inertia & inequality PQ L1

1. Which regions face the highest vulnerability to sea-level rise according to the IPCC?

mega-deltas, SIDS

2. Roughly how much of the world’s population lives within 30 km of the sea?

20%

why storms cause more damage today even at the same intensity level?

higher sea levels increase storm surge impacts 

4. According to the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, every 1°C rise in temperature increases atmospheric water-holding capacity by:

7%

climate justice example 

poor countries contribute the least emissions, suffer the most 

major factor contributes to rapid hurricane intensification in the North Atlantic

warmer oceans and higher moisture in atmosphere

major global river systems are threatened by the loss of “reservoirs in the sky”?

asian rivers fed by himalayan glaciers

 industry has grown from less than 2% to over 50% of fish production since 1980

aquaculture

 Why are Small Island Developing States (SIDS) considered the “moral conscience” of climate negotiations?

extreme vulnerability, little contributors

10. What is a key reason UNFCCC and COP agreements are often ineffective?

mostly non-binding commitments

 describes “inertia” in global climate action?

slow hesitant action despite urgent need

What term describes nations asking wealthy emitters to fund adaptation efforts such as sea walls and relocation programs?

climate/adaptation financing

What is a major consequence predicted by 2050 due to sea-level rise?

150 million people permanently living below sea level

14. What phenomenon links stronger rainfall to warmer air?

higher moisture-holding capacity

15. What global ecological trend is referred to as the “6th extinction spasm”?

accelerated biodiversity loss driven by human activity

16. Tuvalu’s relocation request to Australia is an example of:

climate refugee planning

17. What is a major political force slowing global decarbonization? (2 things)

denial industry, misinformation 

major contributor to uneven climate responsibility?

wealthy countries’ historically high emissions 

Explain the concept of climate justice and identify one example of climate injustice.

• The least responsible for climate change are often those who suffer the most and have the least resources to adapt 

• SIDS face high levels of ___, while only contributing less than 1% of global emissions

sea level rise 

2. Why are mega-deltas considered high-risk regions in the face of climate change? Provide at least two reasons.

• densely populated 

• low-lying /elevation - very vulnerable to ___, storm surges, sea level rise 

• sinking land increases risk 

flooding 

Describe how sea-level rise increases the destructive potential of storms even if storm intensity does not change.

• higher sea level=storm surges start from a higher baseline, causing __ floodingmore inland penetration, and more damage with the same wind ___

deeper flooding, speed or pressure

How does the Clausius-Clapeyron equation help explain the increase in heavy rainfall events?

• Warmer air holds 7% more water vapor per °C, leading to storms with more ___ → more intense ___& flooding

moisture rainfall

Identify two forces contributing to “inertia” in global climate action.

1. ____ inertia - governments avoid short-term economic costs or unpopular policies

2. ____/tech inertia - societies too ____ on fossil fuel systems built over decades 

political, infrastructure dependent

6. Why do Small Island Developing States (SIDS) play such an important role in climate negotiations? Give two reasons.

1. SIDS - one of the most vulnerable places to sea level rise, storms, ____

2. Moral leaders - highlight responsibility, climate justice, urgency for strong global action

land loss

Explain the idea of “climate debt.” Who owes what to whom, and why?

• High-emitting wealthy nations owe financial and tech support to poor nations because wealthy nations are the cause of most of ____ emissions while poorer countries suffer the most

historical 

8. What are “reservoirs in the sky,” and why are they critical for Asia’s water and food security?

- reservoirs in the sky = glaciers and ice of Himalayas =____ water and release the water to major rivers 

- sustain drinking water, irrigation, and ____for billions

store, agriculture 

. Describe two major consequences of losing mangrove forests.

1. Loss of ___ and flood protection, increasing coastal vulnerability 

2. Loss of critical habitat for fisheries, reducing biodiversity 

storm

10. Why is most climate migration internal rather than international?

- move short distances first because no ___ for international travel 

- legal, financial, cultural constraints

resources

11. Explain how the denial industry contributed to the “lost decades” in climate action.

- fossil fuel-funded groups spread ____, questioned climate science, delayed policy action=decades of political ____ when emissions back then could’ve been reduced more ___ and for less of a price

misinformation, inaction, easily

12. What is meant by multilateral gridlock in climate governance? Provide an example.

- multilateral gridlock - difficulty of achieving ____ when many countries have to consent while holding opposing interests 

- slow progress of UNFCCC negotiations, repeated failures to meet climate finance ___

agreements, commitments

Describe the “economic schizophrenia” faced by SIDS in relation to tourism and climate change.

- ___ is the SIDS’ biggest economic sector 

- tourism depends on air travel (climate change contributor) - greatly affecting their islands 

- SIDS rely on an industry that ___ their ___

tourism, worsens, vulnerability

14. Explain one way sea-level rise is expected to affect human populations by 2050.

- millions in ___-lying coastal cities will face chronic ___, permanent ___loss, forced __

low, flooding, land, displacement 

15. Why are low-lying coastal zones especially vulnerable to flooding? Give two reasons.

1. Low ___=small increases in sea level cause major ____ 

2. __populations and infrastructure - increase impacts

elevation, flooding, dense 

16. What is the 6th extinction spasm, and how is it connected to climate change?

- 6th extinction spasm - ongoing mass extinction of ___ driven by human activity 

- accelerated by climate change - more ___stress, changing habitats, disrupting ecosystems

species, heat 

18. What types of support do vulnerable countries request through climate/adaptation financing? Give one example.

1. Funding for adaptation projects (___ defenses, early-warning systems)

2. Loss and damage support for irreversible harms (sea-level rise)

flood 

19. Why are SIDS advocating for international climate refugee status?

- climate change threatens SIDS, making their territory uninhabitable=displacement across borders 

- want ___ protection for people forced to migrate b/c of climate change

legal