GEOGRAPHY EXAM REVISION Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the ‘climate emergency’?
Where urgent action is needed to reduce or stop climate change to avoid severe damage to the planet.
What is meant by ‘Anthropocene’?
The Anthropocene is the current era where human activity is the main cause of changes to the Earth’s environment and ecosystems.
List the most likely impacts of climate change.
Rising global temperatures, melting ice caps and rising sea levels, more extreme weather (storms, droughts, floods), habitat loss and extinction of species, food and water shortages, increased health problems (heatwaves, disease spread).
What is biodiversity and how is it being threatened?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. It’s being threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, overexploitation of species, and invasive species.
What is meant by ‘climate adaptations’? Give examples.
Adaptations are actions taken to live with climate change effects.
Examples: Building flood barriers, changing crop types, installing water-saving technology.
What is meant by ‘climate mitigation’? Give examples.
Mitigation means reducing the causes of climate change.
Examples: Switching to renewable energy, planting trees, using energy-efficient appliances.
Natural vs Enhanced Greenhouse Effect.
Natural: Gases like CO₂ and methane trap some of the sun’s heat, keeping Earth warm enough for life.
Enhanced: Human activities add extra greenhouse gases, trapping too much heat and causing global warming.
Three most important greenhouse gases & sources.
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂): Environment: Volcanic eruptions; Humans: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
- Methane (CH₄): Environment: Wetlands; Humans: Livestock farming, landfill waste.
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O): Environment: Oceans, bacteria in soil; Humans: Fertilisers, fuel combustion.
Describe the carbon cycle & carbon sinks.
Carbon moves between air, plants, animals, and soil. Carbon sinks (like forests and oceans) absorb more carbon than they release. Increasing sinks (e.g., planting trees) helps reduce CO₂ in the air = climate mitigation.
How do humans and natural disasters impact land cover?
Humans: Urbanisation, deforestation, farming. Natural disasters: Fires, floods, hurricanes destroy forests and change landscapes.
The 4 “S’s” of environmental function.
- Source: Natural products (e.g., fish, timber).
- Sink: Absorbs waste (e.g., oceans taking in CO₂).
- Service: Ecosystems support life (e.g., pollination, water cycle).
- Spiritual: Cultural, emotional connection to nature.
How can renewable energy reduce climate change impacts?
It replaces fossil fuels, which means lower greenhouse gas emissions, less air pollution, and slower global warming.
Summary of a mitigation or adaptation technique.
Mitigation Example: Solar panels reduce dependence on coal and gas, cutting down CO₂ emissions.
Adaptation Example: Building seawalls protects coastal towns from rising sea levels.
Forms of renewable energy.
Solar: From sunlight
Wind: From air movement
Hydro: From flowing water
Biomass: From organic material
(Geothermal: From Earth’s heat)
What can governments do to reduce climate change?
Set emission reduction targets
fund renewable energy projects
enforce environmental laws
educate the public,
invest in public transport
protect forests and oceans.
