming) produce greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane) that cause the enhanced greenhouse effect.
This criterion asks you to explain how human activities add greenhouse gases that strengthen the natural greenhouse effect. Naturally present gases absorb outgoing infrared radiation and re-emit it, which keeps the Earth warm. Industry, transport and energy generation burn fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂). Farming, including livestock digestion, rice cultivation and manure, releases methane (CH₄). These extra gases trap more heat, so the enhanced greenhouse effect raises global temperatures. Structure your reasoning as a chain: activity, gas released, how the gas traps heat, then the enhanced effect. Link each named activity to a named gas so that each step of the explanation is clear.
b. Negative effects that climate change is having on the environment and people (changing patterns of crop yield, rising sea levels and retreating glaciers).
This criterion asks you to describe negative effects that climate change is currently having on the environment and people, using the examples of changing crop yield patterns, rising sea levels and retreating glaciers. Changing crop yield patterns: warming and shifting rainfall alter where crops grow and how well they perform, so in some places yields fall while elsewhere they may rise. Rising sea levels: warmer seawater expands and meltwater from ice on land flows into the oceans, threatening coastal land and communities. Retreating glaciers: ice loss reduces meltwater supply to rivers, especially in dry seasons, and changes local landscapes. For each example, state the effect clearly, then add one consequence for the environment or for people. Keep the focus on effects rather than causes.
Your focus
- Identify the human activities that release carbon dioxide and methane.
- Explain how added greenhouse gases trap outgoing infrared radiation.
- Select the option that correctly links a named activity to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Show all 6 objectives
- Describe three named negative effects of climate change on the environment and people.
- Explain why sea levels rise as seawater warms and land ice melts.
- Select the option that correctly identifies retreating glaciers as a negative effect of climate change.
Global climate is now changing as a result of human activity exam tips
Marking Points
- Identifies industry, transport and energy generation as activities that burn fossil fuels and release carbon dioxide.
- Identifies farming, including livestock digestion and rice cultivation, as a source of methane.
- Explains that greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit outgoing infrared radiation, so more heat is trapped in the atmosphere.
- Links the rise in these gases to the enhanced greenhouse effect rather than to the natural greenhouse effect.
- Connects each named activity to the specific gas it releases.
- Describes changing patterns of crop yield, noting that some regions may lose output while others may gain.
- Explains that rising sea levels result from the thermal expansion of warming seawater and meltwater from ice on land.
- Explains that retreating glaciers reduce meltwater supply to rivers and alter local landscapes.
- Links each effect to a consequence for either the environment or people.
- States that these effects are happening now, matching the present-tense wording of the statement.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Check each option for a named human activity from the list and the gas it releases.
- 💡Eliminate options that describe the natural greenhouse effect with no human addition.
- 💡When two options look similar, choose the one that explains how heat is trapped rather than only listing gases.
- 💡Check each option for a named effect from the list and a clear negative consequence.
- 💡Eliminate options that describe causes, such as emissions, rather than effects.
- 💡When options differ only slightly, choose the one that gives a specific mechanism, such as meltwater supply or thermal expansion.
Common Mistakes
- Treats the natural greenhouse effect as the cause of recent warming; correct this by stating that human-added gases strengthen it.
- Attributes methane only to industry; correct this by linking methane to farming as a named source.
- Confuses the enhanced greenhouse effect with ozone layer depletion; correct this by focusing on the trapping of infrared radiation.
- Describes the causes of climate change, such as burning fossil fuels, instead of the effects requested; correct this by stating what is happening to crops, sea levels or glaciers.
- Treats rising sea levels as caused only by melting sea ice; correct this by including thermal expansion of seawater and melting land ice.
- Writes that glaciers retreat only in polar regions; correct this by noting that mountain glaciers also retreat.
- Presents changes in crop yield as uniformly negative everywhere; correct this by recognising that some regions may see gains.