PrepWisePrepWiseClimate Change
AtmosphereHow It Works

How Increased CO₂ Drives Climate Change

Part of Climate Change · GCSE GCSE Chemistry revision

This how it works covers How Increased CO₂ Drives Climate Change within Climate Change for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Climate Change in Atmosphere for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 17 in this topic. Use this how it works to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 6 of 17

Practice

20 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

⚙️ How Increased CO₂ Drives Climate Change

The chain of causation from fossil fuel burning to climate change is well understood:

  1. Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ that has been stored underground for millions of years
  2. Atmospheric CO₂ concentration rises (from 280 ppm pre-industrial to 420+ ppm today)
  3. Higher CO₂ concentration means more infrared radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere
  4. More infrared is re-emitted back towards Earth's surface
  5. Earth's surface temperature rises — the enhanced greenhouse effect
  6. Warmer oceans evaporate more water vapour (another greenhouse gas) — this acts as a positive feedback, amplifying the initial warming
  7. Melting ice reduces Earth's albedo (reflectivity): darker ocean surface absorbs more radiation than white ice — another positive feedback

These feedback mechanisms mean that even a modest initial increase in CO₂ can lead to a much larger total warming effect. This is why scientists are concerned about "tipping points" — thresholds beyond which feedbacks become self-sustaining.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Climate Change. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Key Facts About Climate ChangeWeather vs ClimateThe Fastest Climate Change in Earth's HistoryEvidence for Climate Change

Practice Questions for Climate Change

Which statement correctly describes the difference between weather and climate?

  • A. Weather is the long-term average conditions; climate is what happens on one day
  • B. Weather is short-term atmospheric conditions; climate is the long-term average of those conditions
  • C. Weather refers to temperature only; climate refers to rainfall only
  • D. Weather and climate mean the same thing
1 markfoundation

Explain three consequences of climate change for the environment or human populations. [3 marks]

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

At what rate is Arctic sea ice declining?
13% per decade
How have CO₂ levels changed since 1880?
Increased from 280 ppm to over 420 ppm (a 50% increase)

20 questions on Climate Change — practise free

Instant marking, adaptive difficulty, and 15 spaced repetition flashcards. Free until your GCSEs.

Try PrepWise Free

Previous

Key Facts About Climate Change

Next

Weather vs Climate