Carbon Cycle/sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainable development
Sustainable development is development which meets needs of current generation without compromising needs of future generations to meet their own needs.
How can we use knowledge of carbon cycle to maintain carbon balance
We can use our knowledge of carbon cycle to maintain carbon balance by using biofuels and reforestation.
What is a biofuel
Biofuel is a fuel which is produced through contemporary biological processes e.g agriculture and anaerobic digestion.
Why are biofuels theoretically carbon neutral
Biofuels are theoretically carbon neutral because proportion of C02 released during combustion is directly offset by the proportion of C02 they have taken in during photosynthesis.
What are examples of biofuels
Examples of biofuels are:
Biomass (plant materials e.g wood burnt to generate heat)
Ethanol (fermented from maize)
Biodiesel (vegetable oils and liquid animal fats)
Biogas (methane derived from animal manure)
What are adv of biomass
Adv of biomass is can use waste materials e.g husk from peanut shell,
What is gasohol and what is advantage
Gasohol is bioethanol plus petrol, the advantage is that has lower fossil fuel content
What are disadvantages of biofuels
Disadvantages of biofuels are:
Biofuels may not be truly carbon neutral (use of farm machinery, transportation)
Loss of habitat which may occur when companies are planting crops specifically for production of biofuel e.g destruction of rainforest for palm oil plantations, reducing biodiversity
Affects food availability (diverting agricultural land and resources for fuel rather than food, resulting in higher food prices and famine)
Why may biofuels be used
Biofuels may be used because they may become more cost effective as oil prices rise and political pressures
How can problems with biofuels be tackled
Problems with biofuels may be tackled by using biofuels from waste products so you’re not damaging habitats or diverting agricultural land from producing crops.
What is another method of decreasing carbon
Another method of decreasing carbon is reforestation to remove carbon from atmosphere and restore habitats.
What are impacts of climate change on reforestation
Impacts of climate change on reforestation are:
Higher temperatures and C02 concentrations could increase growth rate of forests, which will lead to more respiration and decay, releasing more C02.
What are processes that can reduce C02
Processes that can reduce C02 are:
Natural systems (forests and algae acting as sinks)
Replanting trees
Improving energy efficiency (reducing energy use and fossil fuel consumption)
C02 capture
