Case studies Flashcards
The Aral Sea – Human Impact on the Environment
Brief: Overuse of water for farming caused a major lake to dry up.
Detailed: The Soviet Union diverted rivers for cotton farming, leading to the near disappearance of the Aral Sea. This caused severe ecological damage, including loss of fisheries, dust storms, and increased salinity. Efforts to restore parts of the sea have had limited success.
Case Study: The Water Cycle in the Amazon Rainforest
Brief: Deforestation disrupts the natural water cycle, reducing rainfall.
Detailed: The Amazon Rainforest plays a key role in global water cycling through transpiration. Large-scale deforestation has led to reduced humidity, altered rainfall patterns, and an increased risk of droughts.
Case Study: Mauna Loa Observatory – Measuring CO₂ Levels
Brief: Longest-running CO₂ data collection site, proving human-driven climate change.
Detailed: Established in 1958 in Hawaii, Mauna Loa Observatory has provided continuous CO₂ data, showing a sharp rise in levels due to fossil fuel use. This research helped confirm the link between carbon emissions and global warming.
Case Study: NASA’s Climate Satellites
Brief: Satellites collect global environmental data to track climate change.
Detailed: NASA uses satellites like Aqua, Terra, and Suomi NPP to monitor sea level rise, temperature changes, and deforestation. This data is crucial for climate modeling and environmental policy-making.
Case Study: China’s One-Child Policy
Brief: Strict population control policy reduced birth rates but led to aging population issues.
Detailed: Implemented in 1979 to slow population growth, this policy prevented millions of births but caused gender imbalances and labor shortages. It was relaxed in 2015 to address economic concerns.
Case Study: Japan’s Aging Population
Brief: Low birth rates and high life expectancy create economic and social challenges.
Detailed: Japan has one of the world’s oldest populations, leading to a shrinking workforce and increased healthcare costs. The government promotes immigration and family incentives to address these issues.
Yellowstone National Park – Wolf Reintroduction
Brief: Restoring wolves balanced the ecosystem by controlling deer populations.
Detailed: Wolves were reintroduced in 1995 after being hunted to extinction. Their return reduced overgrazing, allowing vegetation and other species to recover.
Case Study: Coral Reef Conservation in the Great Barrier Reef
Brief: Marine protected areas help reduce damage from human activity.
Detailed: Australia enforces fishing restrictions, pollution control, and tourism regulations to protect coral reefs from bleaching and climate change effects.
Case Study: Costa Rica – 99% Renewable Energy
Brief: Nearly all energy from hydro, wind, and solar sources.
Detailed: Costa Rica heavily invests in renewable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and setting an example for sustainable energy policies.
Case Study: Sweden – Waste Management Success
Brief: 99% of waste is recycled or converted into energy.
Detailed: Sweden has advanced recycling and waste-to-energy programs, significantly reducing landfill waste and promoting circular economy practices.
Case Study: The Three Gorges Dam (China)
Brief: World’s largest dam provides hydroelectric power but displaces communities.
Detailed: The dam controls flooding and generates clean energy but caused habitat destruction and displaced 1.3 million people.
Case Study: Cape Town Water Crisis (2018)
Brief: Severe drought nearly caused citywide water shortages.
Detailed: Cape Town, South Africa, implemented water restrictions and desalination projects to avoid “Day Zero” when the city would run out of water.
Case Study: London’s Clean Air Act (1956)
Brief: Reduced air pollution after deadly smog events.
Detailed: After the Great Smog of 1952 killed thousands, laws were passed to limit coal burning and improve air quality, serving as a model for modern air pollution policies.
Case Study: The Montreal Protocol (1987)
Brief: International agreement to reduce ozone-depleting substances.
Detailed: Countries agreed to phase out CFCs, leading to a slow recovery of the ozone layer, proving global cooperation can address environmental problems.
Case Study: The Paris Agreement (2015)
Brief: Global effort to limit temperature rise below 2°C.
Detailed: 196 nations committed to reducing emissions. The agreement encourages renewable energy investments and emission-cutting policies worldwide.
Case Study: Netherlands – Climate Adaptation Strategies
Brief: Investing in flood defenses and sustainable infrastructure.
Detailed: With much of the country below sea level, the Netherlands has developed innovative water management systems, such as floating houses and sea barriers, to adapt to rising sea levels.
