2.5/2.5 - CC + Rare Earths Flashcards
1
Q
How does the tragedy of the commons apply to climate change?
A
- countries that initiate change towards reducing emissions will lose out in ST
- while those who chose not to will gain in ST and LT
- over exploitation of fossil fuels will result in increased climate change
- but is so cheap, makes economic sense in ST
2
Q
What problems do superpowers create with regards to climate change?
A
- tragedy of commons prevents superpowers from doing what is necessary
- ST advantages of exploiting fossil fuels are too strong
- switching to renewables needs investment in new technologies
- may not consider as a priority when compared to military spending
- in order to generate large enough income to invest in new technologies, need to trade
- need to consolidate influence over other countries
- thus need to invest in hard and soft power, not renewables
3
Q
What are the causes of environmental degradation?
A
- fossil fuel use in cars, power stations
- industrial pollutants in air create acid rain
- particulates from burning fuels
- can react with rock (dry deposition) and irritate lungs
4
Q
What factors affect the size of superpowers’ ecological footprints?
A
- economy size: in modernisation theory (take off + drive to maturity stages) industry is somehow linked to emissions
- size of military: need goods and supplies, which in turn have a footprint
- size of population: food, waste, waste processing, consumption of products all leave an ecological footprint
5
Q
How are ecological footprints changing globally?
A
- getting smaller, as more turn towards renewables
- populations are growing
- increase in meat consumption in Asia due to growing middle class
- general increase due to need for more resources
- easier to do so quickly in less sustainable ways
- forest clearance is generally dropping globally
6
Q
What does forest clearance allow for?
A
- rearing of cattle
- growing of cash crops like sugar cane and soya beans
- can help respond to demand when population is increasing quickly
7
Q
How much does agriculture contribute to the GHE?
A
- creates 8-18% of greenhouse gases
8
Q
How much has pollution costed China?
A
- $13.3bn in 2003
- acid rain fell in more than 250 Chinese cities
- costs 9% of total GDP
9
Q
Why is China reluctant to become more sustainable?
A
- has experienced famine and economic ruin during Cultural Revolution in 1950s
- wants to avoid this, despite the poor environmental reputation it has
- wants to keep its self sufficiency
10
Q
Why is the US reluctant to become more sustainable?
A
- wants market to determine itself (liberalism)
- wants to drop barriers and ensure market remains free
- means that governments intervention through emissions legislation is not ideal
- is betting on market going down a more sustainable route
- however may be too late
11
Q
How much CO2 does China emit?
A
- 9.7bn tonnes/ yr (2014)
- largest emitter in the world
12
Q
How much of the world’s rare earth metals supply does China produce?
A
- 85%
- has started taxing exports for 7 years
13
Q
What problems are there with rare earth metal extraction?
A
- produces 2000 tonnes of toxic waster to process 1 tonne of rare earths
- extracted ores contain radioactive materials
- tailing ponds can leak and contaminate local groundwater with heavy metals
14
Q
What are tailing ponds?
A
- contain ‘tailings’; slurry of waste material produced in the extraction of rare earth metals
15
Q
How large is the largest open pit mine in China?
A
- 48 km2
- in Gobi desert
- only 12km from nearest city
