3.1.4.5 Human Impacts On Cold Environments (2) Flashcards
(50 cards)
2 reasons climate is changing
Naturally
Human impacts
4 natural causes of climate change
Changes in solar activity (sunspots) Variations in eccentricity of the earth’s orbit + axial tilt Meteorite impact Volcanic activity (more dust + gases) Plate movement Changes in oceanic circulation
What are the 2 human causes of climate change
Changes of atmospheric composition (greenhouse effect)
Deforestation
3 ways CO2 is building up in the air due to humans
Agriculture Industry Transport Energy production Waste
Describe the greenhouse effect
Suns rays pass through atmosphere as short-wave radiation heating up the earth’s surface
Heat (long-wave radiation) is given off from earth and now there’s more heat than before trapped in the atmosphere do it warms up
The CO2 rich atmosphere absorbs some of long-wave radiation but some is radiated back towards earth, instead of space, causing warming
3 observable impacts of climate change
Shrinking glaciers
Reduced ice on rivers + lakes
Shifting plant + animal ranges -> bird migration patterns changing
How many glaciers are losing mass due to climate change
90%
3 impacts of climate change that was predicted + is now occuring
Loss of sea ice - shrinking and getting thinner
Accelerated sea level rise
Longer, dryer summers
4 predicted future impacts of climate change
- permafrost to thaw to increasing depths
- further decrease in extent of sea ice
- possible growth of Antarctic ice sheet due to increased snow fall
- shrinking of Greenland ice sheet due to sea level rise
- increased issues of invasive species in warmer tundra environments
- continued contraction of ice covered by snow + ice
During arctic amplification, what further reduces the nicer cover of water
As sea ice is reduced, a smaller fraction of the sun’s radiation is reflected directly back to space so more energy is absorbed by the ice-free water, raising temperatures
During arctic amplification, what releases trapped CO2 and methane into the atmosphere contributing to global warming (greenhouse gases)
Melting permafrost
In arctic amplification what increases heat absorption by the sun
Reduction in snow cover means more bare rock is exposed - leading to higher temperatures and increased melting of adjacent snow
3 main things being done to help Antarctica
Treaty of Antarctica
Research
Tourism
Explain the treaty of Antarctica
More than 500 countries are signed up to protect Antarctica from mining, drilling for oil, pollution + war
What is there in Antarctica where research takes place
Over 50 research systems
What was set up in Antarctica in 1991 that has guidelines about tourism
The IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)
What does the IAATO have tourism guidelines about
Number of people allowed on shore
Activities
Wildlife watching
What are tour operators + tourists not allowed to do in Antarctica
Not allowed to leave rubbish behind
What must cruise ships do according to the IAATO
Carry their used (grey) water back to port instead of dumping it in the sea
After 2011, what can ships in Antarctica not use
Heavy fuel
What does the polar code limit in Antarctica from 2013
Limits numbers + size of ships visiting
Ships carrying more than 500 can’t land anyone + only 100 tourists will be allowed ashore at any given time
How are humans impacting the environment with hunting
Over-exploitation
How are humans impacting the environment with transport
Risk of spillages
Road vehicles damage roads in Alaska
How are humans impacting the environment with tourism
Vegetation removal
Litter + waste - don’t easily degrade
