Untitled Deck Flashcards
(28 cards)
Define Sustainability
Sustainability: The ability to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing environmental, social, and economic factors.
Outline Environmental Challenges That Threaten Sustainability
Population Growth: Increases demand for resources like water, food, and energy, leading to more waste and pollution.
Climate Change: Shifts in global weather patterns, often driven by greenhouse gas emissions, that can lead to extreme weather, rising sea levels, and habitat loss.
Define Climate Change
Climate Change: Long-term changes in global or regional climate patterns, especially those observed over extended geological periods due to natural processes and, recently, human activity.
Current Global Climate Change
Current Global Climate Change: Rapid warming, more extreme weather events, melting polar ice, and changes in precipitation patterns.
Causes of Current Climate Change
Mainly caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial activities.
How Climate Change Alters the Natural Greenhouse Effect
Enhanced greenhouse gases trap more heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate disruption beyond natural levels.
What is the Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect?
Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect: Warming caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases and Their Sources
Natural Sources: Carbon dioxide (respiration, volcanic activity), methane (wetlands).
Anthropogenic Sources: CO₂ (fossil fuel combustion), methane (livestock, landfills), nitrous oxide (agriculture).
Spatial Patterns of Global CO₂ Emissions and Development Levels
Higher CO₂ emissions are often in developed, industrialized nations, while lower emissions are in less developed regions. Industrialization and energy use correlate with emission levels.
Locate Kiribati, Australia, Oceans, and Island Names
Kiribati: A group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean.
Australia: Located south of the equator, bordered by the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
How Climate is Changing (Temperature, Rainfall, Extreme Events)
Temperature: Rising global temperatures.
Rainfall: Changing precipitation patterns, with some areas experiencing drought, others flooding.
Extreme Events: More frequent hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires.
Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Areas in Australia and Kiribati
Sea Level Rise: Flooding and loss of land in low-lying areas.
Coastal Erosion: Loss of beaches and coastal habitats.
Coral Bleaching: Rising temperatures cause coral to expel algae, leading to widespread bleaching.
Local Strategies to Adapt or Mitigate Climate Change (Examples for Kiribati and Australia)
Kiribati: Planting mangroves to protect against erosion; Migration to Fiji as sea levels rise.
Australia: Increasing renewable energy use (solar, wind); Desalination plants to provide fresh water in drought-affected areas.
International Strategies to Adapt to Climate Change (COP26, Kyoto Protocol)
Australia’s Commitments: Emission reduction targets and renewable energy investments.
Kiribati’s Commitments: Advocating for global action and receiving support for climate resilience.
Evaluation of Strategies (Economic, Social, Environmental)
Economic: Renewable energy is costly upfront but reduces long-term costs.
Social: Migration affects community structures, especially for low-lying nations like Kiribati.
Environmental: Renewable energy reduces emissions, while planting mangroves helps biodiversity.
What is the Developed World?
Countries with high economic development, infrastructure, and standards of living.
What is the Developing World?
Countries with lower levels of economic growth, infrastructure, and standards of living.
What is Development?
Development: Process of improving the quality of life through economic growth, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
What is Human Wellbeing?
Human Wellbeing: Quality of life, including health, happiness, education, and income.
Use Maps to Describe Global Inequalities
Maps showing disparities in income, health, and education across regions help illustrate inequalities.
Statistics to Measure Wellbeing
Life Expectancy: Average age people are expected to live.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita: Average income.
Literacy Rates: Percentage of people who can read and write.
Interpret Maps and Graphs Showing Wellbeing
Identify trends and disparities, such as high GDP in developed regions and lower literacy rates in developing regions.
Describe Spatial Patterns of Wellbeing Using Maps
Developed nations often show higher wellbeing; developing regions may have lower indicators like income and health access.
Factors Causing Differences in Spatial Wellbeing
Natural Causes: Natural disasters can devastate infrastructure.
Political Factors: War and civil conflict lead to instability and economic challenges.
