This definitions covers Key Definitions 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 8 of 17 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
📖 Key Definitions
Climate change: Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns. While some climate change is natural, since the mid-20th century human activities have been the main driver.
Global warming: The observed increase in Earth's average surface temperature, primarily caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect from increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
Carbon footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual, organisation, event, or product, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Weather: Atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place (temperature, precipitation, wind). Short-term and variable.
Climate: The average weather conditions over a long period (typically 30+ years) for a region. Represents long-term patterns.
Albedo: The reflectivity of a surface. Ice and snow have high albedo (reflect sunlight). Dark ocean water has low albedo (absorbs sunlight). Melting ice reduces albedo, amplifying warming.
Practice questions for Climate Change
Which statement correctly describes the difference between weather and climate?
Explain three consequences of climate change for the environment or human populations. [3 marks]