Week 8 Flashcards
(28 cards)
UNFCC
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change
What is the UNFCC
international environmental treaty established to adress global climate change
Key objectives of the UNFCC
- stabilize GHG concentrations in the atmosphere
- prevent dangerous anthropgenic interference with the climate system
- allow ecosystems to adapt naturally
- ensure food production is not threatnened
- enable sustainable economic development
Major agreements under the UNFCC (Kyoto protocol):
-established legally binding emission reduction targets
- developed countries required to reduce emissions
- developing nations no binding targets but encouraged to act
- US did not ratify
Paris Agreement Main goal:
keep global temp rise well below 2C with efforts to limit it to 1.5C
Paris agreement nation involvement:
each country submits a NDC (volunatry pledges)
both developing countries and developed countries participated
Net-Zero Emissions
balance between the amount of GHG emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed
Why is net-zero important:
limits global warming
reduce climate risks
drives technological innovation
Mitigation
reducing admissions
Adaptation
Adjusting to climate changes already occuring
What is the high dependency factor for the Winter Olympics?
High dependency on weather conditions
Organizers and the IOC have developed strategies to reduce weather risk.
What strategies have been developed to reduce weather risk at the Winter Olympics?
Strategies include:
* Transition of some competitions to indoor venues
* Snowmaking
* Advanced weather forecasting
Rutty et al. (2015); Scott et al. (2019) discuss a wide range of climatic adaptation strategies.
What are the three phases of climatic adaptation strategies for the Winter Olympics?
The three phases are:
* Emergent pre-mechanized adaptation (1924–1956)
* Technological transition (1960–1984)
* Advanced adaptation (1988–2014)
Adaptations included moving events to controlled indoor facilities and shifting skiing to higher altitudes.
What technological adaptations have been made for the Winter Olympics?
Technological adaptations include:
* Snowmaking
* Refrigeration systems for bobsled/luge tracks and ski jumps
These adaptations help manage the reliance on natural snowfall.
Which cities have hosted the Winter Olympics?
Some host cities include:
* Chamonix
* St. Moritz
* Lake Placid
* Garmisch-Partenkirchen
* Sochi
* Vancouver
A complete list includes 21 cities that have hosted the games.
What elevation strategy is used for the Winter Olympics?
Move some events to higher elevations for colder temperatures
This is part of the adaptation to changing climate conditions.
What would happen if GHG reduction pledges from the Paris Climate Agreement were achieved?
Only 12 of the 21 sites that have hosted the Winter Games would still be viable in the future
Sites like Squaw Valley, Vancouver, and Chamonix would no longer be viable.
What economic impact did low-snow years have on the ski industry between 2001 and 2016?
Low-snow years cost the ski industry more than 5.5 million skier visits, translating into an economic loss of $1 billion and 17,400 jobs
Good years do not compensate for revenues lost during bad years.
What are some health impacts of extreme heat events due to climate change?
Health impacts include:
* Temperature-related morbidity and mortality
* Respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses
* Increased occupational health risks
* Social and mental stress
Health Canada has identified these impacts among others.
How does climate change affect air quality?
Increased exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollutants and allergens
This can lead to respiratory diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.
Fill in the blank: Climate change can lead to increased exposure to _______.
outdoor and indoor air pollutants and allergens
What are potential health effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays?
Health effects include:
* Skin damage
* Skin cancer
* Cataracts
* Disturbed immune function
These effects are exacerbated by climate change.
True or False: Climate change has no significant impact on public health infrastructure.
False
Weather-related natural hazards can damage public health infrastructure.
