Module 7: Climate Science

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How do the carbon cycle and the greenhouse effect regulate the Earth's climate, and how are human activities altering them?

Explain how the carbon cycle and the enhanced greenhouse effect regulate global temperature, including but not limited to the role of carbon reservoirs, fluxes, feedback mechanisms and the impact of anthropogenic emissions in the Australian context

Carbon cycle and the greenhouse effect. Carbon reservoirs and fluxes, the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect, feedback loops, and anthropogenic emissions including Australian coal and land use.

6 min read →

How does the balance of incoming and outgoing radiation control Earth's climate, and what natural factors have changed it through time?

Investigate the Earth's energy budget and the natural drivers of long-term climate change, including but not limited to solar variation, Milankovitch cycles, volcanism and changes in atmospheric composition

Energy budget and natural climate change. Incoming and outgoing radiation, albedo, Milankovitch cycles, solar variation and volcanism, with Australian context.

6 min read →

How do the oceans store and move heat and carbon, and how does this regulate global and Australian climate?

Investigate the role of the oceans in regulating climate, including but not limited to ocean currents, thermohaline circulation, carbon and heat uptake, and the El Nino-Southern Oscillation in the Australian context

Oceans and climate. Surface and deep currents, thermohaline circulation, ocean heat and carbon uptake, acidification, and ENSO, with Australian examples.

6 min read →

What evidence is used to reconstruct past climates and to demonstrate that the Earth's climate is changing?

Analyse the proxy and direct evidence used to reconstruct past climates and to identify current climate change, including but not limited to ice cores, isotopes, tree rings, sediment cores and the instrumental temperature record

Evidence for climate change. Proxy records (ice cores, isotopes, tree rings, sediment cores) and direct instrumental data, with Australian examples including the Cape Grim record and Antarctic ice cores.

6 min read →

How are climate models used to project future climate, and how reliable are their predictions for Australia?

Evaluate how climate models are constructed and used to project future climate change, including but not limited to emissions scenarios, model validation and projected impacts in the Australian context

Climate modelling. How models work, emissions scenarios, validation and uncertainty, and projected Australian impacts including heat, rainfall and sea level.

7 min read →