W1 Flashcards
What is meant by the concept of the anthropocene?
Idea that humans have altered the world so much it is visible on geological timescales - new geological epoch
there is only 7% of the world that is not used by humans in any way - all others are used extensively and intensively
What are some examples of human impact?
Co2 concentration - not just increased bu increased at a greater and greater rate
Atmospheric ozone depleation
overexploitation of fisheries - exploitation since the 1950s
Land use change
When did the Anthropocene begin?
Many different conceptulisations
- beginning of fire and meat eating
- spread of farming
- industrial revolution
- great acceleration
What is the concept of a planetary boundary?
Idea that there is a limit to how much we can change the planet
At what scale does adaptation sit and why?
Local level - looking after global human rights at a global scale ei smuch more difficult
What is climate change?
a change in the state of the climate that can be identified eg. by using statistical tests by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer
due to natural internal processes or external forcings
- modulations of the solar cycles
- volcanic erruptions
-anthropogenic impacts on the atmosphere or in land use
How does the UNFCCC describe cliamte change?
a change in climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods
What is an impact?
effect on natural and human systems
- the effects on natural and human systems of extreme weather and climate events and of cc
- effects on lives, livelihoods, health, ecosystems, economies, societies, cultures, services and infrastructure
- due to the interaction of climate changes of hazardous climate events occurring within a specific time period and the vulnerability of an exposed society or system
What are physical impacts
a subset of cc impacts on geophysical systems
including floods, droughts, and sea level rise
What is a hazard?
the potential occurance of an event or trend or impact that may…
- cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts
- damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, ecosystems and environmental resources
What is exposure?
The presence of something e.g. people, livelihoods, species, ecosystems, environmental functions, services, and resources, infrastructure, or economic,social or cultural assets
in places and settings that could be adversely affected
= measured in pop density - biggest determinant in disaster to catastrophe
What is vulnerability?
The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected
- sensitivity or susceptibility to harm
- lack of capacity to cope and adapt
What is risk?
the potential for consequences where something of value is at stake and where the outcome is uncertain recognizing the diversity of values
how are risks often represented?
probability of occurence of hazardous events or trends multiplied by the impacts if these events or trends occur
How do risks occur?
Result from the interaction of vulnerability, exposure and hazard
vulnerability and exposure - have some natural elements but are also impacted by socio-economic process
governance is key here - determines the extent to which adaptation is successful or not