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SCHOOL > Geography - TERM 1 - Climate Change > Flashcards

Geography - TERM 1 - Climate Change Flashcards

1
Q

What are greenhouse gasses?

A

Greenhouse gases (also known as GHGs) are gases in the earth’s atmosphere that trap heat

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2
Q

What is the greenhouse effect?

A

The greenhouse effect is a process that occurs when gases in Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat.

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3
Q

What is the first step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. Heat radiation and light radiation is released from the sun.
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4
Q

What is the second step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. Heat is absorbed by greenhouse gasses.
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5
Q

What is the third step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. About 30% of light radiation is reflected back to space by ice and clouds.
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6
Q

What is the fourth step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. 70% of light radiation is absorbed by oceans, land and the atmosphere. This causes the Earth to heat.
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7
Q

What is the fifth step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. The earth releases heat as heat radiation to the atmosphere.
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8
Q

What is the sixth step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. Greenhouse gasses absorb the heat radiation that is released to the atmosphere.
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9
Q

What is the seventh step of the greenhouse effect?

A
  1. Only a little bit of heat radiation escapes to space.
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10
Q

What is global warming?

A

The long-term increase in the temperature of the Earth’s surface. Can be natural or caused by humans.

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11
Q

What is the difference between weather and climate?

A

Weather: atmospheric conditions over minutes/days/months. It is short-term.
Climate: average weather conditions over 30 years or more. It is long-term.

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12
Q

What are two main differences between the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

The natural greenhouse effect is natural while the enhanced greenhouse effect is caused by human activities. The natural greenhouse effect emits more heat into space while the human enhanced greenhouse effect emits less.

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13
Q

What are the causes of the enhanced greenhouse effect?

A

Burning of Fossil Fuels(for electricity and heating releases carbon), Deforestation(less trees absorb co2), Livestock farming(livestock releases methane as waste) and agriculture(use of fertiliser releases nitrous oxides).

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14
Q

What is climate change?

A

Long-term changes of typical weather patterns (such as rain, wind, temperatures). Can be natural or caused by humans.

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15
Q

What is Albedo/the Albedo effect?

A

Albedo refers to the amount of light radiation reflected by a surface. Light coloured objects reflect light radiation; they have a higher albedo effect. Darker coloured objects absorb light radiation they have a lower albedo effect.

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16
Q

What does Anthropogenic mean?

A

Originating form human activity

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17
Q

What are fossil fuels?

A

Materials from plants and animals that have died and degenerated over thousands of years.

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18
Q

How do changes in solar radiation cause changes in the climate?

A

The sun emits varying amounts of solar radiation to the earth. When there is more sunlight, there is more heat and light radiation emitted to the earth. So more heat radiation is absorbed by the natural greenhouse effect.

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19
Q

How do volcanic eruptions cause changes in the climate?

A

Volcanoes emit greenhouse gasses when they erupt. More greenhouse gasses->more heat radiation absorbed. This causes the earth to heat up. Volcanoes also emit a cloud of ash and sulfuric acid, which reflects sunlight back into space as it is lighter coloured. This reduces the natural greenhouse effect. This is the MOST SIGNIFICANT way volcanoes affect the climate.

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20
Q

How do rising sea levels show that climate change is real?

A

Note that rising sea levels are caused by:
Meltwater from glaciers. Note: melting of sea ice does not contribute much as the sea ice is already frozen sea water.

Thermal expansion

O This is the expansion of water due to rising temperatures.

O This is the MAIN reason for sea level rise.

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21
Q

How do changes in natural disasters show that climate change is real?

A

As more water vapor is evaporated into the atmosphere it becomes fuel for more powerful storms to develop. More heat in the atmosphere and warmer ocean surface temperatures can lead to increased wind speeds in tropical storms.

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22
Q

What are geophysical events?

A

earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity

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23
Q

What are meteorological events?

A

tropical storm, local storm, extratropical storm, convective storm

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24
Q

What are hydrological events?

A

flood, mass movement

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25
Q

What are Climatological events?

A

extreme temperature, droughts, wildfires

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26
Q

What are the Natural causes of climate change?

A

CHanges in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions

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27
Q

What are some renewable energy sources?

A

Solar Energy, Wind, Hydroelectric Power, Nuclear, Biomass

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28
Q

Pros of Solar Energy

A

Technology researched and available, does not need CO2, reduces electricity bill.

29
Q

Cons of Solar Energy

A

Start-up cost is high, does not work at night (batteries can be used to store energy), silicon used to make it cannot be recycled, takes up space(can be put on roof).

30
Q

Pros of Wind

A

does not emit CO2

31
Q

Cons of Wind

A

Only works when windy and affects profit from wind power, takes a lot of space, materials used to make it cannot be recycled, can only be placed in windy areas with transmission

32
Q

Pros of Hydroelectric Power

A

a lot of electricity is produced

33
Q

Cons of Hydroelectric Power

A

affects wildlife movement(technology can be used)

34
Q

Pros of Nuclear power

A

technology is advancing, most efficient forms of generating electricity, high-paying jobs

35
Q

Cons of Nuclear power,

A

radiation poisioning to people and wildlife(waste is cleared before releasing and nuclear accidents are rare)
very expensive
takes a lot of space
encouragement of development of nuclear weapons

36
Q

Pros of Biomass

A

easily available, especially for poor

37
Q

Cons of Biomass

A

inefficient form of generating electricity
releases co2

38
Q

What is geo-engineering?

A

Geo-Engineering refers to humans deliberately attempting to alter the natural greenhouse effect, in order to reduce the effects of climate change. Thus, Geo-Engineering can be done in two ways: Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Net Emissions Technology (NETs).

39
Q

What is Solar Radiation Management (SRM)?

A

Solar Radiation Management (SRM): This refers to affecting the amount of solar radiation in the earth’s atmosphere. This includes: Shading the earth from incoming heat and light radiation. Reflecting more light radiation away from the earth.

40
Q

What is Net Emissions Technology (NETs)?

A

Net Emissions Technology (NETs): This refers to reducing the overall amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by using technology.

41
Q

What is Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)?

A

Aerosols are tiny particles which can reflect light. Think of them like tiny mirrors, only a particle in size. When these are “injected” into the atmosphere, the light and heat radiation reflects off the particles.

42
Q

Advantages of SAI

A

reflect sunlight
reduces heat

43
Q

Advantages of Ocean Foaming

A

can reflect 10x more

44
Q

Advantages of Painting Houses White

A

cheap,
less dangerous,
DIY,
decreases heat,
reflects sunlight,
does not take that long,
kind of effective (-30%),
less air conditioning,
doesn’t affect climate,
cooling

45
Q

Disadvantages of Ocean Foaming

A

bubbles burst quickly
marine life at danger
impact on weather
drought
only local- not globally impactful

46
Q

Disadvantages of SAI

A

Have to replace every 2-3 yrs,
VERY VERY expensive,
damage to ozone layer
less rain-> india
controversial

47
Q

Advantages of Direct Air Capture

A

removes CO2 directly from atmosphere
1t of CO2 captured per day
1m tons at the end of the year
can be permanently stored
renewable energy/energy from waste
synthetic fuels

48
Q

Disadvantages of Direct air Capture

A

expensive
not enough removal
increase oil production
increase of oil wells
goverenment does not support
engeneering challenges
Co2 underground will cause problems

49
Q

What is the Malthusian view?

A

This is the view that, as the world population increases, the resources (such as food, clean air, energy) would run out, to the point that humans will no longer be able to survive.

50
Q

What is the Cornucopian view?

A

This view is that humans will build technology to create new resources and to make their current resources more efficient. This view states that humans will be able to survive as a species, even if the population rises over time.

51
Q

What are carbon footprints?

A

A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity. A carbon footprint can be applied to the actions of an individual, a family, an event, an organisation, or even an entire nation.

52
Q

What is Carbon offsetting?

A

Carbon offsetting means that, instead of reducing your emissions, you compensate for the carbon-dioxide pollution you’re making (your carbon footprint ) by preventing the same amount of pollution from happening somewhere else.

● For example:
○ Instead of reducing your carbon footprint, you support a tree-planting program so that your carbon emissions can be removed by trees.
○ Instead of reducing your carbon footprint, you donate to renewable energy programs in other places to reduce the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the world.

53
Q

Carbon offsetting-additionality

A

Carbon offsetting projects need to make an additional difference in the world: this additional difference would not have occurred without a carbon offsetting project.
● For example, if a carbon offsetting program protected a rainforest that was under threat, there is evidence of additionality. However, if the rainforest was anyway protected and a carbon offsetting program offered to protect the rainforest as well, there is no additional difference from the program; additionality does not occur.
● Independent organisations that monitor carbon offsetting programs only endorse carbon offsetting programs if additionality occurs.

54
Q

Strengths of Carbon offsetting

A

● Reduces carbon emissions overall on the planet.
● Helps developing countries to shift to renewable energy.
● Anyone can give money to a carbon offsetting program. Hence it is easy to implement and gaining popularity.
● Allows individuals to take action on climate change.
● Helps reduce emissions in industries which are harder to decarbonize (eg: flying aeroplanes)
● May help increase awareness about solutions for climate change.

55
Q

Opportunities for Carbon Offsetting

A

● Aviation industry and businesses are willing to endorse and promote carbon offsetting.
● Gained popularity after the Kyoto Protocol: there are more carbon offsetting programs now.
● There are also increasing independent certification systems (eg: Gold Standard) to monitor programs and educate the public on which projects to choose from.
● Renewable energy projects also align with the global goals for development (the Sustainable Development Goals). Eg: Cool Effect and the cooking stoves. This helps to promote carbon offsetting.

56
Q

Weaknesses of Carbon Offsetting

A

● Does not encourage people to reduce emissions and thus does not solve the cause of climate change.
○ Ideally: should be done in addition to reducing emissions.
○ Funding projects for renewable energy should be happening anyway.
● Not all carbon offsetting programs are monitored. Individuals need to be careful when donating to a carbon offsetting program and make sure that it is verified.
● Considered as greenwash rather than a sincere concern for the environment.
○ Greenwash: A superficial or insincere display of concern for the environment that is shown by an organisation.
● Reforestation: trees take time to absorb the CO2 and this is not usually calculated in carbon offsetting projects.

57
Q

Threats to Carbon Offsetting

A

● Offsetting projects may not last (eg: trees can burn from a wildfire).
● Difficult to enforce: For example, a 2008 Cambodia forest protection carbon offsetting project - even though 240 square miles were to be protected, military bases and villages were built in the area. In 2008, the average forested area was 88%; in 2017 46%. One site, Angdoung Bor, started with 90% forest and is now 0%. ( Source )

58
Q

How do you calculate how much a country has contributed to CO2 emissions?

A

[(Contribution by Country) ➗ (Total Number of Emissions)] ✖ 100

59
Q

Is it fair to ask all nations to reduce their carbon emissions? Why/ why not?

A

● Developing nations (including China, India & the rest of the developing world) need to raise the standard of living for those in their country.
● Developing world will be the highest emitters of CO2 in the future, as their standard of living increases.
● Developed nations (US, EU) have caused the climate change problem. Historically, they have produced most of the greenhouse gas emissions.
● Currently, China and the US are the world’s top emitters of greenhouse gases.
●Currently, the US has the highest per capita emissions (15 -20tn/ person). China however has a lower emissions per capita (5.1 -7.5 tn/person).

60
Q

What is the Earth Summit (1992)>?

A

Countries came together and agreed that global warming was a problem. No other action was taken. Global warming was not taught in schools as much as now, and there was some disagreement about whether global warming was real or not in the 80’s.

61
Q

What is the Montreal Protocol?(1987)

A

● Countries came together and agreed to reduce chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - which were destroying the ozone layer.
○ Note: the ozone layer protects humans from harmful UV radiation - it is different to the greenhouse effect!
● The agreement is a success - and the ozone hole is healing today.
● Developed countries agreed to reduce the use of CFCs first - with emerging and developing to follow.
● The agreement was a success for two main reasons: ○ There was an effective and more ozone-friendly alternative chemical to replace CFCs. ○ The Prime Minister of the UK and the President of the USA (the most powerful countries of that time) led the movement to reduce CFCs.

62
Q

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

A

● Created in 1997, but only enforced in 2005.
● The United States dropped out of the agreement because “the agreement would hurt their economy”.
● Countries were given targets to reduce emissions. They were not allowed to choose.
● Countries did not reach their goals and the treaty failed.
-No consequences, what will make countries want to reduce CO2 emissions?
-Indiviualized
- Only enforces on developing countries

63
Q

What is the Paris agreement?(2015)

A

● Historic global agreement, where countries agreed to limit global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius, and pursue efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius by 2100.”
● Countries could voluntarily agree to this agreement and could choose how much they would reduce emissions by. The UN would monitor individual countries for compliance. ● Countries agreed to create a Climate Action Fund of USD$100 billion/year. Current pledges are shown in the graph above.
● Countries meet once a year, in a meeting named as the Conference of Parties (COP). COP 28 (the 28th meeting of the United Nations Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)) will take place in December 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
-focuses on EVERY country, can choose their own goals
-some countries might not aim so high as they have a different view of themselves than others
● Significant events:
○ In 2015, the countries agreed to reduce emissions slightly. With the current plans, the temperature would rise to 3.5 degrees Celsius by 2100.
○ Former President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the agreement in 2017 saying that adhering to the agreement would hurt the US economy. President Joe Biden ratified the agreement in 2019 when he took office.

64
Q

Tragedy of the Commons

A

● This theory states that individuals acting according to their own self-interest will deplete a shared resource.
● In climate agreements, it would be good for the earth if all countries reduced their emissions. However, each country acts in their own self interest, and prioritises what they want over what the earth needs. For example, countries would prioritise development before reducing emissions, or want to continue a high standard of living without reducing emissions. Thus, the entire earth suffers.

65
Q

What are Tipping Points?

A

Tipping points” are points in a system , where a tiny change on the point could push a system into a completely new state . The change is irreversible. ● A Tipping Point is like the last piece of Jenga. Pulling it causes the entire system to collapse into an irreversible, new state.

66
Q

What are the Six active Climate tipping points?

A

● There are nine active climate tipping points that are core parts of the earth’s ecosystem, which are affected and degraded by human activities. Six are:
1. Melting of ice - (1) Melting of Arctic Sea Ice, (2) Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet, (3) Melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet and (4) Melting of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.
2. Loss of Forests - (5) Loss of Boreal Forests and (6) Loss of Amazon Rainforest

67
Q

Explain how the reduction in trees due to increased wildfires causes the temperatures to increase rapidly.

A

1) reduction of trees because of wildfire increases CO2 in the atmosphere because trees convert CO2 into oxygen and with less trees, there would be more CO2. in addition, the CO2 fumes released from the wildfires
2)this results s in an enhanced greenhouse effect
3) this results in an increase in extreme weather events
4) this cycle repeats, causing the temperatures to increase rapidly

68
Q

Business as usual

A

continuing as usual, with no change. in this scenario, if humans don’t do anything the world will get warmer and the effects of climate change will worsen.

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