Unit 4: How can we ease the problem of climate change? Flashcards
(70 cards)
1
Q
How can we ease the problem of climate change?
A
- Mitigation: reduce the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
- Adaptation: minimise the losses caused by climate change
2
Q
Mitigation: reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
A
improving:
1. energy efficiency
2. building design
3. farm management
4. Replacing fossil fuels -> renewable energy resources
5. developing low-carbon transport system
6. recovering energy from solid waste
7. capturing + storing CO2
8. protecting forests + afforestation
9. encouraging sharing culture
3
Q
replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources
A
- renewable energy resources:
solar power, wind power, HEP - use more biofuels (NO MORE FOSSIL FUELS!!!)
examples:
1. ethanol
made from crops (sugar cane, corn)
2. Biodiesel
made from plant oil (soybean oil, palm oil, animal fats)
advantages:
1. inexhaustible
2. environmentally-friendly
3. no GHG emissions
4
Q
examples of biofuels
A
- ethanol
made from crops (sugar cane, corn) - Biodiesel
made from plant oil (soybean oil, palm oil, animal fats)
5
Q
examples of renewable energy resources
A
- solar power
- wind power
- HEP
6
Q
advantages of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources
A
- inexhaustible
- environmentally-friendly
- no GHG emissions
7
Q
advantages of solar powers
A
- No GHG emission after installation -> clean
- low maintenance costs
- few location requirements (solar panels can be set up anywhere to produce solar power as long as the place receives sunlight)
- safe
8
Q
disadvantages of solar powers
A
- high installation costs of solar panels
- price of electricity generated maybe higher than other means
- can not harness power during
- cloudy days
- storms
- night
- causes visual pollution
- occupies relatively large area
9
Q
advantages of wind power
A
- No GHG emission after installation -> clean
- price of electricity generated low
- low operating costs
10
Q
disadvantages of wind power
A
- high installation costs
- causes visual + noise pollution
- birds may be killed by the blades
- can interfere with microwave transmissions
- can only be harnessed at certain locations where wind speed is high + over a long period of time
11
Q
advantages of hydroelectric power (HEP)
A
- No GHG emission after installation -> clean
- safe
- low operating costs
- lake formed behind dam -> recreational resource
- long lifespans
12
Q
disadvantages of hydroelectric power (HEP)
A
- huge construction costs
- disrupts natural river environments + aquatic ecosystems
- cannot harness power when there are droughts
- building of dam floods farmland -> people need to be relocated from homes
13
Q
advantages of geothermal power
A
- low maintenance costs
- occupies relatively small area
- not weather dependent like solar/wind power (geothermal heat pumps work year-round)
- clean
- reliable
14
Q
disadvantages of geothermal power
A
- geographical limitations -> only a few sites have potential to develop this kind of energy
- high construction costs
- power plants are a safety concern -> (in extreme cases) cause earthquakes
15
Q
advantages of tidal and wave power
A
- no GHG emission after installation -> clean
- reliable + predictable
- long lifespans -> cost-competitive resource
- high energy efficiency compared to other energy resources
16
Q
disadvantages of tidal and wave power
A
- high construction and maintenance costs
- geographical limitations -> only a few sites have potential to develop this kind of energy
- limited electricity generation -> can only produce electricity during tidal surges
- spinning turbines may kill animals + fish
17
Q
advantages of Biofuel
A
- less expensive + more affordable
- lower GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels
- can be sourced from a variety of natural materials such as:
- corns
- sugar canes
- plant oils
-» more effective
18
Q
disadvantages of Biofuel
A
- High costs of initial investment
- requires a relatively large area of land
- farms may grow crops for biofuel production (not stable food) -> reduce food supply -> increase food prices
- large number of crops needed to generate same amount of energy as fossil fuels -> lower energy efficiency
19
Q
improving energy efficiency
A
- improve energy efficiency in thermal power plants -> reduce use of fossil fuels -> decreases carbon dioxide emission
e.g. decrease coal usage + natural gas for power - improve energy efficiency of machines and electrical appliances -> reduces energy consumption -> decrease carbon dioxide emissions
20
Q
renewable energy resources
A
- solar power
- wind power
- hydroelectric power (HEP)
- geothermal power
- tidal + wave power
- biofuel
21
Q
the areas in developing a low-carbon transport system
A
- vehicle design
- transport system
22
Q
vehicle design in low carbon transport system
A
design:
1. energy-efficient vehicles -> reduce emissions of GHGs
e.g. hybrid vehicles -> emitting only half of GHGs than those on petrol
- electric vehicles + promote the use of them (lower GHG emissions than trad vehicles)
- vehicles that are powered by fuels with low or no carbon emissions
e.g. hydrogen-powered cars
23
Q
transport system in low-carbon transport system
A
- develop mass transit railway systems
- encourage use of public transport
-> discourage use of private cars -> reduce carbon emissions
24
Q
buildings with passive solar design in winter (low angle of the sun)
A
- large windows -> allow direct sunlight to pass through -> collect more solar power -> keep the building warm
- well insulated roof + floor + double-glazed windows -> store more solar power -> reduce heat loss
-> decrease energy consumption for heating
25
buildings with passive solar design in summer (large angle of the sun)
1. large windows -> let hot air out + summer breeze blow into the house
2. well-insulated roof -> reduce heat gain
3. overhanging -> block direct sunlight
-> prevent overheating -> reduce energy consumption for cooling
26
improving building design for reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
green roof -> insulator to help lower room temperature -> reduces consumption of air conditioning -> reduce GHG emissions
27
recovering energy from incinerators and landfills in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
recovering energy from incinerators and landfills
1. burning of solid waste in incinerators -> heat produced -> generate electricity -> reduces combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity
2. capture landfill gas -> generate electricity ->
reduces:
1. emissions of methane from landfills
2. combustion of fossil fuels -> generate electricity
28
capturing and storing CO2 in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
power plants + oil refineries -> carbon dioxide -> captured + stored deep underground (e.g. depleted gas fields) -> reduces amount of carbon emitted into atmosphere
29
improving farm management in reducing the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere
1. practise precision farming
2. Reduce the use of nitrogen fertilisers + increase soil fertility
3. drain water at the wet rice field at specific time to avoid waterlogging
4. feed livestock with improved legumes
5. farm waste placed in composting plants -> decomposition with sufficient oxygen
6. use compost -> enrich soil
30
how to precision farm in improving waste management
1. adjust amount + timing of nitrogen fertilisers used
2. precisely place nitrogen fertilisers into soil
31
ways to increase crop fertility in improving waste management
1. crop rotation -> give soil time to replenish nutrients
grow different crops in same field in sequential seasons -> avoid depletion of certain nutrients
2. intercropping -> grow an additional crop in spaces between main crops -> avoids depletion of certain nutrients
3. grow legumes
32
why should we drain water at the wet rice field at specific time to avoid waterlogging
reduce methane emission
33
feed livestock with improved legumes example
forage legumes -> speed up digestion process -> reduce methane emission
34
why we should protect forests and afforestation in reducing GHGs in the atmosphere
trees -> carbon sinks -> cut down emission of CO2 in the atmosphere -> help absorb more CO2
35
encouraging a sharing culture in reducing GHGs in the atmosphere
1. maximise the usage of goods -> consume less + produce less waste
2. reduce greenhouse gas emission produced by landfills + incinerators -> less energy used for transport + production of goods
e.g. sharing rides of cars
36
areas where we should set adaptation measures that ease climate change
1. disruption of natural ecosystems
2. rising sea levels + increased coastal flooding + erosion
3. shortages of food
4. shortages of freshwater supply
37
adaptation measures in disruption of natural ecosystems that ease climate change
build buffer zones / corridors ->
1. aid species migration
2. conserve species pollution
38
adaptation measures in rising sea levels and increased coastal flooding + erosion
1. build barriers / coastal protection structures (dykes) -> protect coastal areas from flooding
2. adopt careful land use planning in flood-prone areas
3. strengthen structure of buildings + infrastructure
39
adaptation measures in shortages of food
1. adopt better farming practices -> increase crop yields (e.g. agroforestry)
2. change type of crops to be grown
3. breed new crop species -> more tolerant to changing climatic conditions
40
adaptation measures in shortages of freshwater supply
1. improve efficiency of water use
2. plan for alternate water sources
3. discourage waste of water -> introduce water charges + sewage treatment charges
41
mitigation and adaptation measures
mitigation:
1. passive solar design
2. recovering energy from solid waste
3. capturing + storing carbon dioxide
4. afforestation
adaptation:
1. building coastal protection structures
2. better farming practices
42
advantages of passive solar design
1. easy to implement
2. designs have high environmental impact (esp if green materials are used)
3. materials required -> relatively cheap
43
disadvantages of passive solar design
1. depends entirely on weather -> unreliable
2. not all regions have sufficient sunlight -> initiate natural heating during winter
3. cost of design + installations of systems high
4. improper design -> increase in energy consumption in heating + cooling
44
advantages of recovering energy from solid waste
1. reduce the needs for fossil fuels
2. provide a stable source of energy
45
disadvantages of recovering energy from solid waste
1. high construction cost of the waste-to-energy facilities
2. landfill gas -> GHG
3. may emit air pollutants / harmful gases during incineration
46
advantages of capturing and storing carbon dioxide
1. reduce amount of carbon in the air effectively
2. fossil fuels-> fulfil world's energy consumption
47
disadvantages of capturing and storing carbon dioxide
1. operation on small scale -> amount of captured + stored carbon dioxide small
2. needs huge investment
3. technology not mature
4. risk of gas leakage -> cause health + environmental problem
48
advantages of afforestation
1. photosynthesis -> trees absorb carbon dioxide from atmosphere -> reduce amount of carbon dioxide in long run
2. increase number of tree -> resolve problems of soil erosion
3. provide more habitats for wildlife
49
disadvantages of afforestation
1. large-scale afforestation -> huge investment
2. takes time for trees to grow
3. local people rather earn from deforestation than from growing trees
50
advantages of building coastal protection structures
1. help protecting coastal structures from coastal flooding
2. protect infrastructure along coasts
51
disadvantages of building coastal protection structures
1. difficult to construct + maintain -> require advanced technologies
2. continuous coastal erosion -> wear away the structures
3. may be destroyed by large storm surges
4. visually unattractive
5. restrict access to beaches
52
advantages for better farming practices
increase crop yields
help sustain + increase biodiversity
reduce need for deforestation -> provides wood products from farmland
53
disadvantages for better farming practices
1. some conservation methods -> high capital inputs + advanced technology (e.g. precision farming)
2. temp rise -> increased pest problem -> offset efforts of soil + water conservation
54
1988
IPCC
start conducting research on climate change
55
IPCC -> start conducting research on climate change
1988
56
1997
Kyoto protocol
first international agreement on setting emission reduction
-LDCs could cut emissions voluntarily
57
kyoto protocol
1997
58
2007
Bali Road Map
MDCs + LDCs agree -> long-term cooperation to tackle climate change
responsibility -> limit GHG emissions necessary to tackle problem
59
Bali Road Map
2007
60
2009
Copenhagen Accord
1. USA, China + other major LDCs agree -> cut GHG emissions
2. countries agree to limit increase in global temp below 2'C
3. MDCs agree to provide support LDCs -> adapt to climate change
NOT LEGALLY BINDING
61
Copenhagen Accord
2009
62
2011
Durban Platform
1. extend Kyoto Protocol to at least 2018
2. accept legally-binding emission cuts for both MDCs + LDCs since 2020 at the latest
3. set up green climate fund -> help poor countries
63
Durban Platform
2011
64
2012
Doha climate change conference
countries agree to outline global climate treaty -> come into force in 2020
- ended without increased cuts in emissions + financial support to LDCs
65
Doha Climate Change conference
2012
66
2015
Paris Agreement
all countries agree to work together for the first time
-> combat climate change + adapt to its effects -> enhanced support to help LDCs
67
Paris Agreement
2015
68
What has been done by the international community to reduce GHGs in the atmosphere?
1. IPCC (1988)
2. Kyoto Protocol (1997)
3. Bali Road Map (2007)
4. Copenhagen Accord (2009)
5. Durban Platform (2011)
6. Doha Climate Change Conference (2012)
7. Paris Agreement (2015)
69
why MDCs should NOT be more responsible
1. not satisfied with being the most responsible ones to reduce greenhouse gas emission
2. LDCs should also be responsible for the problem of global warming
3. total + per capita emissions of CO2 from the MDCs have decreased but emissions from the LDCs have increased
4. total emission of carbon dioxide from LDCs (esp. china + india) is increasing rapidly
5. total greenhouse gases of China has even surpassed that of LDCs
6. major causes of global warming -> burning of forests in LDCs
7. reduction of greenhouse gas emission -> involves high costs + lowers economic growth + living standard of MDCs
70
why LDCs should NOT be more responsible
1. MDCs emit the largest proportion of greenhouse gases in total + should be the most responsible
2. major cause of global warming -> industrial development + the large amount of fossil fuel consumption of MDCs since industrial revolution -> bear historical responsibility
3. many LDCs still at the economical stage of industrialisation -> emission control -> hinder development
4. per capita emission of carbon dioxide from LDCs -> lower than that of MDCs
5. LDCs are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events induced by global warming
6. LDCs do not have capital + technology to deal with the issue
