Chapter 2 Gateway 2: Climate change Flashcards
What is global climate change?
The variation in the global climate or climate patterns in the long term
What does global climate change include?
- Major changes in temperature
- Precipitation
- Wind patterns that occur over several decades or longer
What is global warming?
The increase in global temperatures over a long period of time
Since the 1800s, the earth has experienced a significant but irregular upward trend in temperature with fluctuations of 0.3 degree celsius to 0.6 degree cleo due
What are some natural causes of climate change?
- Variations in solar output
2. Volcanic eruptions
What is variation in solar output? Example?
The sun emits varying amounts of solar energy due changes in its magnetic field. Sunspots are cooler regions on the sun’s surface that appear as dark spots. During periods of intense solar magnetic activity, the number of sunspots increase, resulting in higher solar radiation. This is because the areas surrounding the sunspots radiate more energy, which compensates for the lower temperatures of the sunspot areas
Example: In 2000, it was recorded to have the highest number of sunspots observed of approximately 165. And this coincided with the high solar activity. Global temperatures also increased during this period
What happens when a volcano erupts?
When a volcano erupts, large volumes of carbon dioxide, water vapour, sulfur dioxide, dust and ash are released into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfur-based particles into the atmosphere. Together with dust and ash, these particles reflect solar energy back into space. This results in a cooling influence on global temperatures
What is an example of a volcanic eruption and give the description
Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991
The eruption released 17 million tonnes of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, forming sulfur-based particles that speed around the earth in two weeks. The sulfur-based particles reflected solar energy back into space and lowered temperatures in the northern hemisphere by as much as 0.6 degree celcius
What is the greenhouse effect?
A process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere
This process keeps the atmosphere warm to sustain life on earth
How does greenhouse effect works?
- Incoming shortwave radiation from the sun passes through the atmosphere
- Some shortwave radiation is reflected by the earth and the atmosphere
- Most shortwave radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface which then heats up as a result
- The warmed surface on the earth emits longwave radiation to the atmosphere
- The greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation, warming the atmosphere
What are some examples of greenhouse gases?
Water vapour Carbon dioxide Nitrous oxide Methane Ozone Halocarbons
What happens when greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation?
When greenhouse gases absorb longwave radiation, they re-radiate it in all directions. Some of this radiations escapes into space, but most of it is absorbed by other gas molecules in the atmosphere or by the surface of the earth
What is enhanced greenhouse effect?
An increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, leading to a rise on global temperatures
When does the enhanced greenhouse effect occurs?
The enhanced greenhouse effect occurs when human activity causes greenhouse gases to be released at a far greater rate than that of natural emissions of greenhouse gases
What are anthropogenic factors? What can they do?
Factors caused by human activities such as deforestation and changing land users
The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased mainly due to anthropogenic factor
What is deforestation?
The loss of forests due to the removal or clearance of trees in forested areas
What does deforestation do to the earth?
Forests absorb billions of tonnes of carbon dioxide every year via photosynthesis. With fewer trees to absorb carbon dioxide, it leads to an increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. In addition, deforestation exposes soil to the sunlight. This increases soil temperature and the rate of carbon oxidation in the soil. As such, deforestation increases the rate at which carbon dioxide is released from the soils into the atmosphere
What is an example of deforestation?
Between 2000 and 2010, 52000 square kilometres of forests was lost. The greatest overall loss of forests occurs in South America
Why are trees removed?
Trees are felled for wood to make products such as paper and building materials. Trees are also removed to clear the area for mining activities, the grazing of animals, the planting of crops and the construction of infrastructure
What does deforestation increase?
Deforestation increases the rate at which carbon dioxide is released from the soil into the atmosphere
What are examples of changing land use?
- Agriculture
- Industries
- Urbanisation
What is agriculture? What is the ranking of contributors of greenhouse gases?
The practice of cultivating land, producing crops and raising livestock
The third highest contributor of greenhouse gases
Why agriculture contributes to changing land use?
Cattle farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions because millions of tonnes of methane are released each year by cattle as a waste gas. Methane is also released in rice fields where decomposition is very rapid due to the high level of moisture in the soil
What is an example of agriculture?
Argentina researchers discovered that methane from cows accounts for more than 30% of the total country’s greenhouse emissions
What are industries?
The production of goods and services within a country
Why industries contribute to changing land use?
Secondary industries, which are industrial economic activities such as manufacturing, involve the burning of fossil fuels that result in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are also released as by-products when goods are produced
What is an example of industries?
The manufacturing of a computer and a monitor produces 275 kilograms of carbon dioxide
What is urbanisation?
The process by which an increasing number of people live in urban areas such as cities or towns
Why does urbanisation contributes to changing land use?
Large volumes of fossil fuels are burnt to provide energy for household activities in urban areas. These activities include heating, cooling, cooking and lighting. The high concentration of cars, buses and other modes of transport also contributes to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in these areas
What is an example of urbanisation?
Los Angeles, California, has over 6 million cars and is the second highest carbon dioxide emitting country because of automobile emissions. On an average, Los Angeles releases 18.5 million tons of carbon per year
What are the impacts of climate change?
- Sea level rise
- More frequent extreme weather events
- Spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases
- Lengthen the growing season in certain regions
What is sea level rise?
The increase in the mean height of the sea’s surface between high tide and low tide relative to land
Why sea level rise impact climate change?
Higher temperatures cause the melting of glaciers. The resultant meltwater causes a rise in sea level. Rising sea levels have a negative impact on places where humans live. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying areas and islands
What is an example of sea level rise?
Majuro Atoll in the Pacific Ocean will lose 80% of its land if the sea level rises by half a metre
What is extreme weather event?
A severe and rare phenomenon that results in economic losses and loss of lives
Can you list a few examples of extreme weather events?
- Floods
- Droughts
- Heat wave
- Tropical cyclone
What is an example of extreme weather events?
One type of extreme weather event is the heat wave and it can kill many people. In August 2003, Europe experienced a heat wave which killed more than 70000 people
What is the negative economic impact of sea level rise?
Higher temperatures cause the melting of glaciers. The resultant meltwater cause the rise in sea level. Rising sea levels have a negative impact on places where humans live. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying areas and islands
What is the negative social impact of sea level rise?
People who live in coastal areas have to be relocated due to the rise in sea levels caused by warmer global climate. The displacement of people also take place for those who live on atolls
Why is extreme weather event part of the impacts of climate change?
The occurrence of extreme weather events has increased in the last few decades. Extreme weather events are believed to be increasing due to higher land and sea’s surface temperatures. Such an atmosphere serves as a powerful driving force for extreme weather events
What is the negative social impact of extreme weather events?
The occurrence of extreme weather events has increased in the last few decades. Extreme weather events are believed to be increasing due to higher land and sea’s surface temperatures. Such an atmosphere serves as a powerful driving force for extreme weather events
What are insect-borne diseases?
Diseases transmitted to humans or animals by insects
What is the cause / negative social impact of the spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases?
Climate change could result in increased temperatures and rainfall in various parts of the world. Insects thrive in these favourable conditions. This may lead to the spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases
What is an example of the spread of some infectious insect-borne diseases?
Regions with moderate temperatures, such as Europe and North America, are facing diseases once confined to the tropics. For example, dengue fever was reported in the cool climate areas of Nepal and Bhutan for the first time in 2004
What are the advantages of lengthening the growing season in certain regions?
- An increase in the types of crops that can be grown in the United Kingdom. New crops such as blackberries and maize can be cultivated
- The production of fruits, soya beans and potatoes is projected to increase in Canada
What are the disadvantages of lengthening the growing season in certain regions?
- In the yunnan province, China, the production of fruits such as apples and cherries, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts is reduced as these fruits and nuts require cool weather conditions
- In Canada, the average wheat grain yield is reduced
What is the negative economic impact of lengthening the growing season in certain regions?
Higher temperatures may result in some countries not being able to grow crops previously grown. Especially those which require cool weather conditions
What is the positive economic impact of lengthening the growing season in certain regions?
Global climate change also affects the growing season in certain seasons. Higher temperature may result in longer growing seasons in some regions
What is growing season?
The period during which crops can be grown
What are international agreements? Example?
Contracts signed by two or more countries
Exp: Kyoto Protocol
What is Kyoto Protocol?
An agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change
What is the goal of Kyoto Protocol?
Reducing the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Why countries sign the kyoto protocol?
Many countries came together to sign the kyoto protocol to come up with measures to address climate change and put them into practice
When was the kyoto protocol drawn up and came into force?
Drawn up: 11 December 1997
Came into force: 16 February 2005
What happened during the kyoto protocol?
Under the protocol, various targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were set for participating countries
However, greater responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emission were placed on 37 developed countries and the european countries
These countries were responsible for the current high levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity
Why happened during 2008-2012 of the kyoto protocol?
From 2008-2012, these countries were obligated to reduce their combined greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5 percent below their 1990 levels
Depending on the ability of each developed country, these countries had greater responsibility such as helping less developed countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by providing them with funds
What are the successes of the Kyoto protocol?
Many countries such as Finland, Greece and Ireland met or exceeded their targets
It was also successful in encouraging sustainable development
For example, clean development mechanism gave certified emission-reduction credits to countries which carry out emission-reduction projects in less developed countries
Less developed countries have emission-reduction projects
What are the limitations of the Kyoto protocol?
Many countries also did not meet their targets like Denmark, Australia and Spain
Kyoto protocol does not make it compulsory with low greenhouse gas emissions to provide support for other countries
Not much impact on global scale
Countries which contributed significantly to global emissions did not sign the agreement
