W&C Climate change

Question 1

Impacts of climate change

Answer 1

Rising sea levels
More frequent extreme weather events
Spread of infectious insect-borne diseases
Lengthen growing season in certain regions

Question 2

Effect of rising sea levels?

Answer 2

• Rising global temp ->melting polar icecaps
• Melted water rise in sea lvls
• Rising global temp-> seawater expands, rise in sea lvl
• Eg. Netherlands, Maldives

Question 3

Effect of more frequent extreme weather events?

Answer 3

Rising global temp, amt of water vapour in air -> extreme weather events

• Strong heat waves, tropical cyclones
• Loss of life, economic loss
  [2003 Europe Heatwave killed 70k]

Question 4

Effect of spread of infectious insect-borne diseases?

Answer 4

• Higher rainfall & temp -> mosquito breed faster
• Mosquitoes breed btr at higher temp + stagnant water
• Increased insect-borne diseases
  [Dengue in Nepal, Bhutan}
  [Malaria now in Central Highlands Kenya even at higher altitudes]

Question 5

Effect of lengthened growing season in certain regions?

Answer 5

Increased global temp -> longer growing seasons -> at cooler regions -> growing of crops that need higher temp

[UK -> now grow maize & wheat]

Reduced yield for crops that need cooler temp
- Lower yield, lack of food, reduced income

[Yunnan, China increasing temp, fruits & nuts yield reduced, -ve impact on economy]

Question 6

National responses to climate change

Answer 6

SG Green Plan
60% SG needs by 2012 by natural gas -> cleaner as does not release greenhouse gases

+ve:
2010: 79% SG electricity generated from natural gas
Exceeded Ministry of Sustainability target ahead of schedule

-ve:
Natural Gas requires complex treatment plants to process,
High maintenance cost (laid underground/frequent checks)

Question 7

International responses to climate change

Answer 7

Kyoto Protocol 1997
- Countries come tgt to reduce emissions & impacts of global warming
- Targets set

+ve: Greece, Finland met/exceeds targets
+ Creates platforms for LDCs & DCs to collab & encourage sustainable carbon reduction

-ve: Austria, Spain did not meet targets
- Not made compulsory for DCs to help LDCs reduce their emissions
- Not required for LDCs to be provided w energy efficient tech

Question 8

Changes in climate?

Answer 8

• Global records since 1880 show significant upward trend in temp
• Fluctuations of 0.3-0.6°C
• World warming on avg of 0.74°C, most increase since ’70s
• Global temp reached highest in past decade

Question 9

What is greenhouse effect

Answer 9

Natural process by which greenhouse gases trap heat in atmosphere

Human activity contributed substantially to climate change by adding greenhouse gases into atmosphere, enhance greenhouse effect

Question 10

Natural & Anthropogenic causes to climate change?

Answer 10

NATURAL
- Volcanic eruptions
- Variation in solar output

ANTHROPOGENIC
- Urbanisation
- Deforestation
- Industries
- Agriculture