4 - Global Challenges and Solutions Flashcards
This deck covers the interconnectedness of science, engineering, and technology and their role in addressing environmental and societal challenges. It highlights the responsible use of natural resources, energy conservation, and the application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems, while considering ethical implications. (42 cards)
Define:
climate change
Long-term changes in Earth’s temperature and weather patterns.
Climate change is driven by natural phenomena and human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases.
Explain:
Why is scientific knowledge crucial for innovation?
It provides evidence-based insights for sustainable solutions.
Scientific knowledge helps predict outcomes, avoid unintended consequences, and refine technologies.
Explain:
What societal challenges do science, engineering and technology address?
- Climate Change
- Public Health
- Food Security
Climate Change: Mitigating environmental impact and developing renewable energy.
Public Health: Advancing medical technologies and combating diseases.
Food Security: Enhancing agricultural productivity and reducing waste.
identify:
What is the purpose of AI in climate modeling?
To analyze large datasets and predict climate trends.
AI improves the accuracy of climate forecasts and risk assessments.
Define:
climate-resilient infrastructure
Infrastructure to withstand weather and adapt to climate change.
Examples include flood-resistant buildings and heat-tolerant road materials.
Describe:
How do wind turbines help combat climate change?
By generating electricity without emitting greenhouse gases.
Wind energy is a clean, renewable source that significantly reduces carbon footprints.
Explain:
Why is reforestation an effective climate solution?
Trees absorb CO2, reducing greenhouse gases.
Reforestation also enhances biodiversity and prevents soil erosion.
Explain:
How are solar panels effective in reducing energy costs?
- Lowering energy consumption from the grid.
- Protection against rising energy prices.
- Reducing peak demand charges.
Define:
carbon capture and storage
A process of capturing and storing CO2 to prevent atmospheric release.
CCS technologies are vital for reducing emissions from industrial processes and energy production.
Identify:
Key international agreement aimed at combating climate change.
Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement seeks to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C.
Describe:
How does radon mitigation protect public health?
By reducing indoor radon levels to prevent lung cancer risks.
Common mitigation techniques include improved ventilation and sealing cracks in buildings.
Explain:
What are three health innovations driven by science?
- Vaccines
- Wearable Devices
- AI Diagnostics
Vaccines: Protect people from diseases.
Wearable Devices: Monitor health in real-time.
AI Diagnostics: Detect and diagnose illnesses accurately.
These technologies enhance disease prevention and treatment.
Identify:
What is the role of vaccines in public health?
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Vaccines stimulate the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens effectively.
Describe:
What are the characteristics of wearable health-monitoring devices?
They monitor health metrics in real-time.
Wearable health-monitoring devices track metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, activity levels, sleep patterns, and calorie burn.
Explain:
How does AI contribute to medical diagnostics?
By analyzing large datasets to detect patterns and predict diseases.
AI enhances diagnostics by analyzing complex medical data, identifying patterns, predicting diseases, and improving accuracy and speed in healthcare.
Identify:
What field uses living organisms to advance health, farming, and industry?
Biotechnology
Biotechnology contributes to developing vaccines, improving crop yields, and producing sustainable biofuels.
Explain:
How does biotechnology benefit public health?
Enables advancements in drug development, vaccines, and genetic research.
Example: The development of insulin through recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized diabetes treatment.
Define:
water treatment
The process of removing contaminants to make water safe to drink.
Water treatment involves filtration, disinfection, and purification to ensure clean drinking water.
Explain:
What are three technological solutions for water scarcity?
- Desalination
- Water Recycling
- Efficient Irrigation
Desalination: Removes salt from seawater to create fresh water.
Water Recycling: Treats wastewater for reuse.
Efficient Irrigation: Conserves water in agriculture.
Explain:
Why is water treatment essential for public health?
It ensures safe drinking water and prevents diseases.
Diseases like cholera and dysentery are caused by contaminated water.
Explain:
What are the steps in a typical water treatment process?
- Screening
- Coagulation
- Sedimentation
- Filtration
- Disinfection
Screening: Removes large debris like leaves and trash from water.
Coagulation: Adds chemicals to bind small particles into larger clumps.
Sedimentation: Allows clumps to settle at the bottom for removal.
Filtration: Passes water through layers of material to remove finer particles.
Disinfection: Kills harmful microorganisms to ensure water is safe to drink.
Explain:
How does desalination technology address water scarcity?
By removing salt and impurities from seawater to produce fresh water.
Desalination plays a vital role in supplying fresh water to arid regions where natural water sources are scarce.
Define:
What is precision agriculture?
A tech-driven farming method to boost yields and save resources.
Tools like drones and sensors help farmers monitor soil conditions and plant health.
Explain:
What roles do drones play in precision agriculture?
- Crop Monitoring
- Irrigation Assessment
- Data Collection
Crop Monitoring: Drones survey fields to detect plant health issues.
Irrigation Assessment: They identify areas needing more or less water.
Data Collection: Drones gather real-time data to inform farming decisions.
