unit 3 geography Flashcards
(22 cards)
*What are natural climate variations? Mention two examples
The evolution of the climates of the Earth in a cyclical way across the geological history: the cold periods are called ice ages and the warm periods are called interglacial.
- What is the greenhouse effect, and why is it important for life on Earth?
The phenomena in which carbon dioxide (C02 ) and other greenhouse gases fulfill the function of maintaining a suitable temperature on the planet. They allow solar radiation to enter the atmosphere and retain part of the heat from the Sun
- Name two greenhouse gases and explain their role in global warming
CO2, methane, steam water
- How does human activity contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases?
The large-scale burning of coal and petroleum derivatives since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution has led to an increase in CO2 emissions. This has intensified the greenhouse effect, which contributes to global warming. Due to this artificial increase in greenhouse gases, it is more difficult for much of the Sun’s radiation to escape back into space, causing the Earth’s temperature to rise.
- What is biodiversity, and why is it important for maintaining ecological balance?
All the living beings on our planet and the ecosystems they inhabit. It is essential to maintain it not to break the ecological balance.
- Where on Earth can we find the richest biodiversity, and why?
The closer to the equator we are, the richer biodiversity there is (due to the temperature and moisture between the equator and the tropics)
- List three human activities that lead to the loss of biodiversity.
Species extinction (animals, plants, etc.), deforestation (loss of forest or trees), desertification (loss of fertile soil).
- What measures can be taken to protect biodiversity? Mention two examples.
Protecting endangered species: limiting or prohibiting hunting, fishing, felling trees…
Protecting their habitat: with protected natural areas (national parks, nature reserves…)
- What are the three main effects of humans upsetting the ecological balance?
Effects on economy (lack of supplies), environment (natural hazards) and society (wars for resources).
- Explain or define the following terms:
a. Environmental degradation:
b. overexploitatio
c. pollution:
a. disappearance of natural environment due to human occupation (felling of forests and urban sprawl).
b.using natural resources faster than they can regenerate.
c. discharging or emitting waste.
- What is sustainable development, and what are its main goals?
Economic and social model based on generating economic growth, while also maintaining social equality and environmental protection.
- How many Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) are there? Write the period of time for this agenda to be achieved and the summit in which it was signed. Was it based on a previous agreement?
There are 17 SGDs. The period for this Agenda is from 2015 to 2030. The Summit of the UN in New York in 2015. Yes, it is based on the previous 8 Millennium Goals (2000- 2015).
- What is a natural resource? Provide two examples of renewable and non-renewable resources.
All natural elements we can obtain a profit.
Water, fish, wood, biomass, hydropower energy, etc. are renewable.
All fossil fuels are non renewable (coal, gas, petrol) and minerals (iron, lithium), nuclear energy, etc.
- Why can some renewable resources become non-renewable? Give an example.
Because of their overconsumption, or using faster than they can naturally regenerate. The wood from forest or the fishing grounds.
- What are the three main environmental problems related to water management?
- Higher consumption in a place because f the increase of population or human activities (industry, tourism).
- Pollution of water because of human activities.
- Uneven distribution of water, making necessary building infrastructures to storage and transport.
- What is waste, and what are the three main types mentioned?
Useless materials which become rubbish after they have been used or performed their function. Solid, liquid and gaseous waste.
- Describe the problems caused by leachates in landfills.
They are absorbed by the soil, contaminating the different strata and the groundwater of the aquifers, after being decomposed.
- What is eutrophication, and how does it affect aquatic ecosystems?
Abundance of nutrients from fertilizers in standing water (lakes / reservoirs, etc.) causes algae growth, decreasing the oxygen level in the water and killing fish and plants.
- What is the ozone layer, and why is it important?
It is a level of the stratosphere that naturally filters out the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. It protect all the living beings from different diseases, including types of cancer.
- How do CFCs affect the ozone layer?
They destroy ozone molecules, as they interact with the ozone layer. Air masses have concentrated the CFCs emissions in the atmosphere over the polar regions, where the atmospheric ozone have reduced more than in other areas.
- What is smog, and what are its main health effects?
Accumulations of pollution in the lower layers of the atmosphere when the pollutant emissions coincide with stable meteorological conditions (high pressure weather). The worst effects are done by the suspended particulates PM10, and PM2.5 (and other ultra-fines) due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, blood streams and brain, causing health problems including heart attacks, respiratory disease, and premature death.
- Describe the process of acid rain formation and its consequences.
Consequences: Damage to trees, plants and crops. Acidification of terrestrial and marine water, affecting the fauna. Corrosion of limestone and marble buildings and monuments.
