3.1.4.5 Human Impacts On Cold Environments (2) Flashcards

1
Q

2 reasons climate is changing

A

Naturally

Human impacts

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2
Q

4 natural causes of climate change

A
Changes in solar activity (sunspots)
Variations in eccentricity of the earth’s orbit + axial tilt
Meteorite impact
Volcanic activity (more dust + gases)
Plate movement
Changes in oceanic circulation
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3
Q

What are the 2 human causes of climate change

A

Changes of atmospheric composition (greenhouse effect)

Deforestation

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4
Q

3 ways CO2 is building up in the air due to humans

A
Agriculture
Industry
Transport
Energy production
Waste
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5
Q

Describe the greenhouse effect

A

Suns rays pass through atmosphere as short-wave radiation heating up the earth’s surface

Heat (long-wave radiation) is given off from earth and now there’s more heat than before trapped in the atmosphere do it warms up

The CO2 rich atmosphere absorbs some of long-wave radiation but some is radiated back towards earth, instead of space, causing warming

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6
Q

3 observable impacts of climate change

A

Shrinking glaciers
Reduced ice on rivers + lakes
Shifting plant + animal ranges -> bird migration patterns changing

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7
Q

How many glaciers are losing mass due to climate change

A

90%

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8
Q

3 impacts of climate change that was predicted + is now occuring

A

Loss of sea ice - shrinking and getting thinner
Accelerated sea level rise
Longer, dryer summers

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9
Q

4 predicted future impacts of climate change

A
  • permafrost to thaw to increasing depths
  • further decrease in extent of sea ice
  • possible growth of Antarctic ice sheet due to increased snow fall
  • shrinking of Greenland ice sheet due to sea level rise
  • increased issues of invasive species in warmer tundra environments
  • continued contraction of ice covered by snow + ice
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10
Q

During arctic amplification, what further reduces the nicer cover of water

A

As sea ice is reduced, a smaller fraction of the sun’s radiation is reflected directly back to space so more energy is absorbed by the ice-free water, raising temperatures

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11
Q

During arctic amplification, what releases trapped CO2 and methane into the atmosphere contributing to global warming (greenhouse gases)

A

Melting permafrost

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12
Q

In arctic amplification what increases heat absorption by the sun

A

Reduction in snow cover means more bare rock is exposed - leading to higher temperatures and increased melting of adjacent snow

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13
Q

3 main things being done to help Antarctica

A

Treaty of Antarctica
Research
Tourism

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14
Q

Explain the treaty of Antarctica

A

More than 500 countries are signed up to protect Antarctica from mining, drilling for oil, pollution + war

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15
Q

What is there in Antarctica where research takes place

A

Over 50 research systems

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16
Q

What was set up in Antarctica in 1991 that has guidelines about tourism

A

The IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)

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17
Q

What does the IAATO have tourism guidelines about

A

Number of people allowed on shore
Activities
Wildlife watching

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18
Q

What are tour operators + tourists not allowed to do in Antarctica

A

Not allowed to leave rubbish behind

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19
Q

What must cruise ships do according to the IAATO

A

Carry their used (grey) water back to port instead of dumping it in the sea

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20
Q

After 2011, what can ships in Antarctica not use

A

Heavy fuel

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21
Q

What does the polar code limit in Antarctica from 2013

A

Limits numbers + size of ships visiting

Ships carrying more than 500 can’t land anyone + only 100 tourists will be allowed ashore at any given time

22
Q

How are humans impacting the environment with hunting

A

Over-exploitation

23
Q

How are humans impacting the environment with transport

A

Risk of spillages

Road vehicles damage roads in Alaska

24
Q

How are humans impacting the environment with tourism

A

Vegetation removal

Litter + waste - don’t easily degrade

25
Q

3 main principles of environmental management

A

Prevent
React
Adapt

26
Q

Define prevent

A

Try to stop a damaging event occuring

27
Q

Define react

A

Responding to an event

28
Q

Define adapt

A

Changing + learning to live adapted to change

29
Q

2 new methods used to protect permafrost + subsidence (prevent) -> reducing heat in ground

A
  • houses can be built on piles driven into permafrost to elevate them above the ground, reducing heat spread through ground
  • larger buildings + roads can be build on aggregate pads, layers of coarse sand + gravel. These insulate the ground below, reducing heat transfer
30
Q

What are utilidors (prevent)

A

Elevated, insulated boxes that carry water supplies, heating pipes + sewers between buildings in large settlements

31
Q

What adventurous prevention project protects permafrost + subsidence

A

The trans Alaskan pipeline

32
Q

How much did the trans Alaskan pipeline cost

How much oil does it transfer a day

A

Cost $8 billion

Transfers 14 million barrels a day

33
Q

What do the trans Alaskan pipeline do

A

Takes oil from north Alaska -> south Alaska

34
Q

How does the trans Alaskan pipeline reduce heat transfer

A

As it’s build elevated above the ground

35
Q

Describe the trans Alaskan pipeline

A

Covered by thick insulation + buried in caribou migration areas
In a zigzag pattern and on stilts so can move in earthquakes

36
Q

3 ways the arctic becoming a main shipping route would be managed

A
  • limiting no. of ships
  • ships all safety tankers
  • need ship escort + traffic management system
37
Q

3 disadvantages of the arctic becoming a main shipping route

A
  • lose tranquility
  • ports need to be built
  • new tons, developments + infrastructure built
38
Q

Two events that have been responded to (react)

A

Exxon Valdez oil spill

Alps

39
Q

What can actually benefit from climate change (adapt)

A

Summer tourism could benefit. Hotter summers would bring more people to mountains + tourism season could be extended

40
Q

Why does winter tourism face challenges

What are adaptations for this

A

As there is an expected snow decrease +ice cover
Many ski resorts are using snow cannons to create artificial snow + a chemical additive is used to raise temperature at which snow forms at -> but may impact ecosystems

41
Q

What resorts does climate change create an opportunity for

E.g

A

Snow reliable resorts

E.g the Marzon valley, Veneto region, Italy

42
Q

3 drivers in managing cold environments in alternative possible futures

A

Political drivers
Environmental drivers
Economic drivers

43
Q

What’s a growing area of scientific research

A

Bioprospecting

Antarctica’s biodiversity

44
Q

What may Antarctica’s animal + plant life’s adaptations to deal with the harsh conditions be useful for in the future

A

Valuable commercial products e.g medicines, synthetic materials

45
Q

What treaties and protocol currently protect Antarctica

A

The Antarctic treaties

The Madrid protocols

46
Q

What have tourism numbers to Antarctica fallen since in 2010

A

Controls on cruise ships were introduced

47
Q

What would Antarctica have if tourism was encouraged

A

Airport, port with shops and tourist hotels

48
Q

What is the type of tourism needed in Antarctica in the future

A

Eco-tourism

49
Q

If hotels were built in Antarctica what would they need

A

Utilidors

50
Q

What is heavily regulated in Antarctica and why

What would happen if these regulations were lifted

A

Fishing levels
As in some parts of the world , commercial fishing is depleting fish stocks to near extinction

Without regulations, overfishing would occur a lot