3.1- Breathe Easy - It's Beijing Flashcards
Who are the growing alternative superpowers?
Mainly BRICS, but also Gulf States
What comes with the huge economic growth of the BRICS and Gulf States?
– Huge social change – Huge environmental change / impact – Now 200m less poor in China than 1990 – Emergence of middle class based on jobs in production
What are the 3 major concerns with the continued rise of Superpowers?
Land
Governance
Culture
When can Land be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?
Environment and Resources (China pollution)
When can Governance be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?
Currency and Global Governance (Yekaterinburg)
Pawns e.g. Iran/Georgia
When can Culture be a concern with the continued rise of Superpowers?
Middle-East reverse globalisation? (UAE)
Describe a framework for understanding air pollution and its effects
Sources (natural and human emissions) -> Pathways (transport and transformations) -> Receptors (impacts on humans, natural and built enviros)
How many people were killed by smog in 2012 in Shanghai?
670,000
What are 4 concerns for China as a superpower?
Energy
Environment
China’s Position
Decoupling
Explain why energy is a concern for China as a superpower?
-Car ownership has doubled in China
Oil price will rise as demand increases and supply decreases
-Huge GDP growth- similar to EU and US by 2050- currently just about larger than USA
Explain why the environment is a concern for China as a superpower?
- Ecological footprint might not increase but carrying capacity will not absorb this
- There must be a huge shift to renewable energy
Explain why China’s position is a concern for China as a superpower?
- Air pollution exacerbated by physical geography of Beijing (respiratory illnesses)
- Rising militant middle class, wanting cars and other commodities
- Illegal factories operating through night to meet demand
Explain why decoupling is a concern for China as a superpower?
- China now growing more slowly (3% per year)
- Starting to invest in low carbon technology
Give 4 sources of air pollutants
Industry
Transport
Agriculture
Domestic
Give an example of an air pollutant from Industry
Fossil fuel consumption, smelting
Give an example of an air pollutant from Transport
Fossil fuel combustion
Give an example of an air pollutant from Agriculture
Animal effluent, fertilisers, biomass burning
Give an example of an air pollutant from Domestic uses
Fossil fuel comsumption
Define Primary pollutants
Emitted directly into atmosphere
Define Secondary pollutants
Generated over time in the atmosphere from chemical reactions involving primary pollutants e.g. ozone, acidic aerosols
