Year 9 - Geography
Evidence of the Anthropocene
Anthropocene: What is the impact of humans on the world?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about how humans have affected our world by looking at environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the impact of fossil fuel use. The unit leads pupils to question whether we are in a new geological epoch.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe and evaluate key evidence that shows how humans have altered Earth's systems.
Key Notes
- Atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen steeply since the industrial revolution.
- Ice core data shows a sharp increase in greenhouse gases linked to human activity.
- Biodiversity loss is happening faster than natural extinction rates.
- Plastics and radioactive elements form geological markers of human impact.
- Land cover change is visible from satellites and historical maps.
Vocabulary To Learn
- CO₂ concentration: the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at a given time, measured in parts per million (ppm)
- ice core: long cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets
- biodiversity: the variety of living things in an ecosystem or area
- geological marker: something found in layers of Earth (like rock, ice, or mud) that shows a big change in the planet's history
- land cover: the physical material at the surface of Earth
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Microplastics are only found in the ocean.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Atmospheric CO₂ levels have risen steeply since the industrial revolution. Ice core data shows a sharp increase in greenhouse gases linked to human activity.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'CO₂ concentration'
the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere at a given time, measured in parts per million (ppm).
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Microplastics are only found in the ocean. Correction: Microplastics are found in the ocean, soil, rock and animals.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Alternative energy supplies Study Guide
- An introduction to the Anthropocene Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Analysing, concluding and evaluating air pollution data Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Planning an air pollution enquiry and collecting data Study Guide
- Fieldwork: Presenting air pollution data Study Guide
- Global governance Study Guide
- Our future climate Study Guide
- Phasing out fossil fuels Study Guide
- Plastic pollution Study Guide
- Sustainability: A new way of living Study Guide
- The human impact on ecosystems Study Guide
- The impact of consumption Study Guide
- Threats to oceans Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Geography guide library.