7.6 Superpowers and the Physical Environment Flashcards
7.6a resource demand
environmental degradation
a
7.6a resource demand
carbon emissions
Global carbon dioxide emissions in 2015: 29% China 14% USA 10% EU 7% India 5% Russia 35% Rest of the world
7.6a resource demand
a
a
7.6b environmental governance
global agreements
global agreements are not legally binding
Kyoto Agreement
- first time countries agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions
- varying degrees of agreement
Paris Agreement
- aim to keep global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius above predicted-industrial average
- limit emissions to an amount that can naturally be absorbed
- rich countries must support developing countries financially to use renewable resources
Marrakesh agreement
- aim to make the least developed countries commit to using renewable energy and agree funding from developed countries
- aim to protect valuable resources such as rainforests
7.6b environmental governance
USA
Some people in the USA remain sceptical about climate change, which is why agreements take so long
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions would cost energy companies money, thus harming the economy
Obama committed to reducing emissions but Trumps campaign to ‘make America great again’ encouraged nationalism (restoring industry and manufacturing) ultimately increasing emissions.
Between 2002-2015, wind power tripled in output and solar energy by ten times
7.6b environmental governance
China
China is the largest contributor of carbon emissions therefore no agreements can really work unless they are on board
They have always been concerned about the impact cutting emissions would have on their manufacturing industries and their economy.
In 2016, China agreed to reduce its emissions and is now heavily investing in renewable resources
China has become increasingly concerned about its reputation and wants to be seen as leading the way in saving the earth. LINK TO BATTLE FOR HEGEMONY WITH AMERICA
7.6b environmental governance
Russia
what did Russia agree to in 2015?
what reduced Russia’s emissions in 1990?
they shockingly agreed to the Paris Agreement in 2015
it has invested heavily in nanotechnology, energy efficiency and laws
In 1990, Russia agreed to reduce its emission by 30% but has actually reduced its emissions by 35% due to an economic crash that slowed manufacturing and industrial processes.
In theory, this will allow Russia to increase its emissions over the next few years if its economy stabilises and industry grows.
7.6b environmental governance
EU
what do the EU do for the environment?
what was the aim of the EU relating to energy?
what is CAP?
The EU has been leaders in carbon reducing initiatives and leading talks
They provide large grants for companies to use, convert to or invest in renewable energy sources
The EU aimed to have cut overall energy use by 20%
However the EU has come under much criticism for its damage to the environment from farming
The CAP protected European farmers from imports which resulted in intensive farming methods that were extremely harmful to the environment.
7.6c middle class consumption in emerging powers
rare earths
Environment:
A great deal of water , acid and electricity is used in the extraction processes to separate ore from toxins.
Livestock near the mines are also affected, decreasing the income of agricultural communities nearby.
Price:
Widely used in electronic, medical and laser devices. China has restricted the refining and eventual export of these products in order to keep their price high (demand exceeds supply), but this has had the effect of expand mining in other parts of the world because the higher price makes it economic to do so.
Availability:
80-90% of global rare earth production is in China. This raises the possibility of shortages due to resource nationalism.
7.6c middle class consumption in emerging powers
oil
Environment:
Price:
Availability:
Oil is a finite resource
7.6c middle class consumption in emerging powers
stable grains
Environment:
Price:
Availability:
7.6c middle class consumption in emerging powers
water
Environment:
Industrialising countries will catastrophically overuse available water, for other drinking and farming.
Price:
Availability:
The lifestyles of people in developed countries (dishwashers/ washing machines/ daily baths and shows, etc) means that consumption of water resources is high
