4.c - BANGLEDESH V UK Flashcards
what are the OPPORTUNITIES presented by climate change for Bangladesh (socio-economic/environmental)?
many farmers are now switching to more lucrative shrimp or crab farming in areas like the Sundarbans
others are migrating to Dhaka, the capital or Bangladesh, where they may have a better standard of living.
slowly the country is showing a changing ecosystem, which benefits some organisms
flooding will provide increased fertility to the soils in the long term
how much CO2 does Bangladesh emit?
0.21 tonnes of CO2 emitted/capita/annum
what are the THREATS presented by climate change for Bangladesh (socio-economic)?
20 million people live just above the water line.
Bangladesh at risk from cyclones and storm surges
embankments at present are not high enough to protect against these, let alone when rising sea levels are taken into account
groundwater is also being intruded by salt water, rendering it undrinkable
what are the THREATS presented by climate change for Bangladesh (environmental)?
10% of the country is within 1 metre above sea level.
the land of the delta region is made up of alluvium deposited by the Brahmaputra and Ganges Rivers.
this makes it vulnerable to both coastal and river flooding
the Bay of Bengal has warm sea temperatures and is warming, meaning its coastline is at increased cyclone risk (and therefore storm surges are more likely)
what MITIGATION strategies are Bangladesh using
ocally produced ceramic stones are now becoming more widespread in rural Bangladesh
they are estimated to use less than half the fuel of a traditional open fire (therefore less CO2)
what ADAPTATION strategies are Bangladesh using?
salt tolerant (halophytic) rice crops are grown rather than normal rice as the groundwater is now too saline.
embankments have been raised in some areas to protect communities as well as farmland
many farmers are switching to farming particularly shrimp
desalination plants can be established
what are the CHALLENGES to MITIGATION in Bangladesh?
TECHNOLOGICAL:
- Bangladesh is unlikely to be able to invest in advanced renewable projects for producing energy
POLITICAL:
- Bangladesh is underrepresented at global meetings and does not have a specialist climate science envoy to represent their interest at COP meetings
SOCIO-ECONOMIC:
- Bangladesh has a poor population and literacy levels/standard of education is low.
- hard to get people to engage with why they should change practices to mitigate against climate change
what are the CHALLENGES to ADAPTATION in Bangladesh?
TECHNOLOGICAL:
- there is ongoing research into how desalination can best work for Bangladesh.
- this requires technological expertise and local people may find it hard to implement/maintain.
POLITICAL:
- decisions about where to build embankments will be difficult and given the cost, some areas will have to be left undefended
SOCIO-ECONOMIC:
- the drainage channels (over 600) that are needed to protect Dhaka (population 13 million) are expensive to build
- other areas will need these but will probably be left unprotected.
how much CO2 does the UK emit?
9.26 tonnes of CO2 emitted/capita/annum
what are the OPPORTUNITIES presented by climate change for the UK (socio-economic/environmental)?
ncreased temperatures and a longer growing season would mean it may be possible to grow new crops such as olives (in Devon) and grapes (pinot noir in South of England)
tourist destinations such as Blackpool may benefit as it develops a climate more akin with the Spanish Costas
increased temps and longer growing season would mean increased NPP and therefore have benefits for biodiversity and ecosystems as a whole.
rainbow fish are now a regular sight off the Cornish coast
what are the THREATS presented by climate change for the UK (socio-economic)?
sea level rise (predicted to be as much as 37cm by 2050) will threaten low lying areas such as the Somerset Levels/Thames estuary
worsening winter storms are a growing threat for the NW (Glasgow flooded 3 times in the last decade)
while drought and water shortages could be an increasing problem for the populated SE/London int he summer months
Urban Heat Island effect will raise temps in central London
what are the THREATS presented by climate change for the UK (environmental)?
increased temperatures in places such as the north of Scotland is putting the ecosystem under threat
the ptarmigan which depends on frost and snow for camouflage could disappear from places such as the Cairngorms
an increase of invasive species such as the Colorado beetle threatens and may out-compete current native species.
what MITIGATION strategies are the UK using?
Climate Change Act 2008
setting aspirational targets: 34% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. 80% by 2050.
grants available to communities to sell surplus energy from renewable sources
energy suppliers have to increase proportion of renewable sources used.
what ADAPTATION strategies are the UK using?
investment in new coastal and flood defences
investment in new infrastructure such as air cooling on the Jubilee line of the London Underground
London also investing in green walls to help insulate buildings.
what are the CHALLENGES to MITIGATION in the UK?
tech
nuclear power stations require huge amount of tech expertise and is very expensive - relies on France and china
political
Brexit may threaten the investment into ren energy sources
socio - economic
NIMBYISM stopping 1 in 3 wind farms from being established
