Climate:
1. A climate is the average weather in a given area over some time.
Weather:
1. Weather refers to how the environment behaves, mostly in terms of
its impacts on life and human habits.
2. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, brightness, cloudiness,
visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure all are factors that
influence the weather daily.
Weather Climate
1. Weather is day-to-day
[Link] is statistical weather information that
information on the atmospheric
provides information about the average weather
conditions in any area.
condition of a particular place over a long period.
[Link] changes in the weather condition [Link] changes in climate take a longer time to
can be observed very frequently. change.
[Link] is the scientific study of climate,
[Link] forecasting is observed by
which is described as the average of weather
the Meteorological Department
conditions over time.
[Link] conditions at any location like
[Link] is affected by temperature,
humidity, temperature, the sunshine, wind, etc are
pressure, humidity, cloudiness
affected by climate
The science of monitoring and studying the atmosphere and predicting its weather and climate is
called meteorology. People who study the weather and climate are known as meteorologists.
What is climate change?
The climate doesn’t always stay the same. It usually changes naturally and slowly
but recently it has been changing very quickly.
Gases that we release into the atmosphere can cause the climate to change. Carbon
dioxide - also known as CO₂ - is produced when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil and
gas. Fossil fuels are used to power cars and aeroplanes, and to produce electricity
for homes and the factories that make our toys, clothes and electronic gadgets.
When carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere it causes the greenhouse effect. It
traps heat in the atmosphere so that the Earth keeps getting hotter and hotter - just
like what happens in a greenhouse. The increase in the Earth’s temperature is
called global warming.
The effects of global warming
Global warming can affect the planet in different ways.
It is causing the ice near the North Pole and the South Pole to start melting which will
cause sea levels to rise.
The warmer temperatures are making the weather more extreme which causes more
flooding, drought and storms like hurricanes.
Australia has faced ferocious wildfires that can last for months. Very high
temperatures and dry conditions allow the fires to spread quickly. Many homes and
large areas of forest have been destroyed by these fires.
More extreme weather isn’t just a problem in faraway countries - it can happen here
in Wales too. Towns and villages in south Wales have been affected by heavy
rainfall and flooding, causing severe damage to homes and businesses.
The coastal village of Fairbourne in Gwynedd could become one of the first
communities in the UK to be lost to climate change. It is becoming more difficult to
protect it from the sea because of rising sea levels and powerful storms.
Renewable energy
There are ways to produce energy without burning fossil fuels. We are producing
more and more energy from sources that are renewable - meaning that they won’t
run out. More importantly, they don’t produce carbon dioxide.
Some of the most effective renewable energy sources are:
wind energy - using the power of the wind to generate electricity
solar energy - using the heat and light from the sun as a source of power
tidal energy - using the movement of water caused by the tide to generate
electricity
Renewable
Energy Energy or non- Power Impact on
resource store renewable Uses output environment
Transport,
Fossil fuels (oil, heating, Releases
coal and natural Non- electricity CO2 (causes
gases) Chemical renewable generation High global warming)
Radioactive
waste (needs to
Non- Electricity be disposed of
Nuclear fuels Nuclear renewable generation Very high safely)
Biofuel Chemical Renewable Transport, Medium 'Carbon neutral' -
Renewable
Energy Energy or non- Power Impact on
resource store renewable Uses output environment
little or no effect
on the
environment.
Although
growing biofuels
heating, can take up land
electricity that could be
generation used for farming.
Takes up large
areas that could
be used for
farming.
Windmills
Electricity change the
Wind Kinetic Renewable generation Very low landscape
Local habitats
are affected by
the large areas
that need to be
Gravitational Electricity flooded to build
Hydroelectricity potential Renewable generation Medium dams
Electricity
Internal generation,
Geothermal (thermal) Renewable heating Medium Very low
Tidal barrages
can block
sewage which
Potentially needs to go out
very high, to sea. Local
Electricity but hard to habitats also
Tides Kinetic Renewable generation harness affected
Dependent
on the
weather and
only
Electricity available
generation, during
Sun Nuclear Renewable heating daylight Very little
Electricity
Water waves Kinetic Renewable generation Low Very low