6.9 climate change responses and players

Question 1

Projected carbon emissions

Answer 1

Predicted levels of carbon dioxide that may be emitted based upon current/recent emissions and adaptation/mitigation strategies.

Question 2

Atmospheric concentration levels

Answer 2

The level/amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Measured in parts per million (ppm).

Question 3

Tipping point

Answer 3

When the global climate changes from one stable state to another stable state. After the tipping point has been passed, a transition to a new state occurs. The tipping event may be irreversible

Question 4

Forest die back

Answer 4

A stand (group) of trees losing health and dying without an obvious cause. Trees/woody plants are killed by factors including parasites (fungus and beetles), pollution (acid rain and organic compounds) and drought.

Question 5

Permafrost

Answer 5

Soil, rock or sediment that is frozen for more than two consecutive years.

Question 6

Peatland

Answer 6

Land consisting largely of peat (partially decayed vegetation or organic matter) or peat bogs.

Question 7

Thermohaline circulation

Answer 7

Deep-ocean currents are driven by differences in the water’s density, which is controlled by temperature and salinity.

Question 8

Adaptation strategies

Answer 8

A method used to increase society’s resilience to climate change. It is used to modify lifestyles rather than try to reduce the process/effects of climate change.

Question 9

Hard strategies

Answer 9

Methods that involve the physical construction of structures/infrastructure or technology.

Question 10

Soft strategies

Answer 10

Methods that involve diplomacy and legislation.

Question 11

Water conservation and management

Answer 11

Reduce the amount of water used or save water for future use (water meters, water butt, grey water).

Question 12

Grey Water

Answer 12

The relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances.

Question 13

Land use zoning

Answer 13

Designating certain areas/parcels of land for specific uses.

Question 14

Resilient agricultural systems

Answer 14

Use of high tech (possibly GM) species that are drought tolerant and are resilient to the effects of climate change.

Question 15

Land use planning

Answer 15

Restrict building on vulnerable/flood prone areas. Enforcing strict regulations to integrate soakaways, permeable surfaces and run-off controls.

Question 16

Flood risk management

Answer 16

Identify the likelihood of a flood event, the potential areas/infrastructure likely to be damaged and planning strategies to reduce/mitigate the potential effects of a flood event.

Question 17

Solar radiation management

Answer 17

Use of strategies (i.e. geoengineering) to reduce the amount of solar radiation entering the earth’s atmosphere. A potential idea is to use orbiting satellites to reflect incoming radiation back out in to space.

Question 18

Rebalancing carbon cycle

Answer 18

Use of mitigation methods to reduce/prevent GHG emissions to help control global warming and other processes associated with the carbon cycle.

Question 19

Mitigation

Answer 19

The reduction or prevention of GHG emissions by modifying attitudes/behaviour, improving energy efficiency and utilising new technologies and low-carbon sources of energy.

Question 20

Carbon Tax

Answer 20

Minimum price a company has to pay to emit CO2.

Question 21

Renewable switching

Answer 21

The degree to which energy companies switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy or low-carbon alternatives (e.g. nuclear).

Question 22

Energy efficiency

Answer 22

Improving domestic and industrial energy usage to reduce consumption and reduce waste (e.g. energy efficient boilers, heat recovery systems, loft insulation).

Question 23

Afforestation

Answer 23

Planting trees to offset carbon emissions and support carbon sequestration.

Question 24

Carbon capture and storage (CSS)

Answer 24

A method used to prevent carbon emissions entering the atmosphere and storing it securely in deep underground geological formations.

Question 25

Global Scale Agreement

Answer 25

A treaty/protocol (or similar) that is signed/adhered to by multiple countries around the world. IGOs (such as the UN) are often involved in organising such agreements.

Question 26

IPCC

Answer 26

An intergovernmental body tasked with providing the world with an objective, scientific view of climate change and its political and economic impacts.

Question 27

Geoengineering

Answer 27

Large-scale intervention in the Earth’s natural systems to counteract specific issues, such as climate change.

Question 28

Mulching

Answer 28

Loose coverings or sheets of material placed on the surface of cultivated soil. This helps soils to retain moisture in summer (reduced evaporation).

Question 29

Cover crops

Answer 29

Crops planted to manage soil erosion, soil fertility, soil quality and soil moisture.

Question 30

Crop rotation

Answer 30

Growing a series of different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons. It helps in reducing soil erosion and increases soil fertility.

Question 31

Agroforestry

Answer 31

The growing of both trees and agricultural and crops on the same piece of land. In addition to producing tree/crop products, it also helps to conserve and sustain economic, human and natural resources.

Question 32

Permeable tarmac

Answer 32

Tarmac that has high air void content (e.g. pore spaces) which increases tarmac’s ability to allow water to infiltrate through it. The drained water can also be linked to SuDS.

Question 33

Soakaway

Answer 33

A method to help increase the infiltration of water in to the soil, which can help to increase lag-time and reduce the peak river discharge.

Question 34

River dredging

Answer 34

Increasing the depth of the river channel by removing silt from the river bed. It would usually take place using either a barge with a vacuum or a digger removing material while stationed on the bank.

Question 35

SuDS

Answer 35

Sustainable drainage systems - can incorporate increased infiltration (such as soakaways), and storage to reduce surface run-off and reduce the risk of flooding.