Introduction Flashcards
What are the effects of climate change? 5 main
- Increased amount of water (higher sea level)
- Pieces of ice
- Extreme weather (global problem)
- Growing number of countries facing a high risk of climate change
- Countries that are most affected by climate change are also facing an increase of the populaiton
What is climate change?
Refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
- Can be both natural: changes in sun’s activity or a large volcanic eruption
- But since 1800s: human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarly due to the burning of fossil fuels.
What is antropogenic impact
The impact on det environment due to human activities
What happens when we burn fossil fuels?
It generates greenhouse gas emissions, that if released at a high rate can lead to global warming
What is global warming?
Global warming is the rise in Earth’s average temperature due to human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. This increases greenhouse gases, trapping more heat and causing effects like melting ice, rising sea levels, and extreme weather.
What are the main GHG?
- Carbon doixide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous dioxide (N2O)
What are the main sources of methane emissions?
Agriculture, oil and gas operations
What are the main sources of CO2-emissions?
Burning fossil fuels, waste, cleaning land and cutting forests
What is the northwest passage?
Opened due to the decreasing of the arctic ice
- However, ships can now go there which is good for the economy
hat are the effects of the melting of the glaciers?
- Increased sea level
- Albedo: Ice reflect the sun, while water absorbs the heat which leads to higher sea temperature
- This is not good for the marine eco-systems since they may need a certain water temperature - Water storage:
- Decrease in drinking water - Bacteria.
- A large number of bacteria trapped in the arctic ice are being released into the seas due to melting, potentially spreading and increasing the risk of pandemics
What is the 1.5 degree goal
The 1.5-degree goal is to keep Earth’s temperature from rising more than 1.5°C compared to the past (pre-industrial revolution). This goal aims to prevent serious problems like stronger storms, rising seas, and damage to nature. It’s a key target in the Paris Agreement to fight climate change.
- Unfortunately this year the 1,5 degree rise happened, meaning that the goal was not achieved
Some countries emit more than others, what is important to remember when looking at those types of data?
- It is important to look at emissions per capita to get a more fair comparison
- Some countries may shift their production/factories to other countries, putting the responsibility of their activity on other countries instead.
Europe is increasing their totsal annua CO2-emissions, but a lot of developing countries are increasing their emissions. Should this be acceptable?
No in one way, but on the other side of the coin, we can’t expect them to live with a lower life standard.
Europe has already gone through its industrial revolution and development, which resulted in high emissions. Therefore, it’s unrealistic to expect countries that have not yet undergone this development to avoid following a similar path
What is an oil reserve?
A known quantity of oil that can be economically extracted from the earth usin gcurrent technology
Why does USA import oil even though they have oil reserves?
This is because they want to save their oil reserves for potential future events, such as war or other catastrophes. By importing oil from other countries, they can preserve their own supply for later use.
