Climate vulnerability & Resonse

Only including what is on mock exam and without case studies

What is an ecosystem?

A community of living organisms and their non-living environment

What is a biome?

Ecosystems around the world (e.g. rainforests)

Name the 7 biomes

1. Tundra

2. Taiga

3. Deciduous

4. Mediterranean

5. Desert

6. Savanna

7. Tropical

What do ecosystems and biomes play a key role in?

The carbon cycle

What do changes in the availability of moisture cause?

Changes in temperature, rainfall and animal habitats

What do these changes impact?

A species’ survival, migration patterns & interactions

What does this result in?

It results in changes to ecosystem functions and services.

Will conditions improve of worsen?

Some places will improve conditions for crops and ecosystems, while others will suffer.

Where could biomes move?

North or south

Why would they move north of south?

To find specific climate conditions

Why are polar and tundra biomes at risk?

Because they cant move any further north or south

What is causing coral bleaching?

Rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification

List 3 behaviour patterns that will change as biomes move

1. Animals will have to migrate further

2. Reduced hibernations

3. Migration beginning earlier each year

Give 4 reasons why will animals have to migrate further?

1. To find cooler climates

2. Find areas with reduced pests

3. Reduced predators

4. Reduced diseases

= To breed

What is global dimming?

The decreased amount of sunlight reaching the earths surface

What causes global dimming?

By increased pollution in the atmosphere

What is the opposite if dimming?

Global brightening and can occur if pollution controls are put in place

List 3 things that can cause global dimming

1. Volcanic eruptions

2. Atmospheric dust & asteroids

3. Wild fires

Explain how volcanic eruptions can cause global dimming?

On a large scale, they can block insulation and reduce temperatures due to the ash in the atmosphere.

Give an example of a volcanic eruption

1991 eruption of Mt Pinatubo, Philippines that reduced global temps by 1°C in 1992. There are no ways to control this type of dimming

Explain wildfire dimming

They contribute temporarily to global dimming because of the smoke and fine particles.

What does vulnerability to climate change refer to?

The degree to which people are susceptible to, or unable to cope with the adverse impacts of climate change

What are the 3 main factors associated with vulnerability?

1. Exposure

2. Sensitivity

3. Adaptive capacity

Define exposure

The degree to which people are exposed to climate change

Define sensitivity

The degree to which they could be harmed by exposure to climate change

Define adaptive capacity

The degree to which they could mitigate the potential harm by taking action to reduce their exposure or sensitivity

Who are the most vulnerable population?

• Single parent households

• The sick

• Women carrying kids

• Young / elderly

• Disables

• Minority groups

• Refugees

• Indigenous people

Give some examples of what can impact vulnerability

• Level of education

• Quality of infrastructure

• Urban or rural

• Wealth of county

• Elevation above sea level

• Availability of resources

• Extreme conditions

• Restrictions of women

What are the 2 possible case studies for this?

Bangladesh climate migrants and Swiss ski resorts

What types of energy to HIC use lots of

Energy hungry technology through industrial processes and domestic usage

Give some examples of domestic usages

Lights, heating, appliances, TV’s, washers

What are HICs doing to reduce their GHG emissions?

• There are strict environmental laws

• The use of renewable energy sources

• Use of low-energy technology

Why do MICs have lots of emissions and high energy usage?

Because they have lots of manufacturing industries (China, India).

However they have a lower domestic energy consumption than HICs

Why do LICs tend to have the lowest GHG emissions?

• Due to a lack of industrial development

• Their per capita income means less money in available for high-energy products/ technology

Will the demand for energy increase or decrease and why?

It will increase as LICs turn into HIC, which will develop into HICs.

What country is said to be most guilt?

China

What is China’s yearly emissions of CO2?

10 billion tons

What alternative perspectives are there?

1. Emissions per capita (where Qatar is the most guilty with 49 tons per person)

2. Countries historical emissions (where USA is most guilty with over 25% of global emissions = 400 billion tons)

Who are the first to suffer?

Developing countries, despite have the least contribution to the problem

How will developing countries suffer?

• Food insecurities

• Conflicts

• Harsher/ more frequent natural disasters

• Larger climate refugee movements

What is the argument made by developing countries?

• That in wester countries, wealth lifestyles are what contributes to their emissions, where as in LICs, its survival.

• HICs got rich through “pollution without restraint”