P2: Global climate: Vulnerability and resilience Flashcards
1
Q
Structure of atmosphere
A
78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other
2
Q
4 atmospheric layers in ascending order
A
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere
3
Q
what happens in troposphere
A
weather
4
Q
what happens in stratosphere
A
contains ozone layer
5
Q
What happens in mesosphere
A
meteors burn up
6
Q
What happens in thermosphere
A
Auroras
7
Q
How is sun energy received by earth
A
As short wave radiation/insolation
8
Q
% of solar radiation absorbed by ground
A
49%
9
Q
% of solar radiation reflected by ground
A
9%
10
Q
% of solar radiation reflected by clouds
A
19%
11
Q
% of solar radiation reflected by scatter
A
3%
12
Q
% of solar radiation absorbed by molecules and dust
A
17%
13
Q
% of solar radiation absorbed by clouds
A
3%
14
Q
Stores of energy in atmospheric energy system
A
land, ocean, clouds, atmosphere
15
Q
flows of energy in atmospheric energy system
A
convection, conduction, radiation
16
Q
6 natural greenhouse gas examples
A
water vapour, co2, methane, ozone, NOx and CFCs
17
Q
Which human activities affect water vapour
A
Deforestation, land-use changes, burning fossil fuels
18
Q
which human activities affect methane levels
A
agriculture (rice growing and cow farming), fossil fuel extraction, waste landfills
19
Q
Which human activities affect carbon dioxide
A
deforestation because it decreases carbon storage, as trees remove co2 from atmosphere during photosynthesis
20
Q
negative effect of hole in ozone layer
A
increases rate of skin cancer by allowing more UV rays to enter the atmosphere
21
Q
Human sources of CFCs
A
aerosols and fridges
22
Q
What changes in make-up of earth’s atmosphere affect energy absorption/reflection
A
greenhouse gases, water vapour, distance, seasonal change, latitude, reflectiveness (albedo)
23
Q
How does distance from sun affect global insolation
A
Since earth’s orbit is elliptical, insolation varies across the year. 3 January is when sun is closest and 3 July is when sun is furthest
24
Q
How does latitude affect insolation
A
At polar levels insolation has to pass through more atmosphere and is spread over a larger area, whereas sun is overhead at equator and so here receives more insolation.
25
How do seasons affect insolation
The earth is permanently tilted in same direction on its axis which changes which hemisphere is facing the sun throughout the year creating seasons and daylight availability.
26
What are the Milankovitch cycles
Concern the shape, tilt and wobble of the earths movement over thousands of years which affects the long term climate.
27
How do solar flares/sunspots lead to higher average temperatures
there is a solar plasma flare which is around 20 million degree celcius. this causes sun to output more
28
How do clouds affect solar radiation
clouds have higher albedo than surface below so more radiation is reflected back to space leading to net cooling affect. However, clouds also help contain heat that would be emitted to space leading to a net warming effect.
29
How do volcanic eruptions affect short term natural global dimming
insolation is blocked by ash which reduces temperatures
30
how do asteroids affect short term natural global dimming
amount of dust in atmosphere is increased which decreases temperatures
31
How do wildfires affect short term natural global dimming
fine matter and particles from the fires adds to global dimming
32
How do aerosols affect long term anthropogenic global dimming
fine, solid particles or liquid droplets in the air and other gases scatter light and some insolation back out to space, which exerts a cooling effect on the climate
33
How does particulate matter affect long term anthropogenic global dimming
sulphur dioxide, ash, and soot (which are by-products of burning fossil fuels) absorb and reflect insolation before it reaches the Earth's surface, causing dimming and cooling
34
How do water droplets affect long term anthropogenic global dimming
Water droplets pick up particulates such as soot, ash, sulphur dioxide, etc. to form heavy, polluted 'brown clouds’ which reflect light and energy back out to space, resulting in global dimming
35
How do vapour trails affect long term anthropogenic global dimming
Contrail vapour from airplanes, flying high in the sky, reflect heat from the sun back out to space, causing global dimming
36
Negative feedback loop
- cloud cover and in turn earths albedo and surface temp is influenced by the hydrological cycle
- increasing temperatures cause more water vapour to be produced, producing more clouds
- clouds then block solar radiation which lowers temperature of the planet
37
Example of positive feedback loop (increase global temp)
- Global warming is causing polar ice caps to melt
- since white surfaces reflect light and radiation, this results in a decrease in earths albedo
- this increases the energy absorbed by the earth from the sub which further increases global temperatures
38
Example of positive feedback loop (gases released in atmosphere)
- Huge volumes of greenhouse gases are trapped in permafrost
- Global warming causes permafrost to thaw
- they release these gases which increases the amount of solar radiation trapped by the earth's atmosphere
39
Why is natural greenhouse effect a necessary process
Because it helps regulate the Earth's temperature by trapping some heat to maintain a habitable climate
40
Explain natural greenhouse effect (3 steps)
1. short wave radiation from sun passes through the atmosphere
2. long wave radiation is given off by the earth
3. some heat is absorbed by the layer of greenhouse gases
41
Explain enhanced greenhouse effect (3 steps)
1) Short wave radiation from sun passes through the atmosphere
2) Less long wave radiation escapes the atmosphere
3) And more heat is absorbed by the greenhouse gases because there are more greenhouse gases
42
Northern hemisphere vs southern hemisphere- uneven distribution of carbon dioxide equivalents- Name for China, Australia and (anomaly) Iceland
China- 13.7 billion tonnes in 2021
Australia- 602.5 million tonnes in 2021
Iceland- 4.43 million tonnes in 2021
43
Emissions of each continent from highest to lowest
1. Asia at 29.7 billion t of CO2e
2. North America at 7.86 billion t of CO2e
3. Europe at 6.82 billion t of CO2e
4. Africa at 4.7 billion t of CO2e
5. South America at 3.6 billion t of CO2e
6. Oceania at 738 million t of CO2e
44
How do HICs use energy
- Domestic use includes lighting, heating and household appliances such as computers, mobile phone chargers, TVs, washers and dryers
45
How do MICs use energy
- manufacturing industries
- domestic energy consumption lower though
46
2 effects of global warming on water availability
- lead to alterations in precipitation patterns
- increase of extreme water events like floods or droughts
47
2 effects of global warming on sea level change
- changes in amount of sea ice lead to more water in ocean basins due to thermal expansion
- many low-lying islands, like Kiribati and Tuvalu, at risk of being completely submerged
48
2 effects of global warming on coastal flooding
- the consequent rise in sea levels can lead to increase coastal flooding
- Also increase vulnerability to storm surges
- both equal loss of land, infrastructure and displacement of communities
49
2 effects of global warming on carbon stored in ice
- melting of permafrost releases methane as animal and plant matter decomposes
- melting of polar ice sheets and glaciers release stored carbon dioxide
50
2 effects of ocean acidification
- more carbon dioxide in atmosphere means more absorbed by ocean causing more ocean acidification
- marine life, like coral reefs, shellfish, die because they rely on calcium carbonate for their shells and skeletons, but there is less calcium carbonate when ocean acidification takes place
51
2 effects of carbon in biosphere
- plants, forests and soils have more co2 to use in photosynthesis
- too much co2 in atmosphere leading to negative effect on crop yields
52
2 effects of global warming on water/carbon cycle feedback loop
- warmer temperatures increase marine phytoplankton populations to a point, until temperatures get too warm and they decrease
- ice sheets melt so carbon storage increases for a short amount of time
53
2 effects of global warming on extreme weather events
- increase in frequency and severity of weather events
- increase depletion of water supplies as people abstract more water during events like a drought
54
2 effects of global warming on animal migration patterns
- animals have to migrate further to find cooler climates- eg fish having to swim further north than usual
- reduced hibernation time due to warmer winter
55
2 effects of global warming on animal habitats
- soil erosion increases when rainfall is higher and vegetation is low which reduces fertility of soil and destroys habitat
- increase rates of droughts leading to desertification, destroying habitats of animals
56
4 effects of global warming on agriculture
- increased flooding lead to salt intrusion, so water can't be used for irrigation
- water shortages affect irrigation, limiting choice of crops that can be grown
- suitable areas for agriculture will change
- food shortages will lead to malnutrition and famine
57
2 effects of global warming on employment
- loss of certain job opportunities due to changes in tourism, eg ski resorts closing due to lack of snow
- loss of job opportunities in agriculture as farmers may no longer be able to grow the crops they used to due to change of conditions
58
2 effects of global warming on homes
- increased flooding due to sea level rise will displace a large number of people
- homes more expensive to maintain in increasingly warm areas due to need of air conditioning
59
2 effects of global warming on social factors (migration)
- increased human migration, especially due to environmental reasons, like from island nations (Kiribati)
- increase in problems like hunger and conflict as resources decline or change
60
2 effects of global warming on health hazards
- increase in heat can lead to heat stroke, dehydration and sunburn increase
- increase in spread of infectious diseases as disease vector populations, eg mosquitoes, increase
61
2 effects of global warming on tourism
- tourism resorts on low-lying islands will disappear, eg Maldives
- Winter sports and tourism declines as snow and ice disappear
62
2 effects of global warming on ocean transport routes
- new sea routes open up as sea ice melts
- trade routes threatened by increase of intense storms (as this changes wind speed, wave heights and precipitation)
63
4 examples of groups more vulnerable to climate change
- mothers and their babies
- elderly
- disabled
- indigenous groups
64
why are low-lying island communities particularly at risk to global warming (4 reasons)
- coral reefs get damaged
- more coastal erosion
- more outward migration
- more saltwater infiltration
65
Why are indigenous communities particularly at risk to global warming (3 reasons)
- usually live in already fragile areas
have restricted resource access and low incomes
- any change to their environment puts them in greater risk
66
How are middle/upper income groups affected by global warming (4 reasons)
- increase food prices
- increase food scarcity
- increase insurance premiums
- reduced water availability
- increased costs
67
Outline one geopolitical strategy to mitigate against climate change and provide an example
- international agreements
- eg: Paris agreement in 2015 signed by 196 countries to agree to limit global warming to 2 degrees celcius
68
3 ways main adaptations to impacts of climate change
- change in agricultural systems
- managing water supplies
- reducing risk from sea level rise
69
2 ways agricultural systems can change to better adapt to climate change
- change crops of livestock raised to suit climatic conditions
- develop more drought resistant crops
70
2 ways water supplies can be managed to better adapt to climate change
- increase supply through more desalinisation of water
- reduce water demand through developing water efficient appliances and devices
71
2 ways to reduce risk from rising sea level
- mangrove forest reforestation to protect land from coastal flooding
- build artificial flood barriers like Thames barrier in London
72
How does carbon offsetting work
- Allow for investments in environmental projects around the world so individuals or companies can balance out their own carbon footprints
73
explain the 2 different types of carbon capture
1. captured at site: co2 is captured before release, compressed and stored underground or used for industrial purposes.
2. Direct air carbon capture: co2 from the atmosphere is captured using a large fan. the co2 is then stored or reused.
74
A03 on carbon capture
- very expensive to use captured carbon so not yet economically viable
- unknown whether it can be stored over long term
75
How do carbon taxes work?
A carbon tax is a tax paid by businesses for excessive GHG emissions. The tax makes fossil fuels expensive so encourages use of renewables.
76
A03 carbon taxes
- only 35 countries have implemented
- USA (one of largest emitters) has not implemented
- won't incentivise the companies that can afford it
77
How does carbon trading work
Monetises GHG emissions through buying and selling of carbon credits. Each government/industry is given a set amount of credits and if they exceed the number they have to buy permits from others that have not through the ETS (emissions trading system)
78
A03 on carbon trading
- has led to accountability of carbon usage by governments, companies and individuals
79
3 large scale (inaccessible) geo-engineering schemes
- Using sulphate aerosols in the air could cool the planet by reducing insolation
- Using giant mirrors in space to deflect more sunlight back into space
- Seeding clouds to reflect more rays into space
80
3 accessible geo-engineering strategies
- Reforesting large areas of land to absorb more carbon
- Painting rooftops white to be more reflective
- Fertilising the ocean with nitrogen, iron, and phosphorus to grow more plankton and absorb more carbon
81
Examples of civil society groups (and sector they address)
- WWF- environment
- UN women group- women's rights
- Amnesty international- human rights
- Red Cross- humanitarian aid
- Greenpeace- climate change
82
3 examples of what civil society groups hold governments accountable for
- commitments to reducing co2 emissions
- lack of coordinated responses to climate change
- national policymaking including poor and vulnerable
83
3 examples of corporate strategies to address climate change
- create climate change mitigation plans
- press the government to make legally binding agreements to reduce co2 emissions
- some firms also block these restrictions though as think they'll lose economic competitiveness and lose jobs
