Comprehensive Geography and Governance: Water, Coasts, Hazards, and Global Commons

What is the significance of Indonesia's tropical climate in relation to carbon?

It is ideal for plant growth and acts as a major carbon sink.

What percentage of Indonesia's rainforest remained by the mid-2000s?

Just over half of the original forest.

What are the four main products driving deforestation in Indonesia?

Pulp, paper, plywood, and palm oil.

What major environmental issue did the 1997-1998 wildfires in Indonesia cause?

They released smoke particles containing black carbon, contributing to haze and pollution.

How much carbon was released by the wildfires in Indonesia in 2015?

495.7 million tonnes of carbon.

What is the length of the River Exe?

82.7 km.

What geological feature underlies 84.4% of the River Exe catchment area?

Impermeable rock (Devonian sandstones).

What is the primary land use in the upper catchment of the River Exe?

Agricultural grassland (67%).

What is the water balance equation for Exmoor?

Precipitation = Evaporation + Soil Water Storage + Runoff.

What is the purpose of the Wimbleball Reservoir?

To supply water to Exeter and East Devon during the summer.

What is the goal of the Exmoor Mires Project?

To restore peatland for increased water storage and carbon absorption.

What is the main geological composition of Flamborough Head?

Chalk.

What is the rate of erosion in Bridlington Bay?

Over 1 meter per year, up to 10 meters in some areas.

What coastal feature is formed at the estuary of the River Humber?

Spurn Head, a classic spit formation.

What is the impact of hard engineering on the Holderness Coast?

It has protected areas like Hornsea but starved southern areas of sediment.

What major event occurred in 1953 related to coastal flooding?

300 lives were lost due to significant flooding.

What is the significance of Odisha's coastal environment?

It supports a wide variety of marine life and has potential for renewable energy.

What are the 'Gift of Six' in Odisha?

The six major deltas in the region.

What type of lagoon is Chilika Lake?

A brackish salty lagoon known for its birdlife.

What resources are found in Odisha's coastal stretch?

Placer minerals, heavy metal deposits, clay, and limestone.

What is the role of mangrove forests in Odisha?

They provide habitat and act as important sediment zones.

What is the effect of El Nino on Indonesia's wildfires?

It exacerbates the conditions, leading to more severe fires.

How much land was burnt by wildfires in Indonesia during 1997-1998?

8 million hectares.

What is the impact of drainage ditches on Exmoor's water quality?

They reduce water quality and create landscape scars.

What is the primary cause of carbon release from Indonesia's peatlands?

Erosion by wind and rain.

What is the significance of sediment transfer in the Holderness Coast?

It nourishes Spurn Head and protects against storms.

What percentage of the Odisha coastline is experiencing erosion?

36.8%

What are the major resources found along the Odisha coastline?

Placer minerals, heavy metals, clay, and limestone.

What is the significance of Chilika Lake Bird Sanctuary?

It boasts over 150 migratory and resident species of birds.

What major environmental issue has increased in Odisha's coastal areas?

Erosion rates have increased in recent decades.

What natural processes contribute to the dynamic changes of the Odisha coastline?

Waves, tides, and currents.

What was the impact of Cyclone Phailin in October 2013?

Winds of 200 km/h, 1 million evacuated, 44 deaths, and significant economic disruption.

What percentage of the Odisha coastline is considered stable?

14.4%

What is the role of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) project?

To coordinate stakeholder activities and promote sustainable use of natural resources.

What are the major issues addressed by the ICZM project?

Erosion, disaster vulnerability, biodiversity conservation, livelihood security, pollution management, and archaeological conservation.

What was the consequence of the 1999 Odisha cyclone?

Massive destruction and approximately 10,000 deaths.

What is the impact of human intervention on the Odisha coastline?

It often exacerbates erosion and disrupts natural processes.

What is the average width of mangroves in Odisha's coastal villages now?

1.2 km, down from 5.1 km.

What is the significance of the Mahanadi Delta in coastal management?

It is crucial for natural habitats and has suffered mangrove loss due to economic development.

What are the risks associated with tropical cyclones in Odisha?

Increased frequency and intensity due to climate change and rising sea levels.

What were the conditions leading to the Black Saturday bushfires in Australia?

A heatwave and dry conditions preceding the fires.

What was the peak temperature recorded in Melbourne before the Black Saturday bushfires?

45.1 degrees Celsius.

What caused the Kilmore East fire on Black Saturday?

Fallen power lines ignited by sparks from NW winds exceeding 100 km/h.

What was the overall financial cost of the 2025 LA wildfires?

$250 to $375 billion.

What measures were taken in response to the 2013 Odisha cyclone?

Mitigation strategies, relief efforts, and evacuation warnings.

What is the role of NGOs like Wetlands International in Odisha?

To reverse the loss of mangrove life and promote sustainable coastal management.

What is a significant concern for the Odisha coastline due to climate change?

Threats from storm surges, tsunamis, and rising sea levels.

What was the outcome of the 2011 assessment of Odisha's coastline?

It revealed that local strategies often worsen long-term coastal stability.

What is the primary cause of the increase in wildfire risks in LA?

High population density and rapid climate changes.

What was the most significant fire complex during the Black Saturday bushfires?

The Kinglake Fire complex.

What are the ecological consequences of the coastal development in Odisha?

Loss of mangrove habitats and increased vulnerability to flooding.

What is the importance of public consultations in coastal management?

To address erosion control, ecotourism development, and mangrove replanting.

What is the impact of climate change on the frequency of tropical cyclones?

It may increase the frequency and intensity of cyclones.

What event caused nearly 400 fires to burn across Victoria?

A series of fires in the state, leading to widespread disruption and fatalities.

How many people were killed in the primary consequences of the Victoria fires?

173 people were killed, with 120 in the Kinglake area alone.

What was the total area burned in the Victoria fires?

450,000 hectares were burned.

What was the estimated number of animals that died due to the Victoria fires?

Up to 1 million wild and domesticated animals.

What significant investigation was launched following the Victoria fires?

A royal commission investigated the preparedness and made 67 recommendations.

What was the settlement amount for the Kinglake fire lawsuits?

$494 million.

What was a major consequence reported among bushfire survivors?

A rise in suicides, alcohol and drug abuse, and addictive behaviors.

What category was Hurricane Katrina classified as?

Category 5.

What was the maximum wind speed of Hurricane Katrina?

175 mph.

How many people died as a result of Hurricane Katrina?

1,392 deaths, with 1,200 from the storm surge.

What percentage of the population in New Orleans was affected by poverty during Hurricane Katrina?

23% of the population.

What was a major failure of the evacuation plan during Hurricane Katrina?

The mayor did not utilize school buses for evacuation.

What was the total cost of damages caused by Hurricane Katrina?

Over $120 billion.

What was the impact of Cyclone Aila in May 2009?

190 deaths and $18.8 billion in damages.

What was the primary cause of the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004?

An earthquake measuring between 9.0 and 9.3 on the Richter scale.

How many lives were lost due to the Boxing Day Tsunami?

300,000 lives.

What was the immediate response to the Boxing Day Tsunami?

International relief efforts from the UN and 160 aid organizations.

What was a significant long-term response to the Boxing Day Tsunami?

The establishment of a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean.

What was the date of the Tohoku earthquake in Japan?

11 March 2011.

What magnitude was the Tohoku earthquake?

9.0.

How much did Honshu Island move closer to North America due to the Tohoku earthquake?

2.4 meters.

What was the time available for people to escape after the Tohoku earthquake?

30 minutes.

What was a significant secondary impact of the Boxing Day Tsunami?

Widespread homelessness, with 500,000 people forced into refugee camps.

What environmental impact did Cyclone Aila have on the soil?

Salty soil and water contamination.

What was the effect of the Boxing Day Tsunami on the economy of Aceh Province?

44% of the population lost their livelihoods.

What was the height of the waves during the tsunami that hit the coast?

10 meters

How far inland did the tsunami move?

10 kilometers

What primary effect caused buildings to collapse during the earthquake?

Shaking ground

How many square kilometers were flooded by the tsunami?

Almost 500 square kilometers

What was the estimated death toll from the earthquake and tsunami?

Over 18,000

What system helped save many lives during the earthquake?

The warning system

How many people were left homeless after the earthquake?

Half a million

What were the shortages faced by the survivors after the disaster?

Food, water, petrol, and medical supplies

What significant event occurred at Fukushima after the earthquake?

Explosions and radiation leaks

What was the total estimated damage cost of the disaster?

$300 billion USD

What long-term response was created in 2013 to improve tsunami awareness?

A new tsunami warning system

What was the VEI of the Mount Pinatubo eruption?

6

How many people were killed by the pyroclastic flows and falling ash during the eruption?

847 people

What natural disaster coincided with the Mount Pinatubo eruption?

Typhoon Yunya

What was the impact of Typhoon Yunya on the ash from the eruption?

It caused the ash to fall as mud, leading to building collapses.

How many tons of sulfur dioxide were injected into the stratosphere during the eruption?

Nearly 20 million tons

What long-term strategy was implemented to protect people from future eruptions?

Creation of new towns and villages away from high-risk areas

What was the economic impact of the eruption on the US Air Force base?

The base closed, causing thousands of job losses.

What was the effect on global temperatures due to the eruption?

Global temperatures dropped by 0.5°C.

What was the main reason for Uganda's underdevelopment despite its mineral resources?

Civil war, corruption, and HIV/AIDS

What percentage of Uganda's population lives under the national poverty line?

1/3 of the population

What is the main export from Lake Victoria that is causing ecological issues?

Nile Perch