Global Geography Flashcards
Causes of climate change
Human Causes of Climate Change
Burning Fossil Fuels – The combustion of coal, oil, and gas for energy production releases large amounts of CO2, contributing to global warming.
Deforestation – Clearing forests reduces the number of trees that absorb CO2, increasing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
Industrial Emissions – Factories and industrial processes emit greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane, which trap heat in the atmosphere.
Agriculture – Livestock farming, especially cattle, produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, farming practices release nitrous oxide from fertilized soils.
Waste Management – Food waste in landfills releases methane as it decomposes, contributing to global warming. Improper waste disposal practices also lead to pollution.
Physical Cause of Climate Change
Volcanic Eruptions – Volcanic eruptions release gases such as sulfur dioxide, which can block sunlight and cause temporary cooling of the Earth’s climate.
Impacts of climate change
Rising sea levels – Leads to flooding of coastal areas.
More extreme weather – Heatwaves, storms, and floods are becoming more common.
Droughts and water shortages – Less rain means crops and people go without water.
Wildfires – Hot, dry conditions increase the risk of fires.
Loss of habitats – Animals like polar bears lose their homes due to melting ice.
Food problems – Crops fail from floods, droughts, or heat, causing hunger.
Strategies/solutions to climate change
Investing in Public Transport: Governments can fund trains, buses, and trams to reduce private car use, lowering emissions.
Congestion Charging: Charging drivers in busy zones to reduce traffic and fund public transport improvements.
Electric Vehicles: Supporting electric cars and taxing fuel-inefficient ones to reduce emissions.
Afforestation Projects: Planting more trees to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.
Setting Global Targets: Governments collaborate to limit global temperature rise, like through the Paris Agreement.
Individual Solutions: Encouraging actions like walking, cycling, reducing waste, and using energy-efficient technologies to help fight climate change.
HIV & AIDS: causes
Unprotected Sex: Having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive person is the main way the virus spreads.
Men Who Have Sex with Men: This group is at higher risk of transmission due to factors like higher likelihood of unprotected sex.
Mother to Child Transmission: HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
Breastfeeding: HIV can be transmitted to a baby through the mother’s breast milk.
Sharing Needles: Sharing needles or syringes can spread HIV through contaminated blood.
Lack of Education: A lack of education about HIV prevention can contribute to the spread of the virus.
HIV & AIDS: impact
Weakened Immune System: HIV/AIDS makes individuals more vulnerable to other illnesses.
Decreased Life Expectancy: The progression of HIV to AIDS leads to higher death rates and lower life expectancy.
Labor Shortage: High death rates and sickness reduce the available workforce.
Economic Impact: High HIV/AIDS rates can discourage investment and tourism, hurting the economy.
Education Disruption: Children may miss school to care for sick parents, impacting their education.
Healthcare Strain: Increased demand for HIV/AIDS treatment can overload a country’s healthcare system.
HIV & AIDS: strategies and responses
Use condoms – Practising safe sex prevents infection.
Regular testing – Especially for those at higher risk, helps early treatment.
ARV treatment – Anti-retroviral drugs stop the virus from spreading.
Clean needles – Drug rooms provide safe, clean equipment.
PrEP – A pill that stops HIV-negative people from getting infected.
Government awareness campaigns – Adverts educate people about prevention.
Heart disease: causes
Poor diet – Eating lots of fatty, salty, or sugary foods can clog arteries.
Lack of exercise – Not staying active weakens the heart and raises risk.
Smoking – Damages blood vessels and raises blood pressure.
High stress – Long-term stress can increase blood pressure and heart strain.
Obesity – Extra weight puts more pressure on the heart.
Alcohol abuse – Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle over time.
Heart disease: impacts
Early death – Many people die before age 75.
Disability – It can stop people from working or doing daily tasks.
Money struggles – Families may lose income and face extra costs.
Healthcare costs – Treatment is expensive for both people and governments.
Pressure on benefits – More people claiming disability adds strain to government budgets.
Lower quality of life – People may feel tired, weak, or unable to enjoy life as before.
Heart disease: strategies and responses
Eat Better – Food labels & ‘5-a-day’ campaigns.
Move More – More parks, gyms, and walking/cycling promoted.
Smoking bans – Smoking bans in public places.
Health Education – TV ads, posters, and school lessons.
Medical Help – Check-ups, medicine, and heart surgeries.
Charity Support – Help and research from heart charities.
Cholera: causes
Dirty drinking water – Main cause; often from contaminated rivers or wells.
Poor sanitation – Lack of proper toilets leads to human waste entering water.
Flooding – Spreads sewage into drinking water supplies.
Overcrowding – Especially in refugee camps or slums with poor infrastructure.
No waste disposal – Garbage and waste left near homes attracts flies and worsens spread.
Lack of education – People may not know how cholera spreads or how to prevent it.
Cholera: impacts
Rapid dehydration – Can cause death within hours if untreated.
High death tolls – Especially in developing countries with poor healthcare.
Overwhelmed hospitals – Cholera outbreaks can fill hospitals quickly.
Lost income – Sick people can’t work, affecting families’ finances.
School closures – Children may miss school due to illness or helping sick family.
Tourism & trade losses – Outbreaks scare away tourists and reduce business.
Cholera: Managment
Clean water supply – Chlorinated and treated water prevents spread.
Sanitation facilities – Building proper toilets keeps waste away from water.
Oral rehydration salts (ORS) – Simple treatment saves lives by replacing fluids.
Vaccination – Cholera vaccines help prevent outbreaks.
Public education – Teaching handwashing and hygiene reduces spread.
Emergency response – Quick action in outbreaks includes setting up treatment centres and providing clean water.
