9. Environment Flashcards
Atmosphere
the layer of gases around the earth
Biodiversity
All the different kinds of living organisms you’ll find in one area
Climate
The average weather over many years (30 years minimum)
Conserve
Not wasting resources
Drought
A prolonged period of below-average precipitation
Ecosystem
all the living and non-living organisms that live together in a geographical area
Environment
The air, land, water, plant and wildlife
Extinct
No longer in existence
Geothermal energy
heat and electricity produced from hot, underground water
Global warming
Global warming is the long term rise in world temperatures since pre-industrialtimes.
Habitat
an area which plants and animals have adapted in order to survive there
Hydro-electric power
Electricity produced by water being released through dam turbines
Landfill
the disposal of waste in natural or man-made holes in the ground
National Park
National parks are large areas of landscape protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Non-renewable energy
comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished in our lifetimes
Recycling
the reuse of waste material
Renewable energy
a sustainable source of power which can be used indefinitely (e.g. wind, solar, tidal)
Stewardship
looking after resources in a sustainable way for the future
Local Environment (Camden) issues - Causes
- Area around school is suburban but other parts of Camden could be labelled as urban
- Busy roads nearby (finchley road)
- A highly polluted area with a number of schools nearby (more congestion, traffic and litter)
- The average Camden resident emits 15 tonnes of CO2 annually (the UK is 13 tonnes per person on average)
Local Environment (Camden) issues - Problems
- Traffic & Transport
- Food & water waste
- Energy use
- Litter and waste
- Air pollution
- Light pollution
Local Environmental (Camden) issues - Solutions
In 2019, Camden declared an climate and ecological emergency. Some solutions were:
* Changing streetlights to energy-efficient LED lights
* Fitting 184 solar panels to the Swiss Cottage library
* Council’s energy is supplied by renewable sources
* Increased cycle routes
* Camden Forest 2025 - aimed to plant 2025 trees by 2025
* Visioning Camden 2023 - asked locals to imagine the borough in 2030 if the impacts of climate change had been dealt with.
This made a reduction of 51% of carbon emissions in 2019/20 compared to 10 years earlier
How many national parks does the UK have?
15
Aims of national parks
- Conserve and enhance the natural beauty,wildlife and cultural heritage.
- Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoying national parks by the public
- To meet the socio-economic needs of local communities.
Some positives about Snowdonia
The mountains in North Wales rely on tourism because it
* Brings jobs for locals
* Brings income for the local economy
* Preserves local services e.g. transport & shops
* Allows tourists enjoy the scenery
Problems and Solutions of Snowdonia
1* Damage to the environment -litter, footpath erosion, fire
2* Wildlife and vegetation disturbance
3* Traffic and congestion leading to increased pollution
4* Increase in goods prices
4* Holiday homes push up local house prices
4* Unprepared hikers-stretching local services
1* Use local materials to repair paths, close areas off
2* Education of visitors
3* Use of park and ride, local bus services, cycling routes
4* Other suggestions include-charging visitors, campaigns to encourage visitors to take more care and to encourage visitors to visit different areas within the National Park
Global warming-causes
- Globally the 10 warmest years on record all occurred in the 21stcentury.
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and CFCs) from industry, transport, deforestation/burning, landfill, rice cultivation, livestock, fertilisers, burning fossil fuels, air conditioning all contribute to global warming.
The UK’s energy mix
- The UK’s energy mix is made up of renewable and non-renewable sources.
- Renewable energy can be used over and over and does not produce carbon emissions (with the exception of biomass, however emissions can be offset).
- Nuclear is non-renewable but unlike coal, gas and oil it does not release carbon emissions but nuclear waste is dangerous and has to be stored safely.
Global warming impacts
- Increase in land & ocean temperatures
- Melting ice at poles & mountains glaciers
- Rising sea levels
- More extreme weather
If we do not change our behaviour, global temperatures could rise by 3C
Air pollution problems and solutions
Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals, and plants.
Use public transport, use electricor hybrid cars, car share, renewable energy sources, plant trees, turn off lights & devices when not in use, holiday locally or in the UK.
Land pollution problems and solutions
Is contamination of the land including soil and the groundbeneath, it includes litter, organic waste, agriculture, mining and industry waste.
Reduce what you buy, reuse items, recycle, compost, buy biodegradableproducts, store chemicals/waste in containers that do not leak.
Water pollution problems and solutions
Is any form of contamination that people put into water-sewage, chemicals, plastics.
Reduce water use, use environmentally safe cleaning products, buy organic food, take your rubbish with you, reduce use of plastic bags, be careful what you put down the drain or toilet.
Global Warming Solutions
- Reduce carbon emissions
- In 2015 at the UN climate summit nearly all countries agreed to limit global warming to 1.5C and a maximum of 2C.
- Reducing and stopping the burning of fossil fuels, carbon capture and storage, reforestation, reducing temperatures in our homes, choosing greener travel, reducingflights, eating less meat, wasting less food, eating locally and seasonally repairing rather than replacing, buying less stuff but of better quality so it lasts.
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for floods
- Floods: 100% increase in flood risk, 170% increase in flood risk
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for heatwaves
- Heatwaves: 9% of the world’s population at risk, 28% of the world’s population at risk
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for droughts
- Drought: 350 million urban residents at risk, 410 million urban residents at risk
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for sea level rise
- Sea level rise: 46 million people impacted by 48 cm rise, 49 million people impacted by 56 cm rise
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for arctic ice
- Arctic sea ice: Ice free summers once every 100 years, Ice free summers once every 10 years
Difference between 1.5C and 2C global warming rise for species
- Species: 6% of insects, 8% of plants, 4% of vertebrates will be affected, 18% of insects, 16% of plants, 8% of vertebrates will be affected