Global Geography Flashcards
(12 cards)
Causes of climate change
Burning fossil fuels - like coal, oil and gas for energy releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps heat and causes global warming.
Deforestation - removes trees that would normally absorb carbon dioxide, meaning there is more carbon dioxide left in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect.
Farming - releases methane gas, especially from cattle and rice fields, and methane is even more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
Industrial activities - such as making cement and running factories produce large amounts of greenhouse gases, increasing global temperatures.
Waste left in landfills - rots and produces methane gas, contributing further to climate change.
Increased car use - means more burning of petrol and diesel, releasing more carbon dioxide into the air and worsening the greenhouse effect.
Impacts of climate change
Global temperatures are rising - because of increasing greenhouse gas emissions
sun’s heat
Decline in crop yield - under higher temperatures, declines in crop yields and quality are happening
Extreme weather - events like hurricanes, droughts, and floods are becoming more common, damaging homes, infrastructure, and crops
Decrease in biodiverisity - Some species are struggling to survive or going extinct as their habitats change or disappear, affecting biodiversity
Wildfires - destroy habitats and kill animals, which reduces biodiversity in the area
Damage to infrastructure – Extreme weather events, flooding, and rising sea levels can damage roads, buildings, and power lines, requiring expensive repairs and affecting local economies.
Strategies/solutions to climate change
Using renewable energy - like wind, solar, and hydro power can replace fossil fuels and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released.
Aforistation - known as reforestation, helps because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to cool the Earth.
Public transport investment -Encouraging people to walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of cars cuts down on pollution from vehicles.
Carbon taxes - Governments can introduce carbon taxes that charge businesses for the amount of carbon they produce, encouraging greener alternatives.
Global targets - International agreements like the Paris Agreement bring countries together to set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Individual activities - Educating people about climate change makes them more aware and encourages everyday changes like recycling, saving energy, and using less plastic.
HIV & AIDS: causes
Unprotected sex - HIV can be spread through any type of unprotected sex if one of the partners
has the virus (1 mark)
Sharing needles - HIV can be transmitted through sharing drug needles and syringes contaminated
with infected blood (1 mark)
Mother - baby new-born babies are at risk of getting the HIV virus from their mothers if they
are HIV positive. (1 mark)
Breastfeeding - This can happen before the baby is born, during
birth, or through breastfeeding (1 mark)
Blood transfusion - HIV/aids can be caused by infected blood given in a blood transfusion (1 mark),
Screening less effective -especially in poorer countries where the screening process is not as effective. (1 mark)
HIV & AIDS: impact
Higher death rate - The death rate will increase and life expectancy decreases (1 mark).
Strain on healthcare - Healthcare systems are put under pressure as hospitals and clinics become overwhelmed with patients needing long-term treatment for HIV and AIDS.
Stigma - Relatives of sufferers may be ostracised by their communities (1 mark).
Less tourism - There may be a loss of tourist revenue if there are known to be specific
problems with disease in the area (1 mark).
Less working population - With more adults ill and unable to work then the economically active population
reduces (1 mark),
Labour shortages - resulting in a shortage of labour (1 mark).
HIV & AIDS: strategies and responses
Needle exchange programs -provide clean needles to drug users to stop the virus being spread through shared or dirty equipment (1 mark)
Education and awareness campaigns - help people understand how HIV is transmitted and how to prevent it, which reduces risky behaviour such as unprotected sex (1 mark)
Condom distribution - schemes provide free or cheap condoms to encourage safe sex, lowering the chance of spreading HIV (1 mark)
Easily accessable voluntary testing - and counselling services allow people to know their status early and get support, reducing further spread and helping people start treatment sooner (1 mark)
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) - is given to HIV-positive people to help them live longer preventing HIV from turning into aids and reduce their viral load, which also lowers the risk of passing it on (1 mark)
Mother-to-child transmission programmes - offer treatment to pregnant women with HIV to stop them from passing the virus to their babies.
Heart disease: causes
Eating a diet high in saturated fats - and cholesterol can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease
Lack of physical activity - means the heart is not exercised regularly, which can lead to obesity and high blood pressure, both of which are risk factors
Smoking - damages the lining of the arteries and increases blood pressure, making it more likely that fatty material will clog the arteries
Excessive alcohol consumption - can raise blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which are both risk factors for heart disease
Being overweight - or obese puts extra strain on the heart and increases the likelihood of high cholesterol and diabetes, which are linked to heart disease
High stress - levels can increase blood pressure and lead people to unhealthy coping habits such as smoking or overeating
Genetics - and family history can play a role, as people may inherit a higher risk of developing heart disease even with a healthy lifestyle
Heart disease: impacts
Death – heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially from heart attacks and strokes.
Reduced quality of life – people may suffer from tiredness, breathlessness, and chest pain, limiting daily activities.
Disability – Severe heart disease can lead to permanent disability, where individuals may have difficulty performing basic activities or require long-term care and assistance.
Financial costs – treatment like surgery and medication can be very expensive for both individuals and healthcare systems.
Loss of income – people with heart disease might not be able to work, leading to less income for families.
Pressure on healthcare – hospitals and doctors face more demand for treatment and long-term care, which can strain services.
Heart disease: strategies and responses
Healthy diet – A diet low in saturated fats, salt, and sugar can help manage blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and overall heart health.
Exercise – Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, helps maintain a healthy weight, and reduces the risk of complications related to heart disease.
Medications – Drugs like statins, blood pressure meds, and blood thinners can manage cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and prevent blood clots.
Surgery and procedures – In cases of severe heart disease, surgeries like bypass operations or angioplasty (stent placement) may be needed to restore blood flow to the heart.
Quit smoking – Stopping smoking improves heart function and reduces the risk of further complications by improving circulation and lowering blood pressure.
Stress management – Techniques like meditation, relaxation, or therapy can help reduce stress, which is known to contribute to heart disease development and worsening.
Education - the incidence of heart disease can be reduced through education about positive
lifestyle choices. Like doing daily ecxercise (1 mark)
Cholera: causes
Unsafe water - Drinking water contaminated with human waste can spread the cholera bacteria, especially in areas without proper sanitation
Poor sewage systems - or open defecation allow cholera bacteria to enter water supplies used for drinking or cooking
Living in overcrowded conditions -, like refugee camps or slums, increases the risk of cholera spreading quickly due to limited hygiene facilities
Eating food washed in dirty water - or prepared with unclean hands can lead to infection if the cholera bacteria is present
Lack of education - about hygiene means people may not understand the importance of washing hands or boiling water
Poor sanitation – In areas with inadequate waste disposal systems, human waste can contaminate water sources, increasing the risk of cholera.
Cholera: impacts
Severe dehydration - Cholera can cause severe dehydration and death if untreated, especially in vulnerable groups like children and the elderly
Pressure on Healthcare -Outbreaks put pressure on healthcare systems, with hospitals becoming overcrowded and resources stretched
Loss of income - People may be too ill to work, reducing productivity and income for families, especially in poorer countries
Children may miss school - due to illness or caring for sick family members, affecting their education
Tourism can decrease - in areas affected by cholera due to fear of infection, reducing income for local economies
Death – Cholera can lead to rapid dehydration and death if not treated quickly, making it a major cause of mortality in affected areas.
Cholera: Managment
Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) – The most important treatment for cholera, ORT involves drinking a special solution to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, preventing dehydration.
Antibiotics – In severe cases, antibiotics can be used to shorten the duration of the illness and reduce the severity of symptoms.
Improved sanitation – Building better sanitation systems, like sewage treatment and clean water supply, helps prevent the spread of cholera.
Access to clean water – Ensuring people have access to safe drinking water is essential in preventing cholera outbreaks, including water treatment and purification methods.
Vaccination – Oral cholera vaccines can provide temporary protection during outbreaks, especially in high-risk areas or following natural disasters.
Public health education – Teaching communities about the importance of handwashing, safe food practices, and using clean water can help prevent the spread of cholera.
