Future Uncertainties

Question 1

Uncertainties about human factors

Answer 1

global economic and population growth

planned reduction in global carbon emissions

exploitation of renewable energy sources

Question 2

Uncertainty about natural factors

Answer 2

role of carbon sinks and capacity to cope wit changes

feedback mechanisms eg carbon released from peatlands and permafrost

tipping points- forest dieback and reversal of thermohaline circulation

Question 3

future changes of terrestrial carbon sinks

Answer 3

act as sources

-thawing of permafrost in arctic

shift of boreal forests to north

tropic rainforests may reduce storage

Question 4

future changes to oceanic carbon sinks

Answer 4

increased store as algae

tropical decreased co2 solubility as becoming warmer so absorb less

decreased efficiency and slowing down of biological pump

Question 5

What are IPCC’s 4 main drivers of human greenhouse gas emissions?

Answer 5

rising population (demographic)

cultural lifestyle, ideologies and attitudes

political governance, climate change policy

energy needs, tech, industrial structure

Question 6

What is the difference between a climate change adaptation or mitigation strategy?

Answer 6

Adaptation= any passive, anticipatory action to adjust or change climate

Mitigation= reduction or prevention of gas emissions (new tech, renewables, energy efficient)

Question 7

Water conservation and management (A)

Answer 7

+less groundwater abstraction, use of grey water

-cannot match increases in demand for water, government needs to enforce to change habits eg smart meters

Question 8

Resilient Agricultural systems (A)

Answer 8

high-tech, drought tolerant species resistance to diseases

low-tech- healthier soils to help carbon sequestration eg selective irrigation

genetic modification is controversial, high energy costs, expensive so seeds unavailable for farmers in developing

Question 9

Land-use planning

Answer 9

building restrictions in areas vulnerable to flooding (zoning)

abandoning high-risk can be impossible in mega cities, needs strong governance

Question 10

Flood risk management

Answer 10

river dredging and defences
permeable surfaces

constant maintenance, land owners demand compensation

Question 11

Solar radiation management

Answer 11

geoengineering = plans to intervene to counteract global warming eg orbiting satellites reflecting radiations

untested, would not eliminate acidification (worst), unintended consequences

Question 12

Carbon taxation

Answer 12

minimum price companies pay to emit co2 (frozen 2015)
lower road taxes for lower carbon cars (scrapped 2015)

Question 13

Renewable switching

Answer 13

provides intermittent electricity

Climate Change Levy to encourage investment in renewable was cut in 2015

Question 14

Energy Efficiency

Answer 14

Green Deal Scheme- energy-saving in homes eg boilers and lights

suppliers must comply with schemes to deliver methods to households

Question 15

Afforestation

Answer 15

Forestry Commission (national trust) charities and landowners

Big Tree Plant campaign- 1m new trees

Question 16

Carbon Capture and storage

Answer 16

few projects exist despite potential

Canada’s Boundary Dam- only large scale working scheme