This deep dive covers Human Activities Causing 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 less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 5 of 17 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 5 of 17
Practice
20 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
🏭 Human Activities Causing Climate Change
1. Fossil Fuel Burning (75% of emissions)
Combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas releases CO₂ stored underground for millions of years:
- Power stations burning coal: C + O₂ → CO₂
- Vehicles burning petrol/diesel: C₈H₁₈ + 12.5O₂ → 8CO₂ + 9H₂O
- Industrial processes and home heating
2. Deforestation (11% of emissions)
- Reduces photosynthesis capacity — less CO₂ removed from atmosphere
- Releases stored carbon when trees are burned or decay
- Amazon rainforest has lost 17% of its area since the 1970s
3. Agriculture (14% of emissions)
- Cattle produce methane (CH₄) through digestion (enteric fermentation)
- Rice paddies release CH₄ from flooded, anaerobic soils
- Fertiliser use produces nitrous oxide (N₂O)
4. Industrial Processes
- Cement production: CaCO₃ → CaO + CO₂
- Steel manufacturing and chemical production
- Waste management (landfill methane)