Environmental Degradation Flashcards
How much GHGs do the USA, China, and EU release
China 9bn metric tons
USA 5bn metric tons
EU 3.5bn metric tons
All in 2017
Causes of degradation
China rise of middle class - need FFs for power stations, homes, cars
Asian diets increasing meat intake as can afford it - means more methane
What has Brazil done to increase GHGs
Deforested land for agriculture, e.g. cattle feed and soy
Agriculture makes up 8-18% of GHGs
Less veg to absorb, more chemicals used (eutrophication), increase water demand
USA has CO2 emissions of what
17 tonnes per person
China increased in CO2 per person by how much
5 tonnes per person from 2002-2012
What contributes to the superpowers’ footprints
Transport for trade (large economies)
Military machines
Large populations (food, waste)
What does the EU do to act
Protects farmers and manufacturers, e.g. agricultural policy
Enforces Kyoto Protocol to control GHGs
Carbon market via carbon credits
What are China’s efforts
Action plan so steel production meets ultra low emission standards
CCS
Upgrading power plants to produce more nervy from less coal
USA’s willingness to act?
Pulled out of Kyoto/Paris
Focus is on liberalism, economic development and PA is said to limit this
Skeptical about CC
Russia willingness to act
Surplus of carbon credits and natural gas, showing it’s limiting GHG, but may be just to sell, which renders it useless as other countries can emit more
China produces how much of total rare earths
85%
Rare earths are used in what
Technology, e.g. Apple
Increasing demand due to rising middle class, esp. China, want more technology
Environmental consequences of rare earths
Tailing ponds with toxic substances which leak into groundwater, contaminating it, reducing water supply, causing diseases like cancer, sheep have died
Example of where rare earths mining takes place
Xinguag #1 villiage by Inner Mongolia Baotou Rare-Earths Hi-Tech Company
Where are toxic substances from the tailings pond also leaking into
Yellow River - major drinking source for China
