the anthropocene Flashcards
1
Q
what does the term anthropocene mean?
A
- used by soviet scientists from the 1960s to refer to the Quaternary
- relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.
2
Q
when did the anthropocene start?
A
- late 18th century
- when analyses of air trapped in polar ice showed the beginning of growing global concentrations of carbon and methane
3
Q
defining the anthropocene
A
- signal must be found globally
- incorporated into future geological records
- a location which will define the start of the anthropocene
- geological divisions not defined by dates but by a specific boundary between layers of rock or sheets of ice
4
Q
possible signals of the anthropocene
A
- radioactive elements (from nuclear bomb tests)
- Unburned carbon spheres (emitted by power stations)
- plastic pollution
- high levels of nitrogen and phosphate in soils
- aluminium and concrete particles
5
Q
evidence / causes of the anthropocene
A
- tenfold increase in human population (over last 3 centuries)
- increasing carbon footprint per capita
- carbon dioxide levels
- greenhouse gases
- global warming
- methane -> traps a lot of heat
- increasing energy usage
- nitrogen in fertilisers
- environmental pollution
6
Q
impact on humans
A
- pollution: main environmental cause of disease and premature death
- 92% of deaths in low and middle income countries
- most prevalent among minorities and marginalised
- children high at risk
7
Q
neglegt of pollution
A
- neglected in low and middle income countries
- industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and toxic chemicals neglected in international development dnd global health agendas
8
Q
costs of pollution related diseases
A
- reduce GDP by up to 2% each year in low to middle income countries
- responsible for 10% of annual spending in high income countries, 7% in middle income countries
9
Q
the pollutome
A
- the totality of all forms of pollution that have the potential to harm human health
- 3 zones
10
Q
main forms of pollution
A
- air
- water
- soil
- chemicals
- occupational
11
Q
two types of air pollution
A
- household
- ambient
12
Q
two types of airborne pollutants
A
- fine particulates
- ozone
13
Q
PM 2.5
A
- air pollution consisting of particles less than 2.5 microns across
- linked to many types of organ system diseases
-> hypertension
-> myocardial infarction
-> congestice heart failure
-> lung cancer…
14
Q
two types of water pollution
A
- unsafe water source
- inadequate sanitation
15
Q
water pollution in low and middle income countries
A
- lack of clean water
- inadequate sanitation
