Environment Flashcards
Atmosphere
The layer of air round the earth.
Biodiversity
The number and variety of all living things within an ecosystem.
Climate
The average weather over many years.
Conserve
Not to waste resources.
Drought
A prolonged period of below average precipitation.
Ecosystem
An area displaying a distinctive interaction between plants, animals and the physical environment.
Environment
The air, land, water, plants and wildlife.
Extinct
No longer in existence.
Geothermal energy
Heat and electricity produced from hot, underground water.
Global warming
The long term rise in world
temperatures since pre-industrial times.
Habitat
An area in which plants and animals have adapted in order to survive there.
Hydroelectric power
Electricity produced by water being released through dam turbines.
Landfill
The disposal of waste in natural or man-made holes in the ground.
National Park
An area of countryside of outstanding beauty which is protected from development.
Non-renewable energy
A source of power which can not be used indefinitely/finite.
Recycling
The reuse of waste materials.
Renewable energy
A sustainable source of power which can be used indefinitely.
Stewardship
Looking after resources in a sustainable way for the future.
What are some causes of local environmental issues?
- Finchley Road nearby.
- A highly populated area with a number of schools close by, which greatly increases traffic, congestion and litter.
- The average Camden resident emits 15 tonnes of CO2 annually, compared to the UK average of 13 tonnes.
What are some solutions for local environmental issues?
- Changing street lights to energy-efficient LED lights.
- Fitting 184 solar panels to the Swiss Cottage library.
- The councils energy is supplied by renewable sources.
- Increased cycle routes.
- Camden Forest 2025 (aiming to plant 2025 trees by 2025).
- Visioning Camden 2030 (asking locals to imagine the borough in 2030 if the impacts of climate change had been dealt with.
What was the result of the solutions for local environmental issues?
These efforts saw a reduction in the 2019/2020 carbon emissions by 51% compared to 10 years earlier.
What are some problems Camden is experiencing?
- Traffic and Transport.
- Food and Water waste.
- Energy use.
- Litter and waste.
- Air pollution.
- Light pollution.
How many national parks does the UK have?
15
What are the three aims of national parks?
1) Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
2) Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoying national parks by the public.
3) To meet socio-economic needs of the local communities.
Where is Snowdonia National Park?
North Wales.
What are the benefits of tourism for Snowdonia National Park?
- Jobs for the locals
- Income for the local economy
- Preserves the local services (transport, shops, etc)
- Tourists enjoy the scenery.
What are the solutions to the following problems:
- Damage to the local environment (litter, footpath erosion, fire)
- Wildlife and vegetation disturbance.
- Traffic and congestion leading to increased pollution.
- Increase in goods prices
- Holiday homes push up local house prices
- Unprepared hikers - stretching local services.
- Use local materials to repair paths, close off areas.
- Education of visitors.
- Use of park and ride, local bus services, cycling routes.
Other suggestions include :
- Charging visitors
- Campaigns to encourage visitors to take more care
- Encourage visitors to visit different areas within the national park.
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
A thick layer of gases put into our atmosphere.
Is nuclear renewable or non-renewable?
Non renewable, but unlike other non-renewable sources, it doesn’t emit CO2 emissions. However, nuclear waste has to be stored safely as it is dangerous.
What happened in the 21st century?
The ten warmest years on record.
Name three greenhouse gases.
CO2, methane and nitrous oxide.
What industries contribute to Global Warming?
Industry
Transport
Deforestation/burning
Landfill
Rice cultivation
Livestock
Fertilisers
Burning fossil fuels
Air conditioning
Describe the UK energy mix approximately on one day in March.
What are some impacts to our climate caused by global warming?
- Increase in land and ocean temperatures.
- Melting ice at poles and mountain glaciers.
- Rising sea levels.
- More extreme weather.
By the end of the century, if we fail to change our behaviour, how high will temperatures go?
3 degrees Celsius.
What is air pollution and how can we limit it?
Air pollution consists of chemicals or particles in the air that can harm the health of humans, animals and plants.
We can:
- Use public transport
- Use electric or hybrid cars
- Car share
- Use renewable energy sources
- Plant trees
- Turn of lights and devices when not in use
- Holiday locally or in the UK
What is water pollution and how can we limit it?
Water pollution is any form of contamination that people
put into water- sewage, chemicals, plastics.
We can:
- Reduce water use
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products
- Buy organic food
- Take your rubbish with you
- Reduce use of plastic bags
- Be careful what you put down the drain or toilet.
What is land pollution and how can we limit it?
Land pollution is contamination of the land including soil
and the ground beneath, it includes litter, organic waste,
agriculture, mining and industry waste.
We can:
- Reduce what you buy
- Reuse items
- Recycle and compost
- Buy biodegradable items
- Store chemicals/waste in
containers that do not leak.
