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Updated Mar 20, 2026
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Complete Notes on Hazardous Earth for Edexcel B Geography GCSE
H
Hannah
@hannnah_study
1 / 3
Global Atmospheric Circulation and Climate Patterns
Think of Earth's atmosphere like a giant conveyor belt system that moves air around the planet. Winds form because air naturally flows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, creating predictable patterns that drive our weather.
The atmosphere works through three circulation cells in each hemisphere: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. Here's how it works: the Sun heats air at the equator, making it rise and create low pressure. This warm air cools as it moves away from the equator, then sinks at 30° north and south, forming high pressure belts where you'll find many of the world's deserts.
Trade winds blow from these 30° zones back toward the equator, whilst westerlies blow from 30° toward the poles. Understanding this system helps explain why certain regions have consistent weather patterns and why storms move in predictable directions.
Climate has always changed naturally. During the Quaternary period (the last 2.6 million years), Earth cycled between cold glacial periods lasting 100,000 years and warmer interglacial periods lasting 8,000-12,000 years. However, in just the last 200 years, temperatures have risen 0.8°C - that's incredibly fast in geological terms.
Key Point: The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases absorb long-wave radiation reflected from Earth's surface and re-radiate it back, trapping heat in our atmosphere.
Evidence for Climate Change and UK's Climate History
Scientists use clever methods to understand past climates. Ice cores act like frozen history books - each annual layer of ice contains gases that reveal ancient temperatures and atmospheric conditions stretching back thousands of years. Tree rings work similarly; thick rings indicate warm, wet growing seasons whilst thin rings show harsh conditions.
The UK has experienced dramatic climate shifts throughout history. During the Medieval Warm Period , temperatures were 1-2°C warmer than in 2000, likely due to increased solar radiation. Conversely, the Little Ice Age brought temperatures 1°C cooler, causing harsh winters and cool summers that affected agriculture and daily life.
Natural climate change happens through several mechanisms. Volcanic eruptions blast particles into the atmosphere that reflect sunlight away from Earth, cooling temperatures whilst also releasing CO₂. Earth's orbit changes from circular to elliptical over 96,000-year cycles, affecting how much solar radiation we receive.
Human factors now dominate climate change. Fossil fuels release massive amounts of greenhouse gases when burned for energy and transport. Deforestation removes trees that naturally absorb CO₂. Even agriculture contributes - cows produce methane through digestion, and rice paddies emit methane as organic matter decomposes underwater.
Key Point: Human activities now release greenhouse gases much faster than natural processes can absorb them, causing rapid warming.
Impacts of Global Warming
Climate change is already transforming our planet in measurable ways. Arctic sea ice shrinks by 13% per decade, and global sea levels rose 16-21 cm between 1900 and 2016. These aren't distant future problems - they're happening now.
Environmental impacts include more frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events since 1950. Rising sea surface temperatures cause coral bleaching and fuel stronger, more frequent cyclones. Species distributions are shifting as animals and plants struggle to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, with those unable to evolve quickly enough facing extinction.
Social impacts affect human communities directly. Coastal flooding from sea level rise forces people to migrate, potentially creating overcrowded areas and resource conflicts. Changing precipitation patterns and higher temperatures reduce crop yields in many regions, threatening food security.
Water availability becomes critical as hotter temperatures increase drought frequency. This could spark conflicts between nations competing for clean water resources. More heat-related deaths occur during extreme weather events, which also cause significant financial damage to communities.
The speed of current climate change is the real problem. Whilst species and ecosystems can adapt to gradual changes over thousands of years, the rapid pace of human-caused warming leaves little time for natural adaptation.
Key Point: Climate change impacts are interconnected - environmental changes directly affect human society through food, water, and housing security.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
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Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Complete Notes on Hazardous Earth for Edexcel B Geography GCSE
H
Hannah
@hannnah_study
Ever wondered why weather patterns exist and why Earth's climate is changing so rapidly? Global atmospheric circulation creates the winds and weather systems that shape our planet's climate, but human activities are now dramatically altering these natural patterns in ways... Show more
Global Atmospheric Circulation and Climate Patterns
Think of Earth's atmosphere like a giant conveyor belt system that moves air around the planet. Winds form because air naturally flows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, creating predictable patterns that drive our weather.
The atmosphere works through three circulation cells in each hemisphere: Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells. Here's how it works: the Sun heats air at the equator, making it rise and create low pressure. This warm air cools as it moves away from the equator, then sinks at 30° north and south, forming high pressure belts where you'll find many of the world's deserts.
Trade winds blow from these 30° zones back toward the equator, whilst westerlies blow from 30° toward the poles. Understanding this system helps explain why certain regions have consistent weather patterns and why storms move in predictable directions.
Climate has always changed naturally. During the Quaternary period (the last 2.6 million years), Earth cycled between cold glacial periods lasting 100,000 years and warmer interglacial periods lasting 8,000-12,000 years. However, in just the last 200 years, temperatures have risen 0.8°C - that's incredibly fast in geological terms.
Key Point: The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases absorb long-wave radiation reflected from Earth's surface and re-radiate it back, trapping heat in our atmosphere.
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Evidence for Climate Change and UK's Climate History
Scientists use clever methods to understand past climates. Ice cores act like frozen history books - each annual layer of ice contains gases that reveal ancient temperatures and atmospheric conditions stretching back thousands of years. Tree rings work similarly; thick rings indicate warm, wet growing seasons whilst thin rings show harsh conditions.
The UK has experienced dramatic climate shifts throughout history. During the Medieval Warm Period , temperatures were 1-2°C warmer than in 2000, likely due to increased solar radiation. Conversely, the Little Ice Age brought temperatures 1°C cooler, causing harsh winters and cool summers that affected agriculture and daily life.
Natural climate change happens through several mechanisms. Volcanic eruptions blast particles into the atmosphere that reflect sunlight away from Earth, cooling temperatures whilst also releasing CO₂. Earth's orbit changes from circular to elliptical over 96,000-year cycles, affecting how much solar radiation we receive.
Human factors now dominate climate change. Fossil fuels release massive amounts of greenhouse gases when burned for energy and transport. Deforestation removes trees that naturally absorb CO₂. Even agriculture contributes - cows produce methane through digestion, and rice paddies emit methane as organic matter decomposes underwater.
Key Point: Human activities now release greenhouse gases much faster than natural processes can absorb them, causing rapid warming.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Impacts of Global Warming
Climate change is already transforming our planet in measurable ways. Arctic sea ice shrinks by 13% per decade, and global sea levels rose 16-21 cm between 1900 and 2016. These aren't distant future problems - they're happening now.
Environmental impacts include more frequent heatwaves and extreme weather events since 1950. Rising sea surface temperatures cause coral bleaching and fuel stronger, more frequent cyclones. Species distributions are shifting as animals and plants struggle to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, with those unable to evolve quickly enough facing extinction.
Social impacts affect human communities directly. Coastal flooding from sea level rise forces people to migrate, potentially creating overcrowded areas and resource conflicts. Changing precipitation patterns and higher temperatures reduce crop yields in many regions, threatening food security.
Water availability becomes critical as hotter temperatures increase drought frequency. This could spark conflicts between nations competing for clean water resources. More heat-related deaths occur during extreme weather events, which also cause significant financial damage to communities.
The speed of current climate change is the real problem. Whilst species and ecosystems can adapt to gradual changes over thousands of years, the rapid pace of human-caused warming leaves little time for natural adaptation.
Key Point: Climate change impacts are interconnected - environmental changes directly affect human society through food, water, and housing security.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user