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Geography Core 7 > Unit 4: How can we ease the problem of climate change? > Flashcards

Unit 4: How can we ease the problem of climate change? Flashcards

1
Q

How can we ease the problem of climate change?

A
  1. Mitigation: reduce the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
  2. Adaptation: minimise the losses caused by climate change
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2
Q

Mitigation: reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere

A

improving:
1. energy efficiency
2. building design
3. farm management
4. Replacing fossil fuels -> renewable energy resources
5. developing low-carbon transport system
6. recovering energy from solid waste
7. capturing + storing CO2
8. protecting forests + afforestation
9. encouraging sharing culture

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3
Q

replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources

A
  • renewable energy resources:
    solar power, wind power, HEP
  • use more biofuels (NO MORE FOSSIL FUELS!!!)
    examples:
    1. ethanol
    made from crops (sugar cane, corn)
    2. Biodiesel
    made from plant oil (soybean oil, palm oil, animal fats)

advantages:
1. inexhaustible
2. environmentally-friendly
3. no GHG emissions

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4
Q

examples of biofuels

A
  1. ethanol
    made from crops (sugar cane, corn)
  2. Biodiesel
    made from plant oil (soybean oil, palm oil, animal fats)
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5
Q

examples of renewable energy resources

A
  1. solar power
  2. wind power
  3. HEP
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6
Q

advantages of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources

A
  1. inexhaustible
  2. environmentally-friendly
  3. no GHG emissions
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7
Q

advantages of solar powers

A
  1. No GHG emission after installation -> clean
  2. low maintenance costs
  3. few location requirements (solar panels can be set up anywhere to produce solar power as long as the place receives sunlight)
  4. safe
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8
Q

disadvantages of solar powers

A
  1. high installation costs of solar panels
  2. price of electricity generated maybe higher than other means
  3. can not harness power during
  • cloudy days
  • storms
  • night
  1. causes visual pollution
  2. occupies relatively large area
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9
Q

advantages of wind power

A
  1. No GHG emission after installation -> clean
  2. price of electricity generated low
  3. low operating costs
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10
Q

disadvantages of wind power

A
  1. high installation costs
  2. causes visual + noise pollution
  3. birds may be killed by the blades
  4. can interfere with microwave transmissions
  5. can only be harnessed at certain locations where wind speed is high + over a long period of time
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11
Q

advantages of hydroelectric power (HEP)

A
  1. No GHG emission after installation -> clean
  2. safe
  3. low operating costs
  4. lake formed behind dam -> recreational resource
  5. long lifespans
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12
Q

disadvantages of hydroelectric power (HEP)

A
  1. huge construction costs
  2. disrupts natural river environments + aquatic ecosystems
  3. cannot harness power when there are droughts
  4. building of dam floods farmland -> people need to be relocated from homes
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13
Q

advantages of geothermal power

A
  1. low maintenance costs
  2. occupies relatively small area
  3. not weather dependent like solar/wind power (geothermal heat pumps work year-round)
  4. clean
  5. reliable
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14
Q

disadvantages of geothermal power

A
  1. geographical limitations -> only a few sites have potential to develop this kind of energy
  2. high construction costs
  3. power plants are a safety concern -> (in extreme cases) cause earthquakes
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15
Q

advantages of tidal and wave power

A
  1. no GHG emission after installation -> clean
  2. reliable + predictable
  3. long lifespans -> cost-competitive resource
  4. high energy efficiency compared to other energy resources
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16
Q

disadvantages of tidal and wave power

A
  1. high construction and maintenance costs
  2. geographical limitations -> only a few sites have potential to develop this kind of energy
  3. limited electricity generation -> can only produce electricity during tidal surges
  4. spinning turbines may kill animals + fish
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17
Q

advantages of Biofuel

A
  1. less expensive + more affordable
  2. lower GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels
  3. can be sourced from a variety of natural materials such as:
  4. corns
  5. sugar canes
  6. plant oils

-» more effective

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18
Q

disadvantages of Biofuel

A
  1. High costs of initial investment
  2. requires a relatively large area of land
  3. farms may grow crops for biofuel production (not stable food) -> reduce food supply -> increase food prices
  4. large number of crops needed to generate same amount of energy as fossil fuels -> lower energy efficiency
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19
Q

improving energy efficiency

A
  1. improve energy efficiency in thermal power plants -> reduce use of fossil fuels -> decreases carbon dioxide emission
    e.g. decrease coal usage + natural gas for power
  2. improve energy efficiency of machines and electrical appliances -> reduces energy consumption -> decrease carbon dioxide emissions
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20
Q

renewable energy resources

A
  1. solar power
  2. wind power
  3. hydroelectric power (HEP)
  4. geothermal power
  5. tidal + wave power
  6. biofuel
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21
Q

the areas in developing a low-carbon transport system

A
  1. vehicle design
  2. transport system
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22
Q

vehicle design in low carbon transport system

A

design:
1. energy-efficient vehicles -> reduce emissions of GHGs
e.g. hybrid vehicles -> emitting only half of GHGs than those on petrol

  1. electric vehicles + promote the use of them (lower GHG emissions than trad vehicles)
  2. vehicles that are powered by fuels with low or no carbon emissions
    e.g. hydrogen-powered cars
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23
Q

transport system in low-carbon transport system

A
  1. develop mass transit railway systems
  2. encourage use of public transport
    -> discourage use of private cars -> reduce carbon emissions
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24
Q

buildings with passive solar design in winter (low angle of the sun)

A
  1. large windows -> allow direct sunlight to pass through -> collect more solar power -> keep the building warm
  2. well insulated roof + floor + double-glazed windows -> store more solar power -> reduce heat loss
    -> decrease energy consumption for heating
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25
Q

buildings with passive solar design in summer (large angle of the sun)

A
  1. large windows -> let hot air out + summer breeze blow into the house
  2. well-insulated roof -> reduce heat gain
  3. overhanging -> block direct sunlight
    -> prevent overheating -> reduce energy consumption for cooling
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26
Q

improving building design for reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere

A

green roof -> insulator to help lower room temperature -> reduces consumption of air conditioning -> reduce GHG emissions

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27
Q

recovering energy from incinerators and landfills in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere

A

recovering energy from incinerators and landfills
1. burning of solid waste in incinerators -> heat produced -> generate electricity -> reduces combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity

  1. capture landfill gas -> generate electricity ->
    reduces:
  2. emissions of methane from landfills
  3. combustion of fossil fuels -> generate electricity
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28
Q

capturing and storing CO2 in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere

A

power plants + oil refineries -> carbon dioxide -> captured + stored deep underground (e.g. depleted gas fields) -> reduces amount of carbon emitted into atmosphere

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29
Q

improving farm management in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere

A
  1. practise precision farming
  2. Reduce the use of nitrogen fertilisers + increase soil fertility
  3. drain water at the wet rice field at specific time to avoid waterlogging
  4. feed livestock with improved legumes
  5. farm waste placed in composting plants -> decomposition with sufficient oxygen
  6. use compost -> enrich soil
30
Q

how to precision farm in improving waste management

A
  1. adjust amount + timing of nitrogen fertilisers used
  2. precisely place nitrogen fertilisers into soil
31
Q

ways to increase crop fertility in improving waste management

A
  1. crop rotation -> give soil time to replenish nutrients
    grow different crops in same field in sequential seasons -> avoid depletion of certain nutrients
  2. intercropping -> grow an additional crop in spaces between main crops -> avoids depletion of certain nutrients
  3. grow legumes
32
Q

why should we drain water at the wet rice field at specific time to avoid waterlogging

A

reduce methane emission

33
Q

feed livestock with improved legumes example

A

forage legumes -> speed up digestion process -> reduce methane emission

34
Q

why we should protect forests and afforestation in reducing GHGs in the atmosphere

A

trees -> carbon sinks -> cut down emission of CO2 in the atmosphere -> help absorb more CO2

35
Q

encouraging a sharing culture in reducing GHGs in the atmosphere

A
  1. maximise the usage of goods -> consume less + produce less waste
  2. reduce greenhouse gas emission produced by landfills + incinerators -> less energy used for transport + production of goods

e.g. sharing rides of cars

36
Q

areas where we should set adaptation measures that ease climate change

A
  1. disruption of natural ecosystems
  2. rising sea levels + increased coastal flooding + erosion
  3. shortages of food
  4. shortages of freshwater supply
37
Q

adaptation measures in disruption of natural ecosystems that ease climate change

A

build buffer zones / corridors ->
1. aid species migration
2. conserve species pollution

38
Q

adaptation measures in rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding + erosion

A
  1. build barriers / coastal protection structures (dykes) -> protect coastal areas from flooding
  2. adopt careful land use planning in flood-prone areas
  3. strengthen structure of buildings + infrastructure
39
Q

adaptation measures in shortages of food

A
  1. adopt better farming practices -> increase crop yields (e.g. agroforestry)
  2. change type of crops to be grown
  3. breed new crop species -> more tolerant to changing climatic conditions
40
Q

adaptation measures in shortages of freshwater supply

A
  1. improve efficiency of water use
  2. plan for alternate water sources
  3. discourage waste of water -> introduce water charges + sewage treatment charges
41
Q

mitigation and adaptation measures

A

mitigation:
1. passive solar design
2. recovering energy from solid waste
3. capturing + storing carbon dioxide
4. afforestation

adaptation:
1. building coastal protection structures
2. better farming practices

42
Q

advantages of passive solar design

A
  1. easy to implement
  2. designs have high environmental impact (esp if green materials are used)
  3. materials required -> relatively cheap
43
Q

disadvantages of passive solar design

A
  1. depends entirely on weather -> unreliable
  2. not all regions have sufficient sunlight -> initiate natural heating during winter
  3. cost of design + installations of systems high
  4. improper design -> increase in energy consumption in heating + cooling
44
Q

advantages of recovering energy from solid waste

A
  1. reduce the needs for fossil fuels
  2. provide a stable source of energy
45
Q

disadvantages of recovering energy from solid waste

A
  1. high construction cost of the waste-to-energy facilities
  2. landfill gas -> GHG
  3. may emit air pollutants / harmful gases during incineration
46
Q

advantages of capturing and storing carbon dioxide

A
  1. reduce amount of carbon in the air effectively
  2. fossil fuels-> fulfil world’s energy consumption
47
Q

disadvantages of capturing and storing carbon dioxide

A
  1. operation on small scale -> amount of captured + stored carbon dioxide small
  2. needs huge investment
  3. technology not mature
  4. risk of gas leakage -> cause health + environmental problem
48
Q

advantages of afforestation

A
  1. photosynthesis -> trees absorb carbon dioxide from atmosphere -> reduce amount of carbon dioxide in long run
  2. increase number of tree -> resolve problems of soil erosion
  3. provide more habitats for wildlife
49
Q

disadvantages of afforestation

A
  1. large-scale afforestation -> huge investment
  2. takes time for trees to grow
  3. local people rather earn from deforestation than from growing trees
50
Q

advantages of building coastal protection structures

A
  1. help protecting coastal structures from coastal flooding
  2. protect infrastructure along coasts
51
Q

disadvantages of building coastal protection structures

A
  1. difficult to construct + maintain -> require advanced technologies
  2. continuous coastal erosion -> wear away the structures
  3. may be destroyed by large storm surges
  4. visually unattractive
  5. restrict access to beaches
52
Q

advantages for better farming practices

A

increase crop yields
help sustain + increase biodiversity
reduce need for deforestation -> provides wood products from farmland

53
Q

disadvantages for better farming practices

A
  1. some conservation methods -> high capital inputs + advanced technology (e.g. precision farming)
  2. temp rise -> increased pest problem -> offset efforts of soil + water conservation
54
Q

1988

A

IPCC
start conducting research on climate change

55
Q

IPCC -> start conducting research on climate change

56
Q

1997

A

Kyoto protocol
first international agreement on setting emission reduction
-LDCs could cut emissions voluntarily

57
Q

kyoto protocol

58
Q

2007

A

Bali Road Map
MDCs + LDCs agree -> long-term cooperation to tackle climate change
responsibility -> limit GHG emissions necessary to tackle problem

59
Q

Bali Road Map

60
Q

2009

A

Copenhagen Accord
1. USA, China + other major LDCs agree -> cut GHG emissions
2. countries agree to limit increase in global temp below 2’C
3. MDCs agree to provide support LDCs -> adapt to climate change

NOT LEGALLY BINDING

61
Q

Copenhagen Accord

62
Q

2011

A

Durban Platform
1. extend Kyoto Protocol to at least 2018
2. accept legally-binding emission cuts for both MDCs + LDCs since 2020 at the latest
3. set up green climate fund -> help poor countries

63
Q

Durban Platform

64
Q

2012

A

Doha climate change conference
countries agree to outline global climate treaty -> come into force in 2020
- ended without increased cuts in emissions + financial support to LDCs

65
Q

Doha Climate Change conference

66
Q

2015

A

Paris Agreement
all countries agree to work together for the first time
-> combat climate change + adapt to its effects -> enhanced support to help LDCs

67
Q

Paris Agreement

68
Q

What has been done by the international community to reduce GHGs in the atmosphere?

A
  1. IPCC (1988)
  2. Kyoto Protocol (1997)
  3. Bali Road Map (2007)
  4. Copenhagen Accord (2009)
  5. Durban Platform (2011)
  6. Doha Climate Change Conference (2012)
  7. Paris Agreement (2015)
69
Q

why MDCs should NOT be more responsible

A
  1. not satisfied with being the most responsible ones to reduce greenhouse gas emission
  2. LDCs should also be responsible for the problem of global warming
  3. total + per capita emissions of CO2 from the MDCs have decreased but emissions from the LDCs have increased
  4. total emission of carbon dioxide from LDCs (esp. china + india) is increasing rapidly
  5. total greenhouse gases of China has even surpassed that of LDCs
  6. major causes of global warming -> burning of forests in LDCs
  7. reduction of greenhouse gas emission -> involves high costs + lowers economic growth + living standard of MDCs
70
Q

why LDCs should NOT be more responsible

A
  1. MDCs emit the largest proportion of greenhouse gases in total + should be the most responsible
  2. major cause of global warming -> industrial development + the large amount of fossil fuel consumption of MDCs since industrial revolution -> bear historical responsibility
  3. many LDCs still at the economical stage of industrialisation -> emission control -> hinder development
  4. per capita emission of carbon dioxide from LDCs -> lower than that of MDCs
  5. LDCs are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events induced by global warming
  6. LDCs do not have capital + technology to deal with the issue

Geography Core 7 (6 decks)

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