LIFE SCIENCES

GRADE 11 CAPS
STRUCTURED, CLEAR, PRACTICAL
- HELPING TEACHERS UNLOCK
THE POWER OF NCS
KNOWLEDGE AREA:
Environmental Studies

TOPIC 6.2: Human Impact on

the Environment – Current
Crisis for Human Survival
The Atmosphere and
Climate Change
SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
Introduction

Greenhouse Effect

Reasons for the increase in GHG Emissions

Sectors that Produce the most GHGs

Effects of Global Warming

SA and its Efforts in controlling Global

Warming
 INTRODUCTION
 The atmosphere as you know is a mixture of gases.
 Among these gases of the atmosphere are those that
bring about the greenhouse effect.
 These gases are…
water vapour
carbon dioxide
methane
nitrous oxide
ozone
 These greenhouse gases are responsible for the
greenhouse effect, which leads to an increase in the
average temperature.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
GHG

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Greenhouse gases Methane and nitrous oxide
are also examples of GHG’s
 INTRODUCTION
 This increase in the average global temperature is called
global warming.

Global warming leads to climate change.
 Before we look at climate change we must understand the word
climate.
 Climate refers to the long term prevalent weather
conditions of an area.
 Climate change is the ongoing change of the earth’s weather
patterns.
 Climate change is usually a very slow process.
 It occurs over tens of thousands and sometimes millions of years.
 INTRODUCTION
 This gives the organisms enough time to adapt to
the new climate.
 Currently climate change is occurring very
quickly.
 Therefore organisms do not have enough time to
adapt to the change in climate.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Global Warming

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Refers to an increase in The enhanced greenhouse
average global effect leads to global
temperature. warming.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Climate

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

refers to the long term South Africa has a warm
prevalent weather and sunny climate
conditions of an area compared to the UK which
has a wet climate
 INTRODUCTION
Evidence for rapid climate change:
1. Average global temperature has increased. The
hottest temperatures were recorded in the last
decade.
2. The average global sea level has risen.
3. Average annual rainfall patterns have changed. Some
areas becoming drier, while others becoming wetter.
4. Most land areas experience very heavy rainfall and
extreme weather events.
5. Tropics and subtropics experience more intense and
longer periods of drought.
 INTRODUCTION
 Recent events have shown that human activities
are the single greatest reason for global warming
and climate change.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
What is the Green House Effect?

 A Swedish scientist called Svante Arrhenius first used

the term greenhouse effect in 1896.
 He compared the earth’s atmosphere to the glass of
the greenhouse.

Lets look at how the greenhouse effect works…

 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
 The diagram below shows a simple explanation for
the green house effect.

The Greenhouse Effect

 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
 The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomena.
 It is very important because it keeps the earth warm.

It occurs in the following way…

1. The short wavelength of the sun’s rays reaches the
earth’s surface.
2. These short wavelengths have a lot of energy.
3. Most of the heat is absorbed by the earth’s
surface.
4. This keeps the earth warm.
5. But not all the energy that reaches the earth’s
surface is absorbed.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
6. Some energy is lost.
7. Some energy is given off
and goes back into the
atmosphere.
8. Some of this heat
energy escapes back
into space.
9. The greenhouse gases
absorbs most of this
energy.
10. This energy is re-emitted The Greenhouse Effect
in all directions by the
greenhouse gases.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
11. The earth losses
less heat to space.
12. This occurs
because of the
greenhouse gases.
13. Without the
greenhouse effect
we would be living
in an Ice Age. The Greenhouse Effect
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Greenhouse effect

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

warming of Earth's surface The greenhouse effect keeps
and the air above it the earth warm.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The Enhanced Greenhouse
Effect…

 This is occurs when more

greenhouse gases is
added to the
atmosphere.
 This results in a very big
increase in the
greenhouse effect.
 The enhanced
greenhouse effect
results in an increase in
global temperatures. The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
 This is called global warming.
 The enhanced greenhouse effect which leads to global
warming is brought about by the greenhouse gases.

Now lets look at some of these green house gases…

1. Carbon dioxide
 This gas is the biggest contributor to the greenhouse
effect, 53%.
 It is released during respiration of both plants and
animals, decomposition , burning of fossil fuels and
forest fires.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
2. Methane

It contributes 17% to the greenhouse effect.
 Cows and sheep are contributors of this gas.
 Methane is also released by swamps and rice paddy
fields.
 Rubbish dumps, landfill sites and water treatment
works also give off methane.
 Finally methane is also released during natural gas
leaks.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
3. Nitrous oxide

This gas contributes 5% to the greenhouse effect.
 It is released during the combustion of wood and
fossil fuels.
 When microbes break down the organic matter in
the soil, nitrous oxide is one of the gases that is
released.
 Nitrogen fertilizers also releases nitrous oxide.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT
4. Ozone

Ozone contributes to 13% of the greenhouse effect.
 Ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere.
 It is formed when oxygen reacts in sunlight.

5. CFC’s
 CFC stands for chlorofluorocarbon.

This gas contributes to 12% of the greenhouse
effect.
 It is released from fridges, foams, aerosol sprays and
solvents.
 GREENHOUSE EFFECT

We will look at 3 of these greenhouse gases (GHG).
 These are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and
methane.
 We shall look at human contribution to the emission
of greenhouse gas.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN
GHG EMISSIONS
1. Increase in Carbon dioxide Emissions

 The concentration of Carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere is 0,03%.
 Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless, heavy gas.
 It is the second largest contributor to global
warming and climate change.
 But it is the most important greenhouse gas emitted
by humans.
 Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of cellular respiration
and is released during breathing.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
 Carbon dioxide is also naturally released during
decomposition.
 But a very large amount of carbon dioxide is released
into the atmosphere during the production of
electricity.
 This is caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, especial
coal, during the production of electricity.
 As the human population grows the need for energy
also grows.
 Therefore more fossils fuels are burnt to make the
electricity and
 More carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
 Large amounts of carbon dioxide is released into the
atmosphere during transportation of people or goods.
 When goods and people are transported carbon dioxide is
released into the atmosphere during the combustion of
petrol or diesel.
 From this we can see that as the population increases more
energy is required and more people have to be transported
form place to place.
 This drastically increases the carbon dioxide emissions into
the atmosphere.
 Therefore we can deduce that human activities are the
greatest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions into the
atmosphere.
 ACTIVITY 1
Study the graph and answer
the questions that follow:
1. Name the
dependent and
independent variable.
2. Use your answer
above to formulate a
hypothesis.
3. Explain the trend shown
by the graph.
4. Explain why this trend
occurs.
 SOLUTION: ACTIVITY 1
1. Dependent variable: carbon dioxide emissions
independent variable- time.
2. The carbon dioxide emissions should increase over
time
3. Carbon dioxide emissions are continually increasing
from 1995 to 2010.
4. This occurs because the human population has
increased. Therefore there is greater demand for
energy and transport. Therefore the combustion of
fossil fuels for gasoline and electricity leads to an
increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the
atmosphere.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
Carbon Footprint:

 Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon

dioxide released by a person, population or company.
Humans release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
when…
1. Petrol or diesel is burnt as fuel to power their cars.
2. Fossil fuels like coal undergoes combustion to
release energy which is used to create electricity.
3. Wood or coal is burnt.
4. Other fossil fuels like paraffin or gas is used.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN
GHG EMISSIONS
 The activities mentioned in the previous slide releases a set
amount of CO2 into the atmosphere.

This is called its emission factor.
 The emission factor can be used to calculate the amount of
CO2 released by a single person.
 Therefore if the emission factor is high then the carbon
footprint is heavy.
 This means that your activities releases a high amount of CO2
into the atmosphere.
 Therefore your activities can do much damage to the
environment.
 If your emission factor is low then the carbon footprint is low.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Carbon footprint

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

refers to the total amount When fossil fuels are
of carbon dioxide released burned to released heat for
by a person, population or our homes, our carbon
company. footprint increases.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Emission factor

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Refers to the set amount of The emission factor of

CO2 released by a certain petrol is 2,68 per liter, this
activity. means that when 1 liter of
petrol is burnt it releases
2.68 units of CO2 into the
atmosphere.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Heavy carbon footprint

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Occurs when a large A heavy carbon footprint
quantity of CO2 is released can cause massive
into the atmosphere as a environmental damage.
result of one’s activities.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Low carbon footprint

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Occurs when a small amount Each person should have a
of CO2 released into the low carbon footprint to
atmosphere because of reduce damage to the
human activities. environment.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
Reducing you carbon footprint

You can reduce your carbon footprint by…

1. Reuse and recycle – there is no need to produce
new products, therefore there is a reduction in the
burning of fossil fuels.
2. Use public transport – this reduces the amount of
CO2 in the atmosphere because less gasoline is burnt
because there are fewer cars on the road with less
emissions.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN
GHG EMISSIONS
3. Less heating of homes – this can be achieved by
insulating your homes and building energy efficient
homes. Simply dressing warmly also reduces the need
for heating homes.
4. Carbon offsetting – use other forms of energy, clean
energy like solar or wind, releases less CO2 into the
atmosphere.
5. Reforestation – trees can be used as a carbon
reservoir.
6. Technological developments – this makes the
manufacturing of products more efficient therefore less
CO2 released into the atmosphere.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
2. Increase in Methane Emissions
 Methane gas is produced when certain micro-
organisms undergo anaerobic respiration.
The following are sources of methane emissions.
a. Methane gas is released by herbivores when the
micro-organisms found in their gut undergo
anaerobic respiration .
b. Micro-organisms in landfill sites decompose the
organic waste and release methane gas.
c. When waste water is treated, bacteria is used to
decompose any organic waste found in the water,
these bacteria also release methane gas.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
d. Methane gas is also released by mining activities.
e. Ice contains methane in its crystal structure. When
ice melts methane gas is released.
f. Production, handling, transmission and
combustion of fossil fuels releases methane gas.
 Methane gas has a much higher impact on global
warming than CO2.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
3. Increase in Nitrous Oxide Emissions
 Fertilizers contain nitrogen.
 These fertilizers release nitrous oxide into the atmosphere.
 Nitrous oxide has a greater heat trapping capacity than CO2.

4. Deforestation and Increase GHGs

 Deforestation refers to the process of changing land use
from forestry to non-forest use, for example housing or
mining.
 Forests are important because they have a large amount of
trees, these trees use up the carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
a) Reasons for Deforestation:
 Trees are chopped down for fuel.
 Trees are chopped and are used to make wood and
paper products.
 Trees are cleared to provide grazing land for farm
animals like sheep and cows.
 Forests are cleared to built roads to transport people to
and from the homes.
 Trees are cleared to make way for mining activities.
 Indigenous forest have been cleared to make way for
agricultural crops or plantations that have a higher
economic value like soya bean.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
b) Ways in which deforestation leads to an increase in
GHGs
 Deforestation increases the levels of GHGs in 4 ways.
These are…
1. Since there are fewer plants less CO2 is absorbed by
the plants for photosynthesis.
2. When trees are cleared for grazing land, the trees
are replaced by the grazing animals. These animals
release methane into the atmosphere.
3. Production of wood and paper products uses fossil
fuels and releases CO2.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
4. The dead tree trunks and branches provides a
perfect home for the termites. This causes an
increase in the termite population. The large
number of termites releases large amounts of
methane.

5. Ozone depletion and Increase in CO2 emissions.

What is ozone?
 This is a molecule that has 3 oxygen atoms (O3)
 It forms a thin layer of the atmosphere.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN
GHG EMISSIONS
 The ozone layer acts a
protective shield around the
Earth.
 Due to human activities the
ozone layer has become Position of ozone in Atmosphere
thinner and thinner.
 It has become so thin that a
hole as appeared over the
Antarctica.
 The thinning of the ozone is
ozone
called

depletion.
Hole in the Ozone layer
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Deforestation

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

refers to the process of An example of
changing land use from deforestation is when
forestry to non-forest use, forests are cleared away so
for example housing or that the land can be used
mining. for farming.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Ozone

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

This is a molecule that has The ozone forms the ozone
3 oxygen atoms (O3) layer that prevents the
harmful UV rays from
reaching the Earth’s
surface.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Ozone depletion.

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Refers to the thinning of As a result of ozone
the ozone layer. depletion there is a hole in
the ozone layer.
REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
Causes of Ozone Depletion:

 Caused mainly by the use of CFCs.

 CFCs are chlorofluorocarbons that are used in refrigerators
and as propellants in aerosols.
 However in accordance with the Montreal Protocol many
countries have banned the use of CFCs.

Role played by Ozone in increasing the CO 2 levels

 Because of the hole in ozone layer more UV light reaches
the earth’s surface.
 This affects the plants.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN GHG
EMISSIONS
 Some plants die and others can no longer
photosynthesize at the same rate.
 This causes the CO2 to collect in the atmosphere.
 Therefore the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
increases.

Other Effects of Ozone – Depletion

 More UV rays reach the earth’s surface, this can cause
skin cancer.
 Research has shown that high levels of UV rays may
affect the normal functioning of the immune system.
 REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN
GHG EMISSIONS
Solutions to Ozone –Depletion

 The Montreal Protocol was an agreement signed

by 30 nations.
 It attempts to reduce the use of CFC’s.
 It is one of the most successful conservation
stories.
 It is predicted that the ozone layer could be
restored by 2060-2065.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:

CFCs

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

are chlorofluorocarbons CFCs are responsible for
that are used in the hole in the ozone layer
refrigerators and as
propellants in aerosols.
 SECTORS THAT PRODUCE THE MOST
GHGS
 The following sectors of the economy contribute to the
GHGs…
a. Energy supply
b. Industry
c. Forestry
d. Agriculture
e. Transport
f. Residential and commercial buildings
g. Waste and waste water
 With energy supply contributing the most and waste
and waste water the least.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 The picture below show some of the effects of global
warming.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 From the picture we can see that global warming has
the following effects on the climate…
a. Increase in average global temperature
b. Melting of the polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and
coastal flooding
c. Frequent floods and prolonged droughts
d. Desertification
e. Reduced food production
f. Reduced biodiversity
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
a. Increase in Average Global Temperature
 In the past 10 years the temperatures have been
the warmest recorded.
 Many countries experienced heat waves.

b. Melting of the Polar Ice Caps

 With the increase in global temperatures the polar
ice caps have started to melt.
 This in turn causes the sea levels to increase.
 The rise in sea levels leads to flooding of low lying
coastal areas.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 It is predicted that entire
countries (like Maldives
and cities like London and
New York) will disappear
under water.
 Melting of the polar ice
caps will also cause the
global temperature to
increase.
This occurs in the following Artists impression of the
way… rising sea levels around
1. The ice reflects most of New York
sun’s rays.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
2. But water absorbs more of the sun’s rays than ice.
3. Therefore because of the melting of the polar ice
caps there is more water on earth more sun’s rays
are absorbed, increasing the temperature.
4. Then remember that ice stores methane in its crystal
structure, when the ice melts methane is released.
Methane is a GHG which in turn will cause an
increase in temperature.
5. Then as the earth’s temperature increases further,
more ice melts and the temperature increases even
further.
6. The process continues in a cyclic fashion.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
7. This is an example of a positive feedback.
8. This positive feedback is a runaway process.

c. Frequent floods and Prolonged droughts

 It is thought that global warming will lead to
changes in average rainfall patterns.
 Some areas will experience higher than normal
rainfall for example countries in northern Europe.
 Other areas will experience less rainfall and
become dry for example countries in Southern
Africa.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 The changes in the rainfall patterns can lead to frequent
flooding in areas that were not accustomed to very heavy
rainfall.
 Other areas becomes dry and arid where they once
received good rainfall.
 Flooding will affecting housing in the low lying areas,
coastal areas and along the river banks.
 Informal settlements are usually found along the river
banks.
 The flood can also be very dangerous and spread disease.
 Especially if the storm water is connected to the waste
water.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 The floods can cause a flooding of the sewer lines.
 Faeces will spill into the human settlement areas.
 This leads to an increase in water borne disease such as cholera.

d. Desertification:
 Long periods of drought will lead to the top soil becoming dry
and loose.
 If heavy rainfall follows then the dry loose top soil is washed
away.
 If this occurs often, the soil will no longer be able to support
plant life.
 The area will then change into a desert.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
e. Reduced Food Production

 Global warming will lead to a decrease in food

production.

The reasons for this are as follows…

1. Some food producing areas will become drier and will
not be able to support plant life.
2. Other food producing areas will become flooded by the
rising sea levels.
3. Crops may be destroyed by hurricanes and tornadoes
4. Soil erosion will reduce the fertility of the soil.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
5. High levels of CO2 may not be conducive to crop
production, but the high CO2 promotes the
growth of weeds. This will further decrease
crop production.

f. Reduced biodiversity

 Because of the speed at which global warming

occurs many species will not be able to adapt
to the climate change.
 Therefore these species would become extinct.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
The Effects of Global Warming on South Africa

According to National White Paper on Climate Change

Response South Africa will experience the following
changes because of global warming.
1. The South African coast will experience an increase
temperature of about 1 to 2 ˚C and the interior will
be warmer by 2 to 3˚C.
2. Water availability would decrease because of
increased evaporation and parts of the country would
be drier. This would affect human health, agriculture,
mining, electricity generation and the environment.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
3. Due to the increased dryness, veld fires and forest
fires will occur more often. There will also be an
increase in extreme weather events and droughts
and floods.
4. There would be a rise in sea-level which will affect
the people living at the coast.
5. The mass extinction of the endemic plants and
animals species will lead to a loss of biodiversity.
 EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
Ways to Reduce Global Warming

 Reduce the use of fossil fuels, this will lead to a

decrease in the levels of CO2
 Renewable energy such as solar energy and wind
power must be used. Cash incentives should be
provided to those who use this energy. This would
encourage more people to use this type of energy.
 Nuclear energy should be used, because this type of
energy does not release CO2 into the atmosphere. But
it creates the problem of the nuclear waste , which
radioactive.
EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 Reduce deforestation because the trees absorb CO2
for photosynthesis, this will decrease the amount of
GHGs.
 Re-plant the forests to increase the number of trees
so that more CO2 can be absorbed by the plants,
reducing the GHGs.
 Reduce GHGs emissions from various sources. This
is helped along by Kyoto Protocol and COP. This
would help to reduce greenhouse gases all over the
world. Your teacher will tell you more about these
committees and Protocols.
SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN CONTROLLING
GLOBAL WARMING
 South Africa has made the following efforts to
play a role in decreasing global warming.

1. National Climate Change Response White

Paper
 This paper outline the government's vision
and its attempt to control climate change.
SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN CONTROLLING
GLOBAL WARMING
According to this paper South Africa has a two fold
approach…
a. South Africa intends to adapt. This means it
accepts that global warming is inevitable, that it
is real and will happen. Then it intends to adapt
and manage the situation. The country will
ensure that it is able to respond to emergencies
and manage the climate change in a such a way
that its social, economic and environmental
capacities are maintained.
SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN CONTROLLING
GLOBAL WARMING
b. South Africa intends to accept its moral and legal
obligations under the UNFCCC.
 It also intends to keep its agreement according to the
Kyoto Protocol and that is to reduce its GHGs and keep
global warming to under 2˚C.
South Africa attempts to achieve this by doing the
following…
1. Allow GHG emissions to peak between 2020 and 2025.
2. Then level off for the next 10 years.
3. Then GHG emissions must decrease.
 This attempt to decrease GHG emissions and control
global warming is called mitigation.
 SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN
CONTROLLING GLOBAL WARMING
 The country plans to use different approaches,
policies etc to achieve the above.

Here are some of these plans.

Defining Carbon Budgets for Different GHG Emitting

Sectors.

 The carbon budget plans to detail the amount of CO2

each sector is allowed to emit. Then it plans to
introduce carbon budgets for the different countries
once the carbon budget is set.
 SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN
CONTROLLING GLOBAL WARMING
Carbon Tax

 The carbon tax will be calculated at between R75 to

R200 a ton of CO2 released.
 It is hoped that the tax will make the users drop to a
lower CO2 emission levels.
 Or that they will use renewable sources of energy
such as wind or solar power.
 There are 3 main arguments against the carbon tax.

These are…
 SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN CONTROLLING
GLOBAL WARMING
1. Tax collected may not go towards developing a
green economy, because the tax is not reserved for
developing alternative energy sources.
2. The price of electricity will go up to make up for the
tax.
3. It may lead to job losses because many companies
will cut their work force so that they are able to pay
the tax.

Green Economy Accord

 This is a new agreement signed between the South
African government, business and labour.
SA AND ITS EFFORTS IN CONTROLLING
GLOBAL WARMING
According to this agreement the following commitments
have been made…
1. The government commits to obtain renewable
energy from solar or wind power or bio- fuels such
as sorghum, sugar beet and jatropha.
2. Eskom commits to develop new technologies to
increase the efficiency of its coal fired power
stations.
3. The transport industry intends to upgrade the rail
system to improve the public transport so that more
South Africans will use public transport.
 It is believed that the implementation of this
agreement will lead to job creation.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Adaptation

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

Accepting that climate South Africa will attempt to
change will occur and handle climate change
finding ways and means to through adaptation.
manage and adapt to these
changes.
 TERMINOLOGY
TERM:
Carbon budget

DEFINITION: USE IN SENTENCE:

plans to detail the amount It is believed through the
of CO2 each sector is carbon budget some
allowed to emit companies will reduce their
carbon emissions.
 TERMINOLOGY
 Atmosphere: mixture of gases
 GHG: is the abbreviation for Greenhouse gases
 Climate: refers to the long term prevalent weather conditions
of an area.
 Climate change: is the ongoing change in the earth’s weather
patterns
 Global Warming: refers to an increase in average global
temperature.
 Greenhouse effect: refers to the warming of Earth's surface
and the air above it.
 Carbon footprint: refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide
released by a person, population or company.
 TERMINOLOGY
 Emission factor: refers to the set amount of carbon
dioxide released by a certain activity.
 Heavy carbon footprint: occurs when a large quantity
of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere as a
result of ones activities.
 Low carbon footprint: occurs when a small amount of
carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere because
of human activities.
 Deforestation: refers to the process of changing land
use from forestry to non-forest use, for example
housing or mining.
 TERMINOLOGY
 Ozone: refers a molecule that is made up of 3 oxygen
atoms.
 Ozone depletion: refers to the thinning of the ozone layer.
 CFCs: are chlorofluorocarbons that are used in refrigerators
and as propellants in aerosols.
 Mitigation: refers to attempt to decrease GHG emissions
and control global warming.
 Adaptation: accepting that climate change will occur and
finding ways and means to manage and adapt to these
changes.
 Carbon budget: plans to detail the amount of carbon
dioxide each sector is allowed to emit
 QUESTION 1
The accord that was signed by government, business and labour
is called…

A. Montreal Protocol

B. Green Economy

C. National climate change response white paper

D. Kyoto Protocol
 QUESTION 2
The agreement that attempts to reduce the use of CFCs is…

A. Montreal Protocol

B. Green Economy

C. National climate change response white paper

D. Kyoto Protocol
 QUESTION 3
An agreement that was made by many countries to reduce
GHGs is…

A. Montreal Protocol

B. Green Economy

C. National climate change response white paper

D. Kyoto Protocol
 QUESTION 4
The document in which South Africa attempts to deal with
climate change by adaptation and management is called…

A. Montreal Protocol

B. Green Economy

C. National climate change response white paper

D. Kyoto Protocol
 QUESTION 5
South Africa’s view on climate change is…

A. It exists and is inevitable

B. It exists but will never effect South Africa

C. It exists but will affect South Africa only in the distant future

D. It does not exist, it a lie created by developed countries to hold

back our advancement.
 QUESTION 6
The main argument against carbon tax is that…

A. Price of electricity will go up to make up for the tax.

B. It will lead to increased deforestation.

C. It may cause increased soil erosion.

D. Both B and C
 QUESTION 7
Global warming can be reduced by…

A. Reducing the use of fossil fuel

B. Use nuclear power

C. Preventing the use of nuclear power

D. Both A and B
 QUESTION 8
The following are some effects of global warming.
1. Melting of polar ice caps
2. Increased flooding
3. Total loss of water
4. The earth becoming a desert

A. 1, 2, 3 & 4 B. 1 & 2 only

C. 3 and 4 only D. 2, 3 and 4
 QUESTION 9
Global warming can lead to a reduction in biodiversity because…

A. The change in climate will destroy some species.

B. The mass extinction of endemic plant and animal species may occur

C. Both A and B

D. A only
 QUESTION 10
The melting of the polar ice caps can cause an increase in
temperature because…

A. Ice stores methane gas in its crystal structure.

B. As the ice melts methane gas is released

C. Methane gas is a GHG

D. A, B and C
 QUESTION 11
Ozone is a molecule that contains…

A. 1 oxygen atom

B. 2 oxygen atoms

C. 3 oxygen atoms

D. 1 or 3 oxygen atoms
 QUESTION 12
The thinning of the ozone layer is called…

A. Ozone thinning

B. Global warming

C. Climate change

D. Ozone depletion
 QUESTION 13
Methane gas is released when micro- organisms undergo…

A. Cellular respiration

B. Anaerobic respiration

C. Aerobic respiration

D. Gaseous exchange
 QUESTION 14
The gas that has a higher impact on global warming is…

A. Methane

B. Carbon dioxide

C. Nitrous oxide

D. Oxygen
 QUESTION 15
Most important greenhouse gas emitted by humans is…

A. Methane

B. Carbon dioxide

C. Nitrous oxide

D. Oxygen
 QUESTION 16
The greenhouse gas that has the smallest contribution to
the greenhouse effect is…

A. Methane

B. Carbon dioxide

C. Nitrous oxide

D. Oxygen
 QUESTION 17
The GHG that is present naturally in the atmosphere is…

A. Methane

B. Nitrous oxide

C. Ozone

D. Oxygen
 QUESTION 18
The natural phenomena that keeps the earth warm…

A. The green house effect

B. The enhanced greenhouse effect

C. Global warming

D. Decomposition
 QUESTION 19
The phenomenon that leads to climate change is…

A. The green house effect

B. The enhanced greenhouse effect

C. Both A and B

D. None of the above

 QUESTION 20
Deforestation leads to climate change because…

A. There are no longer enough tree to absorb carbon dioxide

B. Dead tree trunks attract termites which release large amounts of

methane

C. The trees are replaced by grazing animals which release methane

gas

D. All of the above

 SOLUTION
1. B 11. C
2. A 12. D
3. D 13. B
4. C 14. A
5. A 15. B
6. A 16. C
7. D 17. C
8. B 18. A
9. C 19. B
10. D 20. D