Unit 7: Climate Change Flashcards
Define Energy Security
The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
Define Energy Poverty
Lack of access to modern energy services.
Define Fuel Poverty
When a low-income household is living in a home that cannot be kept warm at a reasonable cost.
Define Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Energy sources that are finite.
Define Renewable Energy Sources
Energy sources that can be used repeatedly without depletion. They also are mainly forces of nature and case littler or no environmental pollution.
Define Energy Mix
Relative contribution of different energy sources to a country’s energy production/consumption.
What are Examples of Non-Renewable Energy Sources?
- Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal)
* Nuclear fuel
What are Examples of Renewable Energy Sources?
- Biomass
- Hydroelectric
- Solar
- Wind
- Geothermal
- Tidal
Evaluate the Use of Oil as an Energy Source
Pro: cheap + easy to transport
Con: extraction damage + water pollution (spills)
Evaluate the Use of Hydro-Power as an Energy Source
Pro: no GHG + low operating costs
Con: construction costs + migratory fish impacted
Evaluate the Use of Nuclear Power as an Energy Source
Pro: large amount of energy produced + no GHG
Con: construction costs and time + radiation leaks
Evaluate the Use of Coal as an Energy Source
Pro: cheap construction + independent of weather
Con: dangerous working conditions + GHG emissions
Evaluate the Use of Solar Power as an Energy Source
Pro: flexible (all sizes of production) + no GHG
Con: weather and day-length dependent + expensive
Evaluate the Use of Wind Power as an Energy Source
Pro: low operating costs + suitable for low-scale prod.
Con: noise pollution + locations away from urban areas
Evaluate the Use of Tidal Power as an Energy Source
Pro: tides are predictable + low operating costs
Con: affects marine life + high construction costs
Evaluate the Use of Biomass as an Energy Source
Pro: low operation costs + uses waste
Con: can lead to deforestation + requires large area
What Factors Influence Energy Choices from Different Countries?
1) Availability (geology + topology)
2) Technology (skills of workers + developments)
3) Politics (conflicts + agreements)
4) Economic
5) Culture (EVS)
6) Sustainability
7) Environmental concerns (fear of damage)
8) Climate factors
Give an Example of a Country that is Attempting to Increase Energy Security (+ Explain)
Iceland aims to become energy independent by 2050:
• 20% hydropower (electricity for transport)
• 66% geothermal (home heating 95%) - volcanic island
• 14% fossil fuels (industrial purposes)
• Aims to use hydrogen fuel cells + electric vehicles
What is Energy Efficiency?
Attempts to improve products and services so that less energy is required for them to function.
What is Energy Conservation?
Efforts to reduce energy consumption.
Distinguish between Climate and Weather
Climate describes how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time. Weather describes the condition in the atmosphere over a short period of time.
What Factors Affect Climate?
- Solar radiation
- Tilting and orbit of the earth
- Circulation systems
- Greenhouse gasses
- Volcanic activity
- Feedback cycles
How does Solar Radiation Affect Climate?
In the past, solar radiation has reduced to such an extent it caused the “little ice age” between 1650-1850. Today it remains stable therefore it doesn’t influence climate significantly.
How does Earth Tilting Affect Climate?
The tilting of the earth influences how much solar energy is absorbed and results in seasonal changes.
How do Circulation Systems Affect Climate?
Energy from the equator is transferred toward the poles through atmospheric and ocean circulation systems.
Explain the Tricellular Model
Used to explain transfer of heat through the atmosphere:
1) Hadley cell (subtropical regions: sunny + dry)
2) Ferrel cell (tropical + equatorial: high rainfall)
3) Polar cell (polar regions)
What is the El Nino?
Event in which air flow and ocean currents change direction causing increase in water temperature + reduces nutrients.
How do Greenhouse Gasses Affect Climate?
A rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere increases the amount of energy absorbed raising global temperatures.
How does Volcanic Activity Affect Climate?
Emissions from volcanic activity can include sulphur dioxide which reacts in the atmosphere forming a sulphate aerosol that reflects solar radiation back into space and causes global cooling.
What Positive Feedback Loops Affect Climate?
- Water vapor (temp rise = evaporation = GHG)
- Ice albedo (temp rise = melting = low albedo)
- Permafrost (temp rise = melting = GHG)
- CO2 solubility (temp rise = solubility rise = GHG)
What Negative Feedback Loops Affect Climate?
- Photosynthesis (temp rise = photosynthesis = CO2)
* Cloud cover (low clouds = reflection = heat loss)
What Human Activities Increase GHG Emissions?
- Burning of fossil fuel which release CO2
- Deforestation affects earth’s ability to absorb CO2
- Agriculture increase the methane level
- Use of fertilizers lead to higher nitrous oxide
Define Greenhouse Gasses (GHG)
Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation, causing world temperatures to be warmer.
What are the Main Greenhouse Gasses?
- Carbon Dioxide
- CFCs and HFCs
- Methane
- Oxides of nitrogen
What are the Roles of GHGs?
- Maintain global temperatures
* Trap long wavelengths (e.g. infrared radiation)
What are the Impacts of Climate Change?
- Changes in water availability
- Distribution of biomes and crop growing areas
- Loss of biodiversity
- Coastal inundation (sea level rise)
- Ocean acidification
- Damage to human health (spread of disease)
Give a Real-Life Example of a Tipping Point caused by Climate Change
Prolonged drought together with deforestation could lead to a stage where the Amazon Rainforest becomes a savannah or desert (+ habitats will adapt to drought and wildfires will be more frequent).
Explain the Reactions of Different EVS to Changes in Temperature and Precipitation
Ecocentric: advocate on change in lifestyle
Anthropocentric: regulation to reduce GHG
Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce emissions
Explain the Reactions of Different EVS on Impacts on Ecosystems and Species
Ecocentric: express disapproval (e.g. protest)
Anthropocentric: conservation/restoration strategies
Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce impacts
What Positive Effects can Climate Change Have?
- Increased productivity
- Farming shift can improve agriculture
- Reduced precipitation = increase in tourism activities
Distinguish between Mitigation and Adaptation
Mitigation attempts to reduce the impacts of climate change. Adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of climate change.
What is Global Dimming?
Reduction in global temperatures resulting from pollution (occurs as polluted air particles in clouds reflect more light into space preventing heat to reach the earth).
Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce GHGs
1) Reduction of energy use (e.g. public transport)
2) Using alternatives to fossil fuels (e.g. solar panels)
Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce Carbon Emissions
1) Introducing carbon taxes
2) Introducing carbon trading schemes
Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies for Carbon Dioxide Removal
1) Protecting carbon sinks
2) Using biomass as a fuel source
Give 2 Examples of a Real-Life Adaptation Strategy
1) Sea-level rise: national climate change action plan integrating policies (Egypt).
2) Drought: rainwater harvesting + water conserving techniques (Sudan).
What is the Kyoto Protocol?
Meeting in 1997 for the stabilization of GHG by 5% + created carbon trading + each government given carbon emission limits.
What are Geo-Engineering Techniques?
Manipulating the earth’s environmental systems to counteract the impacts of climate change. (e.g. solar radiation management + carbon dioxide reduction).
What is Solar Radiation Management?
Method to increase reflection of solar radiation into space to reduce absorption. Can be done through: growing plants with high albedo (or use aerosols) + solar deflectors in space.
