4c. Mitigation & adaptation are complimentary strategies for reducing + managing the effects of climate change

Question 1

Mitigation Strategy: Energy efficiency + conservation

Answer 1

• BEDZED = housing estate that uses energy efficiency, renewables, water conservation, local produce etc to reduce carbon footprint
• Strict building insulation regulations
• Housing estates to introduce king x1 central unit to heat all houses
• Public transport

Question 2

Mitigation Strategy: Fuel shifts + low carbon sources

Answer 2

• Hydro-electric power
• Solar power
• Geothermal power
• use natural resources to generate power
• Nuclear power stations = reduced emissions + produce a controllable source of electricity
• Wind turbines

Question 3

Mitigation Strategy: Carbon capture & storage

Answer 3

• Decrease deforestation & increase afforesting in all areas globally
• Aquifers - Porus rock below the impermeable rock prevents CO2 escaping - CO2 can be injected increasing storage = Long Term solution

Question 4

Mitigation Strategy: Geoengineering

Answer 4

• Solar radiation management = Reflect suns energy backing space via mirrors in space or on large areas of land
• GHG removal via Ocean fertilisation = stimulates phytoplankton growth = increased absorption of CO2 in oceans via photosynthesis

NOTE: Very costly and outcome is guaranteed

Question 5

Mitigation Strategy: Reforestation & conservation

Answer 5

• UN’s REDD scheme = benefits LIDC’s as they gain financial help from AC’s to help re-pant forests = increased photosynthesis
• Biodiversity & habitats are protected through conservation
• legal harvesting of timber can boost economies BUT this practice is abused in Brazil & it’s hard to police illegal loggers

Question 6

Adaptation Strategies: Retreat

Answer 6

• Managed realignment = relocating buildings + agriculture E.g Porlock Bay - farmland became a salt marsh
• Abandoning low-lying coastal areas
• Zoning areas at high risk of flooding

Question 7

Adaptation Strategies: Accomodate

Answer 7

Agriculture:
- Growing drought/flood resistant crops E.g New rice strains developed in Bangladesh to accommodate flooding
- May be genetically modified
- Crop rotation
- Changes to farming practices

Water supply/use:
- Increase collection + recycling of water
- Building of reservoirs
- Repair broken pipes

Question 8

Adaptation Strategies: Protect

Answer 8

Hard engineering:
- Flood defences E.g dams, storage surge barriers etc

Soft engineering:
- Growing mangroves
- Developing salt marshes
- Sea wall ( £13m development at Minehead)
- Sand dunes to absorb wave energy
- Afforestation = increase interception
- NGO’s

Question 9

Climate change adaptations: High Temperatures

Answer 9

Buildings:
- Air conditioning
- Insulation E.g green roofs
- White roofs = increased albedo
- shade windows
- Improved ventilation

Transport:
- Air conditioning
- Upgrade steel in rail tracks to prevent buckling
- Develop tarmac that doesn’t melt

Urban areas:
- Increase green spaces = increase evapotranspiration = cooler temps + trees give shade
- Lighter buildings

Question 10

Climate change adaptations: Droughts

Answer 10

Buildings:
- Rainwater harvesting = run-off collected from roofs/gutters and used in grey water systems e.g. toilets

Urban Areas:
- capture, store + recycle grey water to use in domestic, commercial & industrial use

Question 11

Climate change adaptations: Floods

Answer 11

Buildings:
- Green roofs covered in negation = interception, storage & evapotranspiration
- Build houses on stilts
- Relocate high value services to higher ground

Transport:
- Elevate rail tracks
- Flood barriers
- Improve drainage
- Alternative routes

Urban Areas:
- Increase permeable surfaces = promote aquifers
- Vegetation = interception + drainage

Question 12

Case Study: UK & Bangladesh