Global Issues Flashcards
CLIMATE CHANGE Explain, in detail, strategies used to minimise future climate change. (6)
In the UK the government encourage people to make their houses more energy efficient by giving grants for things like loft insulation, which reduce the amount of energy used (1) Turning off lights, electrical appliances and turning down thermostats reduces the amount of fossil fuels used putting less CO2 into the atmosphere (1) Many countries like the UK encourage the use of public transport so reducing the damaging emissions from cars (1) In Brazil laws have been passed to reduce the removal of forest through burning and illegal logging so reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere (1) The UK government are trying to reduce the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gases by introducing targets for renewable energy using green fuels such as HEP, wind power, solar power (1) Many world nations including the UK take part in Climate Change Conferences, for example the Paris Conference December,2015 where nations agreed targets to reduce the causes of global warming (1) An increasing number of cities are introducing policies to reduce car use & therefore greenhouse gas emissions (1) such as the new tram system in Edinburgh (1)
CLIMATE CHANGE Describe, in detail, different ways climate change can be managed. (6)
Scientists observe and measure changes in temperature, CO2 emissions and rising sea levels to monitor the rate of climate change and advise world leaders (2). Developed countries switch from fossil fuels to alternative sources of energy in order to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere (1). Countries find new types of energy eg biofuels (1). Industries develop and expand existing sources that are more sustainable than fossil fuels eg solar, wind and wave power (2). Developing countries reduce deforestation and increase afforestation (1). World summits enable governments to get together and discuss global strategies to try to reduce their use and consumption of carbon-based fossil fuels (1). Many governments signed the Kyoto Protocol, committing them to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (1). The UN climate summit in Paris in December 2015 enabled world leaders to agree actions intended to avert the worst effects of climate change (1). Governments ban the use of harmful substances eg CFCs (1). The Carbon Credits Scheme is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making the polluter pay according to how much pollution they generate (2). London Congestion Charge: drivers pay for driving in the Congestion Charge Zone to cut the pollution generated from exhaust fumes (1). Industries and domestic users of energy are encouraged to use it more efficiently through media awareness campaigns (1). People are encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport rather than fossil-fuel powered cars (1). Bus lanes and cycle lanes designated to encourage people not to use their car (1). People use smaller more energy-efficient cars or electrical cars, helping to reduce fossil fuel emissions (1). Government tax is significantly reduced on vehicles with low CO2 emissions (1). Encourage people to holiday at home to reduce the number of aircraft journeys taken (especially short-haul flights) (1). Educate people to switch off lights, power sockets, phone chargers and TVs when not in use (1). Recycle and reuse plastics and oil-based products (1). The Government now levy a charge of 5p for every carrier bag (1). Local councils supply bins to help householders recycle various products (1). Use energy-efficient light-bulbs and rechargeable batteries to conserve energy (1). Government grants to help home owners insulate house roofs and use more efficient heating systems (1). Install solar panels on house roof to generate renewable energy (1) or switch to an electricity supplier that supplies green electricity (1).
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - H Describe, in detail, the distribution of tropical storms. (4)
Tropical storms form over oceans within 30* North and South of the equator (1) generally where sea temperatures rise over 27*C (1) They are known as hurricanes where they form over the Atlantic Ocean heading westwards towards the Caribbean / the east coast of Central America /Southern USA eg Florida (1) Tropical cyclones form in the Indian Ocean and move towards Bangladesh / Pakistan/India/Indian Ocean islands such as Mauritius / Madagascar. (1) Typhoons form in the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea and affect Australia and countries in south East Asia such as the Philippines, China and Japan (1)
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - H For a tropical storm you have studied, explain in detail the impacts of the storm on people and the land (6)
Hurricane Katrina was responsible for 1,836 deaths. The levees in New Orleans designed to prevent damage from a category three hurricane failed as either water over topped them or weak soil foundations caused the walls to fall from the pressure of the water. There was severe flooding in Mississippi because of levee failure and a 20ft high storm surge impacting 90,000 sq. miles of it. It left 800,000 homeless. The loss of houses and other buildings impacted 15 million people costing $81 billion. 60,000 houses were declared beyond repair. In Florida 1 million people were left unemployed and huge areas of farmland and housing were damaged costing $1.5 billion.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - E Explain, in detail, the strategies used to reduce the impact of an earthquake. You must refer to named examples you have studied in your answer. (6)
In Japan people take part in earthquake drills to practise what to do in the event of an earthquake (1) giving them a better chance of survival (1). The government warn people, using text messages and TV, giving them the chance to move to a safer place (1). Earthquake resistant buildings reduce the number of people trapped or killed (1). Sprinkler systems and gas cut off valves prevent fires spreading reducing the number of people injured and buildings destroyed (1). People living in earthquake prone areas have emergency plans in place and emergency supplies such as bottled water and tinned food are stockpiled to ensure they have vital supplies to survive in the event of an earthquake (2). In the event of an earthquake short term aid in the form of food, medicine and shelter is sent to the area to treat the injured (1). Coastal area have 10m high flood walls in case of tsunami.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES- E Describe, in detail, the distribution of cities most threatened by earthquakes (4)
Most cities are located on or near plate boundaries (1) where seismic activity is highest (1). Most earthquake threatened cities are found in developing countries (1) like Indonesia (1). A large number of threatened cities are found in China (1). Three cities in Africa are at risk (1). All threatened cities in the USA are found on the west coast (1) with a cluster around San Francisco/Los Angeles (1).
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - V For a volcanic eruption you have studied, explain, in detail, the impacts of the eruption on people and the landscape. (6)
The mountain was reduced from a height of 2950m to 2560m as the eruption created the largest landslide ever recorded. All plant and animal life within a 25km radius of the volcano was killed, including fully grown trees. Mudflows poured down the valleys choking rivers with rock debris, killing fish and ripping trees from their roots. Sixty one people died due to mudflows, being crushed to death and poisonous gases, while 198 had to be rescued. Mudflows destroyed bridges, houses and logging camps. The explosion flattened buildings and trees and knocked out power supplies and telephones. Ash clouds resulted in airline flights being cancelled. Ash caused £100 million of damage to farm machinery and crops.
CLIMATE CHANGE Explain, in detail, the physical and human causes of global climate change. (6)
Physical causes: Variations in the solar energy may affect global temperature.(1) Variations in the earth’s orbit around the sun may cause temperature changes (1). Sulphur dioxide gas & dust particles released in a volcanic eruption can affect amount of solar energy reaching the earth (1). Changes in ocean currents can effect temperature in different parts of the world (1)
Human causes: The biggest contributor is gas released into the atmosphere from cars and burning fossil fuels(1) Cow dung and, decaying landfill produced harmful gases such as methane (1) which contribute to global warming (1). Deforestation causes CO2 level to rise because there are less trees to absorb it (1) and also burning trees increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere (1). Cooling units - CFCs and HCFCs previously used as coolants in fridges, freezers and air conditioners are another cause of climate change (1)
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - V Describe, in detail, the distribution of the world’s volcanoes. (4)
Most volcanic activity is found on plate boundaries (1). Many volcanoes are located on the west coast of South America (1) where the Nazca plate meets the South American plate and is forced underneath it (1). Many volcanoes are found along the mountain ranges of the Andes in South America and the Rockies in North America (2).
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - E For the Japanese earthquake, or any other named earthquake you have studied, describe, in detail, the impact on people and the landscape. (6)
The earthquake caused a tsunami which flooded the land (1). Cars, ships and buildings were swept away by the wall of water (1). Nuclear reactor plant damaged (1). Thousands of people living near the Fukushima nuclear power plant had to evacuate (1). A 10m wave struck Sendai, deluging farmland (1) and sweeping cars across the airport’s runway (1). Fires broke out in the centre of the city (1). A ship carrying 100 people was swept away off the coast (1). A dam burst in north‑eastern Fukushima prefecture, sweeping away homes (1). About four million homes in and around Tokyo suffered power cuts (1). Thousands of people killed (1) or made homeless due to buildings collapsing (1).
CLIMATE CHANGE Melting sea ice is one effect of climate change. Explain some other effects of climate change. (6)
Increased temperatures are causing ice caps to melt so Polar habitats are beginning to disappear (1). Melting ice causes sea levels to rise (1) threatening coastal settlements (1). An increase in sea temperatures causes the water to expand, compounding the problem of flooding (1). Global warming could also affect weather patterns, leading to more droughts (1) crop failures and problems with food supply (1); flooding, causing the extinction of species (1) and more extreme weather, eg tropical storms (1). Tourism problems will increase as there will be less snow in some mountain resorts (1). Global warming could threaten the development of developing countries as restrictions on fossil fuel use may be imposed to slow the rate of increasing CO2 levels (1). In the UK, tropical diseases like malaria may spread as temperatures rise (1). Plants growth will be affected and some species will thrive in previously unsuitable areas (1). Higher temperatures may cause water shortages (1).
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - H Explain, in detail, the strategies used to reduce the impact of a hurricane. You must refer to named examples you have studied in your answer. (?)
In the case of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf coast of the US in 2005, hurricane warnings were given and emergency services were in place but the strategies were not successful due to the failure of the levees to protect the city of New Orleans, even though they were built to withstand a category three hurricane, and due to the slow response of the US Federal Management Agency (FEMA). Advanced weather equipment allows experts to gather detailed information and give warnings to allow people to evacuate the area. Satellites send photos to computers which highlight the locations of storms. Detailed weather information helps experts to try and predict where the storm will hit. With hurricane Katrina it was hard to predict where she would make landfall in the USA
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - V Explain, in detail, the strategies used to reduce the impact of a volcano. You must refer to named examples you have studied in your answer. (?)
Scientists tried to predict the eruption of Mount St Helens by measuring the frequency of earthquakes on the mountain. The greater the frequency, the nearer the eruption and measuring the size of the volcanic cone shows the build-up of magma in the vent. Scientists can also check for gas emissions and increased thermal activity at the crater. However, even before the eruption of Mount St Helens, scientists thought that it might still be a few weeks away. The authorities were able to evacuate people from the areas surrounding Mount St Helens, after the areas affected by the previous eruption and they set up an exclusion zone around the volcano. Emergency services were also on hand to rescue those people needing help.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Describe, in detail, the variation of global temperatures (6)
This graph shows that the overall trend is a rise in global surface temperature from 1900 to 2000.
In more detail it shows:
There was a drop in mean (average) temperature of 0.1 degrees in the first 10 years of the 20th century.
The temperature then increased, reaching 0.3 degrees above the 1900 mean by 1940.
The average temperature then dropped back to 0.2 degrees above the 1900 figure by 1950 and fluctuated around that figure until 1975.
In the last 25 years of the century the temperature rose rapidly, reaching 0.7 degrees higher than the 1900 mean by the year 2000.
The gradient of this line graph shows how quickly or slowly the temperature is changing - the steeper the slope, the faster the change.
