CBSE Class 6 General Knowledge

Unit 5: Environment & Ecology

Lesson: Climate Change (Basic Awareness)

📘 Study Module: Climate Change (Basic Awareness)

1. Introduction

Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns on Earth. These changes are happening due to both natural causes and human activities. Climate change affects temperature, rainfall, sea levels, and living conditions on Earth.

2. Meaning of Climate Change

Climate change is a gradual change in the Earth’s climate over a long period of time. It mainly refers to the rise in Earth’s average temperature, known as global warming.

3. Causes of Climate Change

The major causes of climate change are:

• Burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum
• Cutting down of forests (deforestation)
• Increase in vehicles and factories
• Release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide

These activities increase heat in the atmosphere.

4. Greenhouse Effect

The greenhouse effect occurs when gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the Sun. This trapped heat warms the Earth. Excess greenhouse gases lead to higher temperatures.

5. Effects of Climate Change

Climate change causes rising temperatures, melting of glaciers, irregular rainfall, floods, and droughts. It affects agriculture, wildlife, and human health. Coastal areas face the risk of rising sea levels.

6. Impact on Living Beings

Climate change affects plants, animals, and humans. Many animals lose their natural habitats. Crop production is disturbed. Humans face heat waves, floods, and food shortages.

7. Prevention and Control

Climate change can be reduced by saving energy, planting trees, using renewable energy, and reducing pollution. Awareness and responsible actions can protect the Earth.

8. Role of Students

Students can help by saving electricity, reducing waste, planting trees, and spreading awareness about protecting the environment.

📝 Questions and Answers

A. Short Answer Questions

(One sentence each)

1. What is climate change?
   Answer: Climate change is a long-term change in Earth’s climate.
2. What is global warming?
   Answer: Global warming is the rise in Earth’s average temperature.
3. Name one cause of climate change.
   Answer: Burning fossil fuels causes climate change.
4. Which gas is mainly responsible for climate change?
   Answer: Carbon dioxide is mainly responsible.
5. What is the greenhouse effect?
   Answer: It is the trapping of heat by gases in the atmosphere.
6. Name one effect of climate change.
   Answer: Melting of glaciers is an effect of climate change.
7. How does deforestation affect climate?
   Answer: Deforestation increases carbon dioxide in the air.
8. Who is affected by climate change?
   Answer: All living beings are affected.
9. Name one way to reduce climate change.
   Answer: Planting trees helps reduce climate change.
10. Why is climate change a global problem?
    Answer: It affects all countries and people.

B. Long Answer Questions

(3–5 sentences each)

11. Explain climate change in simple words.
    Answer: Climate change means long-term changes in weather conditions. It includes changes in temperature and rainfall. Human activities are a major cause. Climate change affects the whole planet.
12. Describe the causes of climate change.
    Answer: Climate change is caused by burning fossil fuels. Factories and vehicles release harmful gases. Cutting trees reduces oxygen in the air. These activities increase Earth’s temperature.
13. What is the greenhouse effect and why is it harmful?
    Answer: The greenhouse effect traps heat in the atmosphere. Some greenhouse effect is necessary for life. Excess gases cause too much heat. This leads to global warming.
14. Explain the effects of climate change on the environment.
    Answer: Climate change causes melting of ice caps. Rainfall becomes irregular. Floods and droughts increase. Natural balance is disturbed.
15. How does climate change affect plants and animals?
    Answer: Animals lose their habitats due to climate change. Plants cannot grow properly in extreme weather. Some species become endangered. Ecosystems are disturbed.
16. Explain the impact of climate change on humans.
    Answer: Humans face heat waves and floods. Crop production decreases. Health problems increase. Climate change affects daily life.
17. Why is deforestation harmful for climate?
    Answer: Trees absorb carbon dioxide. Cutting trees increases greenhouse gases. This raises Earth’s temperature. Deforestation speeds up climate change.
18. How can climate change be controlled?
    Answer: Using renewable energy helps control climate change. Saving electricity reduces pollution. Planting trees is important. Awareness helps reduce harmful activities.
19. What role can students play in reducing climate change?
    Answer: Students can save energy at home. They can avoid wasting resources. Planting trees helps. Spreading awareness is important.
20. Why should we be concerned about climate change?
    Answer: Climate change threatens life on Earth. It damages ecosystems. Future generations may suffer. Immediate action is necessary.

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(With Answers and Detailed Explanations)

1. Climate change refers to ______.
   a) daily weather
   b) long-term weather changes
   c) rainfall only
   d) wind speed
   Answer: b) long-term weather changes
   Explanation: Climate change happens over a long time.
2. Global warming means ______.
   a) cooling of Earth
   b) rise in Earth’s temperature
   c) heavy rainfall
   d) snowfall
   Answer: b) rise in Earth’s temperature
   Explanation: Global warming increases average temperature.
3. Which gas causes climate change the most?
   a) Oxygen
   b) Nitrogen
   c) Carbon dioxide
   d) Hydrogen
   Answer: c) Carbon dioxide
   Explanation: CO₂ traps heat.
4. Which activity increases greenhouse gases?
   a) Tree planting
   b) Recycling
   c) Burning fossil fuels
   d) Saving energy
   Answer: c) Burning fossil fuels
   Explanation: It releases CO₂.
5. What is the greenhouse effect?
   a) Cooling of Earth
   b) Trapping of heat
   c) Rainfall
   d) Wind movement
   Answer: b) Trapping of heat
   Explanation: Gases trap solar heat.
6. Which is an effect of climate change?
   a) Clean air
   b) Stable weather
   c) Melting glaciers
   d) More forests
   Answer: c) Melting glaciers
   Explanation: Rising temperature melts ice.
7. Cutting trees increases ______.
   a) oxygen
   b) rainfall
   c) carbon dioxide
   d) soil fertility
   Answer: c) carbon dioxide
   Explanation: Trees absorb CO₂.
8. Climate change affects ______.
   a) animals only
   b) humans only
   c) plants only
   d) all living beings
   Answer: d) all living beings
   Explanation: Everyone is affected.
9. Which helps reduce climate change?
   a) Deforestation
   b) Using coal
   c) Planting trees
   d) Burning waste
   Answer: c) Planting trees
   Explanation: Trees absorb CO₂.
10. Rising sea levels are caused by ______.
    a) heavy rain
    b) melting glaciers
    c) wind
    d) earthquakes
    Answer: b) melting glaciers
    Explanation: Ice melts due to warming.
11. Which source of energy is environment-friendly?
    a) Coal
    b) Petrol
    c) Solar energy
    d) Diesel
    Answer: c) Solar energy
    Explanation: Solar energy is renewable.
12. Climate change can cause ______.
    a) droughts
    b) floods
    c) heat waves
    d) all of these
    Answer: d) all of these
    Explanation: Climate change causes extreme events.
13. Which gas traps heat in the atmosphere?
    a) Oxygen
    b) Nitrogen
    c) Greenhouse gases
    d) Helium
    Answer: c) Greenhouse gases
    Explanation: They cause warming.
14. Which sector releases greenhouse gases?
    a) Transport
    b) Industries
    c) Agriculture
    d) All of these
    Answer: d) All of these
    Explanation: Many sectors contribute.
15. Climate change mainly affects ______.
    a) only cities
    b) only villages
    c) only oceans
    d) the entire Earth
    Answer: d) the entire Earth
    Explanation: Climate change is global.
16. Saving electricity helps reduce ______.
    a) rainfall
    b) pollution
    c) temperature
    d) noise
    Answer: b) pollution
    Explanation: Less energy use reduces emissions.
17. Which action harms climate the most?
    a) Recycling
    b) Tree cutting
    c) Saving water
    d) Planting trees
    Answer: b) Tree cutting
    Explanation: Trees help control climate.
18. Climate change can affect farming by ______.
    a) improving crops
    b) causing crop failure
    c) increasing soil fertility
    d) increasing rainfall always
    Answer: b) causing crop failure
    Explanation: Weather changes affect crops.
19. Students can help fight climate change by ______.
    a) wasting energy
    b) using plastic
    c) spreading awareness
    d) cutting trees
    Answer: c) spreading awareness
    Explanation: Awareness leads to action.
20. Climate change awareness is important because ______.
    a) it increases pollution
    b) it saves the planet
    c) it wastes resources
    d) it stops development
    Answer: b) it saves the planet
    Explanation: Awareness helps protect Earth.

✅ End of Lesson

Prepared strictly in accordance with the NCERT syllabus and CBSE Class 6 examination standards.