Managing the Impacts

Mitigation

The action of reducing the severity of climate change

What are 4 ways that climate change can be mitigated?

Planting trees
Renewable energy
International Agreements
Carbon Capture

How can afforestation mitigate climate change?

Trees take CO2 out of the atmosphere, and release water from transpiration. This helps to reduce global temperatures

What percentage of all CO2 produced is from fossil fuels?

87%

Biomass Power

Wood, plants or animal waste burnt for power or used to produce biofuels

Wind Power

Turbines use the energy of the wind to generate electricity either on land or in the sea

Tidal Power

Currents or changes in the water level caused by tides are used to turn turbines and generate electricity

Solar Power

Energy from the sun is used to heat water or generate electricity using solar panels

Geothermal Power

Water is pumped into the ground, where heat deep in the Earths crust turns it into steam. This drives a turbine used to generate electricity

Wave Power

Wind blowing across water makes waves, which drives turbines to generate electricity

Hydroelectric Power

Uses energy of falling water. Water is trapped by a dam and allowed to fall through tunnels, where the pressure of the falling water turns turbines to generate electricity

Why are countries turning to renewable energy sources?

To reduce carbon emissions

What international agreement was signed in 2005? How many countries signed it?

The Kyoto Protocol - 170+

What was the aim of the Kyoto Protocol?

Reduce carbon emissions by an average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels by 2012

What international agreement was set up n 2009?

The Copenhagen Accord

What was the purpose of the Copenhagen Accord?

To reduce emissions, with financial support for developing nations and to help them cope with the impacts of climate change

The Copenhagen Accord set out to battle climate change beyond which year?

2012

Which international agreement was signed in 2012?

The Paris Agreement

What was special about the Paris Agreement?

It was the first universal and legally binding global climate deal

What were the 4 main aims of the Paris Agreement?

1. Peak greenhouse emissions asap and achieve a balance between sources and sinks of g. gases

2. Keep global temperature increases below 2 degrees C

3. To review progress every 5 years

4. US$1 billion every year to support LICs

Why are there criticisms of the Paris Agreement?

Because they are ‘promises’ not firm commitments

What is carbon capture?

Uses tech to capture CO2 produced from the use of fossil fuels

How much CO2 is it possible to catch through carbon capture?

90%

How is carbon capture achieved?

Large fossil fuel electricity power station →
Fossil fuel is burnt →
CO2 is captured from exhaust gases →
CO2 is pumped through pipelines to old oil fields →
CO2 is converted into a liquid and injected into sedimentary rocks in old oil fields

Why are global agricultural systems under threat due to climate change?

Patterns of rainfall and temp will change
Extreme weather events become more common
Distribution of pests and disease will change

Where might warmer climates benefit crop production?

Mediterannean - vines and olives will grow better
North America - better wheat yields

Where might warmer disadvantage benefit crop production?

Equatorial regions, temps rising may lead to drought

How can farmers in low altitude areas adapt to climate change?

Shade to protect seedlings
Drought resistant crops
New irrigation systems
Educating farmers in water harvesting techniques
New cropping patterns

How far have sea levels risen since 1900?

20cm

How far are sea levels expected to rise by 2100?

26-82cm

How can mangroves protect against sea level rise?

Mangrove forests trap sediment, preventing it from travelling to rivers (reduces risk of rivers overflowing), they also offer protection from storm waves as they dissipate energy

How can sea walls protect against sea level rise?

Tall sea walls can be placed around towns at risk, this can deflect the water, preventing it from flooding the area

How can artificial islands protect against sea level rise?

Creating artificial islands for people who are at risk from sea level rise and losing their home. They can be relocated to these islands

How can houses on stilts defend against sea level rise?

Can reduce the effects and likelihood of flooding peoples houses. It can also reduce the number of people having to relocate who are at risk from flooding

How can migration protect against sea level rise?

Moving to new areas which are not at risk from flooding, therefore causing themselves and their possessions no damage