Carbon cycle management stratagies Flashcards
How much carbon is stored in wetlands
6-9% of earths surface, 35% of terrestrial carbon pool
What has happened to wetlands over recent times
Increased populations, growth and urbanisation have put huge strain on wetlands.
in the lower 48 US states, wetland area has halved since 1600
= transfers CO2 and CH4 to atmosphere
Canadas wetlands:
Have lost 70% of their wetlands
Restoration programmes have shown they can store 3.25 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year.
Now 112000 ha targeted for restoration
Wetlands in the UK
400 ha in Cambridge being converted back to wetlands
What is wetland restoration
Focus’ on raising the local water table to create waterlogged conditions
e.g. reconnecting floodplains to rivers by removing floodbanks.
Problems with wetland restoration
often involves removing flood defences
What is Afforestation
planting trees in deforested areas to shift co2 from atmosphere to biosphere
Other indirect benefits of afforestation
reduces flood risks, reduces soil erosion, increase biodiversity
UN’s International afforestation scheme
REDD scheme - puts an economic value on trees, creates a financial incentive to reduce deforestation, mainly targeted at developing countries
China’s afforestation scheme
A big gov led scheme began in 1978 to afforest 400km2 by 2050 - same area as whole of Spain.
But fast growing species made - poplar and Birch - low biodiversity and not biggest carbon storers
Current problems with agricultural practices
Over grazing / cultivation leads to soil erosion leading to released CO2. Intensive livestock farming produces 100mtonnes of CH4 per year
Types of Agricultural practices to reduce carbon
Mulching adds organic matter and prevents carbon loss
Rotation of crops increases bio mass
Kyoto agreement
1997, first major agreement
most AC’s agreed legally binding reductions on CO2 emissions
However, India and China, two most polluting countries were exempt
Australia and china did not ratify the agreement
Paris Agreement
membership of 190 countries
Aims to increase temperature by just 2oC this centaury
First time china and India have both agreed to an agreement together
Countries set there own targets rather than being told what to do
However,
Trump left in 2020 (Biden re-joined in 2021)
Study finds all of G20 members are failing to reach their set out targets
China and India still argue its not their problem, was caused by AC’s
COP 26
Limit temp rise to 1.5oC
First agreement to include coal, cars and environment
Estimated countries need $70bn a year for adaptation, many cant afford this
‘phase down’ coal use
Biden supposedly fell asleep - some say he doesn’t care
