UK Challenge 4 Flashcards
How much has the global temperature increased by ?
Risen by 1oc since the Industrial Revolution
Impact if greenhouse gas emissions were to stop today ?
It is likely the climate would continue to warm to 1.5oc more than pre-industrial temperatures and then begin to lower around 2050; this would mean relatively few impacts.
Impact if greenhouse emissions continue at the present amount ?
Scientists predict the world could warm by 4oc (or more) by 20100; this would represent dangerous climate change and the impacts would be more severe.
Impact if we take some actions to reduce greenhouse gases ?
Not quickly enough to stop the world warming to around 2oc warmer than the pre-industrial average.
This is further complicated because we don’t know exactly how the planet will respond to warming; for example warming temperatures in the Arctic will thaw the permafrost releasing the methane trapped in the frozen ground; methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that will accelerate the rate of warming. This is an example of positive feedback and could mean the planet starts to warm much more quickly if we reach a critical ‘tipping point’. Natural events (such as volcanic eruptions) could also occur that could induce cooling.
Prediction of following changes to the UK climate ?
● More rainfall in total (on average), with more intense storms
● Stronger seasonal contrast in rainfall (wetter winters but drier summers).
● The north is predicted to get wetter and the south to get drier.
● An increased risk of drought / heatwaves
Negative Impacts of Climate Change on People ?
People living in coastal areas will become more at risk from coastal erosion (ie.flooding/homes collapsing in the sea)
So sea levels will continue to rise and cause increased coastal erosion (people/towns flooded)
Negative Impacts of Climate Change on Environment ?
Some species that need colder conditions may become extinct - reducing biodiversity
Woodland species may not be able to cope with the temperature change; forest fires may become more likely
Mitigation Definition
Against the hazard (i.e. make the hazard less severe by reducing the rate of warming)
Adaptation Definition
To the hazard (i.e. taking measures that enable us to cope better with a changed climate).
Local Mitigation in response to climate change
● Installing solar panels to
capture solar energy (renewable and carbon neutral) to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating water
● Increased recycling (I.e. of paper and plastic) to reduce waste to landfill (which creates greenhouse gases).
Local Adaptations in response to climate change
●If possible move to an area at a lower risk of flooding.
● More green spaces to provide shade in the warmer summer months
National Mitigation in response to climate change
● Grants to build more renewable energy infrastructure (wind farms for example).
● Incentives (such as lower taxes) for more
environmentally friendly transport, such as electric cars.
National Adaptations in response to climate change
● Improve water storage capacity (I.e. reservoirs) to help cope with drought.
● Build more flood defences to protect homes from river flooding
