Issues of Current Interest Flashcards
What is climate change?
Large-scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns (global or regional). Eg. Temperature, Precipitation, Weather and more
What is global warming?
An increase in the earth’s average atmospheric temperature near the surface of the earth.
Climate changes causes global warming.
Ozone depletion doesn’t cause global warming.
Ice Age Cycle & Global Warming
Natural Variability
Earth’s climate has changed throughout history (in cycles) naturally. There are cold periods (ice ages) and warm periods (interglacials).
What is the evidence to support natural variability?
- Ice cores- samples from deep beneath ice sheets determine the amount of atmospheric gases (CO2). Expand during cold weather (large and thick) and contracts during high temperatures (small and thin).
- Tree rings- information on what years were wet and duration and intensity of drought.
- Fossils- Sea level and temperature shows mass extinction.
Indicate that the earth goes through heating & cooling phases.
Re-emergence of diseases that were trapped in the ice (body decomposition) due to melting of the ice.
What are the factors contributing to natural variability in global warming?
- Natural Changes in greenhouse gases
- Solar changes
- Volcanic eruptions
- Changes in earth’s orbit
What is the greenhouse effect?
Natural- The natural process thats warms the earth and keeps it habitable.
Human-induced- Since the industrial revolution human activities artificially increased concetration of gases (mainly CO2 & Methane). These gases prevent thermal radiation thereby trapping excess heat.
What are the different greenhouse gases?
- Water Vapour (H2O)- evaporation from oceans & lakes which has the highest proportion on earth
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)- Combustion from fossil fuels
- Methane (CH4)- anaerobic decay of organic matter (fermentation of cows)
- Nitrous Oxide (NO2)- artificial fertilizers (landfill levels from swampy areas)
- Chlorofluoro-carbons (CFCs)- refrigerants & solvents
CO2 (1st) ,H2O (2nd) ,CH4 (3rd) ,NO2 (4th)
Which sectors contribute to global warming?
- Energy supply
- Industry
- Forestry
Impact vs Effect
Impact is the influence of an action/phenomenon on something (cause).
Effect is the result or outcome of an action or a phenomenon.
Impacts/Causes ofGlobal Warming
- increase in ocean temperatures
- melting of continental ice sheets
- sea ice melting
- extreme weather events
- changes in animal nesting/birth cycles
- increase in ocean acidity
- sea level rise
Effects of global warming/climate change
Health- weather related mortality, infectious diseases, air quality respiratory illnesses
Species & Natural areas- loss of habitat & species, cryosphere (diminishing glaciers)
Water resources- supply, quality & competition
Agriculture- crop yields &irrigation demands
Coastal Areas- erosion of beaches, inundation of coastal lands & additional costs to protect coastal communitites
Forests- composition, geographic range, forest health and productivity &wildfires
Caribbean evidence of global warming
- Increase in surface temperature
- More intense rainfall
- Two category 5 hurricanes in 2017
- More acidic seas
- Coral bleaching
- Migration & breeding habits of vectors
Climate change mitigation
- Individually- make your diet more climate friendly (buy organic & reduce food waste), avoid fast fashion, green your commute (public transit)
- Communally- education awareness, energy conservation, reforestation/afforestation
- Internationally- international agreements (kyoto protocol, paris climate agreement)
What is resource security?
The ability of humankind to guarantee the availability of natural resources for all people.
Ax5. S
What are the 6 dimensions of security
- Availability- supply levels
- Accessability- household level (income etc)
- Adequacy- sufficient supply
- Affordability- price
- Acceptability- having positive social effects on society
- Sustainability- develop & exist without depletion
