Managing the impacts of climate change: mitigation and adaption Flashcards
mitigation
when people reduce the risk of a hazard to their lives
adaption
when people respond to the change to limit or to take advantage of the change
methods of mitigation
-alternative energy production
-carbon capture
-planting trees
-international agreements
why do we need alternative energy production?
other methods emit too much emissions and are not renewable
how does alternative energy production work?
using renewables and nuclear power
advantages of alternative energy production
-no CO2 produced
-very cheap
disadvantages of alternative energy production
-nuclear power is very expensive
-not always sunny/windy
-have to store energy in batteries
why do we need carbon capture?
reduces the amount of spare CO2 in the atmosphere
how does carbon capture work?
captures CO2 produced by fossil fuels in electricity generation
advantages of carbon capture
-removes CO2 from atmosphere
-saves money in the long term y meeting climate targets
disadvantages of carbon capture
-expensive process to set up
-unclear whether CO2 would remain trapped
-encourages unrenewable energy
why do we need to plant trees?
helps to reduce CO2 naturally
how does planting trees work?
trees act as carbon sinks, removing CO2 by photosynthesis
advantages of planting trees
-could increase forest carbon storage by 28%
-recovers wildilfe
disadvantages of planting trees
-costs a lot
-takes time for trees to grow
how do international agreements work?
conferences are held and new agreements on climate change are discussed
why do we need international agreements?
climate change is a global issue and requires global solutions
advantages of international agreements
-encourages unity
disadvantages of international agreements
-some countries can’t afford it
-some countries are more responsible for climate change but we all rely on their products
-it’s hard for all countries to agree
methods of adaption
-change in agricultural systems
-managing water supplies
-reducing risk from rising sea levels
why do we need change in agricultural systems?
climate change affects uncertain areas so agriculture needs to adapt
how does change in agricultural systems work?
-new irrigation systems
-introducing drought resistant strains of crops
-educating farmers in new harvesting techniques
advantages of change in agricultural systems
-variety of produce to be made
-prepare for effects of climate change
disadvantages of change in agricultural systems
- more difficult for subsistence farmers
-everything might not be available, certain produce may not be available all year round
why do we need managing water supplies?
unreliable rainfall and periods of water shortage require careful management
how does managing water supplies work?
artificial glacier projects, water is collected in winter and melts through spring
advantages of managing water supplies
-we don’t run out of water
-more efficiently allocated
disadvantages of managing water supplies
-requires a lot of energy
why do we need reducing risk from rising sea levels?
sea levels are expected to rise by a further 26-82cm, this will flood important agricultural companies
how does reducing risk from rising sea levels work?
-building houses that are raised
-construction of sea walls
advantages of reducing risk from rising sea levels
-peoples homes won’t go underwater
-agricultural lands won’t flood
disadvantages of reducing risk from rising sea levels
-ruins wildlife
-costs a lot to build walls
