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GEO 403 > Mid Term2 Study Guide 403 > Flashcards

Mid Term2 Study Guide 403 Flashcards

1
Q

While fires set by ranchers have been the most notorious source of fires in the Amazon over the last decade, what other climate-related problem is driving the current wave of fire outbreaks throughout the region?

A

Massive decrease in rainfall

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2
Q

Provide two motivations for Australia to agree to the Singapore solar project?

I.
II.

A

I. Provide job
II. Huge market

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3
Q

T/F. China is the second largest builder of coal-fired power stations in the world, behind India.

A

False

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4
Q

In a favoured phrasing, the IPCC report states that since the last report in 2014 heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and other extreme events have all increased in intensity and frequency “f_____ b________ n_________ v________.”

A

Far beyond natural variability

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5
Q

The stated aim of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperature rise “well below” ___ degrees Celsius and to “pursue efforts” to limit it to ___ degrees Celsius Celsius.

1 … 2
1.5 … 2
1.5 … 2.5
2 … 2.5

A

1.5 … 2

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6
Q

What type of country is considered the ‘canary in the climate coal mine’?

A

Small island countries

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7
Q

Briefly, define ‘net-zero’.

A

Carbon emissions equal carbon capture

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8
Q

S____________ A______ refers to unburned or unused fossil fuel resources, whose value (if 2 degree C is the limit) would reach trillions of dollars.

A

Stranded Assets

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9
Q

Contributing to their lacking of funding for spending on climate projects, many poor developing countries have what other significant international payments they must make, which reduces their spending power?

A

International debt pay

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10
Q

According to the IPCC, what sector is the most important to decarbonize as fast as possible?

A

Power sector

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11
Q

T/F. One of the key advantages of renewable energy systems in the U.S. is that while new infrastructure will have to built for them, those infrastructures can be much smaller than traditional energy infrastructures.

A

False

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12
Q

T/F. According to the IPCC, the limiting of temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C will be impossible without some form of carbon removal.

A

True

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13
Q

The targeting of lifestyle and behavior changes is an aspect of D_______ -S______ mitigation options and will require transformation in the C__________ A____________ of our consumption patterns.

A

Demand - Side
Choice Agriculture

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14
Q

In order to cut down on methane in the atmosphere, the IPCC suggests targeting “F___________ emissions”, the methane that escapes during extraction and transportation of natural gas or from abandoned oil wells.

Funnel
Fugitive
Failure
Final

A

Fugitive

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15
Q

In terms of the IPCC’s goals for green buildings, while there have been an increasing number of zero-carbon buildings constructed around the world, what are the two primary goals that still need considerable focus and investment?

I.
II.

A

I. The standard of new building must to be green
II. Revocation of the old buildings

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16
Q

What are the three key policies for cities to pursue reductions in their transport sector emissions levels?

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Non-car travel
II. High density
III. Electrified transportation

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17
Q

List two of the reasons discussed in lecture for why it is a problem that much of the potential for carbon emission reduction from environmental protection, restoration, and sustainable management exists in developing countries.

I.
II.

A

I. Lack of science expertise
II. Lack of funding

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18
Q

The IPCC’s fourth scenario, in which global temperature rises to 3.t degrees C by 2100, is defined by the collapse of what?

A

Collapse of international cooperation

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19
Q

T/F. While not the current largest emitter, the U.S. has historically emitted more carbon dioxide than any other country.

A

True

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20
Q

If the U.S. wants to “D_____________”, it must stop getting its electricity from fossil fuel sources and shift to renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.

A

Decarbonized

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21
Q

What is the ‘elegant solution’ that Saul Griffith suggest for the U.S. economy to enhance the effect of shifting its electricity grid to renewable energies?

A

Shift everything possible to electricity

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22
Q

In the Vox video, the graph that breaks down the carbon emissions in the U.S. by sector has what percentages for the following? (28, 28, 21, 14, 12)

Electricity _____%
Transportation _____%
Residential _____%
Industrial _____%
Commercial _____%

A

Electricity 28%
Transportation 28%
Residential 14%
Industrial 21%
Commercial 12%

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23
Q

Provide a succinct definition of ‘tipping point’ as it relates to climate change.

A

Threshold passed and irreversible changes

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24
Q

Ocean heat waves cause mass coral bleaching; and if global average temperature rises by merely 2 degrees C, ____% of tropical corals are projected to be lost.

27% 55% 75% 99%

A

99%

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25
Q

What crop boomed in the 1990s and drove higher rates of deforestation? And how was it connected to cattle ranching?

A

Soy, high protein feed for cattle

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26
Q

What is the bigger catastrophe that the collapse of the Thwaites glacier could cause?

A

Ice sheet melting, sea level rise

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27
Q

In addition to the obvious loss of land due to sea level rise, what two other worries do island nations and dependencies worry about related to sea level rise?

I.
II.

A

I. Water supply
II. Tourism

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28
Q

Globally, ___ out of the world’s 10 largest cities are near a coast.

A

8

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29
Q

T/F. Researchers expect intense tropical cyclones to become more frequent globally, but for there to be significant regional variation and for there to be possibly less tropical cyclones overall.

A

True

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30
Q

Which of the following factors did the lecture list as contributing to rising intensities of hurricanes?

Warmer ocean temperatures from increased energy absorption create conditions for hurricane development
Warm air holds more water vapor than cold air
Less cold, subsurface ocean water that normally acts as natural breakingmechanism
Destruction of coral reefs that normally act as break on storms surges along coasts.

A

Warm air holds more water vapor than cold air
Less cold, subsurface ocean water that normally acts as natural breakingmechanism
Destruction of coral reefs that normally act as break on storms surges along coasts.

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31
Q

Briefly explain why vulnerable communities have most to fear from polluting industries during bad storms.

A

Class and racial bias in where people live

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32
Q

T/F. Since so much of the U.S. farmland is in the interior of the country, the ‘breadbasket’ of the U.S. is likely to be spared significant destruction from climate-change related flooding.

A

False

33
Q

Besides death, name two other ways flooding causes health problems.

I.
II.

A

I. Mental health
II. Bacteria infection

34
Q

The effects of drought on ecosystems and people are sometimes referred to as H____________ S_____________.

A

Hydrological Stress

35
Q

What is the primary way that droughts can affect energy systems?

A

Through hydroelectric dams

36
Q

(a) What is the rare ‘weather double whammy’ (that is, what are the two interrelated problems intensifying each other?)? (b) And what kind of events do they increase the changes of?

(a) I. II.
(b)M______________

A

(a)I. Prolong heatwave II. Prolong drought
(b)Megadroughts

37
Q

Which of the following were listed in lecture as key causes of increased fires due to climate change?

Rising temperatures dry soils and make vegetation more flammable
Larger and longer melting winter snowpacks
Shifting rain patterns moving away from fire prone regions
Insect outbreaks weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to fire

A

Rising temperatures dry soils and make vegetation more flammable
Shifting rain patterns moving away from fire prone regions
Insect outbreaks weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to fire

38
Q

List three of the negative impacts of fires discussed in lecture.

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Loss of carbon sink
II. Dispatched animal
III. Smoke inhalation

39
Q

What two factors are expected to cause a 50% increase in the food needed to feed Earth’s people between 2010 and 2050?

I.
II.

A

I. Growing world population
II. More middle class diet

40
Q

What two features of Africa’s agricultural production make it especially vulnerable to climate change’s effects on food production?

I.
II.

A

I. Rain-fed agriculture
II. Small plots

41
Q

The biggest fear many analysts now concerns the predominance of a few basic crops in the global diet, their geographical concentrations of production, and the growing possibility of simultaneous M___________ B____________ F__________.

A

Multiple Breadbasket Failure

42
Q

What is the difference between direct and indirect economics costs of a country’s disease burden?

Direct:
Indirect:

A

Direct: Medical cost
Indirect: Labor productivity cost

43
Q

Briefly explain how deforestation and wildfires are causing more disease problems in human populations.

A

Drive close contact between wild animal and human

44
Q

What are three key threats to trees due to climate change?

I.
II.
III.

A

I. New pests and diseases
II. More heatwave
III. Drought/ fire

45
Q

With estimates rising, how many people does air pollution kill each year, according to recent research?

A

10 million

46
Q

What percentage of global air pollution-related deaths occur in developing countries?

25% 55% 75% 95%

A

95%

47
Q

What two principles are ‘balanced’ in the Principle 21?

I.
II.

A

I. Right to exploit natural resources
II. Do not harm environment of another state

48
Q

T/F. Due to pressure from rich countries, the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ is not a part of the Montreal Protocols, which many observes credit as being a key reason for its success.

A

False

49
Q

How did the Kigali Amendment divide up the world’s countries, and what key difference does it make between them?

A

Develop country vs Developing country
Difference by rate of reduction

50
Q

What (I) regular set of meetings and what (II) regular climate report have come out of the creation of the UNFCCC?

A

I. The cop
II. IPCC report

51
Q

T/F. Despite significant support for the proposal, technology transfers from rich to poor countries were not included in the final version of the Kyoto Protocol, which was a significant mistake said critics then and now.

A

False

52
Q

What was at the center of the key environmental/trade case at the WTO between the U.S. and India, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand? That is, (i) what was the U.S. policy? And (ii) how did the other countries say this violated WTO rules?

I.
II.

A

I. Ban of shrimp catching
II. WTO encourage people trade but U.S. ban of shrimp catching lead to other country can’t trade easily

53
Q

What are two other non-GHG related benefits of reducing deforestation and forest degradation?

I.
II.

A

I. Keep soil quality
II. Biodiversity protection

54
Q

List three of the criticism discussed in lecture of the REDD+ program.

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Insufficient funding
II. Fail to change local economic incentives
III. Accounting problems

55
Q

(a) Which type of countries pushed to include in the Paris Agreement a separate on loss and damage? (b) Which country most strongly opposed such a section? (c) And what was the final compromise?

A

(a) Small island countries
(b) U.S.
(c) No legal liability

56
Q

What are two of the significant signs of progress post-Paris Agreement listed in lecture?

I.
II.

A

I. Solar and wind energy breakthrough
II. Electrical vehicle

57
Q

What are two of the key criticisms of the Paris Climate Agreement listed in lecture?

I.
II.

A

I. No penalties
II. Poor accountability

58
Q

Briefly summarize the dispute between developed and developing countries over who should bear the burden of climate financing.

A

Developing country: developed countries should pay for the cost
Developed country: larger countries like China also need to pay

59
Q

Explain why the poor in Pakistan have been suffering the most from this shake-up in the energy sector.

A

Poor people unable to swift to solar panel because they can’t afford it and also can’t afford the high prices of energy

60
Q

How does the deal the Pakistani government signed to save its traditional energy grid now prevent it from investing in new green technologies?

A

They need to use money to pay debt instead of green energy

61
Q

Nuclear plants generate about ______% of the electricity we use around the world.

Nuclear plants generate about _____% of the electricity the U.S. uses.

Nuclear plants generate about ______% of the electricity in the U.S. not from fossil fuels.

A

10%
20%
52%

62
Q

What are two aspects of a “Climate Hawk”?

I.
II.

A

I. Very high priority in climate change
II. Support aggressive policies action

63
Q

What are the three scenarios in the IEA reports?

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Stated policies
II. Net zero timeline
III. Announced pledges

64
Q

What are the Net Zero targets for the following countries/ organizations.

China _____
EU _____
India _____
U.S. _____
Paris Agreement _____

A

China 2060
EU 2050
India 2070
U.S. 2050
Paris Agreement 2050

65
Q

Which of the following does the IEA recommend for the world to reach Net Zero by 2050?

Fossil fuel use must decrease by 30% by 2030
Total stop of approval of new coal power plants and oil and gas furnaces to new buildings
Renewables energy must reach 60% of electricity generation by 2030
EVs must reach 65% of new global sales by 2030.

A

Fossil fuel use must decrease by 30% by 2030
Total stop of approval of new coal power plants and oil and gas furnaces to new buildings
Renewables energy must reach 60% of electricity generation by 2030
EVs must reach 65% of new global sales by 2030.

66
Q

What is the ‘bad news is good news’ about China’s economy and the climate?

A

Slower economic growth meanwhile slower emission growth

67
Q

List three features of U.S. environmental laws from the 1970s (including specific policies, agencies, or programs) that have been internationally influential for designing environmental regulations.

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Environmental Protection Agency/ E.P.A
II. Clean air and water act
III. Gasoline and endangered species act

68
Q

What are two criticisms made of the Environmental Kuznets Curve?

I.
II.

A

I. Developed countries exporting pollution to developing countries
II. Not all environmental issues better as countries get richer

69
Q

What are the twi primary ways that Washington Consensus development policies hindered the development of effective environmental policies in the developing world?

I.
II.

A

I. Environmental regulations
II. State capacity

70
Q

T/F. While many pro-environment groups argue that current regulations do not go far enough, pro-business interests say environmental regulations are too expensive, hurt economic growth, harm international competitiveness, and cause layoffs and firm closures.

A

True

71
Q

Briefly explain what a ‘Green Bond’ is.

A

Debt issue to fund sustainable project

72
Q

What are three of the benefits of public climate spending projects?

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Able to do long-term and large scale investment
II. Leverage government fund
III. Reduce price/ provide public good in low cost

73
Q

(a) What is a principal reason it is so hard for governments to get rid of consumption subsidies? (b) What is a principal reason it is so hard for government to get rid of production subsidies?

A

(a) Products became expensive which will anger the consumer
(b) Power of political influence of the industry

74
Q

Briefly explain Germany’s feed-in tariff program.

A

Guarantee producers a premium price

75
Q

Briefly, what is the significance of Suntech.

A

First solar company in China

76
Q

List three benefits of carbon tax programs as discussed in lecture.

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Drive up carbon based process and product, more expensive
II. Help boost low carbon alternative
III. Raising revenue

77
Q

List three costs of criticisms of carbon tax programs as discussed in lecture.

I.
II.
III.

A

I. Regressive tax
II. Prices are too low
III. Hard to decide and agree on what that level should be

78
Q

In a cap and trade program, polluters that expect to emit more than their permits allow must do one of what two actions?

A

Payoff or innovate

GEO 403 (6 decks)

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