Global population futures Flashcards
what is the ozone layer
-o3 a gas found in the upper atmosphere as a layer that absorbs ultraviolet sun radiation
2 health impacts associated with ozone depletion
- lower concentrations of o3 allow more radiation in
- UV radiation increases risk of skin cancer and cataracts
how do UV rays cause skin cancer
- cause genetic mutations in skin that has been exposed to the sun
- 2012: 55,000 world wide deaths
how do UV rays cause cataracts
- over exposure causes eye lens to become more opaque causing blurred vision
- 20 million people worldwide have cataracts
- 20% of those diagnoses are caused by UV overexposure
name 4 impacts of climate change that will influence health
- temperature rise
- change in precipitation patterns
- change in agricultural productivity
- changing patterns in food production
5 ways temperature rise will affect health
- heatwaves increase in frequency, intensity and distribution.
- increase in people suffering from thermal stress especially the elderly
- cold related deaths decrease
- diseases vectors habitat expands
- for some areas temperature increase will allow for a larger harvest of a range of crops
e. g. UK: growing of melon and peaches
how will changes in precipitation patterns will affect health
-vector and water borne diseases emerge in areas with higher rainfall and flood frequently
how will rising temperatures affect agricultural productivity
- rising temperature=increasing evaporation= salinisation =increased vulnerability to desertification=reduced yields
how will changes in seasonal patterns affect agricultural productivity with example
- changes in season like prolonged dry seasons will reduce the length of the growing season
e. g. Indonesia: rainy season will arrive later and will be shorter and more intense reducing growing season
how will changes in the intensity and distribution of weather affect agricultural prodiuctivity
- more extreme and unpredictable weather events can damage harvests.
- storms can cause soil erosion and flatten crops
how will rising sea level affect agricultural productivity
-increased sea levels=increased saltwater intrusion= harder for crops to survive=reduced agricultural yield
3 ways climate change effect nutritional standards and food production with examples
- decreasing crop yield in tropical areas as they become drier on top of increased food insecurity
- e.g. Indonesia: a later rainy season will elongate hunger season as crops are planted later
- increased amount of greenhouse gases=decreased availability of vegetables
- 2050: 500,000 deaths from climate influenced diet change
- decreasing agricultural productivity= increased food prices=decreased affordability=increased hunger in poorer countries= increased malnutrition
- in wealthier countries this leads to increased obesity
6 key predictions on 2100 global population
2100- estimated population to be 11.2 billion (UN estimate)
1 billion in the Americas 1 billion in Europe 4 billion in Africa 5 billion in Asia 80% of the world population will live in Asia and Africa
4 ways population increases and consumption may impact the environment
-growing population=increasing per capita resource consumption
- as countries become wealthy they consume more.
- developed countries consume 10x more than developing ones
-increased extraction of resources can lead to the exhaustion of finite resources
4 ways the relationship between population and environment may change
- technological advances: may help reduce and mitigate against climate change
- Sharing of information and technology nay allow developing countries to develop in a sustainable way
- education: result in behaviour and cultural changes
- policy changes: can reduce a countries resource consumption- incentives for renewable energy
