climate change Flashcards
What is climate change?
A change in global or regional climate patterns.
What is global warming?
An increase in overall atmospheric temperature, generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by pollution.
What are greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour
What is the greenhouse effect?
The absorption and then trapping of solar radiation by the earth. Solar radiation enters atmosphere, some is absorbed by earth surface, some is reflected back into the atmosphere and trapped because of a layer of carbon dioxide that prevents the escape of this radiation. Process continues and the atmosphere and earth heats up.
What is the quaternary period? What about climate change over the course of this period?
The most recent geological time period, spanning from about 2.6 million years ago to the present day.
There have been times when global climate is warmer (interglacial phases) and times when it has been cooler (glacial phases) - when there have been ice ages. Conditions have been warmer since the last major cold period called pleistocene.
What are human causes of climate change?
- The burning of fossil fuels for energy, releases greenhouse gases.
- Unsustainable deforestation causes a decrease in large areas of forests meaning less co2 is absorbed by trees and more enters atmosphere. Plus the fossil fuels burned in the process.
- Agriculture industry uses vast areas of land for animal use instead of trees (can cause deforestation). Additionally Cattle, especially cows release a lot of methane and carbon dioxide. Additionally, cause infertile soil and therefor future use for plants is unlikely.
What are natural causes of climate change?
- Volcanic eruptions release volcanic gases and some of that is co2.
- Asteroids enter atmosphere and release huge amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere, some are greenhouse.
- Milankovich cycles, just the natural changes of the earths movements creating fluctuation in global temperature over many years.
how can climate change be mitigated
alternative energy production
carbon capture
international agreement
planting trees
alternative energy production- how can climate change be mitigated
alternative energy production reduces greenhouse gases compared to burning fossil fuels. They will last longer. However, despite becoming cheaper and more competitive, they are expensive of, for example, there is no wind, sun or waves
carbon capture- how can climate change be mitigated
carbon capture takes carbon dioxide from emission sources and safely stores if underground. An impermeable cap rock prevents it escaping.
it could provide 10-50 per cent of the worlds total carbon mitigation until 2100.
However, it is expensive, it is unclear if CO2 would remain captured long term, and it doesn’t promote renewable energy
international agreements- How can climate change be mitigated
international agreements encourage countries to take responsibility for reducing CO2 emissions.
Targets are more likely to be met if legally binding. financial support may be provided for LICs.
However, some countries are considered more responsible, it is hard to agree targets that go far enough, and they may not be achieved
planting trees- How climate change be mitigated
planting trees helps remove CO2 from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. it could increase forest carbon storage by 28 per cent. oxygen is produced during photosynthesis, and trees provide habitats, However, land may be limited and biodiversity is reduced if only one tree species is planted
How can we adapt to climate change
changes in agricultural systems
managing water supplies
reducing risk
changes in agricultural systems- how can we adapt to climate change
changes in agricultural systems are required to deal with changing rainfall and temperature patterns, weather becoming more extreme and the changing distribution of pests and disease.
production may need to move location to suit climates, irrigation may be necessary and changes to crops and varieties’ may be required.
these adaptations are most difficult for poorer farmers, who are most likely to be affected
managing water supplies
managing water supplies ensures populations can face the challenge of changing rainfall patterns.
in London, this involves reducing demand and increasing supply.
security may be threatened in areas of deficit, especially where there is less political stability
how can we reduce risk from rising sea levels
reducing risk from rising sea levels could involve constructing defences, raising properties on sites or relocating people at risk. there are economic, environmental and social implications of these stages
social effects of climate change
increased disease eg. skin cancer and heat stroke
Winter deaths decrease with milder winters
Crop yields are affected by up to 12% in South America but will increase in Northern Europe but will need more irrigation
Less ice in the Arctic Ocean increases shipping and extraction of oil and gas reserves
Droughts reduce food and water supply in sub-Saharan Africa. Water scarcity in South and South East UK
Increased flood risk. 70% of Asia is at risk of increased flooding
Declining fish in some areas affect diet and jobs
Increased extreme weather
The skiing industry in the Alps was threatened.
environment effects of climate change
Increased drought in Mediterranean region
Lower rainfall causes food shortages for orangutans in Borneo and Indonesia
Sea level rise leads to flooding and coastal erosion
ice melts threaten habitats of polar bears
Warmer rivers affect marine wildlife
Forests in n America may experience more pests, disease, and forest fires
Coral bleaching and decline in biodiversity such as the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
