humanities geography exam

Question 1

explain the greenhouse effect

Answer 1

• presented in 1824 by Joseph Fourrier
• warm the earth and sustains life (through photosynthesis). The earth traps energy from the sun, and without it the earth would be -18 degrees
• greenhouse effect composed mostly of the following gases:
• methane
• fluorinated gases
• carbon dioxide
• nitrous oxide
• water vapour
• ozone

Question 2

explain the enhanced greenhouse effect

Answer 2

• caused by:
• added gases
• deforestation
• pollution: industrial waste and bushfired

Question 3

explain sustainability

Answer 3

• definition: to meet the needs of now without compromising the ability of future generations meeting their needs
• e.g. desalination plants for fresh water, using solar energy rather than fossil fuels
• three categories/types:
  1. social (?)
  2. economic (good)
  3. environmental (bad)
• possible solutions:
  1. education: campaigns & school education
  2. Incentive: encourages action and change in behaviour
  3. Legislation: closing pollutant factories, laws banning actions (e.g. plastic bags)

Question 4

explain how the enhanced greenhouse effect contributes to climate change

Answer 4

• Major causes: deforestation and meat consumption
• DEFORESTATION:
• includes natural and human deforestation
• 30% of our planet is forest
• if we continue with our current deforestation rates only 100 years of forest will be left
• impacts:
• wildlife
  . population
  . natural habitat
  . deforestation
• ecosystems
  . food sources
  . food chains
• forestry and agriculture - 20% of GHE
• trees contain GHE, when they fall they release emissions
• cleared land cannot absorb more carbon dioxide (there are no trees)
• A reason for accelerated deforestation if population growth: housing, food (agriculture, infrastructure (building materials e.g. timber)
• MEAT CONSUMPTION;
• very expensive: meat consumption is for wealthy countries
• space: requires large areas
• fuel: stock feed
• increased meat production & consumption = increase in GHE
• meat consumption accounts for 14% of worlds total GHE
• enhanced greenhouse effect is partially a result from:
  . land clearing for agriculture: cattle & stockfeed
  . emissions from cattle

Question 5

list an issue and solution to urbanization

Answer 5

• TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MELBOURNE
• issue: increased fuel consumption
  excessive carbon dioxide emissions:
• frequent braking, accelerating and idling while waiting in traffic causes higher fuel consumption. Excessive burning and emissions of these gases (fossil fuels) contributes to greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and enhanced greenhouse effect.
• 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide is produced by every car each year
  fuel waste:
• higher fuel consumption creates economic issue
• drivers have to pay a high price for fuel which is potentially wasted and not used efficiently
• solution:
  working remotely outside of the office
• advancement of technology makes it easier to operate outside of office, corona virus proved its possible
• reduces overcrowding on melbourne’s cbd area and public transport
• UD have already begun to use this idea
• US studies show remote working improves work ethics and attitudes
• most CBD workers in melbourne work in finances, 34% report that they were able to or already work remotely once a week