Hazards: Climate Change Flashcards
What 2 ways can we use to manage climate change?
mitigation and adaptation
What is mitigation?
strategies dealing with the CAUSES of climate change
What is adaptation?
strategies responding to the IMPACTS of climate change
How is planting trees mitigation?
acts as carbon sinks - via photosynthesis absorbs CO2 and releases oxygen
How is using an alternative energy production mitigation?
renewable sources (wind, solar, wave, tidal) releases less greenhouse gases compared to fossil fuels - also last longer
How is using carbon capture mitigation?
takes CO2 from emission sources and store it underground - impermeable ‘cap rock’ prevents it escaping
How are international agreements mitigation?
encourages countries to take responsibility for reducing CO2 emissions - e.g. Paris 2015, targets are more likely to be met
How are agricultural systems adapted?
production may move location, irrigation may be necessary
How is managing water supplies adapting?
reducing demand (water-efficient devices) and increasing supply (desalination plant)
How is reducing risk of climate change adapting?
sea level rise - constructing defences (Thames barrier), raising properties on stilts or relocating those at risk
What are the natural factors contributing to climate change?
orbital changes, solar output, volcanic activity
What are the human factors contributing to climate change?
agriculture, fossil fuels, deforestation
How has solar output impacted climate change?
sunspots - increases solar energy resulting in higher temps
How has orbital changes impacted climate change?
earths orbit is elliptical - closer to the sun, increasing temps
How has volcanic activity impacted climate change?
-volcanic ash can block out the sun, reducing temps (SHORT)
-sulphuric acid reflects radiation from the sun (LONG)
How has fossil fuels impacted climate change?
releases greenhouse gases (enhanced greenhouse effect)
How has changing agriculture impacted climate change?
produces methane and CO2 (enhanced greenhouse effect)
How has deforestation impacted climate change?
trees are carbon sinks - removing the ability for CO2 to be removed from the atmosphere
Why are fossil fuels becoming more of an issue?
increased population, wealth and economic development globally increases demand for energy
Why is agriculture becoming more of an issue?
increasing global demand for beef and rice due to food trends, increased population
Why is deforestation becoming more of an issue?
MICs need to develop economically, globalisations creates markets for importing goods
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
a thicker layer of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere - traps more heat which leads to global warming
What are some social impacts of climate change?
-increased risk of disease (heat stroke, skin cancer)
-droughts reduce food and water supplies (Sub-Saharan A)
-ski industry may decline (Alps)
What are some environmental impacts of climate change?
-sea level rise causes flooding and coastal erosion
-ice melts so wildlife decline (polar bears + seals in Arctic)
