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ESS > Unit 7: Climate Change > Flashcards

Unit 7: Climate Change Flashcards

1
Q

Define Energy Security

A

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

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2
Q

Define Energy Poverty

A

Lack of access to modern energy services.

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3
Q

Define Fuel Poverty

A

When a low-income household is living in a home that cannot be kept warm at a reasonable cost.

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4
Q

Define Non-Renewable Energy Sources

A

Energy sources that are finite.

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5
Q

Define Renewable Energy Sources

A

Energy sources that can be used repeatedly without depletion. They also are mainly forces of nature and case littler or no environmental pollution.

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6
Q

Define Energy Mix

A

Relative contribution of different energy sources to a country’s energy production/consumption.

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7
Q

What are Examples of Non-Renewable Energy Sources?

A
  • Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal)

* Nuclear fuel

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8
Q

What are Examples of Renewable Energy Sources?

A
  • Biomass
  • Hydroelectric
  • Solar
  • Wind
  • Geothermal
  • Tidal
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9
Q

Evaluate the Use of Oil as an Energy Source

A

Pro: cheap + easy to transport
Con: extraction damage + water pollution (spills)

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10
Q

Evaluate the Use of Hydro-Power as an Energy Source

A

Pro: no GHG + low operating costs
Con: construction costs + migratory fish impacted

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11
Q

Evaluate the Use of Nuclear Power as an Energy Source

A

Pro: large amount of energy produced + no GHG
Con: construction costs and time + radiation leaks

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12
Q

Evaluate the Use of Coal as an Energy Source

A

Pro: cheap construction + independent of weather
Con: dangerous working conditions + GHG emissions

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13
Q

Evaluate the Use of Solar Power as an Energy Source

A

Pro: flexible (all sizes of production) + no GHG
Con: weather and day-length dependent + expensive

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14
Q

Evaluate the Use of Wind Power as an Energy Source

A

Pro: low operating costs + suitable for low-scale prod.
Con: noise pollution + locations away from urban areas

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15
Q

Evaluate the Use of Tidal Power as an Energy Source

A

Pro: tides are predictable + low operating costs
Con: affects marine life + high construction costs

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16
Q

Evaluate the Use of Biomass as an Energy Source

A

Pro: low operation costs + uses waste
Con: can lead to deforestation + requires large area

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17
Q

What Factors Influence Energy Choices from Different Countries?

A

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

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18
Q

Give an Example of a Country that is Attempting to Increase Energy Security (+ Explain)

A

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

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19
Q

What is Energy Efficiency?

A

Attempts to improve products and services so that less energy is required for them to function.

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20
Q

What is Energy Conservation?

A

Efforts to reduce energy consumption.

21
Q

Distinguish between Climate and Weather

A

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.

22
Q

What Factors Affect Climate?

A
  • Solar radiation
  • Tilting and orbit of the earth
  • Circulation systems
  • Greenhouse gasses
  • Volcanic activity
  • Feedback cycles
23
Q

How does Solar Radiation Affect Climate?

A

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.

24
Q

How does Earth Tilting Affect Climate?

A

The tilting of the earth influences how much solar energy is absorbed and results in seasonal changes.

25
Q

How do Circulation Systems Affect Climate?

A

Energy from the equator is transferred toward the poles through atmospheric and ocean circulation systems.

26
Q

Explain the Tricellular Model

A

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)

27
Q

What is the El Nino?

A

Event in which air flow and ocean currents change direction causing increase in water temperature + reduces nutrients.

28
Q

How do Greenhouse Gasses Affect Climate?

A

A rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere increases the amount of energy absorbed raising global temperatures.

29
Q

How does Volcanic Activity Affect Climate?

A

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.

30
Q

What Positive Feedback Loops Affect Climate?

A
  • 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)
31
Q

What Negative Feedback Loops Affect Climate?

A
  • Photosynthesis (temp rise = photosynthesis = CO2)

* Cloud cover (low clouds = reflection = heat loss)

32
Q

What Human Activities Increase GHG Emissions?

A
  • 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
33
Q

Define Greenhouse Gasses (GHG)

A

Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation, causing world temperatures to be warmer.

34
Q

What are the Main Greenhouse Gasses?

A
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • CFCs and HFCs
  • Methane
  • Oxides of nitrogen
35
Q

What are the Roles of GHGs?

A
  • Maintain global temperatures

* Trap long wavelengths (e.g. infrared radiation)

36
Q

What are the Impacts of Climate Change?

A
  • 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)
37
Q

Give a Real-Life Example of a Tipping Point caused by Climate Change

A

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).

38
Q

Explain the Reactions of Different EVS to Changes in Temperature and Precipitation

A

Ecocentric: advocate on change in lifestyle
Anthropocentric: regulation to reduce GHG
Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce emissions

39
Q

Explain the Reactions of Different EVS on Impacts on Ecosystems and Species

A

Ecocentric: express disapproval (e.g. protest)
Anthropocentric: conservation/restoration strategies
Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce impacts

40
Q

What Positive Effects can Climate Change Have?

A
  • Increased productivity
  • Farming shift can improve agriculture
  • Reduced precipitation = increase in tourism activities
41
Q

Distinguish between Mitigation and Adaptation

A

Mitigation attempts to reduce the impacts of climate change. Adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of climate change.

42
Q

What is Global Dimming?

A

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).

43
Q

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce GHGs

A

1) Reduction of energy use (e.g. public transport)

2) Using alternatives to fossil fuels (e.g. solar panels)

44
Q

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce Carbon Emissions

A

1) Introducing carbon taxes

2) Introducing carbon trading schemes

45
Q

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies for Carbon Dioxide Removal

A

1) Protecting carbon sinks

2) Using biomass as a fuel source

46
Q

Give 2 Examples of a Real-Life Adaptation Strategy

A

1) Sea-level rise: national climate change action plan integrating policies (Egypt).
2) Drought: rainwater harvesting + water conserving techniques (Sudan).

47
Q

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

A

Meeting in 1997 for the stabilization of GHG by 5% + created carbon trading + each government given carbon emission limits.

48
Q

What are Geo-Engineering Techniques?

A

Manipulating the earth’s environmental systems to counteract the impacts of climate change. (e.g. solar radiation management + carbon dioxide reduction).

49
Q

What is Solar Radiation Management?

A

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.

ESS (8 decks)

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