Climate change Flashcards
Ecological changes
Shallow rooted trees more likely to die
Hibernating species could feed more
Hibernating species could get disrupted more
Precipitation changes size of wetlands
Timings of ecological events eg. migrations change
Temperature rise
Plants grow faster=
More food is provided for herbivores eg. Butterflies=
Toxin producing plants can cause toxins to build up= Caterpillars die before reaching metamorphosis
Species distribution
Some new areas colonised while others die
Rate of colonisation could be slower than dying out rate
May not be new areas to colonise
Human land use could block colonisation
Not all species colonise at the same speed so species interdependence is interrupted
Difficulties in predicting climate change
Natural changes Limited historical data Limited accuracy of data Interconnected processes Rate of change Global issue so very complicated Lack of understanding of natural processes
Feedback mechanisms
A change in one environmental factor causes a change in another factor reducing or increasing the original factor
Positive feedback mechanisms
A change in one factor causes another change that increases the original factor
Raised temperature could cause increased decomposition, causing increased methane release, causing increased temperature rise
Negative feedback mechanisms
An environmental change causes another change which decreases the original change
Higher temperatures could increase photosynthesis, decreasing atmospheric carbon, decreasing temperatures
Reducing CO2
Energy conservation reduces use of fossil fuels
Use of alternative energy sources
Carbon sequestration via afforestation
Kyoto protocol
Reducing methane
Reduced landfill use
Reduced livestock protection
Better collection of gas from coal mines and oil facilities
Reducing nitrous oxides
Reduced use of internal combustion
Use of Catalytic converters
Addition of urea to power station effluents and diesel engine exhausts
Reducing chlorofluorocarbons
Use of alternative materials eg. HCFC’s
Use of alternative processes eg. trigger and pump cleaners instead of aerosols
Reducing tropospheric ozone
Use of methods that reduce nitrous oxides
Kyoto protocol 1997
Legally bound MEDC’s to reduce emissions of 6 different GHGs by 5.2% by 2012.
Failure to do so lead to further emissions reduced by 30%
EU did this by giving 12000 factories a CO2 quota which, were given a fine if exceeded.
LEDC’s were not legally bound to allow development
Agricultural changes to cope with climate change
Cultivate warmer climate crops
Cultivate drought resistant crops
Abandon areas of unsustainable irrigation
Increase soil organic matter content for better water retention
Water storage in surplus months for use in drought
Building design changes to cope with climate change
Better ventilation and cooling systems reduce use of air conditioning
Paler materials to reduce heat absorption
