geo unit 2

Since when has the world not been living "sustainably"?

The 1960s

What do 97% of the world's climate scientists believe is causing global warming and climate change?

Human activities. Burning fossil fuels (like coal, oil, and gas) and cutting down forests traps heat in the atmosphere.

EU and US is responsible for how much of world's excess carbon?

Around 60% total.
US = 40%
EU = 20%

What was the first agricultural revolution?

The invention of farming (around 10,000 years ago).

What is intensive subsistence agriculture? What makes it "intensive"?

Dedication to small, single plot of land. Is "intensive" because farmers must maximize every inch of land by hand with tons of human labor.

What is shifting cultivation (slash and burn)

Clearing forests by cutting and burning trees for quick ash fertilizer before moving on.

What is pastoralism?

Herders traveling with animals for grass and water.

How do users of shifting cultivation and pastoralism relate to each other?

They trade products but often fight for land.

What was the second agricultural revolution; what impact did it have on people, on yields, on the environment?

The industrialization of farming (1700s–1800s). Increased yields, pop. shifted into cities, wore out soil faster.

What is undernourishment and malnourishment?

Undernourishment is not getting enough food or calories. Malnourishment is not getting the right nutrients and vitamins, even if you eat enough calories.

What impacts does undernourishment/malnourishment have on a person or population?

Stunted growth
weak immune systems
learning troubles in kids
+ low energy and lower life expectancy

What causes food insecurity and is it always characterized by an absence of food?

Poverty, war, and bad infrastructure. No; often food is available, but people are too poor to buy it or conflict blocks it.

What is the meaning of Amartya Sen’s concept of "entitlement".

Your legal ability to get food. It means starvation happens because people lose their income or access to food, not because food doesn't exist in the region.

How can food insecurity issues be addressed in the periphery?

Increase yields and foster local production (w/ cash crops or subsidies).

How can supply be increased and entitlements be expanded. What role do cash crops play in this?

Improving seeds/irrigation and bigger wages/land. Cash crops bring in money but can take land away from native food.

What is the Green Revolution and who does it benefit? What are some downsides?

The introduction of high-yield seeds and chemical fertilizers in the 50s-60s. Benefited wealthy farmers, but bankrupt poor farmers and polluted water.

How does subsidized food "dumped" on peripheral countries impact them?

It ruins local farmers. Rich countries sell extra food to poor nations at incredibly low prices, making it impossible for local farmers to compete.

What characterizes modern industrial/commercial farming in the core? What is the farm's role in the industrial agricultural system?

Giant, machine-heavy corporations running farms like factories (Agribusiness). The farm functions as just one small cog.

What percentage of the labor force in the US is employed in agriculture in the United States?

Less than 2%

What is the core’s policy with regard to subsidizing its farmers?

Giving billions of dollars to their own farmers. Keeps home food prices low and money in domestic farmers’ pockets.

What is the third agricultural revolution?

The modern era of high-tech farming. GMOs, computers, satellites, and automated machinery.

What are GMO’s – what is the E.U.’s and the U.S.’ stance towards this technology? Where do they stand on labeling GMOs on food packaging?

Organisms with altered DNA. The US supports them as safe and uses subtle labeling/QR codes, while the EU restricts them heavily and mandates strict, clear labels on packages.

What are the pros of "organic" agriculture?

No chemical pesticides, better for soil and wildlife, healthier for consumers.

What are the CONS of "organic" agriculture?

Costs more money, requires more land, and produces less food overall.

What does urbanization mean exactly? What is it measuring?

The shift from rural countrysides to concentrated cities. Measures the % of a country's population living in urban areas.

Which world regions are most urbanized?

North/Latin America and Europe

Which word regionds are most quickly urbanizing?

Africa and Asia

Are only core regions highly urbanized?

No, many developing nations are highly urbanized

What are the historic causes of urbanization?

Machines replaced field laborers, forcing workers into cities to find factory jobs.

What promise does urbanization bring, historically and today, i.e. what are cities good for?

Jobs, innovation, and shared resources. (industries, top-tier healthcare, education, etc)

What are shock cities?

Cities experiencing sudden population explosions due to fast industrialization.

What made Chicago a shock city?

Chicago grew instantly because it connected eastern markets to western farms via railroads.

What determines the economic importance of cities today?

Global financial networks and tech headquarters

Where are the biggest cities in the world today?

Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, and São Paulo top the global population charts.

What is overurbanization?

When a city grows faster than its housing, jobs, and infrastructure. (Rural areas lack opportunities)

What is the informal sector of the economy that characterizes much of the work in periphery cities.

The untaxed, unregulated part of the economy.

What characterizes the American city?

Dense, highway-dependent DT surrounded by big sprawling suburbs.

What is white flight?

exit of white families from integrating cities

What is suburbanization?

residential growth outside cities

What is urban sprawl?

low-density car-dependent development, caused by highways and wealth.

What is smart growth?

Urban planning that focuses on compact, walkable development.

How do you establish vibrant, sustainable cities and scale back suburban sprawl?

Building mixed-use apartments above shops

Boosting public transit

Banning development past green borders.

What is the carbon footprint of core cities compared to rural or exurban living?

Much lower in core cities. Shared walls reduce heating needs, and walking or transit replaces cars.

What is gentrification? What are some key things associated with it? How does it effect current, lower income residents?

Wealthy people moving into a poor neighborhood, fixing up houses, and changing the area.

How does gentrification effect current, lower income residents?

It brings hip shops and high property values, but drives up rent and forces low-income residents out.