Unit 4: How can climate change and energy use be managed?

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

What natural factors and feedback mechanisms have driven climate change throughout Earth's history?

the natural drivers of climate change including Milankovitch cycles, solar variation and volcanic activity, and the role of positive and negative feedback mechanisms in amplifying or dampening change

Natural drivers of climate change (Milankovitch cycles, solar variation, volcanic activity) and the role of positive and negative feedback mechanisms.

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How does carbon move between Earth's systems, and how have humans disturbed the carbon cycle?

the carbon cycle including the main carbon stores (reservoirs), the fluxes between them, the role of fast and slow cycling, and how human activities have altered the cycle

Carbon cycle, its main stores and fluxes, fast and slow cycling, and how human activity has disturbed it, with Australian examples.

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How do Earth's four systems and the energy balance work together to control the climate?

Earth's climate system as the interaction of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and the global energy balance including incoming solar radiation, albedo and outgoing radiation

Earth's climate system as the interaction of the four spheres and the global energy balance of incoming and outgoing radiation, with Australian examples.

6 min read →

How does the greenhouse effect work and why is the climate warming?

the natural greenhouse effect, the main greenhouse gases and their sources, and how the enhanced greenhouse effect from human activity drives global warming

Natural and enhanced greenhouse effect, the main greenhouse gases and their sources, and global warming.

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What evidence shows the climate is changing and what are the impacts?

the lines of evidence for climate change including direct measurements and proxy data such as ice cores, and the environmental and social impacts of climate change

Lines of evidence for climate change and its environmental and social impacts, with Australian examples.

7 min read →