IR 002: Lecture 22 Flashcards

1
Q

When was the ozone hole created over the Antarctic?

A

1970s

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2
Q

What are the consequences of the ozone hole?

A
  • Skin cancer
  • Eye cataracts
  • Impairment of immune systems
  • Degradation of Crops
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3
Q

What is the current state of the ozone hole?

A

It has been shrinking for the past 10 years

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4
Q

Approximately how many oil tanker accidents occurred between 1970 - 2008?

A

1700 spills releasing ~5.7 million tons of oil

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5
Q

How many hectares of forest have been depleted since 1990?

A

~80 million hectares

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6
Q

What are the consequences of deforestation?

A
  • Less biodiversity
  • Acceleration of global warming
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7
Q

What is the main consequence of global warming?

A
  • Higher average temperatures (less suitable farm land and high possibility of extinction for many species)
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8
Q

What represents 80% of global carbon dioxide?

A

Fossil fules

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9
Q

What are the security consequences of global warming?

A
  • 400000 deaths yearly
  • Air pollution
  • Food/water scarcity
  • Rising sea levels
  • Heat and droughts (leads to famine)
  • Spread of disease
  • Increased frequency of natural disasters
  • Climate refugees
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10
Q

What are some the reasons for growing conflicts among states due to global warming?

A

Competition for:
- Land
- Resources
- Access/passage
- Water

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11
Q

What past events have informed our current understanding of global warming and fought against it?

A
  • Late 1960s: Industrial production processes
  • 1987 Bruntland report: Concept of sustainable development
  • 1933 Rio Summit: Linked human activities to climate change
  • 1997 Kyoto Protocol: Pledge to reduce greenhouse gases but no obligation
  • 2015 Paris Agreement: Keep the rise of global temperatures below 2°C (196 signatures but no enforcement)
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12
Q

Why should we be optimistic about the future of global warming?

A
  • Transition to green energy is close
  • We can mitigate the worst aspects of climate change
  • We may soon be able to do geoengineering (scientific techniques to change weather patterns)
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13
Q

Why should we be pessimistic about the future of global warming?

A
  • The situation is worsening fast
  • Obstacles to global mobilization remain significant
  • China is the worst polluter and the main green energy investor
  • Climate change mitigation will stir conflicts
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