Climate Change Flashcards
1
Q
What are the characteristics of greenhouse and icehouse conditions?
A
Greenhouse
-High co2 levels in the atmosphere
-Temperature rise
-Transgressive eustatic sea level rise
-Thermal expansion
-Melting of ice, stored in oceans as water
-Submergent landforms
Icehouse
-Low co2
-Temperature fall
-Regressive eustatic change
-Thermal contraction
-Water stored as ice
-Emergent landforms
2
Q
What are the 5 periods of differing climates?
A
- Mid-cretaceous - 100ma, greenhouse conditions
- Oligocene - 35ma, coolhouse, glaciation of Antarctica
- Quaternary - 2.6ma (Ice age) fluctuated temperatures
- Holocene - 11700 - Now, little ice age
- Anthropocene - Now, Period where man is influencing climate
3
Q
What were the characteristics of the mid-cretaceous period?
A
Avg temperatures - 6-8 degrees more than today
-Co2 levels 5x higher than today
-No polar ice caps (continental drift) which affected currents in the ocean
4
Q
What were the characteristics of the Oligocene period?
A
-Rapid transition from greenhouse to icehouse conditions
-Co2 levels dropped from 500ppm to 110 ppm
5
Q
What caused the glaciation of Antarctica?
A
-Tectonic processes lead to Antarctica moving towards the south pole.
-The Antarctica circumpolar current isolated Antarctica from warmer currents so didn’t melt
-South Sandwich Islands. Submerged volcanos that distribute deep water currents isolating Antarctica from warmer currents.
6
Q
What was the main feature of the Quaternary period?
A
The cyclic changes of climate. Long periods of cold, glacial periods lasting 100,000 years. And shorter periods of warmer interglacial periods
-1/3 of continental land mass was covered by snow/ice
-During the last glacial maximum 18,000 years ago, NW Europe was < 0 degrees
7
Q
What were the characteristics of the Holocene?
A
-Steady warming, but periods of cooling
-Co2 levels were in dynamic equilibrium fluctuating around 280ppm.
-1-2 degrees higher than today, sea levels increased by 100m
-Major decline in ice cover
-Little ice age
8
Q
What are the main characteristics of the anthropocene?
A
-The last 200 years since industrialisation
-Co2 levels no longer in dynamic equilibrium
-Human activity rather than natural causes
-C02 levels risen from 280ppm to 420ppm
9
Q
Explain the natural greenhouse effect?
A
-Input of short wave solar radiation
-30% is reflected back into space (albedo effect)
-Remaining 70% is absorbed by the atmosphere, land and oceans, and re-emitted as longwave terrestrial radiation.
-Some of this terrestrial radiation leaves the atmosphere but most of it is absorbed by GHG
10
Q
What is the global energy budget?
A
is the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation. It is the ditributor of this balance that causes climate change. 1/3 is reflected by clouds
1/5 is absorbed by water
2/3 is lost to space
Rest is absorbed by GHG
11
Q
What are natural forcing’s and what are the two external forcing’s and the 4 internal forcing’s?
A
Forcing’s that affect the Earths energy budget induce climate change. They can be internal or external
External - Sunspots, Milankovitch cycles (orbital forcing’s)
Internal- Volcanic eruptions, continental drift, ocean circulation, greenhouse gases
12
Q
Explain how eccentricity can alter the climate
A
-Shape of the Earths orbit, changes from circular to elliptical every 100,000 years
-Circular - Earths distance to the sun is the same all year, so equal solar input
-Elliptical - Not the same distance from the sun, so there are points of close and far - Different temperatures depending on how close or far away
Perihelion - Close
Aphelion - Away
13
Q
Explain how obliquity and how it can alter the climate
A
-The Earth rotates on its axis between 22 degrees and 24.5 degrees. The tilt is what causes seasons and how long / intense they are on a 41,000 year cycle
-When the tilt is 22 degrees, seasonal temperatures are reduced. Summers are cooler and winters are warmer
-When the tilt is less than 22 degrees, winters are colder, summers are warmer.
is what causes interglacial periods.
14
Q
Explain precession and how it can alter the climate
A
The Earth wobbles on its axis, in cycles of 26,000 years
-As it wobbles, the Earths axis position changes, which determines how much solar energy each hemisphere receives, and is reponsible for the timings of the seasons
-Long term
15
Q
Explain how sunspots alter the climate.
A
-Sun Spots, solar flares and hot gassy ejections occur on the sun. These reach Earth and can change the climate
-Follow an 11 year cycle
-In the little ice age, there was little sun spot activity, which cooled the Earth
16
Q
How does volcanic activity alter climate?
A
Volcanic eruptions trigger short term climate change (Months - Years)
-Mount Pinatubo erupted and released an ash cloud, with 20 million tonnes of SO2
-This increases the albedo effect and cools the Earth’s climate
17
Q
How can plate tectonics and continental drift alter the climate?
A
Sea floor spreading, slab bull, ridge push, convection currents move plates from land maass
This caused more landmass in the Northern Hemisphere
17
Q
How can plate tectonics and continental drift alter the climate?
A
Sea floor spreading, slab bull, ridge push, convection currents move plates from land maass
This caused more landmass in the Northern Hemisphere
18
Q
How can plate tectonics and continental drift alter the climate?
A
Sea floor spreading, slab bull, ridge push, convection currents move plates from land maass
This caused more landmass in the Northern Hemisphere
18
Q
How can plate tectonics and continental drift alter the climate?
A
Sea floor spreading, slab bull, ridge push, convection currents move plates from land mass
This caused more landmass in the Northern Hemisphere so will therefore absorb more solar radiation, and melt land ice faster, decreasing the albedo effect
Also caused Antarctica to move towards the South pole, which cooled it.
19
Q
How does ocean circulation effects the Earths climate?
A
-Before 5ma ago, ocean currents were weak due to NA and SA not being connected so warm water could not reach the poles
-5ma, NA joined with SA which made currents stronger so they could reach the North Pole.
20
Q
How do natural greenhouse gases change the climate of the Earth
A
Natural GHG causes icehouse and greenhouse conditions. We know this because of direct correlation between CO2 levels and temperature. They are added by decomposition and respiration. They are removed from dissolving with water vapour and photosynthesis.
21
Q
What are the 6 methods used to construct past climates?
A
- Historical data
- Dendrochronology
- Ice cores
- Sea floor sediments
- Lake sediments - Varves
- Lake sediments - Pollen
22
Q
How can historical data provide evidence for past climate change?
A
-Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit developed the first thermometer 300 years ago. Climate records have been found dating back 140 years ago. Books from 1000 years ago also are used but is qualitative data and may be inaccurate due to less reliable measurement tools. It doesn’t date far back either.
23
How is dendrochronology used for evidence for past climate change?
Trees can live up to 100 years or longer. Thick rings show warm, wet conditions due to more photosynthesis from higher co2 so growth increased
Thin lines show cold, dry conditions due to less co2 in atmosphere. The number of rings show how old the tree is. However, they dont tell us much past 10k years ago and is PROXY DATA.
24
How can we use ice cores to provide past climate change?
Ice cores contain bubbles of atmospheric gas at the time the ice was deposited. This therefore allows us to asses the concentration of GHG. However, data may be inaccurate when collected further down a core as gasses will be compresses due to ice on top. Frequent melting and freezing will also leak gases out of the ice.
Oxygen 16 and 18 are also collected to show temperatures.
25
How can sea floor sediments provide evidence for past climate change?
Micro fossils called foraminifera accumulate on the sea floor. When taking sediment cores, the layers of different fossils show the climatic conditions at the time. Calcium carbonate levels could also show temperature, and co2 levels due to acidity.
26
How can pollen provide evidence for past climate change?
Pollen collected from lake sediments show the type of vegetation but also the climatic conditions as different flora lived in different conditions.
27
How are varves used to show past climatic conditions?
Varves are tiny layers of lake sediment compromising of light and dark bands. Light bands are coarse sediment indicate high energy environments (meltwater - hotter). Dark bands are finer sediments, indicating low energy environments (Slow water speed, winter). Correlate with the seasons.
28
What are the three reasons for global warming due to a rise in GHG?
Global energy demand increase
Population increase
Land use change
29
How much PPM has co2 emissions risen since the industrial revolution?
280ppm - 420ppm
Now in disequillibrium
30
How have AC's changed their emissions since the industrial revolution?
AC's were responsible up until the 1960's where global shift meant LIDC's emitted the most.
31
How is the enhanced greenhouse effect different to the natural greenhouse effect?
Less heat escapes when reflected from the surface, so there is more re-emitted heat
32
What are the 6 strong pieces of evidence that indicate global warming is human induced?
-Increasing in global temperatures
-Rising sea level rise
-Decreasing glacial stores
-Increase in water vapour
-Rising GHG emissions
-Decreasing snow and ice cover
33
How much has the temperature increased since the industrial period?
1 degree, last 7 years hottest on record.
34
What two points for climate deniers use to disprove temperature increase?
-May be unreliable due to variations in instruments to record data
-Also temperature anomalies are found. Although the Earth is warming, there are areas of cooling
35
What evidence is there for shrinking valley glaciers and ice sheets?
-NASA reported 400 billion tonnes of ice sheets lost since 1994 and thickness decreased by 12m
-Greenland and Antarctica contain 97% of the global ice
-Antarctica is losing 148 billion tonnes/yr due to calving
-Larsen B melted in 6 weeks
-13% per decade less ice
36
Explain calving of glaciers
Ice melts, which produces meltwater which penetrate the ice and increases the velocity of glacier flow. It runs under the glacier, melting it from underneath. This undercuts the glacier and causes it to fall into the water.
37
What evidence is there for sea level rise?
-Over the C19th, sea levels rose by 20cm
-In C20th, sea levels rise by 1-2.5mm/yr
-Expected to rise by 0.6m by the end of the century
-Due to 43% thermal expansion, 45% ice melt, 12% other (circulation etc)
38
What do climate deniers use to disprove sea level rise?
-Isostatic fall/rebound
-Land rising at 2mm/yr, so sea level rise isnt seen as large
-South East of the UK is falling at 0.5mm/yr, so the relative sea level rise will be higher
39
What do climate deniers use to disprove glacial melt?
Antarctica is melting at a slow rate
40
How is an increase of atmospheric water vapour used as evidence for human induced cc?
-Water vapour reflects most terrestrial radiation, therefore directly related to temperature
-Water vapour condenses, releases latent heat
-Positive feedback, more water vapour, warms planet, thermal expansion, more evaporation, more water vapour
-Negative feedback - Increased water vapour, more cloud, more albedo, less absorption of heat
41
How do climate deniers use feedback loops with water vapour?
The contrasting feedback loops show it could be natural. Causes rather than man made. Also could show there is not much known about them.
42
How is decreasing of snow and ice cover evidence for human induced cc?
Melting of ice and snow cover is due to the rise in global temperature. Mostly in the Northern hemisphere due to more landmass. This causes a reduce in the albedo effect, causing a positive feedback loop.
43
What do climate deniers use to disprove the evidence of melting of ice and snow cover?
In Antarctica, there is melting of sea ice and counteracting feedback loops.
44
What are the 4 reasons emissions peaked in the 1970s then fell in the UK?
1. Shift away from coal to gas/oil
2. Nuclear power
3. Improvements in energy conservation (in homes such as double glazed windows)
4. The Kyoto protocol - 1997
45
How was the kyoto protocol successful?
Forced countries to reduce emissions by 5%
Then set a target for 18% but only managed to do 12.5%
46
What were the issues with the Kyoto protocol?
1- Targets were easy to meet so had no real impact
2- Blame put on AC's for their emission and global shift to LIDC's and EDC's so they were exempt
3- Not all countries ratified (agreed) to the protocol so didn't cut any emissions
47
What was the Kyoto protocol?
Meeting of 41 countries that joined UNFCCC (United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change), to consider what to do, which resulted in the protocol being made which included 192 countries to cut their emissions by 5% by 2000 and a further 18% by 2020.
48
Why did emissions rise from 2252-7269 tonnes of carbon from 1750-1850?
Because the UK was reliant on wood and water to power everything. Population low, SoL low (below 20 million) so wasn't on a big rise.
49
Why did emission rise from 7269-114,559 tonnes in 1800-1900s?
Represents the start of industrialisation and the UK economy shifted from agriculture to a manufacturing powerhouse. Coal became main source of energy which led to increase in energy demand and population increased to 40 million.
50
Why was there a peak of 180 million tonnes in 1970 then fell?
1. Global shift
2. Move to oil and gas (20% less dirty)
3. Miners striked
51
Why did emission rise from 20k - 210,422 in 1970 in China?
-700 million population
-Less than UK due to rural areas and largely driven by biofuels
-Global shift of industrial industry into China - used to be primary focused.
52
Why did emissions rise from 21 million tonnes to 10 billion tonnes in 2020 in China?
1- China controlled most exports, so government welcomed industrialisation
2- Caused rural-urban migration for employment so there was more energy demand
3- Raised incomes from $299/yr to $9620/yr - More disposable income so more emissions
4- Reliance on coal
5- No participation in Kyoto protocol
53
Which country produces the most emissions per capita?
UK. Although china has a 1.4 billion population, they have less disposable income so emissions are lower per capita than UK.
54
When did both China and the UK say they would become net zero by?
UK - 2050
China - 2060
55
Who is to blame for the emissions between UK and China?
China
-uses coal
-Didn't partake in the Kyoto protocol
-Net zero by 2060
However,
-Use it for economy
-AC's planted industrial buildings there due to global shift
Uk
-Global shift
-Per capita more emissions
-Use renewables
-Going net zero by 2050
-Ratified Kyoto protocol
56
What were 6 key events that influenced the debate over climate change?
1824 - Joseph Fourier - Idea of the greenhouse effect
1862 - Suggested glacial periods correlate to temperature and the greenhouse effect
1896 - Svente Aveteius - Observed CO2 levels, absorber of longwave radiation
1938 - Guy Callendar - linked fossil fuels and global warming, as well as oceans absorbing CO2
1957 - Hanss Svess and Roger Revelle - Proved global warming and oceans absorbing CO2.
1958 - Hawaii - Accurate measurements began at observatory. Furthest place from industrial areas and provided proof CO2 levels were rising. Now plotted on the keeling curve
57
What does the keeling curve show?
Shows the fluctuating increase in CO2 levels. It fluctuates due to seasons and correlates to photosynthesis. Winter = More CO2 Summer = Less CO2
58
What does the hockey stick curve show?
Shows global temperature over the last millennium compared to 1961-1990 average
59
What are 6 key points in the global warming debate?
1- Began in 1970. Some scientists believes the Earth was cooling, but technology has disproved this
2- IPCC - Free from bias and provide data
3- 97% of scientists believe CC is human induced
4 - Believed Sun spots + volcanic activity are the cause, not GHG - but disproved
5- If temperature is higher than 2 degrees, cc will be irreversible - Feedback loops will spiral
6- The effects will increase extreme weather, high sea levels, conflict, disease, flooding and migration
60
What are three arguments for anthropogenic global warming?
1- Was thought to be sun spot and volcanic activity but is till continuing to rise when there is less activity
2- CO2 levels are rising at a faster rate than natural global warming. 280-420ppm
3- Specific isotope of CO2 is rising connected to oil and coal
61
What are three arguments against anthropogenic global warming?
1- Over 1000 scientists believe there is not enough evidence, unreliable measurements to say it is human induced
2- The rise in temperature is part of the fluctuating trend of natural cc over the past 3000 years
3- Most human emitted emissions are re-absorbed by carbon sinks (However we are decreasing these carbon sinks so less is absorbed via agriculture and land use change)
62
What are the 7 ways the media's misrepresentation changed public opinions?
1- Misinterpretation - Only read headlines etc
2 - People dont read scientific sources, only media which is inaccurate.
3- The public only trust certain players (Government)
4- Political bias in news reporting (Left/Right wing)
5- False balance such as the BBC (Two sides)
6- Statistics can be manipulated
7- Scientific language is misunderstood.
63
What are two other players that can manipulate the public opinion in climate change?
1- Energy companies - Exxon promoted climate denial for 30 years while knowing climate change was happening so they didn't loose assets. They had biased employment and politicians, funded $31 million for this.
2- Environmental groups - Extinction rebellion eco protests, could alter the public opinion
64
What is the importance of the carbon cycle?
People - Food, farming, fossil fuels, plastics
Climate - Greenhouse effect, stopping snowball Earth
Flora - Farming, photosynthesis, producers, decomposition
Fauna - Energy, livestock, survival, consumers
65
What type of system is the carbon cycle on a global scale and on a "micro-scale"?
Global scale - Closed System
Local/micro scale - Open System
66
What are the 6 stores of carbon?
-Oceans (Hydrosphere)
-Atmospheric (Atmosphere)
-Organic - Land and water (Biosphere)
-Soils (Pedosphere)
-Fossil fuels (Coal, gas, oil)
-Rocks (Lithosphere)
67
What does sequestration mean?
The removal of carbon from one store to another
68
What are the two types of the carbon cycle, and what are their timescales?
-Fast (1000x faster than slow)
-Slow (150-200 Ma)
69
What are the 5 stages of the slow carbon cycle summerised?
1 - Transfer of carbon from atmosphere - Oceans and land (Rain and Chemical weathering and transport)
2- The deposition of carbon compounds on the ocean floor (from fluvial deposition/fossils)
3- Conversion of ocean sediments to carbonate rocks
4- Transfer of carbonate rocks to tectonic plate margins
5- The return of carbon compounds to the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions
70
What are the main fluxes (transfers) of carbon between stores in the fast carbon cycle?
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Digestion
Decomposition
Combustion
71
What are negative feedback loops and identify three that are affecting our climate
Negative - Restores the equilibrium
1- Expansion of forests due to more photosynthesis taking CO2 out of atmosphere and increasing albedo
2- Increased cloudiness, increases the albedo effect
3- Increased aerosols in the atmosphere increases the albedo effect
72
Identify 7 positive feedback loops, that are affecting our climate
1- Increased evaporation - Clouds and latent heat is created when condensed
2- Reduced albedo effect - Less reflection of incoming solar radiation
3- Declining forest cover - Less photosynthesis
4- Increased cloudiness - More trapped heat
5- Release of methane hydrates - Potent GHG
6- Melting of permafrost - GHG released and reduced albedo effect
7- Increased ocean acidity - cant absorb as much GHG
73
Identify 2 fully understood loops, 3 less understood loops and 3 loops not included in models (Positive feedback loops)
Fully understood - Water vapour, albedo
Less understood - Cloud, expansion of forests, both have feedback loops that cancel eachother out
Not included - Permafrost and methane hydrates (Not enough information)
74
Who is the IPCC and what do they do?
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Unbiased data that is reliable and objective. They predict the different scenarios with representative concentration pathways (RCP(
75
What are the 4 RCP's?
RCP 2.6 - GHG emissions peak in 2020
RCP 4.5 - GHG emissions peak in 2040
RCP 6.0 - GHG emissions peak in 2080
RCP 8.5 - GHG emissions peak at C21st
76
How will climate change effect extreme weather events?
The frequency, duration and intensity change.
77
What are jet streams?
Fast flowing currents of air which influences weather conditions
78
What are mid-latitude depressions and how is climate change changing them?
Occur when tropical air migrating North and cold polar air meets in the Ferrell cell. This causes storms and high precipitation. But due to CC, it is becoming more intense.
79
What is an example of a mid-latitude depression and what are the consequences of them?
The great storm 1987 - highest wind speeds in Gorleston
-Causes severe road blocks and floods.
-Increases rate of erosion in storms
-Saturates soils
-Causes lots of damage, $2 billion for the 1987 storm.
80
What is the difference between cyclones and hurricanes and what are 4 consequences of them?
Cyclones- topical storm in SE Asia
Hurricanes - Tropical storms in Pacific/Atlantic
1) Loss of life
2) Salinized soils
3) Diseases spread
4) Damage of infrastructure
81
What are the two mini-case studies used for tropical storms?
Bangladesh storm surge 1991 - Killed 138,000
USA Katrina 20-05 - Killed 1400
The difference in deaths is due to economical and political inequalities and stability to have more protection
82
What are droughts and give 3 consequences of them?
Are prolonged weather events which result in water shortages.
1) Socio - Economic - Agriculture affected
2) Power supplies affected
3) Public water supply affected
83
hat is the mini case-study for droughts?
Sahel - Highly populated but is poor along poor countries. Based on subsistent farming which rely on rainfall and water. When droughts occur, it threatens the land fertility due to over cultivated land.
84
What are heatwaves and what are the consequences of them?
Are prolonged spells of high temperatures, which cause health issues such as heat stroke
85
hat is the mini case-study for heatwaves?
European Heatwave 2003.
Affected the economy of France and the UK due to crop shortages due to droughts. 20,000 people died due to hospitals being overrun and illness.
86
What are three vector borne diseases that will increase/change due to CC?
Dengue fever - Spread from tropical to Northward areas
Lyme Disease - Ticks, will move Northwards
Malaria - Mosquitos (Anopheles) in warm and wet conditions, will move north by 2050 in Europe
87
How many additional deaths does WHO predict to occur due to CC?
250k / YEAR
88
What is an ecosystem?
A community of plants, animals and other organisms and physical environment. Organisms interact with eachother and the environment to create flows of energy and matter.
89
How does an increase in sea surface temperature affect marine ecosystems?
-Coral reefs will undergo coral bleaching
Algae attached to the coral feed the coral. When the coral gets less food, it will begin to stress which causes the algae to leave, bleaching the coral.
90
How does melting of sea ice affect marine ecosystems?
-Algae attach to the underside of ice. When it melts it will have to move and then die
-Diving platforms for seals and walrus's and resting places. Will have to migrate, so population will decrease
-Population of polar bears will decrease by 2/35 by 2050.
-Fish species will move
91
How does forests replacing tundra affect terrestrial ecosystems?
-More solar absorption
-Permafrost melts, more wetlands attracting birds
-Treeline advances North replacing tundra
-Will impact indigenous birds and will affect food webs.
92
How does increasing temperature in the Cairngorms affect terrestrial ecosystems?
-Mountainous tundra and supports lots of wildlife
-When temperatures increase, wildlife will have to migrate up the mountain. A 1 degree warming will require a 200-275m in migration uphill. But will die when reaching the top. Will lose 90% of the arctic habitat.
93
What is phenology?
The study of the seasons
94
How does a charge to phenology affect terrestrial ecosystem?
IPCC says 30 years spring has occurred 2.3-5.2 days earlier each decade. If seasons aren't synchronized it can affect species in hibernation and plants may fight for superiority before some can even flower so species may become extinct.
95
What are the two factors that will make people vulnerable to climate change
1) Where people live - Different impacts
2) Peoples ability to cope- Economic development has a major role on this
96
What are 6 vulnerable groups to climate change?
1) Subsistence farmers
2) Farmers in the Sahel
3) Low-Lying coastal settlements
4) Farmers in North India and East China
5) Inuit hunters
6) Elderly and young
97
Why are subsistence and Sahel farmers vulnerable to climate change?
Both dependent on rainfall for crops and livestock. Drought and floods can affect this due to the land usually being degraded and the land desertified.
98
How are farmers in India and China vulnerable to CC?
Use glacial meltwater for irrigation which will reduce due to glaciers retreating. Therefore will experience food and water shortages
99
How are low-lying coastal settlements affected by cc?
Vulnerable to flooding and storm surges. Will salinize crops and will also destroy infrastructure as well as spread disease
100
How are Inuit hunters affected by the impacts of CC?
Ice caps melting will reduce population of arctic species. This will cause food shortages for the hunters as it is their main food source.
101
How are the elderly and young affected by the impacts of cc?
Elderly will be more vulnerable due to weakened health. Young may not as much but this all depends on the socio-economic aspects of a place.
102
How will tundra's change due to the impacts of cc?
Melt of permafrost will disrupt vegetation creating extensive thaw lakes and wetlands. This will cause forests to invade the southern margins of the tundra's.
103
How will mountains be affected by the impacts of cc?
Glaciers will retreat in warmer conditions. Thawing and glacier retreat will make slopes less stable and trigger more frequent landslides. This will cause the snow line to retreat upslope and reduce the inputs to rivers.
104
How are hot environments affected by cc?
Rainfall is likely to become more erratic, the raining season will shorten and droughts will become more frequent.
105
How will rainforests be affected by the impacts of cc?
Deforestation increases, the water cycle will weaken creating a positive feedback loop accelerating forest lost by 30-60% by the end of the century.
106
How are coasts affected by the impacts of cc?
Higher sea levels, more powerful storms, erosion rates increase. This will cause shorelines to retreat inland and as well as mudflats.
107
What is mitigation?
Long term approach designed to reduce GHG emissions that cause global warming BEFORE it has taken place
108
What is adaptation?
Designed to minimalize the impacts of CC today, short term to help build resilience in populations DURING climate change.
109
What are 4 international/regional protocols
Kyoto protocol 1997
COP 2015 Paris
EU scheme 1 (20/20/20)
ETS
110
What did the Kyoto protocol do?
Set targets to reduce emissions by 5% by 2012. Then another 18% by 2020 (% Of the industrial level)
111
What were 4 problems with the Kyoto protocol?
1 - EDC's and LIDC's were exempt
2- Countries recently independent from USSR exempt.
3- Not all countries ratified as they thought it would be unfair that some countries were exempt
4- Targets were too easy to meet so had little effect.
112
What were the successes with the Kyoto protocol?
-First protocol to do this on a large scale (192 countries)
-Targets done 7% better than the 5% target
-Was a legally binding document so countries that ratified HAD to do it.
113
What did COP21 2015 Paris do?
-5 year cycle of meetings with 195 ratified countries
-Aim to limit temperatures increasing by 2 degrees by the end of the century
114
What were the problems with the COP meeting?
-Didn't do enough to reach the target
-Didn't address the threat climate change has on underdeveloped countries.
115
What did the EU scheme do?
27 nations in Europe set legally binding targets to reduce emissions by 20%, increase renewables by 20%, increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020
116
What is the EU Scheme 2 (ETS)?
Aimed to reduce emissions by 21% by creating a market based carbon credit that can be traded for money, would earn credits (£25 per credit) if they were below the threshold of emissions, if they were above they would have to buy credits.
117
What were the successes of the ETS scheme?
-Emissions have decreased by 42.8% since launch
-Praised by lots of countries
-Credits motivate companies
-Adapted globally
118
What were the problems with the ETS scheme?
-Prices were too low for the carbon credits so people just ended up taking the fine
-Unfair advantage outside of EU where people were not doing this
-Businesses relocate
119
What industry sectors does the ETS scheme cover?
45% emissions from power stations, industry, aviation
EU gov covers transport, waste, agriculture and housing in the climate change act.
120
What are the 3 national policy examples?
UK Climate Change Act
India's NAPCC
Denmark's national policy and adaptation strategy
121
What does the UK's Climate Change act state?
2008- Reduce emissions by 80% by 2050
2021- Amended to reduce emissions by 78% and carbon neutral by 2050
122
How is the UK going to complete its targets for the climate change act?
1- Setting a carbon budget on a 5 year cycle
2- Energy demand reduced (efficiency and conservation of energy)
3- Create carbon taxes (Carbon credits)
4- Investing in low carbon technologies such as renewables
123
What did India's National Action Plan for Climate Change state?
India were to reduce emissions by 20-25% of the 2005 baseline by 2020
124
How successful was India's National Policy?
Wasn't successful, in fact emissions are forecasted to rise from 2.5 billion tonnes in 2010 to 4-7.2 billion tonnes in 2030.
This is because:
1. India blamed AC's for the emission
2. Relies heavily on industrial work for its economy
3. Per capita, emissions were lower than in AC's so didn't feel like decreasing them.
125
How successful is the UK's climate change act?
Since 2008, 6 carbon budgets have been approved - helping emissions to fall by 44% below the 1990 level in 2018.
Therefore it has met two budgets and is on track for the third but not the last three.
126
What was Denmark's national policy ?
2019 - Set targets to reduce emissions by 70% of the 1990 level by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Also used a 5 year cycle to review targets
127
What strategies did Denmark use to meet their mitigation targets?
1990- Primarily coal energy source, 2005- 50% coal, 2019 - Mostly all renewable
-Carbon taxes, controlling CH4 emissions
-Electric cars, reduction in use of petrol and diesel cars
-Hydrogen used in fertilizers
-Cheaper public transport
-Access to bikes
-Railway electrification
128
What were some adaptation strategies Copenhagen climate and resilient neighbourhood strategy do? (EXAMPLE OF LOCAL POLICY)
-20% green space
-Green roofs
-30% rainwater directed away from sewers
-Sustainable drainage systems
-Cellars secured
-Cloudburst channels
129
What act did California make?
Global warming solutions act in 2006
Two pillars
1- Mitigation pillar- reduce emissions by 80% by 2050
2- Adaptation pillar - Tackle the effects of climate change
LOCAL POLICY EXAMPLE
130
What's the difference between energy efficiency and energy conservation and what strategy are they an example of?
Mitigation strategies
Energy efficiency is using technology that requires less energy to perform the same function
Energy conservation is using less energy by adjusting behaviours and habitats to use less energy
131
How does the government, local authorities and energy companies encourage consumers to reduce their energy use?
Provide financial incentives to houses to insulate such as grants, subsides and tax levees
Smart meters put consumers in control of their energy use, allowing them to adapt which will give them a reason to as they will lower energy bills
132
What are 5 mitigation strategies?
1- Energy efficiency and conservation
2- Fuel shifts
3- Carbon capture and storage
4- Geoengineering
5- Afforestation and forest conservation
133
What are 3 changes in the UK energy economy?
1- Steady decline in overall energy consumption since 2005
2- Fuel shifts - coal and oil reduced
3- Renewable increase and gas increase
134
What were the 3 components in the EU's energy directive (renewable)
1- Expanding renewables
2- Closure of coal power
3- Increasing nuclear energy
135
What did Drax do and what were the advantages and disadvantages doing this?
PowerStation that converted coal power to biomass. Technically net zero due to co2 due to carbon re absorbed
Advantages
1- Biomass doesn't rely on weather
2- Less expensive
3- Easier to obtain
Disadvantages
1- Not efficient
2- Requires lots of storage space
3- Not entirely clean
136
What is carbon capture?
A new technology that extracts CO2 emitted from factories and transfers it to a long term underground storage (old gas/oil wells)
137
What are the advantages and disadvantages of carbon capture?
Advantages
1- Creates jobs
2- Reduce emissions by 90%
3- Can still use coal and old infrastructure
Disadvantages
1- Geology needs to be right for carbon to be stored
2- Expensive
3- High skilled workers needed to complete
4- New tech
138
What is geoengineering?
Is the use of technology to modify the environment at a large scale by:
1- Reducing incoming solar radiation
2- Removing carbon from the atmosphere
139
What are 5 examples of geoengineering?
Space reflectors
Surface albedo
Ocean fertilization
Enhance weathering
Artificial trees
140
What is REDD?
Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation. Directive - UN
Combats deforestation in the tropics by giving financial value to carbon stored in forests similar to carbon credits.
141
What are 3 main categories for adaptation strategies?
1- Retreat
2- Accommodation
3- Protection
142
What are 5 retreat strategies?
-Do nothing
-Managed realignment
-Hold the line
-Progression
-Soft intervention
143
Why are retreat strategies more applicable in AC's?
AC's can afford the loss of properties / industry and can build them elsewhere.
LIDC's such as Bangladesh, people need to retreat but dont as they cannot afford to move due to high levels of poverty
144
What is the UK's National Adaptation Programme?
Constraints all the actions agreed in the programme to align risks identified in the climate change risk assessment.
145
Give an example of a retreat strategy?
Hopton - Using retreat due to inexpensive land, will have social and economic impact due to tourism (holiday park being destroyed and properties being destroyed)
146
What industry are accommodation strategies used in?
Agriculture and farming
147
What is meant by accommodation strategies?
The process of adapting to climate change and creating better technology / ways of life to deal with the changes in climate.
148
Give 7 accommodation strategies we can use to adapt to cc?
-Increase pesticide use
-Zero tillage (No ploughing)
-New crop strains that are resistant to drought
-Polyculture (growing crops with trees to stop soil erosion)
-Improving animal feed to reduce methane emissions
-Improve irrigation (Dripping etc)
-Avoid use of heavy machinery
149
What other industry will accommodation strategies be important in?
-Water supply industry - improving water efficiency (grey water, recycling waste water and leakages)
-Increasing reservoir capacity, desalination of sea water and construction of pipelines and canals for inter basin transfer
150
How can LIDC's uptake accommodation strategies to reduce water losses.
Per capita water use is low, could be conserved by efficient irrigation, resivours and inexpensive wells.
151
Why is education and public awareness important to accommodation strategies?
Improving awareness of hazards such as strong heatwaves and droughts can help accommodate change. Early warning systems, use of satellites, smartphones, and the internet allow the public to prepare.
152
What are 4 protection strategies and give 4 examples of them
Protect places from the effects of cc. Hard engineering and soft engineering for oceans and rivers protect properties and infrastructure from SLR
153
Give some examples of hard engineering and a mini case study
-Groynes, sea wall, storm surge barriers (Thames Barrier protects low lying land from flooding by 5-6cm)
-Reservoirs also used and levees in rivers to lower risk of flooding.
154
Give some soft engineering examples
Used in LIDC's
-beach nourishment, managed retreat and realignment, afforestation, and land use change such as not building on floodplains
155
What else are examples of protection strategies?
Vaccines, as diseases will increase so pesticides drugs and vaccines will need to increase as well as water treatment.
156
How can housing design adapt to climate change?
-White colour - albedo effect
-Green rood
-Recycled grey water
-Air conditioning
-Insulation
-Efficient lighting
-Sun shading
-Relocating valuable items
157
How is transport (road) going to adapt to cc?
-Changes to road material to make heat resistant roads
-Improve the construction of bridges and maintain
-Reduce/fix potholes caused by freeze thaw
158
How is transport (air) going to adapt to cc?
-Time based separation so more flights can be in the air at once - less delays
-Longer runways - more planes and easier landing when there are stronger winds
-Use jet stream more to reduce fuel consumption
159
How is transport (rail) going to adapt to cc?
-Stronger sea defences for coastal tracks
-Higher rail tracks
-Stronger embankments
-Natural flood plains
EXAMPLE IS SOMERSET FLOODS WHICH BROKE A RAIL
160
Give some background information about Bangladesh
- LIC in South Asia
- occupies Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, which supports the highest rural population densities in the world
- ability to adapt to climate change limited by poverty
-Low lying land vulnerable to flooding and SLR
- 60 million live in poverty
- GDP per capita: $2364
- 142 on UN HDI
161
Give 10 impacts that climate change could have on Bangladesh.
1.low and flat: 4-5m above seas level, and 10% 1m (20 million)
2.exposure to storm surges and floods on high with an avg of 70% of the country flooded a year
3. have to abandon homes
4. 1/6 could be lost to sea
5. in past 25 years, 60% deaths worldwide from tropical cyclones occurred here
6. still recovering from 2007 and 2009 cyclones
7. rising sea level, more intense cyclones and growing population increase exposure to cyclone disasters
8. frequent flooding increases disease
9. inadequate sanitation increases water-borne diseases - flooded areas breeding site for mosquitos
10. coastal mangrove forests that provide protection against storm surges and ecological services threatened by rising sea level and clearance for agriculture and fish farming
162
What are 9 adaptation and mitigation strategies Bangladesh are using/going to use in response to climate change
1. 2009: gov published adaption strategies e.g. community based action, investment in engineering
2. have established climate change and health promotion unit to research disease and educate
3. however, see mitigation and GHG emissions responsibility of developed world
4. lack of financial resources; so set up trust fund for overseas donations
5. $2 billion loan from World bank: flood embankment project underway, strengthening dykes which protect against flooding and erosion
6. flood shelters and warning systems being developed
7. communities encouraged to protect mangroves, such projects important with lack of money
8. houses raised 1m above flood level and similar platforms for livestock
9. new crop systems for water logging and saline soils
163
Give some background information on Australia
- developed country with advanced economy
- 2nd in UN's HDI (2014)
- $41,500 GDP per capita
- natural disasters cost it $4.5 billion/ yr, which is expected to double by 2030
164
What are 7 impacts that climate change will have on Australia?
1. with majority of cities and infrastructure on the coast, at high risk of costal flooding and erosion ($226 billion at risk)
2. Cyclone Yasi, 2011 and its storm surge reduced Queensland's GDP by $4 bill and affected tourism and coal exports
3. rising sea levels affected tourism and ecosystems e.g. barrier reef also affected by bleaching and acidification - salt water intrusion damaged fresh water sources
4. sea grass and salt marshes trapped between advancing shoreline and sea walls, exposed to waves
5. 2009 heatwave in southeast, temps rose to 45.1, leading to increase in heat related deaths
6. 2009 bushfires (drought) in Victoria killed 173 and damaged 2000 homes
7. millennium drought 1996-2010 caused decline in crop yield, tourism, employment, water supplies, ecosystem and linked with 15% decline in rainfall since 1970s
165
What are 7 adaptation and mitigation strategies Australia are going to/ will use in response to climate change?
1. ratified Kyoto protocol: 5-25% reduction on co2 emissions by 2020, but lower than other ACs
2. developed cap and trade scheme
3. targets to increase production of renewable energy
4. building of sea walls, flood gates and dams and relocation of housing and stricter planning rules
5. $9 bill to develop new water resources, using existing ones efficiently, and protect rivers and wetlands
6. crop strains to suit hotter and drier conditions to be developed
7. dams constructed to retain and manage water
8. early warning and disaster response management to be upgraded
