3.5) Climate change Flashcards
1
Q
- What are anthropogenic greenhouse gases?
A
- Anthropogenic greenhouse gases are gases which pollute the environment as a result of human activity.
2
Q
- What is chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and what are its sources?
A
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are greenhouse gases made up of chlorine, fluorine and carbon. These compounds are increasing in our atmosphere due to increasing human use of aerosols, fridges and air conditioning units.
3
Q
- What is methane and what are its sources?
A
- Methane is an anthropogenic greenhouse gas which is increasing in our atmosphere due to an increase in cattle herding, rice production and landfill sites.
4
Q
- What is nitrous oxide and what are its sources?
A
- Nitrous oxide (N20) is anthropogenic greenhouse gas that is produced through human activities, such as agriculture, fossil fuels, combustion, wastewater management, and industrial processes, that are increasing the amount of N20 in the atmosphere.
5
Q
- What is water vapour and what are its sources?
A
- Water vapour is an anthropogenic greenhouse gas where agricultural production of food causes water to evaporate into vapour. Large-scale irrigation of fields, for example, increases the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere.
6
Q
- What is the impact of climate change on rising temperatures and sea level rise (ENVIRONMENTAL)?
A
- Higher temperatures will result in ice melting in places like Antarctica and Greenland. This will flow into the sea and all over the world, sea levels may begin to rise by as much as 20 to 40 cm.
- Flooding will become an issue for millions of people in countries like Bangladesh, India and the Netherlands as low lying coastal areas are at increased risk as sea levels rise.
- Flooding will become a huge danger and many people will lose their homes or have their livelihoods destroyed as large areas of farmland are ruined.
7
Q
- What are the impacts of climate change on ocean circulation (ENVIRONMENTAL)?
A
- The world’s oceans also play an important role in redistributing energy around the globe.
- Energy is moved from areas of surplus to those of deficit, with warm currents transporting warm water polewards and cold currents taking colder water to lower latittudes.
- Ocean currents are movements of surface water.
- The global conveyor belt (ocean currents) is a strong, but easily disrupted process. Research suggests that the conveyor belt may be affected by climate change.
- If global warming results in increased rainfall in the North Atlantic, and the melting of glaciers and sea ice, the influx of warm freshwater onto the sea surface could block the formation of sea ice , disrupting the sinking of cold, salty water.
- This sequence of events could slow or even stop the conveyor belt, which could result in potentially drastic temperature changes in Europe.
8
Q
- What are the impacts of climate change on weather (ENVIRONMENTAL)?
A
- Changes in weaher are already having an impact around the world.
- Some places are becoming wetter. Some areas are becoming warmer and some areas are becoming cooler. We are likely to see an increase in the number of storms, floods and drought, but we cannot predict which areas of the world will be affected by these (for example, areas around the Mediterranean sea could suffer from flooding)
- As these changes take place, plants, animals and even people maky find it difficult to survive in the places where they live now.
9
Q
- What is the impact of climate change in farming (ENVIRONMENTAL)?
A
- Weather changes will affect the kind of crops that can be grown in places around the world.
- Crops like wheat and rice grow better in higher temperatures, but other plants, like maize and sugarcane, can’t cope with high temperatures. Changes in the amount of rainfall will also affect how many plants grow.
- As a result, some countries, like Brazil, parts of Africa, Southeast Asia and China, may not be able to grow enough food for their citizens and so people may begin to starve.
10
Q
- What is the impact of climate change on desertification (ENVIRONMENTAL)?
A
- Increases in the amount of precipitation are very likely in high latitudes, while decreases are likely in most subtropical land regions.
- Drought-affected areas will likely increase in extent. It is very likely that hot extremes, heat waves and heavy precipitation events will continue to become more frequent.
- Given these projections of future climate change, there will be increased land degradation owing to droughts and increased soil erosion owing to heavy rainfall events.
- Climate change may exacerbate desertification through alteration of spatial and temporal patterns in temperature, rainfall, solar radiation and winds.
11
Q
- How does ‘switching to energy saving products’ reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A
- Energy saving products, like energy-saving bulbs, can help reduce our role in global climate change.
- These energy saving bulbs generate less heat, use much less energy and last anywhere from 10 to 50 time longer than regular bulbs.
EFFECTIVENESS:
* Although, these energy saving bulbs are much more effecient and environmentally friendly, they have some drawbacks:
1. The most commonly used energy-saving light bulb is compact fluorescent light (CFL). Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are increasing in popularity, but their high costs are often prohibitive for the average household.
2. CFLs contain mercury. Mercury can be toxic if you are exposed to high doses.
12
Q
- How does ‘sealing and insulating your home’ reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A
- The Scottish Government and local authorities both provide grants to provide people with loft and cavity wall insulation.
EFFECTIVENESS:
1. Insulation of homes can save you up to 20% on your heating bill every year as it prevents leaks by sealing your home and blocking out heat and cold.
- However, if you do not qualify for the government grant, this strategy is very costly. Also, many problems can arise in regards to condensation build up if the insulation is of poor quality.
13
Q
- How does the ‘gas guzzler tax’ reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A
- Increasing road taxes for “gas guzzling” cars with higher emissions, particularly those with engine capacity over 2 litres
EFFECTIVENESS:
1. The primary criticism of the tax is that it does not apply to Passenger Cars. As a result, large lorries, buses and minivans are not subject to the tax, therefore relatively few vehicles are subject to the tax.
14
Q
- How do ‘hybrid cars’ reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A
- A hybrid car is one that uses two or more engines (i.e., an electric motor and a conventional engine, either petrol or diesel).
- The electric engine powers the car at lower speeds and gas engine powers it at higher speeds. A hybrid car, like a Toyota Prius and Civic Hyrbid, not only conserves fuel but also produces less CO2 emissions.
EFFECTIVENESS:
1. The biggest drawback of having a hybrid car is that it is very expensive. However, money can be saved in the long term as a hybrid car has low running cost and tax exemptions.
15
Q
- How do ‘energy efficient appliances’ reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
A
- EU legislation now insists that white goods (domestic appliances, such as cookers, ovens, fridges, washing machines, dishwashers) and light bulbs carry an energy efficiency rating to allow consumers to compare appliances before purchasing in terms of their greenhouse gas emissions and efficiency.
- Each appliance is rated from A to D, and colou coded with A+++ the most efficient, which is over 90% energy efficient and shown in green. D rated appliances are coloured red and are usually less than 70% efficient.
EFFECTIVENESS:
1. Upgrading to a more efficient appliance can save you energy and money. Therefore, reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
