CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY CRISIS Flashcards
Differentiate weather and climate.
Weather refers to the short-term conditions of the atmosphere in a specific location, including temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, and cloudiness. Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other meteorological factors in a specific region over a period of time, typically 30 years or more. While weather can change rapidly and unpredictably, climate is the average of weather patterns over a long period of time and is relatively stable.
Described the environmental changes brought about by increased global temperature.
Rising global temperatures caused by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, can lead to a wide range of environmental changes. Some of the most significant changes include: Melting of ice caps and glaciers: Increased temperatures cause ice to melt, which can lead to rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and erosion. Loss of biodiversity: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can alter the distribution of plants and animals, leading to declines in biodiversity.
Identify the cause of climate change.
The main cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the Earth’s surface temperature to rise. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture, and the use of certain industrial processes. Additionally, certain natural events like volcanic eruptions can also contribute to climate change, but the vast majority of the observed warming that has occurred in the past century is due to human activities.
Discuss the capacity of each nation in facing the effect of climate change.
The capacity of each nation to face the effects of climate change varies widely depending on a number of factors such as economic development, access to technology and resources, and existing infrastructure. Developed countries generally have greater capacity to deal with the effects of climate change than developing countries. They have more resources, better infrastructure, and more advanced technology that can be used to adapt and to mitigate the effects of climate change. They also have the ability to invest in research and development of new technologies to combat climate change. However, developed countries are also major contributors to climate change and need to take more action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Identify the renewable energy sources in the Philippines.
The Philippines has a diverse range of renewable energy sources, including:
Hydroelectric power: The Philippines has a significant potential for hydroelectric power generation, with many rivers and waterfalls that can be used to generate electricity.
Solar power: The Philippines has a high solar insolation, or amount of sunlight, making it well-suited for solar power generation.
Wind power: The Philippines has a strong wind regime, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the country, making it well-suited for wind power generation.
Biomass: The Philippines has a large agricultural sector, which produces a wide range of crops and agricultural waste that can be used for biomass energy production.
Geothermal power: The Philippines is home to the second-largest geothermal power potential in the world, with many active and inactive volcanic regions that can be used to generate electricity.
Ocean energy: The Philippines has a significant potential for ocean energy generation, particularly from wave and tide power.
The Philippines is actively working on increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix, however, fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix of the Philippines.
Describe the relation of climate change and energy crisis
Climate change and energy crisis are closely related. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is the primary cause of climate change and also a major contributor to the energy crisis. The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth’s surface temperature to rise. This leads to changes in weather patterns and an increase in extreme weather events, such as heat waves and storms. The solution to both climate change and energy crisis is to transition to renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, which do not produce greenhouse gases and do not deplete finite resources. In summary, the use of fossil fuels is a major cause of both climate change and the energy crisis, and the transition to renewable energy is essential to address both issues.
Describe the role of renewable energy in reducing coal and fossil fuel dependence and the impact of climate
Renewable energy plays a critical role in reducing dependence on coal and fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By generating electricity from sources that do not produce greenhouse gases, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power, renewable energy can significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants released into the atmosphere. This can help to slow the pace of climate change and reduce the impacts of extreme weather and rising sea levels.
In summary, renewable energy plays a vital role in reducing dependence on coal and fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change. By generating electricity from clean and sustainable sources, renewable energy can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and promote energy security and economic development.
