Climate Change- Case Studies Flashcards
How is global warming affecting the Arctic directly?
The area of Arctic sea ice has been shrinking at an increasing rate.
Greenland ice sheet is melting- most think at an increasing rate.
Permafrost boundary is moving north and the area covered by permafrost is shrinking.
The treeline is moving north and the area where trees can’t grow is shrinking.
What are some environmental impacts of global warming on the Arctic?
Melting of ice sheets like the Greenland ice sheet will mean an injection of fresh water into the sea. This will cause changes in the density of the water and could disrupt ocean currents like the North Atlantic drift.
Thawing of permafrost (a natural sink) releases more CO2 and methane.
What are some ecological impacts of global warming on the Arctic?
Changing the climatic regions means the habitats of some species are reduced or lost, e.g polar bears use sea ice to hunt.
Some parts of the Arctic have very sensitive ecosystems- there are few species, so the loss of one may have devastating impacts on other species that rely on them.
Increase in numbers and diversity of species may increase (e.g fish)- sea ice coverage goes down and temp goes up.
How does Arctic warming have consequences on the rest of the world?
Melting ice sheets will add to rising global sea levels.
Ocean currents in the Arctic are affected by salinity changes, which affects global ocean currents because they operate as an interlinked system.
Changing temperatures, sea ice and landscapes affect air currents in the Arctic. This also affects global weather patterns because the atmosphere operates as an interlinked system.
What are some socio-economic impacts of global warming on the Arctic?
Shrinking sea ice could open up new shipping routes in the summer.
New natural resources may be exploited, e.g less sea ice makes fishing easier.
It’s also thought there are undiscovered oil and gas reserves in the Arctic- less ice = easier to see and extract.
Access to new resources may lead to conflict over which countries own them though.
Warmer soil and climate may increase oppurtinity for agriculture
Africa has a range of different climates from dry deserts to tropical rain forests. Global warming is having different impacts in different areas. How?
1) Areas that are already dry are getting drier.
2) Wetter areas (tropical and sub-tropical environments_ are getting wetter.
3) The whole continent is getting warmer.
What does Africa’s vulnerable population (poor countries and people) mean about economic impacts?
1) Poor people have reduced capacity to cope, e.g subsistence farmers.
2) Poorer countries are less able to prepare for and respond to impacts of climate change.
3) Political turmoil can mean inappropriate decisions are made.
Negative impacts of global warming on Africa.
Desertification
Improved conditions for mosquitos & malaria
Reduced growing period
More erratic climate
Positive impacts of global warming on Africa.
Tropical areas are experiencing longer growing period, and may financially benefit from better agricultural conditions.
