Geography Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the climate emergency?
the ergent situation we face because for climate change. It refers to the need for immediate action to stop global warming, reduce carbon emissions, protect the planet from extreme weather, rising sea levels and environmental damage.
What is meant by ‘Anthropocene’?
the name for how humans are the biggest influence on the earth’s environment and climate. For example, our activities like burning fossil fuels, cutting down forests, polluting ocean and changing the planet in major ways.
What is a biome?
A specific geographic area notable for the species living there. A biome can be madee up of many ecosystems
list of the most likely impacts of climate change
Rising sea levels, more frequent and intense heatwaves, melting glaciers and polar ice, loss of biodiversity in plants and animals, changes in weather patterns, and food and water shortages
What is biodiversity and how is it being threatened?
the variety of all life on earth eg animals, plants, and fungi, its being threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing and deforestation. The problems make it harder for the species to survive.
Explain what is meant by ‘climate adaptations’ and provide examples.
Climate adaptation means changing how we live to cope with the effects of climate change. For example, building flood barriers, designing houses to stay cooler is heatwaves, changing diets, and drought resistant crops.
Explain what is meant by ‘climate mitigation’ and provide examples
Climate migration means reducing causes of climate change especially greenhouse gas emissions. For example, using renewable energy like solar or wind, planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide, using public transport not cars, and improving energy efficiency.
difference between the Natural and enhanced greenhouse effect
- the natural greenhouse effect traps some of the suns heat in the earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to live.
- The enhanced greenhouse effect happens when humans add extra greenhouse gases (like CO2) for burning burning fossil fuels, this traps more heat and makes the earth warmer than normal, causing climate change.
Name the three most ‘important’ greenhouse gases. State ways in which both the environment AND humans contribute to each gas.
- Carbon dioxide, environment: fires, humans: burning coal, oil, and gas. methane environment: livestock produces a lot of methane, and wetlands, humans: farming, landfills, and natural gas leaks. Nitrous oxide, environment: soil humans: fertilisers and fuel burning.
Describe the carbon cycle and explain how increasing carbon sinks can mitigate climate change.
- The carbon cycle moves the carbon between the air, plants, animals, soil, and oceans. Carbon sinks for example forests and oceans, absorb more carbon than they release. By protecting and increasing these carbon sinks (like planting trees) we can take mor carbon out of the atmosphere and slow climate change.
How do humans impact land cover? How do natural disasters impact land cover?
- Humans impact land cover by clearing forests for farming and cities, mine for resources and build roads for roads and housing. Natural disasters impact land cover because bushfires burn vegetation, floods erode soil, earthquakes or landslides change the shape of the land.
Describe the 4 “S’s” that describe the function of the environment
- Source: natural products we use (eg water timber and food)
- Sink: the earths ability to absorb waste (eg the ocean absorbing carbon)
- Service: natural processes that support life (eg pollination and water cycle)
- Spiritual: the cultural and spiritual values of nature (eg indigenous sacred sites)
How would the use of renewable energy potentially decrease the impacts of climate change?
- Renewable energy (like wind and solar) does not release greenhouse gases. If we switch to these sources instead of fossil fuels, we release less carbon, which slows down global warming and reduces extreme weather events.
Summarise the main points of your research into a mitigation or adaptation technique.
- Migration technique, switching to a plant-based diet, because it helps to reduce green house gas emissions, especially methane from livestock like cows and sheep. Animal farming also uses a lot of land and water, and cause deforestation in some areas. By eating more veggies, fruit, legumes and grains we can lower the demand for meant and dairy products which reduces pollution and helps to slow down climate change meaning that everyone can have an impact on the climate.
Identify and briefly describe the different forms of renewable energy.
- Solar energy: uses sunlight through solar panels
- Wind energy: uses wind and turns it into power through wind turbines
- Hydropower: using moving water to ternate electricity through dams
- Biomass: uses organic materials like plant waste.
What can governments do to reduce the threat of climate change?
Create laws to limit pollution, invest in renewable energy, encourage public transport, protect forests and plant more trees, support research on clean technology, and educate the public on climate change.
