Environmental Issues Flashcards
Are there sustainable solutions to problems with energy
Yes renewable sources of energy e.g. solar power
What is sustainable development
A way of improving the way that we live today without harming the prospects of future generations.
Sustainable development…
Protects the planets water, air and soil
Promotes local solutions for problems
Protects the needs of future
Organisations such as Comic Relief, Oxfam, Christian aid and ActionAid all sponsor sustainable development projects
What is Local Agenda 21
A global plan to ask local people how they think their local environment can be improved. It was made in 1992 by the countries in the United Nations
Why is Local Agenda 21 important
It takes into consideration the views of local people. Local people are involved in the planning projects. Local people have invaluable knowledge about the local area. Local people live there, so should have a say in the local environment issues
Does Local Agenda 21 work
Yes. Since 1992, local councils have been working with people in Britain and have come up with many aims for their town for example… Create safe routes to school Reduced crime Clean up parks and streets Reduced pollution Create nature reserves Reduce waste
What are the issues with landfill
Some materials create pollution and do not rot e.g. plastic. Even biodegradable material, like kitchen and garden waste creates methane gas (which can contribute to global warming)
Issues with burning waste
Causes pollution in the atmosphere.
Create a dangerous chemicals, dioxins, which can be linked to cancer, children’s poor growth and peoples immune systems
How much of our waste is recycled
80% of percent of household waste can be recycled, but Britain only recycles 9%
What is global warming
The rise in the average surface temperature of the Earth
How does global warming happen
Burning fossil fuels, which creates CO2 (main greenhouse gas). The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the highest for 400,000 years temperatures are rising more quickly than any time in the past 1000 years
What are the effects of global warming
Famine Rise in sea levels Disease Hurricanes, flooding, tropical storms etc. Droughts
Information about rises in sea levels
Over half the world lives in low-lying coastal areas. Millions could be made refugees by floods. In 1999, 10,000 people were washed away in floods in India.
Information about disease
Warmer and wetter conditions will increase waterborne infections such as malaria, diarrhoea and a dysentery. High temperatures will also mean a rise of pests, weeds and diseases
Information about hurricanes, flooding and droughts
Some areas will face extreme weather. This will not only affect the MEDCs who cause the problems by creating the greenhouse gases but will also effect the LEDC who not only creates less gases but can’t afford to have the environmental problems as they are poor
What agreements have been made to cut carbon dioxide
In 1998, world leaders meeting Kyoto, Japan. They agreed to cut carbon dioxide by 5% of the 1990 levels. Scientists argue that this isn’t enough and levels must be cut by 60%
