Unit 7: Climate Change

Question 1

Define Energy Security

Answer 1

The uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

Question 2

Define Energy Poverty

Answer 2

Lack of access to modern energy services.

Question 3

Define Fuel Poverty

Answer 3

When a low-income household is living in a home that cannot be kept warm at a reasonable cost.

Question 4

Define Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Answer 4

Energy sources that are finite.

Question 5

Define Renewable Energy Sources

Answer 5

Energy sources that can be used repeatedly without depletion. They also are mainly forces of nature and case littler or no environmental pollution.

Question 6

Define Energy Mix

Answer 6

Relative contribution of different energy sources to a country’s energy production/consumption.

Question 7

What are Examples of Non-Renewable Energy Sources?

Answer 7

• Fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal)

* Nuclear fuel

Question 8

What are Examples of Renewable Energy Sources?

Answer 8

• Biomass
• Hydroelectric
• Solar
• Wind
• Geothermal
• Tidal

Question 9

Evaluate the Use of Oil as an Energy Source

Answer 9

Pro: cheap + easy to transport
Con: extraction damage + water pollution (spills)

Question 10

Evaluate the Use of Hydro-Power as an Energy Source

Answer 10

Pro: no GHG + low operating costs
Con: construction costs + migratory fish impacted

Question 11

Evaluate the Use of Nuclear Power as an Energy Source

Answer 11

Pro: large amount of energy produced + no GHG
Con: construction costs and time + radiation leaks

Question 12

Evaluate the Use of Coal as an Energy Source

Answer 12

Pro: cheap construction + independent of weather
Con: dangerous working conditions + GHG emissions

Question 13

Evaluate the Use of Solar Power as an Energy Source

Answer 13

Pro: flexible (all sizes of production) + no GHG
Con: weather and day-length dependent + expensive

Question 14

Evaluate the Use of Wind Power as an Energy Source

Answer 14

Pro: low operating costs + suitable for low-scale prod.
Con: noise pollution + locations away from urban areas

Question 15

Evaluate the Use of Tidal Power as an Energy Source

Answer 15

Pro: tides are predictable + low operating costs
Con: affects marine life + high construction costs

Question 16

Evaluate the Use of Biomass as an Energy Source

Answer 16

Pro: low operation costs + uses waste
Con: can lead to deforestation + requires large area

Question 17

What Factors Influence Energy Choices from Different Countries?

Answer 17

1) Availability (geology + topology)
2) Technology (skills of workers + developments)
3) Politics (conflicts + agreements)
4) Economic
5) Culture (EVS)
6) Sustainability
7) Environmental concerns (fear of damage)
8) Climate factors

Question 18

Give an Example of a Country that is Attempting to Increase Energy Security (+ Explain)

Answer 18

Iceland aims to become energy independent by 2050:
• 20% hydropower (electricity for transport)
• 66% geothermal (home heating 95%) - volcanic island
• 14% fossil fuels (industrial purposes)
• Aims to use hydrogen fuel cells + electric vehicles

Question 19

What is Energy Efficiency?

Answer 19

Attempts to improve products and services so that less energy is required for them to function.

Question 20

What is Energy Conservation?

Answer 20

Efforts to reduce energy consumption.

Question 21

Distinguish between Climate and Weather

Answer 21

Climate describes how the atmosphere behaves over relatively long periods of time. Weather describes the condition in the atmosphere over a short period of time.

Question 22

What Factors Affect Climate?

Answer 22

• Solar radiation
• Tilting and orbit of the earth
• Circulation systems
• Greenhouse gasses
• Volcanic activity
• Feedback cycles

Question 23

How does Solar Radiation Affect Climate?

Answer 23

In the past, solar radiation has reduced to such an extent it caused the “little ice age” between 1650-1850. Today it remains stable therefore it doesn’t influence climate significantly.

Question 24

How does Earth Tilting Affect Climate?

Answer 24

The tilting of the earth influences how much solar energy is absorbed and results in seasonal changes.

Question 25

How do Circulation Systems Affect Climate?

Answer 25

Energy from the equator is transferred toward the poles through atmospheric and ocean circulation systems.

Question 26

Explain the Tricellular Model

Answer 26

Used to explain transfer of heat through the atmosphere: 1) Hadley cell (subtropical regions: sunny + dry) 2) Ferrel cell (tropical + equatorial: high rainfall) 3) Polar cell (polar regions)

Question 27

What is the El Nino?

Answer 27

Event in which air flow and ocean currents change direction causing increase in water temperature + reduces nutrients.

Question 28

How do Greenhouse Gasses Affect Climate?

Answer 28

A rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere increases the amount of energy absorbed raising global temperatures.

Question 29

How does Volcanic Activity Affect Climate?

Answer 29

Emissions from volcanic activity can include sulphur dioxide which reacts in the atmosphere forming a sulphate aerosol that reflects solar radiation back into space and causes global cooling.

Question 30

What Positive Feedback Loops Affect Climate?

Answer 30

* Water vapor (temp rise = evaporation = GHG) * Ice albedo (temp rise = melting = low albedo) * Permafrost (temp rise = melting = GHG) * CO2 solubility (temp rise = solubility rise = GHG)

Question 31

What Negative Feedback Loops Affect Climate?

Answer 31

* Photosynthesis (temp rise = photosynthesis = CO2) | * Cloud cover (low clouds = reflection = heat loss)

Question 32

What Human Activities Increase GHG Emissions?

Answer 32

* Burning of fossil fuel which release CO2 * Deforestation affects earth’s ability to absorb CO2 * Agriculture increase the methane level * Use of fertilizers lead to higher nitrous oxide

Question 33

Define Greenhouse Gasses (GHG)

Answer 33

Atmospheric gases that absorb infrared radiation, causing world temperatures to be warmer.

Question 34

What are the Main Greenhouse Gasses?

Answer 34

* Carbon Dioxide * CFCs and HFCs * Methane * Oxides of nitrogen

Question 35

What are the Roles of GHGs?

Answer 35

* Maintain global temperatures | * Trap long wavelengths (e.g. infrared radiation)

Question 36

What are the Impacts of Climate Change?

Answer 36

* Changes in water availability * Distribution of biomes and crop growing areas * Loss of biodiversity * Coastal inundation (sea level rise) * Ocean acidification * Damage to human health (spread of disease)

Question 37

Give a Real-Life Example of a Tipping Point caused by Climate Change

Answer 37

Prolonged drought together with deforestation could lead to a stage where the Amazon Rainforest becomes a savannah or desert (+ habitats will adapt to drought and wildfires will be more frequent).

Question 38

Explain the Reactions of Different EVS to Changes in Temperature and Precipitation

Answer 38

Ecocentric: advocate on change in lifestyle Anthropocentric: regulation to reduce GHG Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce emissions

Question 39

Explain the Reactions of Different EVS on Impacts on Ecosystems and Species

Answer 39

Ecocentric: express disapproval (e.g. protest) Anthropocentric: conservation/restoration strategies Technocentric: invest in tech to reduce impacts

Question 40

What Positive Effects can Climate Change Have?

Answer 40

* Increased productivity * Farming shift can improve agriculture * Reduced precipitation = increase in tourism activities

Question 41

Distinguish between Mitigation and Adaptation

Answer 41

Mitigation attempts to reduce the impacts of climate change. Adaptation attempts to manage the impacts of climate change.

Question 42

What is Global Dimming?

Answer 42

Reduction in global temperatures resulting from pollution (occurs as polluted air particles in clouds reflect more light into space preventing heat to reach the earth).

Question 43

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce GHGs

Answer 43

1) Reduction of energy use (e.g. public transport) | 2) Using alternatives to fossil fuels (e.g. solar panels)

Question 44

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies to reduce Carbon Emissions

Answer 44

1) Introducing carbon taxes | 2) Introducing carbon trading schemes

Question 45

Give 2 Examples of Mitigation Strategies for Carbon Dioxide Removal

Answer 45

1) Protecting carbon sinks | 2) Using biomass as a fuel source

Question 46

Give 2 Examples of a Real-Life Adaptation Strategy

Answer 46

1) Sea-level rise: national climate change action plan integrating policies (Egypt). 2) Drought: rainwater harvesting + water conserving techniques (Sudan).

Question 47

What is the Kyoto Protocol?

Answer 47

Meeting in 1997 for the stabilization of GHG by 5% + created carbon trading + each government given carbon emission limits.

Question 48

What are Geo-Engineering Techniques?

Answer 48

Manipulating the earth’s environmental systems to counteract the impacts of climate change. (e.g. solar radiation management + carbon dioxide reduction).

Question 49

What is Solar Radiation Management?

Answer 49

Method to increase reflection of solar radiation into space to reduce absorption. Can be done through: growing plants with high albedo (or use aerosols) + solar deflectors in space.