Weeks 1 -4 Flashcards
Name the Key concepts of the Physical Environment
Climate - fundamental component of physical environment
Winds and Ocean current result from solar radiation around the earth,
Large scale atmosphere and oceanic circulation patterns establish global patterns or temp and precipitation,
Regional Climates reflect the influence of oceans continents, mountains and vegetation,
Seasonal and long term climate variation are associated with changes in earths position relative to the sun,
Salinity, acidity and oxygen concentrations are major determinants of chemical environment.
Key things the physical environment impacts
Living conditions for organisms.
Availability of resources
Population growth rate
List Abbreviations of ‘Chance’
EY = Exceedance per year
AEP = Annual Exceedance of Probability
ARI =Average Recurrence Interval
What does weather influence in our everyday lives?
Our behaviour, what we wear, activities, transport etc
Define Climate
Climate is the long term description of weather at a given location based on averages and variation measure over time.
Break down Solar Radiation (Natural)
32% Reflected solar radiation
49% Absorbed by surface
19% absorbed by atmosphere
How does deforestation effect the earth?
Removing trees increases albedo of the land surface, lowering absorption. Changes surface roughness increases heat loss. Reduced evaporation also reduce the return of moisture to the atmosphere and reduces precipitation rates.
What are the 6 conditions that effect our global temperature?
Atmospheric and Oceanic circulation
Different types of circulation cells and climate zones
Coriolis effect on global wind patterns
Global ocean surface currents
Seasonal Temperatures Variation
Terrestrial Precipitation
What happened due to the Industrial Revolution?
Changed the conditions that influence our climate. Solar radiation was no longer the only influence on our global climate. Introduction of global warming, which eventually overtook the influence of solar radiation.
What percentage of NZ was forest before 1100AD
90% - broad conifer and beech
What percentage of NZ is our forest coverage now?
25-30% indigenous.
Name the natural effects that occur on Earth
Volcano Eruptions, Flooding or drought, Forest fires
Name the Man Made effects on Earth (7)
Deforestation, Importing invasive foliage, Importing foreign insects/bacteria, Logging, Land Clearance, Construction of ‘concrete jungle’, Developments of farmland where rainforests once were present.
What is the bill that is currently under consideration?
Construction Contracts Amendment Bill - before the committee of whole house in its 3rd reading.
Name the 3 new acts that could replace the RMA
Natural and Build Environment (NBA)
Spatial Planning Act (SPA)
Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA)
How does learning law benefit us as Construction professionals?
We learn the physical skill as well as intellectual skills (case analysis, interpretation, reasoning, context)
Define Statutes
Legislation that is form through the Parliament.
Define Common Law
Law that is developed through the judiciary process over time. (Precedence)
Describe the 5 main stages of the history of the NZ legal system.
Pre colonisation, Trade and Settlement (French, British and AUS influence, Becoming a seperate colony, NZ inherits law of England 14 Jan 1840 (TOW), Became a self governing territory (1907-now)
In NZ what is the primary law making body over the last century or so?
Parliament.
What important part do our Courts play concerning our laws?
They implement the statues while aiding in clarifying ambiguous parts by supplementing where they are deficient.
What model does the British law system follow?
Westminster Model
What was the document that described the Separation of Powers?
The Spirit of the Law by Charles-Louis de Secondat
1748 - “Power should be a check to power”
Liberty of the citizens was most well guarded by division of the legislative, executive and judicial functions of government.
What is the Structure of NZ Goverment?
Parliament, The Executive, the Judiciary and the 4th Estate (The Media)
Describe NZ’s approach to Interpretation
Through the interpretation of act 1999, Parliament has instructed the courts to interpret the text of an enactment in the light of it’s purpose. This include the wording, Indications, Extrinsic Materials (analogous Statutes) and assumptions of common law