Weather And Climate Kq2 Case Studies Flashcards
Increase in solar output may lead to higher global temperatures
Peak solar activity in 2000 led to higher global temperatures
However the increase in global temperature was only between 0.1 to 0.2 degrees celcius.
Volcanic eruptions may lead to lower atmospheric temperatures
Mount Pinatubo eruption lowered temperatures by as much as 0.6 degrees celcius for as Long as two years.
Burning of fossil fuels increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Fossil fuels provide 80 percent of the world’s energy.
Highest contributor of greenhouse gases, mostly from industry.
Deforestation increases the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
13000 hectares were lost annually from 2000 to 2010
Deforestation amounts for 10-15% of total greenhouse gas emissions
Agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
In Argentina, 30% of greenhouse has emissions come form cattle farming.
Sea level rise. Sea leve rise is the increase in the mean height of the sea’s surface between high and Low tides relative to land
Low lying counties such as the Maldives and Marshall Islands are at risk
Low lying areas such as the Mekong Delta of Vietnam are also at risk.
More frequent extreme weather events
The number of extreme weather events has been increasing since 1980 to 2005 from around 40 events a year to 70.
Spread of infectious insect-borne diseases.
Dengue fever was first reported in cool climate areas such as Nepal in 2004.
Impact on the intensity of food production
Advantage- cold regions are getting warmer, which is conducive for crop growth
Increase in fruits, soybeans in Canada
Disadvantage- cool regions are getting hotter which is less conducive for plant growth
India is expected to experience a decrease of 25-35% in crop production while Ethiopia is expected to see a decrease in crop production by 20-30%.
Kyoto Protocol
Aimed at reducing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Drawn up in 1997 and came into force in 2005.
Participating countries were given targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries had to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5% below 1990 levels and also had to help LDCs to reduce their GHG emissions.
Success: many countries met or exceeded their targets such as Austria and Finland.
It was successful in encouraging sustainable development by allowing DCs to reduce their GHG emissions by taking on emission-reduction projects in LDCs.
Limitation: some countries did not meet their targets such as Denmark and Uk.
The USA, one of the largest producers of GHG did not sign the Kyoto Protocol
Since 1997, GHG has risen by 35%, mostly from China, India and the USA.
Singapore Green Plan
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using natural gas as an energy source.
Launched by Ministry of Environment in 2002.
Aims to generate 60% of Singapore’s energy needs using natural gas by 2012.
Natural gas is a cleaner form of energy as it does not produce smoke.
Success: 79% of Singapore’s electricity was generated from natural gas by 2010.
Limitation: natural gas requires complex treatment plants to process and pipelines to transport.
The pipelines require high maintenance costs as they need to be laid underground and checked regularly for leakage.
Green Mark Scheme
Launched by the Building and Construction Authority in 2005. Buildings to be evaluated and certified according to how energy-efficient and environmentally friendly they are.
Aim to encourage more gren buildings which are more energy-efficient and use less energy to provide the same service.
Success: green buildings such as Plaza by the Park and the National Library Building, have reported energy savings of 15-35% compared to conventional buildings.
Limitation: they cost more to build because green material may be more expensive.
Plant-A-Tree Programme
Started in 1971 as Tree planting Day, the Plant-A-Tree programme by the Garden City Fund and Singapore Environmental Council aims to maintain Singapore’s status as a Garden City by planting trees.
Residents are encouraged to donate money or buy a tree or take part in tree planting events that take place monthly throughout Singapore.
Success: trees are the green lungs of the environment as they remove carbo dioxide from the atmosphere.
Limitation: trees take many years to mature, so the positive effects of tree planting may only show after many years.
