geography term 2 revision

climate change

• long-term changes in weather patterns (temp, rainfall, extreme weather events)

• driven by human activities → increases greenhouse gases

e.g. more heatwaves/bushfires in australia

greenhouse effect

• gases in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun

• keeps earth warm, but human activities has intensified it

e.g. CO₂ from coal increases heat trapping → increases global temp

global warming

• gradual increase in earth’s surface temp

• caused by the intensified greenhouse effect (more greenhouse gases in atmosphere)

e.g. last 10 years have been the warmest (record high)

carbon emissions

• release of CO₂ / carbon gases into the atmosphere

• caused by human activities → increases greenhouse effect

e.g. emissions from vehicles are a major source in australia

mitigation

• actions that reduce the causes of climate change

• lowering greenhouse gas emissions → limits impact of climate change

e.g. switching to renewable energy sources (climate change mitigation)

adaptation

• controlling human activities → reduce the negative impacts of climate change

• some climate change is unavoidable → manage its effects

e.g. flood barriers to protect coastal communities

sustainability

• using resources to meet current needs without harming future generations

• balancing protection of environment, economy, and social wellbeing

e.g. maintain soil health + continue food production (sustainable farming practices)

climate vulnerability

• how easily affected a place is on the effects of climate change

• judged by exposure to hazards, ability to adapt

e.g. low-lying islands are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels

sea-level rise

• gradual increase in the levels of oceans

• caused by expansion of seawater when it warms → serious risks to coastal environments

e.g. threatens homes/buildings near the coast

extreme weather events

• weather conditions very different from weather patterns (heatwaves, floods)

• climate change increases severity of these events

e.g. intense rainfall → increased flooding

kakadu case study: location + importance

• Northern Territory, Australia

• UNESCO World Heritage wetland

• High biodiversity + cultural significance for Traditional Owners

kakadu case study: environmental issue

• Saltwater intrusion into freshwater wetlands

• Increases salinity in water and soil

• Causes shift from freshwater to salt-tolerant ecosystems

kakadu case study: causes

• Sea-level rise pushes seawater inland

• Climate change drives warming and extreme weather

• Storm surges force temporary inland flooding

• Past buffalo damage weakened wetland barriers

kakadu case study: evidence + data

• Sea level rising ~3–4 mm per year

• Salinity levels increasing in floodplains

• Decline in freshwater vegetation like paperbark trees

• Up to 78% of freshwater wetlands could be lost < 75 years

kakadu case study: environmental effects

• Freshwater plants die or decline due to salt stress

• Loss of habitat for fish, birds, and insects

• Reduced biodiversity and ecosystem stability

kakadu case study: social/cultural/economic effects

• Reduced access to traditional foods (fish, plants)

• Cultural connection to Country is affected

• Tourism declines due to environmental degradation

kakadu case study: stakeholders

• Traditional Owners: protect culture + manage Country

• Parks Australia: conservation + tourism balance

• Scientists: monitor and provide data

kakadu case study: management responses

• Saltwater barriers slow intrusion

• Vegetation restoration rebuilds habitats

• Monitoring tracks salinity and ecosystem change

kakadu case study: mitigation strategies

• Monitoring detects changes early

• Restoration repairs damaged ecosystems

• Adaptation planning prepares for long-term impacts

kakadu case study: evaluation

• Some success in local restoration areas

• Ongoing sea-level rise limits effectiveness

• Long-term solution requires broader climate action