Climate change Flashcards
What are the human causes of climate change???
One of the main human causes is the burning of coal, oil, and gas for energy, which releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, trapping heat.
The clearing of forests for agriculture, urban development, and other purposes reduces the number of trees available to absorb carbon dioxide. Additionally, changes in land use, such as converting forests into farmland or urban areas, can alter local climate patterns.
Various industrial activities release greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere. For example, manufacturing processes, cement production, and chemical manufacturing can emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases.
Food waste sent to landfill sites decays and emits methane gas, which traps heat. Improper waste management practices, such as open burning of waste, release harmful pollutants and contribute to air pollution and climate change.
Fuel burning cars emit nitrous oxide, which is approximately 300 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. As car ownership increases worldwide, this becomes a more significant contributor.
When cows belch, they release substantial quantities of methane gas, a potent heat-trapping gas. The global demand for red meat encourages cattle ranching and farming.
Peat bogs store vast amounts of carbon, and when they are reclaimed for farming or wind farm development, the released carbon enters the atmosphere and contributes to heat trapping.
Chlorofluorocarbons and aerosols deplete the ozone layer, allowing more of the sun’s rays to enter the Earth’s atmosphere and raise temperatures.
What are natural causes of climate change???
Volcanic eruptions emit gases like sulphur into the atmosphere, which block the sun’s rays and cool the Earth down.
Sunspots cause certain parts of the sun to burn more brightly and intensely, resulting in more energy being transferred to Earth, making it hotter.
The Milankovitch cycle causes the Earth to move around the sun in an oblong shape, meaning that the sun’s rays have a greater distance to travel, resulting in less solar energy reaching Earth.
The Milankovitch cycle can also cause the Earth to tilt closer to or further away from the sun, which can alter the amount of solar energy received.
Permafrost stores methane gas, and when it melts, methane is released into the atmosphere.
Melting ice caps deepen and darken the seas, causing them to absorb more of the sun’s energy and accelerating global warming.
What are the global impacts of climate change???
Rising temperatures lead to the melting of sea ice, resulting in a rise in sea levels.
Elevated sea levels lead to the flooding of low-lying coastal areas, such as the Maldives. Entire islands facing flooding mean that inhabitants to become environmental refugees in search of new places to live.
Coastal flooding destroys valuable farmland, often leading to crop failure and famine.
Rising sea levels cause the water table to become saline due to seawater intrusion, rendering it undrinkable for local populations and causing droughts.
Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere leads to ocean acidification. This process negatively affects marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs and shellfish populations.
Droughts and water scarcity can impact industries reliant on water, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and energy production. It can also lead to conflicts over water resources, as seen in regions like the Middle East.
Climate change is associated with an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, and heatwaves. These events can result in widespread damage to infrastructure, displacement of populations, and massive economic losses.
The summer of 2021 saw several areas in Europe and North America experience heatwaves that lead to severe problems. In these areas, drought conditions dried out forests and scrubland which provided the perfect fuel for wildfires. The lack of moisture or rain meant that, once the fires had taken hold, there was little to stop them spreading quickly over large areas. As well as devastating huge areas, destroying homes, and endangering lives, huge forest fires release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
As climate change impacts become more pronounced, there may be increased migration, both internally and across borders, as people seek more habitable and sustainable living conditions. This can lead to social and political tensions, potentially resulting in conflicts and security challenges.
What are the local impacts of climate change???
Rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events can result in extensive damage to coastal cities and infrastructure. The costs of repairing and rebuilding after hurricanes, floods, and storm surges can be staggering, straining local economies.
Climate change increases the risk of flooding in parts of the UK, including Scotland. Flood events can damage homes, businesses, and infrastructure, resulting in significant financial losses and the need for costly flood defence measures.
In August 2020 much of central and eastern Scotland experienced thunder storms and torrential rain which led to localised flooding that deluged homes, disrupted travel, and caused power black outs.
The extreme weather also caused the death of three people when the 06.38 train from Aberdeen to Glasgow crashed into a landslide near Stonehaven.
In September 2020, the Rest and Be Thankful stretch of the A83 road was blocked by around 1,000 tonnes of boulders and mud caused by sustained torrential rain. In August 2020 the same stretch of road had been closed due to another landslide. The A83 is an essential link for communities and it is also a major route for tourists and this stretch of road can be used by thousands of cars every day.
Changing weather patterns, increased temperatures, and altered precipitation levels can disrupt agricultural systems. In regions heavily reliant on agriculture these changes can lead to reduced crop yields and increased food prices.
While some areas like Blackpool might see increased tourism due to milder temperatures, others may suffer. Scotland’s winter tourism industry, which includes skiing and snowboarding, can be adversely affected by reduced snowfall and shorter winter seasons due to warming temperatures. This can impact local economies in areas that rely on winter tourism for income.
Climate change can lead to increased health care costs due to the spread of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
Heatwaves can strain healthcare systems, leading to higher hospitalisation rates and healthcare expenses.
Increasing forest fires in Southern Europe discourage tourism as tourists seek milder destinations. Forest fires also destroy animal habitats, putting various species at risk of extinction.
what are the developments and opportunities of climate change???
Changes in weather patterns and increased demand for clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can lead to economic growth, job creation, and technological innovation in the renewable energy sector. Scotland has been investing in renewable energy sources, such as wind and tidal power, and solar farms.
The melting of Arctic ice due to rising temperatures has opened up new shipping routes, which can be economically beneficial. However, it also raises environmental concerns, as increased shipping traffic can lead to oil spills and disrupt fragile Arctic ecosystems.
The Arctic may also experience ice-free summers, opening up trade routes like the North West Passage and promoting tourism, leading to the development of rural and remote locations.
What are international solutions to climate change???
Governments can take action by investing in public transport, eg, trains, buses, and trams – reducing the need for private cars, leading to lower emissions of nitrous oxide.
Congestion charging – motorists have to pay a fee for driving in the congestion-charging zone. The aim is to discourage people from driving into the zone during peak hours. Already implemented in London, congestion charging was introduced to Glasgow in 2023. The income generated is used to improve public transport, e.g. London buses have been renewed and the older vehicles, which cause more pollution, have been removed from service.
Promoting and supporting the use of electric vehicles and the infrastructure required to support them. Also, imposing higher taxes on fuel-guzzling vehicles discourage their purchase and use.
Investing in low-carbon technologies such as nuclear power stations generates large amounts of energy with minimal carbon emissions.
Implementing CCS technologies can capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or power plants before they are released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can then be stored underground, reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Governments can collaborate and set targets to limit the rise in global temperatures, as seen in various COP agreements and the Paris Agreement.
In 2015, the United Nations agreed a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals focussed on ending poverty around the world, protecting the planet and ensuring a new prosperity for everyone. The ‘Global Goals’ include over 169 targets that ensure that all of the countries of the world work to protect the planet.
Afforestation projects - planting more trees helps absorb CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.
Constructing sea walls in low-lying coastal areas helps mitigate the effects of rising sea levels.
What are individual solutions to climate change???
Walking, cycling, or using public transport rather than fossil-fuel powered cars.
Reducing the number of aircraft journeys taken (especially short-haul flights).
Using smaller, more energy-efficient cars or electric cars.
Switching off lights, power sockets, phone chargers and TVs when not in use.
Reducing use of plastics and oil-based products.
Recycling and reusing the products we do use.
Using energy-efficient light bulbs and rechargeable batteries.
Insulating house roofs and walls, blocking draughts and using double-glazing and energy-efficient heating systems.
Installing solar panels or switching to an electricity supplier that supplies green electricity.
Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient technologies and better insulation. Incentives and policies can encourage property owners to undertake such retrofits.
Choosing locally produced and in-season products reduces the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
What is the climate movement???
The climate movement refers to non-governmental organisations engaged in activism related to climate change. Many social media campaigns are running to encourage people to take a stance and pressurise governments across the world into doing more to halt the rate of global warming and the damage done to the environment.
In recent years, teenager Greta Thunberg has led the worldwide campaign to protest against the lack of action on what activists have termed ‘the climate crisis’.
More radical movements such as Extinction Rebellion have protested against the lack of government action through marches and disrupting major sporting events.
