This introduction covers The Fastest Climate Change in Earth's History 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 1 of 17 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🌡️ The Fastest Climate Change in Earth's History
Earth's climate has always changed — ice ages have come and gone over millions of years. But what is happening now is different: the current rate of warming is at least ten times faster than any natural warming event in the geological record. Ice cores drilled from Antarctica contain bubbles of ancient air dating back 800,000 years. They show that CO₂ levels have never been as high as they are today in all that time — and the rise over the past 200 years is virtually vertical on the graph. This is chemistry in action on a planetary scale.
🎯 Exam Priority: Examiners most commonly ask about sea level rise and extreme weather events as consequences of climate change. Learn these two first, then expand to ice caps, migration, and food supply.
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]