Management Strategies of Climate Change Flashcards
Explain intergovernmental agreements
Leaders of the countries involved agree legally binding strategies to keep temperature rises within 1.5C.
Example of an intergovernmental agreement
COP26 – The Glasgow Climate Pact 2021
Advantages of intergovernmental agreements
Global approach improves consistency and fairness.
Countries work together, improving economic and political ties
Disadvantages of intergovernmental agreements
Countries only agreed to a weaker commitment to ‘phase down’ rather than ‘phase out’ coal by a late intervention by China and India.
Explain Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Governments can introduce schemes to make it easier for people to reduce, reuse and recycle products so that less refuse is sent to landfill sites. This will reduce the amount of methane entering the atmosphere
Example of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
E.g. In 2021 Dumfries and Galloway Council introduced recycling bins for homeowners for papers and plastics.
Advantages of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
UK recycling rates have increased the fastest in Europe over the past decade
Disadvantages of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Even with councils providing bins, some people may still not engage with the scheme.
Some people may put things in the wrong bins
Explain improvement of home efficiency
Households could reduce energy consumption by insulating their homes to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated by the burning of fossil fuels
Example of improvement of home efficiency
Government Policies such as ‘Helping Households to cut their Energy Bills’ encourages the use of smart meters improving energy efficiency
Advantages of improving home efficiency
Results in lower fuel costs so people save money.
Grants from the government help lower initial costs and thus encourage people to use the scheme
Disadvantages of improving home efficiency
Not all homes are suitable for cavity wall insulation- especially older houses.
Semi- detached houses need permission of neighbours before work can begin.
The rollout of the smart meters has been slow, meaning some energy companies have yet to offer their customers the option of taking one
Explain renewable energy
Scotland is reducing greenhouse emissions by increasing energy production from renewables such as wind, wave and solar
Example of renewable energy
For example, in 2020 renewables produced 43% of the UK’s energy supply
Advantages of renewable energy
Creates jobs that support local economies.
Some schemes allow communities an input and a share of the profits
Disadvantages of renewable energy
Land use conflict- for example many believe wind turbines to be a scar on the landscape.
Wind, tidal, wave solar all have criticisms such as disruption to ecosystems; eg. wind turbines and the disruption to bird species through physical presence and noise
Explain banning the sale of petrol an diesel cars
The UK government plans to ban the selling of new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars and vans in the UK by 2030.
This means that once the ban comes into place people will only be able to buy electric or hydrogen cars and vans – these are clean forms of transport with no greenhouse gasses emitted
Advantages of banning the sales of petrol and diesel cars
As countries move to renewable energy as a major source of electricity- this will make electric cars more eco friendly
Disadvantages of banning the sales of petrol and diesel cars
There is not the necessary infrastructure in place for electric vehicles.
Although improving, the battery technology is limited and as such the cars have a short range (200miles approx) before needing recharged and charging takes a lot longer than filling a tank with petrol/diesel
Explain improving extreme weather preparations
Preparations have been made to prepare for more extreme weather events.
Example of a preparation made for extreme weather
For example, the Thames flood barrier is a series of gates which can be raised across the river to present sea water flooding London.
Advantages of improving preparations made for extreme weather
Saves the environmental and socio-economic impacts of affected communities
Disadvantages of improving preparations made for extreme weather
This has successfully protected London from flooding on numerous occasions however it is expected that a second barrier may be needed to cope with flooding beyond 2070.
Advance warning systems need to be further developed to advise householders of the potential risks of flooding.
