C13.4 - Global climate change Flashcards
Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could do what by the year 2100?
Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius by the year 2100
Some scientists predict that global warming may mean that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.
What would this have a significant effect on all over the world?
This would have a significant effect on weather patterns all over the world
What are people worried about?
People are worried about changing global climates
People are worried about changing global climates.
Example
For example, in Europe it has been estimated that winters are already 2 weeks shorter than they were 40 years ago
Consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world
The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are:
- Rising sea levels
- Increasingly common extreme weather events
- Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall
- Changes to the distribution of wildlife species
The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans.
Example
For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year
The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans.
For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year.
What may this cause?
This may cause:
- The flooding of low-lying land
- Increased coastal erosion
The 2nd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is increasingly common extreme weather events.
Examples
For example:
- More frequent and severe storms
- Hurricanes could become more common in some areas
The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on what?
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions
The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
What have people speculated?
People have speculated that:
- Dry areas will get even drier
- Monsoons in Asia will get heavier
The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
People have speculated that dry areas will get even drier and that monsoons in Asia will get heavier.
What does it seem reasonable to assume?
It seems reasonable to assume that as some places get less suited to growing crops, others will become more suited
The 3rd consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall.
This could have impacts on the food-producing capacity of different regions.
People have speculated that dry areas will get even drier and that monsoons in Asia will get heavier.
It seems reasonable to assume that as some places get less suited to growing crops, others will become more suited.
However, as there is no experience of such dramatic rises in temperature over such short timescales, nobody can yet be sure of what?
As there is no experience of such dramatic rises in temperature over such short timescales, nobody can yet be sure of the effects in different regions
The 4th consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some becoming extinct.
What will rapid changes in the global climate do?
Rapid changes in the global climate will put ecosystems around the world under stress
What have there always been in the Earth’s atmosphere?
There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere
There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been.
However, what is it that are enhancing this warming effect?
It is the rapid increase of the levels of greenhouse gases over the recent past that are enhancing this warming effect
There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been.
However, it is the rapid increase of the levels of greenhouse gases over the recent past that are enhancing this warming effect.
This will have consequences for what?
This will have consequences for the global climate
To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that what?
To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that levels of greenhouse gases must be controlled
Carbon footprint
Carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a: 1. Product 2. Service Or, 3. Event
How is most of the electricity used in the UK made?
Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels
Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels.
What does this do?
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Most of the electricity used in the UK is made by burning fossil fuels.
This releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
What would one solution be?
One solution would be the technique of carbon capture and storage
The technique of carbon capture and storage
The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is:
- Captured
- Pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks
What is the estimate of how the technique of carbon capture and storage would increase the cost of producing electricity?
It is estimated that the technique of carbon capture and storage would increase the cost of producing electricity by about 10%
How could the methane produced from cattle be decreased?
The methane produced from cattle could be decreased if there was less demand for beef
What do plant-based diets offer?
Plant-based diets offer a more efficient use of land, with farmers using their fields to grow crops and vegetables rather than feed animals
In some areas, what can people who care share (reducing their carbon footprint) do?
In some areas, people who care share (reducing their carbon footprint) can use special lanes that are less congested on busy roads
Why do world leaders meet regularly?
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions.
What are many governments doing?
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions
Many governments are taking action
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions.
Many governments are taking action.
Examples of this
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions
Many governments are taking action by:
1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called ‘carbon taxes’)
2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions.
Many governments are taking action by:
1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called ‘carbon taxes’)
2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy.
What can governments also do?
Word leaders meet regularly to negotiate limits on greenhouse emissions
Many governments are taking action by:
1. Taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (the so-called ‘carbon taxes’)
2. Funding research into alternative forms of energy
Governments can also support the use of biofuels
What are biofuels often made from?
Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as ‘carbon neutral’
Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as ‘carbon neutral.’
What can also be given to improve home insulation to conserve energy?
Biofuels are often made from plant material that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis and effectively just return that to the atmosphere when they are burned, so they can be thought of as ‘carbon neutral’
Incentives can also be given to improve home insulation to conserve energy
What can companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials do?
Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees
Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees.
What do other policies dictate?
Companies that produce CO2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees
Other policies dictate that whenever trees are felled, new ones are planted to take their place
What is there on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Where will reductions have cost implications?
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries.
Who wasn’t originally included in negotiations?
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries
Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries.
Why were poorer countries not originally included in negotiations?
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries
Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries.
Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
However, what could restrictions do to them?
There is incomplete international co-operation on setting targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Reductions will have cost implications in all manufacturing and transport industries
Poorer countries were not originally included in negotiations, as they are not the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions
However, restrictions could hinder their developing industries
On a personal level, what do people need?
On a personal level, people need information about global climate change
Why do people need information about global climate change, on a personal level?
On a personal level, people need information about global climate change, so that every individual can make a positive contribution
What happens if you can use less electricity?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released.
What can you also use less?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
You can also use your cars less
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released.
You can also use your cars less.
What will walking and cycling do?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
You can also use your cars less
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released.
You can also use your cars less.
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions.
If you have to drive, what is it more efficient to do?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
You can also use your cars less
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions
If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released.
You can also use your cars less.
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions.
If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport.
What can you also do?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
You can also use your cars less
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions
If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport
You can also recycle your waste
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released.
You can also use your cars less.
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions.
If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport.
You can also recycle your waste.
However, to have any effect, what must more people start to believe?
If you can use less electricity, less fossil fuels will be used up and less CO2 will be released
You can also use your cars less
Walking and cycling will not only make you healthier, but will reduce emissions
If you have to drive, it is more efficient to share lifts or you could use public transport
You can also recycle your waste
However, to have any effect, more people must start to believe that their small contributions will help
The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are rising sea levels, as a result of what, increasingly common extreme weather events, changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall and changes to the distribution of wildlife species?
The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are:
- Rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans
- Increasingly common extreme weather events
- Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall
- Changes to the distribution of wildlife species
The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans, increasingly common extreme weather events, changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall and changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some doing what?
The consequences of the changing weather patterns all over the world are:
- Rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans
- Increasingly common extreme weather events
- Changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall
- Changes to the distribution of wildlife species, with some becoming extinct
The 1st consequence of the changing weather patterns all over the world is rising sea levels, as a result of melting ice caps and expansion of the warmer oceans.
For example, the Arctic ice cap appears to be shrinking at a rate equivalent to the Netherlands melting away each year.
This may cause the flooding of low-lying land and increased coastal erosion.
Some islands could even do what?
Some islands could even disappear
There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet what?
There have always been greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, making the planet warmer than it would otherwise have been
To tackle the problem of global climate change, it is widely agreed that levels of greenhouse gases must be controlled.
You should think of ways to reduce your what?
You should think of ways to reduce your ‘reduce your carbon footprint’
The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is captured and pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks, so that it is what?
The technique of carbon capture and storage is when carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations, by burning fossil fuels, is:
- Captured
- Pumped deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks, so that it is not released into the atmosphere
