7.3 Climate change mitigation and adaptation Flashcards
What is the definition of “mitigation”?
Efforts to reduce or prevent the emissions of greenhouse gases.
What is an international example of a “mitigation” agreement?
- International agreements - Paris agreement 2015
–> keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius
What are some national examples of “mitigation”?
- Investing in renewable energy
–> Gautam Adani invested 70bn into renewable energy sources in India - Provide incentives for greener alternatives
(public transport.. solar energy… improving cycling lanes…) - Carbon taxes
- Low emission zones (LEZ - Antwerp, Brussels)
- Energy standards
–> Belgian government set an Insulation standard which all houses have to meet - Carbon capture and storage
–> Investment + R&D
What are some individual examples of “mitigation”?
- Buying solar panels (renewable energy)
- Vegetarian diet –> less cow/ livestock –> less methane
- Using greener transport - walking, cycling, electric cars
- Insulation, Double glazed/ triple glazed windows - less energy has to be generated to heat houses
What is the definition of “geoengineering?’
“The deliberate large-scale manipulation of an environmental process that affects the earth’s climate, in an attempt to counteract the effects of global warming.”
What are the two main groups “geoengineering” is divided into?
- Solar geoengineering
- Carbon geoengineering
What is “solar geoengineering”?
Solar geoengineering aims to reflect the suns energy back into space.
Give an example of solar geoengineering and how it works
Stratospheric aerosol injections are a proposed method of solar geoengineering. This refers to the injection of sulphate aerosol particles into the stratosphere. These particles would reflect the sunlight and reduce the rising temperatures. This is the same process as global dimming, which already occurs naturally through volcanic eruptions.
! Furthermore it is estimated this method would be cheaper than other alternatives,
“The annual cost of delivering 5 million tons of an albedo enhancing aerosol (sufficient to offset the expected warming over the next century) to an altitude of 20 to 30 km is estimated at US$2 billion to 8 billion”
What is “carbon geoengineering”?
Carbon geoengineering aims to remove carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
Give an example of carbon geoengineering and how it works
Carbon capture and storage (CSS)
–> captures carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use and store underground
Why might LEDCs not want to tackle climate change?
Unreasonable to expect countries to curb emissions until caught up with standards in MEDCs. MEDC development was on the back of un-environmental use of resources - energy generation through burning of fossil fuels.
Why might MEDCs not want to tackle climate change?
Difficult to change expectations in MEDCs - comfortable home, own transport, access to cheap flights, high energy culture.
What is the “climate lag”?
The climate lag, time between the cause (increased GHG emissions) and effect (increased global temperatures) is a serious issue. Estimated to be 40 years.
What is the definition of “adaptation”?
“efforts to live with consequences of climate change”
What are some examples of “adaptation strategies”?
- Behavioural changes
- Flood defences
- Vaccination programmes
- Desalination plants
- Plant crops in previously unsuitable climates
- Develop drought - resistant crops
- Plant trees and expand green spaces in urban areas
