World at Risk Flashcards
(207 cards)
1
Q
What type of plate boundary is the Philippines bordering?
A
Destructive
2
Q
What two plates form the Philippines destructive boundary?
A
Eurasian Plate (continental) and Philippine Plate (oceanic)
3
Q
What island is Mt Pinatubo located on?
A
Luzon
4
Q
How far is Mt Pinatubo from the Philippine capital of Manilla?
A
55 miles
5
Q
How long had it been since the previous eruption of Mt Pinatubo?
A
500 years (approx)
6
Q
When did Mt Pinatubo erupt?
A
June 1991
7
Q
In early June, how was Mt Pinatubo’s eruption predicted?
A
- Tiltmeters showed that the volcano was bulging, suggesting a magma buildup.
- Increase in seismic activity near the surface of Mt Pinatubo.
8
Q
What area did the ashcloud of Mt Pinatubo occupy at its peak?
A
125,000 square kilometres
9
Q
What hydro-meteorlogical disaster coinceded with Mt Pinatubo’s eruption?
A
Typhoon Yunya struck the island on the 15th of June, the same day as Mt Pinatubo’s climatic eruption.
10
Q
What was the impact immediate impact of Typhoon Yunya’s arrival in conjunction with Mt Pintatubo’s eruption?
A
Torrential rainfall was able to mix with ash to form lahars.
Lahars are thick flows of mixed water and ash that are highly destructive.
11
Q
How explosive was Mt Pintatubo’s eruption?
A
It was a 6 on the volcanic explosivity index (VEI).
It ejected 10 cubed kilometres of volcanic material.
12
Q
How many were killed in the immediate aftermath of Mt Pinatubo’s eruption?
A
847 people
13
Q
What was the primary cause of death during Mt Pinatubo’s eruption?
A
Rooftops collapsing under the weight of ash and volcanic material.
14
Q
How was farmland impacted by the Mt Pinatubo eruption?
A
800 square kilometres of rice-growing farmland were destroyed
15
Q
How were the forests impacted by the Mt Pintatubo eruption?
A
150 square kilometres of forest were destroyed.
16
Q
How much was the total estimated damage to crops and property following the Mt Pinatubo eruption?
A
$374 million dollars
17
Q
How much did Pinatubo’s regional domestic product fall following the eruption?
A
Fall of 3%
18
Q
How many people had evacuated the 30km zone around Mt Pinatubo?
A
60,000
19
Q
How many Aeta highlanders were displaced by the eruption of Mt Pinatubo?
A
20,000
20
Q
What is the population density of people living in Manilla in the Philippines?
A
1,600 people per square kilometre
21
Q
How many people live in slums in Manilla?
A
2 million
22
Q
What is GNP per capita in the Philippines?
A
$4,400
23
Q
What is the HDI of the Philippines?
A
0.75
24
Q
How percentage of people in the Philippines live on a coastal zone?
A
60%
25
What is the population of Manilla?
8 million
26
What is the population of the Philippines?
91 million
27
What percentage of people live in poverty in the Philippines?
41%
28
When did Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines?
8th November 2013
29
What city was most impacted by Typhoon Haiyan?
Tacloban
30
Where is the city of Tacloban?
Island of Leyte
31
What was the magnitude of Typhoon Haiyan on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
Category Five
32
What was Typhoon Haiyan's peak wind speed?
315 km per hour
33
What was the largest storm surge that occured during Typhoon Haiyan?
5.2m
34
How much rainfall did Surigao City receive as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
25cm of rainfall in space of 12 hours
35
Why was the Philippines especially vulnerable at the time of Typhoon Haiyan?
The 7.1 magnitude Bohol earthquake had hit the Philippines just one month before, meaning 350,000 people were already placed and living in vulnerable makeshift camps.
36
How many typhoons, on average, hit the Philippines each year?
20 typhoons
37
How did Typhoon Haiyan impact the Philippines communications systems?
All communications into the Visayas region was blocked.
Even the president was unable to contact his Defence Secretary who was staying in Tacloban at the time.
38
How many deaths were confirmed as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
6, 300
39
How was air travel impacted by Typhoon Haiyan?
The terminal building of Tacloban's airport was destroyed by a 5.2m storm surge.
40
What percentage of Tacloban was damaged by typhoon Haiyan?
90%
41
How far did flooding occur as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
Flooding up to 1km inland
42
How many homes were destroyed as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
41,000 homes
43
How many people were displaced as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
600, 000 people
44
What notable building was submerged during a storm surge during Typhoon Haiyan?
The Tacloban City Convention Centre was submerged by a storm surge, resulting in death and injury.
45
How many bags of rice were stolen during a period of looting following Typhoon Haiyan?
33, 000 bags of rice
46
What environmental disaster occured as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
The typhoon knocked over an oil barge, resulting in a destructive oil spill that hurt the Philippines' mangrove populations.
47
How much farmland was destroyed during Typhoon Haiyan?
175, 000 acres of farmland destroyed.
48
How much money was lost to farmland damage during Typhoon Haiyan?
$85 million
49
In 2014, how many people were still homeless as a result of Typhoon Haiyan?
1 million people still homeless
50
How many hotels were destroyed during Typhoon Haiyan?
32 hotels destroyed
51
How many people were evacuated in preparation for Typhoon Haiyan?
800, 000 people
52
How much money did the Asian Development Bank give in aid following Typhoon Haiyan?
$500m
53
How much money did the UK government give in aid to help the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan?
£50m
54
How many storm warnings were issued in the Philippines in preparation for Typhoon Haiyan?
Storm warnings issued in 60 out of the Philippines' 80 provinces.
55
What warning level was issued by the Philippines government?
Escalated up to warning level 4.
56
When was the Guinsaugon landslide?
February 17th 2006
57
What was the direct cause of the Guinsaugon landslide?
A 2.6 magnitude earthquake and a 10 day period of heavy rain (approximately 200cm of rainfall).
58
How did deforestation increase the Philippines' risk of landslides?
The Philippines' had several million hectares of forest in 1930, but now has only 600,000 hectares.
This means ground lacks the biological stabilisation provided by trees.
59
How many people died as a result of the Guinsaugon landslide?
1, 126
60
How many primary school children died as a result of the local school being buried by the Guinsaugon landslide?
246 children
61
How many U.S. troops were available to help with the search and rescue effort after the Guinsaugon landslide?
6,000 troops
62
How much did the U.S. government donate to help with the Guinsaugon landslide?
U.S. donates $100, 000 worth of disaster equipment
63
How did Malysia help the Philippines following the Guinsaugon landslide?
They sent a 60 man search and rescue to team to help and find survivors.
64
When was the Loma Prieta earthquake?
October 17th 1989
65
What is the name of the plate boundary that California sits upon?
San Andreas plate
66
What are the two plates involved on the San Andreas fault?
- North American (continental)
| - Pacific (oceanic)
67
What type of boundary is the San Andreas fault?
Conservative
68
Why was the Marina District in San Francisco Bay particularly vulnerable?
Unreinforced masonry buildings were built on top of loose, saturated sediment.
In the event of an earthquake, this loose sediment will be subject to mass shaking and liquefaction - in other words, the ground begins behaving like a liquid.
69
How many people died in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
63 deaths
70
How many people were injured as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
3,753
71
How many people were made homeless as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
3000 people were made homeless
72
What freeway collapsed as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake? How many people were killed as a result?
Cypress Street Viaduct Freeway collapsed as a result of the earthquake, killing 42 drivers and passengers.
73
What is the total estimated property damage incurred in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
$6 billion
74
How many bridges were damaged as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake?
80 bridges were damaged
75
In the Marina District, how many buildings completely collapsed as a result of soil liquefaction?
35 buildings completely collapsed as a result of unstable ground liquefaction.
76
How many landslides and rockfalls occurred in the Santa Cruz mountains as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake?
1000 landslides and rockfalls in the Santa Cruz mountains
77
In response to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, how did California improve its ability to monitor potential earthquakes?
It expanded its number of accelerometers and seismometers from 75 to over 200.
78
What sporting event was taking place at the time of the Loma Prieta earthquake?
The World Series 1989 Baseball Tournament
79
What is the average January temperature in the Arctic?
-35 degrees celcius
80
At current rates, what percentage of Arctic ice will be lost by 2100?
50-60%
81
What is meant by 'positive ice albedo feedback'?
This is the positive feedback mechanism whereby warming global temperatures mean that Arctic ice begins to melt. Ice has a high albedo (reflects solar radiation), whereas water has a low albedo. Therefore, melting ice means more solar radiation will be absorbed by oceans.
82
How much have temperatures in the Arctic risen over the last 50 years?
3-4 degree celcius
83
How has snow cover declined in the Arctic?
10% decline in snow cover since 1970s
84
How has precipitation changed in the Arctic?
Precipitation has increased by 8% since 1900
85
What percent of the permafrost in the Arctic region is expected to thaw?
40% expected to thaw
86
What is the current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere?
400 ppm (parts per million)
87
What is orbital eccentricity? Why is it important?
Milankovitch saw that changes in the earth's orbital eccentricity (the shape of our orbital path around the sun) will affect climate.
If Earth's orbit becomes more elliptical (more oval shaped), we will orbit closer to the sun and therefore be exposed to more solar radiation = temperature increases on Earth.
88
How regularly to ice ages occur?
Every 100,000 years
89
What is the holocene?
The geological period covers the last 10,000 years since the last glacial period (ice age).
90
What is albedo?
The fraction of solar energy (shortwave IR radiation) that is reflected back into space.
91
When was the 'Year without a summer'? What caused it?
The 'year without a summer' happened in 1816 and was caused by the 1815 Mt Tambora eruption.
92
What was the 'Maunder Minimum'?
The period from 1645 to 1715 in which there were very few solar sunspots, resulting in colder temperatures in which the Rhine was frozen until Summer each year in Germany.
93
What was the impact of Mt Pinatubo on global temperatures?
Global temperatures fell by about 0.5 degrees Celsius.
94
How much have sea levels risen in the past 100 years?
18cm
95
If the Greenland Ice Sheet melted, how much would sea levels rise by?
7 metres
96
By how much have global temperature risen on pre-industrial levels?
1 degree Celcius
97
What impact would be the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet have upon the ocean's thermo-haline circulation system?
The melting of ice sheets in the Arctic, combined with increased rainfall, would result in increased freshwater and disrupt the sinking of cold, salty water.
This would disrupt the entire circulation system, potentially ending the gulf stream and dramatically cooling Europe.
98
By how much has arctic sea ice decreased since the 1970s?
14%
99
How many tonnes of carbon (mostly in methane form) are stored in the northern permafrost?
1700 billion tonnes
100
What is happening to vegetation in the Arctic?
Vegetation has expanded by around 10%, mostly in the North, as a result of warmer temperatures.
Shrubs and alders are starting to push out moss and lichens in tundra areas.
101
What could become the dominant Arctic shipping route by 2030? Why?
The Transpolar Sea Route could become the dominant shipping route by 2030 because of the declining extent of Arctic sea ice.
102
What will happen to fishing the Arctic?
- Decline of freshwater fisheries (e.g. for fish such as near-threatened Arctic char)
- BUT, greater fishing potential for cod and herring due to warmer waters
103
How is climate change in the Arctic impacting the Inuit?
- Herd animals such as reindeer are changing migration routes, impacting hunting for the Inuit.
- Melting ice means Inuit will be more exposed to exploitation of natural resources as region becomes more accessible (e.g. oil drilling)
104
What percentage of Africans live in coastal zones?
60%
105
What issues does climate change pose on the River Nile?
- Demands outstrips supply of water for 25% of Africans
| - Nile is internationally-shared, so water stress could lead to conflict
106
What are the potential health impacts of climate change on Africa?
- Vector borne diseases such as Malaria could increase
| - 80% of healthcare in Africa relies on natural remedies from wild plants, which could disappear with climate change.
107
What event happened in 2007 that illustrated the impacts of climate change on coastal areas in Africa? What was the economic impact?
- 2007 floods + cyclone in Mozambique
| - $171 million in infrastructure damage
108
What percentage of Africans are subsidence farmers?
70% of people are in Africa are subsidence farmers
109
What has happened to agriculture in West Africa?
Countries such as Togo have seen a fall in Coco production of around 30% due to declining pasture quality and the Miridae crop pest.
110
What impact would be a 1m rise in sea levels have on Egypt?
It could potentially affect 15% of Egypt's habitable land which would impact 7 million people.
111
Why is there uncertainty surrounding the rise in global temperatures?
- Role of feedback mechanisms
- Inertia (there is a delay before impacts materialise)
- How quickly and the path countries develop on
- How effectively we limit emissions intenationally
112
What did the Climate Change: 2007 report by the IPCC predict for global surface warming?
The IPCC predicts global surface warming of between 1.5 degrees and 4 degrees depending on our response and development.
113
What is adaptive capacity in terms of climate change?
The ability to adjust in order to cope with climate change
114
Since 1970, how far have CO2 emmissions grown?
By 70%
115
What is the UNFCCC? When was it agreed?
- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
| - 1994
116
What is meant by Annex 1 countries?
Rich, developed countries (mostly OECD members) that the UNFCCC decided had to play a greater role in limiting climate change. They were required to reduce emissions back to 1990 levels by 2000 - they met this goal in aggregate.
117
When was the Kyoto Protocol added to the UNFCCC?
1997
118
What did the Kyoto protocol do differently to the UNFCCC?
- Legally binding, individusalised emissions targets
| - Group, as a whole, required to reduce emissions to 5% below 1990 levels
119
Which country refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol?
USA
120
What is mitigation?
Reducing global warming by cutting emissions and increasing carbon sinks.
121
What is the Inuit's population size?
130,000
122
Give an example of how countries have traded emissions.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) allows countries such as Greece and Portugal to continue to develop with fossil fuels but demands countries such as Germany and Luxembourg reduce their emissions.
123
Give an example of a local project to help adapt to climate change.
The UK Homes and Environment Agency funds zero-carbon housing initiatives such as Hanham Hall in Bristol.
186 energy-efficient homes with passive solar heating and effective insulation.
There is an on-site biomass power plant which gives electricity to all homes.
124
Give an example of NGOs working to mitigate climate change.
Tearfund provides drought-resistant crops to villages in Niger.
In Niger, 2.5m people suffer from food shortages.
125
What happens to polar bears in the summer as a result of climate change?
Polar bears lose 80kg of fat during the summer due to declining fish stocks
126
What percent of Inuit hunt caribou, fish, or marine mammals?
80%
127
How many hectares of forest burn in Arctic Russia? What type of forest is this?
10 million hectares of Boreal forest burn each year
128
What did the United Nations Environment Programme report in 2007?
14 countries in Africa are suffering from water scarcity, and 11 countries will join them by 2032
129
When was the Stern Review?
2006
130
How low-lying is land in Bangladesh?
75% of the country is less than 10m above sea level
131
What percent of land in Bangladesh is classed as a 'food plain'?
80%
132
What delta does Bangladesh sit upon?
The Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta
133
What rivers join at the Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta?
The Ganges, Meghna, and Brahmaputra rivers
134
What is the average monthly rainfall in Bangladesh?
625mm
135
Each year, how much of Bangladesh is inundated by flooding?
18%
136
If sea levels rise by 1m, what percent of land in Bangladesh could become permanently flooded?
10%
137
How much forest cover has the Himalayas lost? Why?
15% of forest cover has been lost since the 1970s due to deforestation
138
How many trans-boundary rivers are there in Bangladesh?
57
139
What is a trans-boundary river?
A river that spans through multiple countries
140
What percentage of land was inundated by the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
60%
141
How many people were made homeless as a result of the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
30 million
142
What health impacts followed the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
Typhoid and cholera outbreaks
143
What was the death toll of the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
1000+
144
How many hectares of crops were destroyed in the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
700,000 hectares
145
How many factories were forced to close as a result of the 1998 Bangladesh floods?
400 factories forced to close
146
How much did economic production decline in Bangladesh following the 1998 floods?
20% decline in economic output/production
147
What is name and date of the largest wildfire in California?
The Cedar Wildfire that occurred in 2003
148
How many people died as a result of the 2003 Cedar Wildfire?
15 people died
149
How much economic damage was caused by the 2003 Cedar wildfire?
$27 million
150
How many acres of land did the 2003 Cedar Wildfire burn?
800,000 acres
151
How many buildings were burnt by the 2003 Cedar Wildfire?
2,800
152
What is food security?
The availability and accessibility of food
153
What drought crisis occurred in Africa in recent years?
The East African Drought of 2011
154
Which countries were affected in the 2011 East African drought?
Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia
155
What were the two main causes of the 2011 East African drought?
- La nina conditions
| - Global warming
156
How far did precipitation fall during the 2011 East African drought?
Precipitation fell to just 30% of the 1990-2010 average
157
What happened to crops as a result of the 2011 East African drought?
Crop failure rates grew to 40-60% (6/10 crops would fail to grow)
158
What crisis was declared in Somalia by the UN?
A famine
159
What was the biggest political implication of the 2011 East African Drought?
Al-Shabaab, an Islamist group, expanded significantly and was able to prevent aid being delivered to around 1m people.
160
How did the 2011 East African Drought drive conflict?
Armed herders (people who raise livestock) fought over grazing territory. Over 100 people were killed in the conflict.
161
How many people were at risk of malnourishment in Kenya as a result of the 2011 East African Drought?
3.5 million
162
How many Somalian refugees were there as a result of the 2011 East African Drought?
900,000 Somalian refugees
163
How many Ugandans were affected by food shortages as a result of the 2011 East African Drought?
1.2 million Ugandans affected by food shortages
164
What happened to the price of staple foods as a result fo the 2011 East African Drought?
Prices rose by 68% overall, but over 240% in Somalia
165
What is carbon sequestration?
The long-term storage of carbon (e.g. reforestation).
166
What was the objective of the Kyoto Protocol?
To reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases below 5.2% of the emissions produced in 1990.
167
What target did the Kyoto Protocol set for the European Union?
8% reduction in emmisions
168
What are the six main greenhouse gases?
Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, HFCs and PFCs
169
Give an example of how the Kyoto Protocol has succeeded.
Overall, Annex 1 countries have reduced emissions to 3% below 1990 levels in the year 2000.
170
Give an example of ow the Kyoto Protocol has failed.
The world will be producing 10% more emissions above 1990 levels due to growth in China and elsewhere, so the Kyoto Protocol has ultimately failed.
171
In 2007, what target did the EU set to reduce its GHG emissions by 2020?
The EU set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.
172
What is carbon offsetting? Give an example.
The idea that you reduce your carbon emissions to allow for new emissions elswhere.
An example can be found in emissions trading schemes.
173
Give an example of how Shell, the oil company, has tried to offset its carbon emissions.
Shell pumps CO2 from one its refineries in Botlek in the Netherlands into 500 greenhouses (growing fruit and vegetables) to avoid annual emissions of 170 000 tonnes of CO2
174
How has London reduced emissions from vehicles?
A congestion charge was introduced in 2003 that now charges drivers £11.50 per day for driving in Central London.
175
How has traffic fallen in London after introducing a congestion charge?
Traffic fallen by 15%
176
How far have nitrous oxide and CO2 emissions fallen in Central London as a result of the congestion charge?
They have fallen by 12%
177
What % of global GDP did Sir Nicholas Stern estimate that the global economy could lose if it fails to tackle climate change?
10%
178
What % of global GDP did Sir Nicholas estimate that it would cost us to mitigate climate change?
1%
179
What percentage of UK energy is generated by nuclear power plants?
20%
180
What is a CHP system?
A combined heat and power system that makes use of a heat engine/power station to generate both electricity and useful heat energy.
181
What percent of Copenhagen's properties are heated by its CHP system?
97%
182
Between 1995 and 2000, how far did CO2 emissions fall in Copenhagen as a result of its CHP system?
Emissions were reduced by 1 million tonnes.
183
When was the Thames Barrier first operational?
1982
184
What was the total construction cost of the Thames Barrier?
£534 million
185
How wide is the Thames Barrier?
520m
186
How many steel gates does the Thames Barrier have?
10
187
How does the Thames Barrier work?
The Thames Barrier is made up of rotating gates that can be raised using hydraulic cylinders when incoming tidal surges are predicted from oil rigs and the Met Office.
188
What is the total size of the area that the Thames Barrier protects?
125 square kilometres
189
In the last 100 years, how far has forest cover declined in the Philippines?
63%
190
What winds are the cause of wildfires in California?
The extremely dry Santa Ana winds
191
How many slum dwellers are there in Manilla?
4 million
192
How many islands are the in the Philippines?
7000
193
What is the population density in the Philippines?
240 people per square kilometre
194
What is the Philippines GDP per capita?
$2,800
195
What was a major historical flooding event in Bristol?
The 1607 Bristol Channel Floods
196
What are the two possible explanations of the 1607 Bristol Channel Floods?
1. A Tsnumai caused by strain on a subductive fault SW of Ireland
2. A storm surge similar to the 1953 floods
197
What major piece of infrastructure makes Bristol vulnerable to a technological or quasi-natural hazard?
1. Hinkley Point B Nuclear Power Station in nearby Somerset
198
What event illustrates that major flooding is possible in modern Bristol?
'The Great Flood of 1968'
199
What weather pattern developed that caused the Great Flood of 1968?
A 'Spanish plume' weather pattern features warm air and high rainfall
200
What factors make Bristol a possible site for flooding?
- It sits on the confluence between the River Avon and Frome
| - Bristol's CBD features lots of impermeable land
201
What chronic hazard risks might impact Bristol?
- Colder temperatures due disruption of thermo-haline circulation (no more gulf stream)
- Flash floods or storm surges resulting from rising sea levels
202
What event happened in 2010 that illustrated the impact on desertification Africa?
The 2010 Sahel famine
203
What are the main causes of desertification?
1. Overgrazing
2. Over-cultivation
3. Increased surface temperatures due to enhanced greenhouse effect
4. La Nina
204
Between the 1950s and 1980s, how far did rainfall decline in the Sahel region?
40%
205
What major adaptation strategy has been proposed to deal with desertification in the Sahel Region?
African Union has proposed building a 'Great Green Wall' of trees to prevent expansion of desert.
206
What social enterprise has helped with the Great Green Wall Project?
Ecosia, an eco-friendly search engine based in Germany, has planted 3 million trees in Burkina Faso.
207
How has the summer melt on the Greenland ice sheet increased since 1979?
30% increase in summer melt on Greenland Ice Sheet
