PEEL Flashcards
only y2 eoy tested: responses & impacts to climate change
Polar Region/ cold winter/ arctic (environment) (negative)
Alters habitats –> species decline. Global warming –> temperatures worldwide to rise –> glaciers and sea ice to melt at an alarming rate –> in the loss of land for arctic land animals to live on.
Furthermore, species that depend on each other may become out of sync –> further threatens the arctic animals as prey declines.
The Emperor penguin colony at Terra Adelie in Antarctica could decline by 95% before the end of the century, if sea-ice continues to decline at the current rate. This would place the population at serious risk of extinction.
Polar Region/ cold winter/ arctic
(social) (positive)
Milder conditions reduce heating costs and decrease cold-related health issues.
During winter, temperatures dip to extremely low levels so people, especially the poor who cannot afford heating, may die from the cold. Climate change causes global temperatures to increase so winters will be less harsh and there will be fewer winter deaths.
For instance, according to a study by Stanford University, warmer winters could save up to 40 000 lives a year in the US alone, mostly comprising the young and the elderly, with fewer cases of deaths caused by pneumonia and other cold weather diseases.
Polar Region/ cold winter/ arctic(economic) (positive) (agriculture)
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere drive an increase in plant photosynthesis—known as the carbon fertilization effect. –> help plants to thrive.
Global warming also leads to more frost-free days –> extends the growing season and allows for more harvest –> creates opportunities for double cropping, where two or more crops can be grown sequentially in a year instead compared to the normal one crop a year.
Some farmers are also able to plant longer-maturing crops.
The Environmental Defense Fund highlighted that in Iowa, wheat yields are projected to see an increase of 17 percent in this time period as its growing range is expanded due to higher temperatures. When carbon dioxide levels double, it can increase yields for crops such as sweet corn, sunflower, soya, and maize by 30% or more.
Polar Region/ cold winter/ arctic(sea trade) (adv)
This would increase navigable routes in the Arctic area and this may in turn, boost cruise tourism and trade activities.
According to the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the melted ice will create a more easily navigable shortcut between Asia and Europe hence opening up new trade routes for countries.
For example, the Northern Sea Route which is located above Siberia, and the Northwest Passage located above the US and Canada, are currently clear of ice for around only 50 days a year. However, by 2050, this number will increase to 125 days a year. Hence, with more navigable sea routes and shortcuts appearing due to the melting of ice sheets, climate change and global warming may actually improve sea trade activities in the Arctic region.
communities of the small Pacific island states
The increasing temperature causes ice to melt worldwide. Sea levels may rise by as much as between 18 and 59 centimeters by the end of the century. An increase in sea temperature causes the water to expand, compounding the problem of flooding. Low-lying, coastal land such as island states is especially vulnerable to flooding. Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger and more frequent as global warming takes effect.
E: For example, the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami almost completely flooded the Maldives with waves of up to 5 feet high. The tsunami killed 82 people and the destruction from the waves left many people homeless.
Tourism (sea level rise)
Tourism (sea level rise) Sites near to the coast will also be vulnerable to coastal flooding and erosion. Beaches are key attractions for many coastal regions so their disappearance will directly affect the tourism industry by reducing the number of visitors. Moreover, the disappearance of these natural sites will impact businesses that rely on the tourists such as coastal resorts, hotels, restaurants, and local shops, resulting in broader economic consequences. Over time, this can lead to significant job losses, reduced income for local communities, and even force some areas to find alternative economic activities, as the tourism industry becomes unsustainable.
For example, the existence of the Maldives is severely threatened by sea level rise as the average elevation is only 1.5m above sea level. Currently the country is facing a higher frequency of storm surges and by 2050, 80% of the country would sink into the ocean. It is greatly affected by salt water flooding its streets as this would cause tourists to not visit those cities, which would result in lower money earned through foreigners.
Tourism (Increased temperatures)
There will be less snow in some mountain resorts. Economies that rely on skiing as a form of income may suffer as the skiing season is reduced or disappears through lack of snow
E.g. Switzerland is home to some of the world’s most famous ski resorts like Zermatt and St. Moritz. Winter tourism, largely based on skiing, contributes substantially to the economy, especially in alpine regions where other economic activities are limited. Due to rising temperatures, lower-altitude ski resorts have experienced shorter winter seasons and less reliable snowfall. This has led to financial losses and the need for resorts to invest in artificial snow-making technology, which is costly and environmentally taxing.
Agriculture (sea level rise, disadv)
E: The sea level rise happens when global warming causes ice caps to melt. Sea level rise affects crop cultivation in two major ways: saltwater intrusion where the salinity of estuaries and groundwater increases, and the loss of coastal land due to flooding and erosion. Crops in low-lying areas are especially susceptible to flooding due to increased sea level, which can wash the crops away. Additionally, flooding can cause soil erosion, decreasing soil fertility and land space to grow crops, thus making it more difficult for new crops to be grown. This results in decreased crop production.
E: In 1995, scientists estimated that a 1m sea-level rise would affect 6 million people in Egypt, with 12% to 15% of agricultural land lost and 13 million in Bangladesh, with 16% of national rice production lost. Not only will these countries lose income from exports but its citizens will also have a shortage of food. This can cause food prices to skyrocket, affecting those in poverty as they are unable to afford food. This might cause them to eventually die of malnutrition. Hence, the rise of sea level impacts agricultural activities by destroying crops and farmland.
Agriculture (desertification, disadv)
Desertification is the destruction of lands leading to desert-like conditions. As a result of desertification, vast areas of formerly productive land become unsuitable for growing crops, reducing the total amount of land available for agricultural activities. Desertification also reduces the amount of nutrients in soil which is essential for the growth of crops, resulting in lower agricultural yield. With less crops available for sale, prices are likely to increase. [E] For example, in Africa, it is estimated that 60 kilometers of the Sahel region, a fertile region used for agricultural growth, will be lost to the Sahara desert every year. This leads to loss of livelihoods, food insecurity and water scarcity. [Eg]
Agriculture (lengthened growing season, adv)
Rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere drive an increase in plant photosynthesis—known as the carbon fertilization effect. Because plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will help plants to thrive. Global warming also leads to more frost-free days due to the increase in temperatures, which extends the growing season and allows for more harvest. This multiple harvest creates opportunities for double cropping, where two or more crops can be grown sequentially in a year instead compared to the normal one crop a year. Some farmers are also able to plant longer-maturing crops.
The Environmental Defense Fund highlighted that in Iowa, wheat yields are projected to see an increase of 17 percent in this time period as its growing range is expanded due to higher temperatures.
Thus global warming can be beneficial for agriculture as increased temperatures and levels of carbon dioxide could lead to increased crop yields.
Increase in spread of vector-borne diseases
As global temperatures rise due to climate change, many vectors, particularly mosquitoes, expand their habitats into regions that were previously too cold for them to survive. This increase in temperature extends the active season for these vectors, allowing them to reproduce more frequently and for a longer period each year. Additionally, climate change alters precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and intense rainfall in some areas, which results in the creation of stagnant water bodies which are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Conversely, in regions experiencing droughts, people may store water in containers, which also become breeding sites. These environmental changes directly contribute to the increase in vector populations, thereby heightening the risk of transmission of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika virus.
For instance, the World Health Organization reported that between 2010 and 2018, there was a significant increase in malaria cases in the highlands of East Africa. This region was previously too cool for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. The rise in average temperatures by 0.5 to 1.5°C in these areas allowed the mosquitoes to thrive and spread the disease to new regions, leading to an estimated increase of over 5 million cases.
National response:
SG Green Plan 2012
P: The Singapore Green Plan 2012 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by using natural gas as an energy source.
E: Ministry of the Environment in 2002, –> switch to cleaner-burning fuels. Aim to generate 60% percent of Singapore’s energy needs using natural gas by 2012. Natural gas is a cleaner form of energy in comparison to coal because it does not produce smoke. This smoke includes carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases, which will enhance the greenhouse effect. By using natural gas, there will be a lower concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, slowing down climate change.
Ev: This plan is quite successful as by 2010, about 79% of Singapore’s electricity was being generated from natural gas. This exceeded the Ministry of Environment’s target ahead of schedule.
Complex treatment plans to process pipelines to transport. High maintenance costs + checked regularly for leakage.
L: In conclusion, the Singapore Green Plan 2012 is effective in reducing harmful gas emissions, which reduces air pollution. However, such plans can also be very costly and out of budget for the country in the future which may lead to our plans going awry if the country is unable to manage the costs next time. While such plans may be able to solve our problems of harmful gas emissions, it is not sustainable financially.
Singapore Green Plan 2030
P: The Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a national sustainability movement which seeks to rally bold and collective action to tackle climate change.
E: The Singapore Green Plan 2030 aims to achieve net zero emission by or around mid-century, rally stakeholders and community to action, revise carbon text levels, enable a sustainable economy and green citizenry and excel with new and more ambitious targets for public sectors. In this way, Singapore would become a country which can achieve sustainable living, energy reset, green economy and truly achieve a resilient future.
Ev: If the green plan succeeds, Singapore would be able to become a city in nature and make Singapore a green, livable and sustainable home for all Singaporeans. However, there are some limitations to the Singapore Green Plan 2030, the Green Plan requires cooperation from members of the public and various related stakeholders, and if the cooperation level of the public is low, the success rate of the Singapore Green Plan would be low.
L: Hence, with public cooperation, Singapore Green Plan could be a possible strategy to reduce the impacts of climate change using both mitigation and adaptation measures which will use collective efforts of everyone to make a difference to the environment.
Green Mark Scheme 2005
P: One national response to climate change is the Green Mark Scheme: Constructing ‘Green’ Buildings. It was introduced in 2005 by the Building Construction Authority (BCA).
E: Allows buildings to be evaluated and certified according to how energy-efficient and environmentally friendly they are. This scheme also aims to encourage more ‘green’ buildings, which are more energy-efficient. These buildings will use less energy to provide the same service. For example, ‘green’ buildings can be buildings that partly run on solar energy.
Ev: One successful example of this Green Mark Scheme are the existing ‘green’ buildings, such as National Library Building, have reported energy savings of 15 percent to 35 percent compared to conventional buildings.
construction companies and developers in Singapore tend to be conservative about adopting new ideas and materials to build ‘green’ buildings. Another limitation is that ‘green’ buildings cost more to build as these ‘green’ materials, such as bamboo or recycled metals that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable or recyclable, are more expensive
L: Hence, the Green Mark scheme helps to reduce climate change by cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
Plant-A-Tree Programme (1971)
P: The Plant-A-Tree Programme, started in 1971 as Tree Planting Day. The programme is implemented by the Garden City Fund and Singapore Environmental Council.
E: The Plant-A-Tree Programme is a platform for organisations and individuals to actively participate in the greening of our City in Nature by planting trees.
Ev: The programme has contributed to an estimated 60 000 trees planted yearly throughout Singapore by NParks.
one limitation is that it is a non-profitable organisation. This organisation requires constant donations from members of the public in order to afford the saplings. Should the stream of donations decrease, the organiser may have to invest some of their own money in order to keep it alive. Trees also take many years to mature, so the positive effects of tree planting will take time to materialise.
L: The Plant-a-tree Programme has been successful in encouraging members of the public to plant trees to turn Singapore into a Garden City.
