MISAG Flashcards
Define land cover
The observed biophysical cover on the Earth’s surface
What is a Glacier?
A body of ice formed on land and in motion. Usually confined by terrain, the most common being a valley.
What is an Ice sheet?
An ice sheet is a mass of glacial ice more than 50,000 square kilometres.
Describe the distribution of Glaciers and ice sheets
The distribution of the worlds glaciers is linear along the global mountain ranges and high altitudinal regions, whereas the worlds ice sheets are found in only two locations Greenland and Antartica. glaciers can seen to be found in the mountain ranges such as the Andes, the European Alps and the Himalayas. An exception to this pattern is the glacier found in central Africa.
Describe the location of Greenland
Greenland, the worlds largest island, is located within the northern hemisphere, within the arctic circle, north east of Canada and north west of Iceland.
Identify and Describe a natural process causing MISAG
Climatic Variations
The earth’s climate has always been shifting from warmer temperatures, such as during the Holocene period 8,000 years ago, to colder temperatures, such as the Last Glacial Maximum 20,000 years go.
These climate variations play an important role in causing glaciers and ice-sheets to expand or shrink, as during warmer periods these massive bodies of ice will be largely confined to higher altitudes or to polar areas.
During the Last Glacial Maximum glaciers that cover Greenland used to extend across more of the Arctic Ocean, creating an ice sheet that covered parts of Northern Europe, Asia and North America.
However, as temperatures rose these icesheets started receding and were only found further north.
Thus the natural process of climatic variation plays a large role in causing ice sheets and glaciers to either grow or shrink.
Identify and Describe a human activity causing MISAG
Anthropogenic induced Climate Change
Since the industrial revolution, human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation last year alone, over 38 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide were released causing temperatures to rise by 0.8C since 1880. This plays a significant role in causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, as the warmer temperatures cause them to melt at a faster rate.
The degradation of the natural environment which normally traps and reduces greenhouse gases changes atmospheric composition and further contributes to global warming.
Additionally Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, and the clearing and burning of forests contributes to the most of the estimated increase in carbon dioxide.
Outline Negative Environmental impacts of MISAG
Temps increasing faster in Greenland than any other N hemisphere country with and increase in 0.9 degrees C in the last century.
As ice melts old impurities such as soot and dust entombed for years start to darken the surface. Dark colours absorb heat rather than reflect it therefore accelerating the melting.
Permafrost will melt and release previously locked up stores of methane gas adding to enhanced global warming with 10-20% loss of permafrost expected this century.
Impact on food chain
Sea levels rising = dislocation of those living on coastal fringe also affecting economic and agricultural activity.
Outline Positive Economic impacts of MISAG
As the ice melts due to global warming, Greenlands mineral and energy resources including oil, iron ore, lead, zinc, diamonds, gold, rare earth elements etc. are becoming more accessible meaning mining companies will benefit greatly.
Tourism in fishing and hiking is extended.
Made it easier to go after 48 billion barrels of oil reserves off the coast.
Opportunities for diversification of fishing industry with the addition of crab and shrimp.
Broader economic base and decreased reliance on Denmark with advancements in mining, construction etc.
Outline Negative Social Impacts of MISAG
Fear mining will destroy traditional way of life of Inuit
Conflict over new developments causing division in communities
Isolated, small communities declining in population as traditional activities cannot be sustained
Traditional travel via dog sled in winter has declined due to ice changes therefore increasing social isolation for communities
Life expectancy is lower than average
High levels of unemployment and poverty exist
Shorter hunting seasons due to lack of access, can’t feed dogs leading to some dogs being killed.
Impacts traditional way of life (70% of households engage in some form of traditional hunting/fishing) also affecting Inuit diet
Outline Positive Environmental Impacts of MISAG
Warmer weather may see more greening of Greenland as it was 1000 years ago when the climate allowed for farming. Increased plant growth up to 25%.
Warmer temps have created a longer grass growing season to boost productivity for sheep farms meaning less reliance on imports (economic/social)
Fish species such as cod are moving northward due to warming temps increasing catch rate and return (economic)
Outline Negative Economic impacts of MISAG
Oil drilling may result in oil spills and affect native fish and other species contaminating fishing grounds resulting in a decrease in rates of fishing.
Same for the environmental degradation as a result of mining.
Increased numbers of tourists could negatively impact the very environments they come to see affected the economic sustainability of the region.
Outline Positive Social Impacts of MISAG
Mining companies will provide employment
Increase in tourism practices
More opportunities for young people in mining and tourism
Describe the geographic characteristics of Greenland
The Greenland ice sheet broke records on 1 August 2019 by losing more water volume in 1 day than on than any other day since records began in 1950, shedding 12.5 billion tons of water into the sea.
The annual melting of Greenland Ice has been responsible for 25% of global sea level rise.
The sea level has been rising about 3 mm per year and over 1 mm of this sea level rise is directly from Greenlands ice sheet melting.
In 2015, Jakobshavn Glacier calved an iceberg the size of about 1,400 metres thick and about 13 square kilometres.
August 2010: A sheet of ice measuring 260 square kilometres broke off from the Petermann Glacier – about one- quarter of its 70 km floating ice shelf.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a Local response to MISAG in Greenland
A local response to the impacts of Melting Ice Sheets and Glaciers (MISAG) is mining. This is a response to the impact of more land becoming uncovered due to the melting of the ice.
As the ice melts due to global warming, Greenlands mineral and energy resources including oil, iron ore, lead, zinc, diamonds, gold, rare earth elements etc. are becoming more accessible meaning mining companies will benefit greatly.
Mining companies will provide employment
A local response to the impacts of Melting Ice Sheets and Glaciers (MISAG) is mining. This is a response to the impact of more land becoming uncovered due to the melting of the ice.
Pollutants from the mining industry are resulting in a decline of biodiversity, including fish which is significant because fishing accounts for 40% of Greenland’s exports.
