GCSE Biology (OCR B)

Topic Summaries

Resource cycles and environmental change

Global warming

  • Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth.
  • Levels of carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere are increasing and contribute to global warming by trapping more heat.
  • The increased emission of greenhouse gases in recent years is due to human activity (e.g. fossil fuel combustion).
  • Biological consequences of global warming:
    • Glaciers are melting in the arctic, causing sea levels to rise and a loss of coastal regions and some islands.
    • Loss of suitable habitats for species, causing decreased biodiversity and decreased food security for humans.
    • Extreme weather conditions (e.g. flash floods and droughts).
    • Species are migrating as current conditions are no longer suitable for them

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