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The Greenhouse Effect
The Greenhouse Effect happens when fossil fuels burn, they produce greenhouse gases that are having a global impact on temperature and weather systems. When fossil fuels are burned by industry, in power stations and by vehicles and planes, gases (as unwanted by-products known as carbon emissions) enter the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is given off when fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, are burned.
Although these gases have always been present in the world's atmosphere, their concentration is gradually increasing as more and more fossil fuels are burned.
Carbon Footprint is defined as the impact of carbon dioxide on the environment
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment.
It calculates the greenhouse gases we are expected to produce in all our activities and measures them in units of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The world average is about 4,690 kg of carbon dioxide per person per year. In the UK it is approximately 10,000 kg per person per year.
Greenhouse Gases
Scientists believe that the build-up of so-called greenhouse gases in the atmosphere acts like a blanket or greenhouse around the planet; heat is trapped inside the Earth's atmosphere. This is the greenhouse effect, and the resulting increase in global temperatures is called global warming.
Plants and trees need CO2 and use it up. However, if there is too much CO2 in the atmosphere - due to factories and power stations, combined with a reduction in the number of trees, through deforestation - CO2builds up in the atmosphere.
The build-up of CO2 is believed to contribute to global warming through the greenhouse effect. This is why CO2 is called a greenhouse gas.
The biggest producers of CO2 in the world are China, the United States (USA), India, Russia, Japan, Iran, Germany, Saudia Arabia, Indionesia, South Korea and Canada.
The largest producers by far are China and the USA.
The Effect on Climate Change
Scientists, politicians and industrialists continue to debate the causes of global warming, with some arguing that it is a natural process that's been going on for centuries.
However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated the evidence suggests that human activity does affect global warming, in particular through the release of greenhouses gases and the use of aerosols.
There is also debate over how quickly the earth is warming up.
Some scientists estimate that atmospheric temperatures could rise by 1.4°C - 5.8°C in the next 100 years. Others believe that they will rise more slowly.
Global warming could melt the world's ice caps and glaciers, leading to an increase in sea levels. Some scientists estimate that over the next hundred years sea levels could rise by between 10 cm and 90 cm - making many coastal areas around the world uninhabitable.
Effects on the Environment
Increasing temperatures ⇢ The global temperature has risen by over 0.75 degrees in the last century and there are signs that this has been on the increase.
Increasing rainfall ⇢ Patterns of rainfall have been changing. Wet places have been getting wetter and dry places have been getting drier. Scientists have noticed that seasons have been changing as well. British summers have been wetter whilst the winters have been drier than usual
Seasonal variation ⇢ Nature experts have noted that animal behaviour has changed with butterflies appearing earlier and many birds have different migration patterns than they once did.
Glacier/Ice cap melt ⇢ The warmer global temperatures meant that polar icecaps and glaciers in high ground started to melt. Some suggest that ice has retreated by around 25% and there were reports in summer 2017 that large sections of the Antarctica ice shelf were breaking off or ‘calving’ from the Larsen C ice shelf.
Sea level changes ⇢ From 1900 the sea levels around the UK have risen by 10cm and around the world the sea level has risen by around 17cm. As the ice melts around the world the amount of water released will continue to rise. Some scientists believe that the sea could continue to rise by over 5m over the next 50 years.
Changing living conditions ⇢ Many species of plants and animals will find they have to adapt to survive the changing climate conditions. In the Arctic, polar bears are at risk as they have to swim much further between ice flows which uses up a lot more energy.
Effects on People
Food ⇢ As the seasons change, many farmers will need to consider the crops that they plant. They might need to change to suit the changing conditions.
Health ⇢ Many of the world’s poorest people are at serious risk as climates change. There will be issues with food supply and increases in malnutrition. Extreme weather events such as drought, floods and storms will injure and kill more people.
Water ⇢ Although there might be more rain it will be less predictable for farming and crops.
Death ⇢ Death rates will increase. The UN estimate that over 300,000 people die each year already due to climate change. Diseases such as malaria and cholera will also be on the increase.
Effects on the Economy
Farming ⇢ Many of the traditional patterns of farming will change. Grain harvests might improve due to higher temperatures, however in other areas drought could bring disaster.
Flooding ⇢ Increases in amounts of rainfall will lead to increased river and coastal flooding. This can bring huge amounts of damage to property and houses which can cost a lot to fix.
Travel and Tourism ⇢ Different countries have started to increase the amount of tax payable on air travel. As air travel is one of the heaviest polluters of the atmosphere, different measures are being taken to invest in cleaner aircraft and technologies. Travel will become increasingly expensive.
Green economy ⇢ Pressure from global and environmental organisations has meant that many countries have had to come up with strategies designed to help tackle climate issues. A transition from carbon-burning vehicles and home heating systems means that people have to invest in new ‘green’ technologies e.g wind power.
The Waste Hierarchy
A method used to rank waste management options in order of sustainability. Top priority goes to measures that prevent waste in the first place, followed by preparing waste for reuse, then recycling, then recovery and finally disposal.
The waste hierarchy ranks all of the different waste management options into an order of what is best for the environment.
At the top of the pyramid is a reminder that the best way to manage waste is to prevent it from being created in the first place.
If waste is created, then the hierarchy makes a priority for re-use, recycling, recovery and then finally disposal.
‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’
The idea of reduce, reuse and recycle is one that forms part of the waste hierarchy and has helped people to think about the environmental impact that they have.
There will also be a reduction in the amount of waste that ends up in the council-run landfill sites.
Reduce
This is when people purchase less ‘stuff’ so that it reduces the amount of energy required to manufacture and transport goods.
Initiatives are introduced to encourage people to turn lights off, share lifts and take shorter showers in order to reduce energy.
Some campaigns have also focused on ensuring that people reduce the amount of waste that they produce, for example food waste.
Reuse
This occurs as people use different materials again but do not convert them into different products.
People might reuse food containers and bottles instead of throwing them out or use travel coffee mugs instead of single-use cups.
In recent years in Northern Ireland, one major success in this area has been different initiatives to encourage people to reuse their shopping bags.
‘Bags for Life’ and more robust plastic shopping bags have largely replaced single-use supermarket shopping bags.
Recycle
When waste materials are collected and separated out into their different component ingredients, these can then be remade into different products.
Some campaigns have focused on ensuring that our waste is correctly sorted into different bins e.g. not putting food waste into general waste bins but into organic waste bins.
Energy is required to recycle the product and to change its physical properties into something totally different.
For example, the plastic from bottles might be made into public benches or fleece jackets.
2015 International Climate Change Agreement
Wind power has become one of the most popular renewable energy sources in the UK as it is very cost effective. It makes up around 12% of the energy needs of the UK and in 2016 produced more energy than coal for the first time. The UK is now the 6th largest producer of wind power and has over 7,837 turbines. Many of the new wind farms in the UK have been built offshore such as the Walney Wind farm in Cumbria.
The agreement dealt mostly with greenhouse gases, emissions mitigation, finance arrangements and adaption and would come into place in 2020.
The Agreement was negotiated by 196 parties and was agreed on 12 December 2015.
Main aims of the Paris Agreement
To strengthen the global response to threats caused by climate change.
To aim to keep the increase in global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, but ideally limit the increase to less than 1.5°C, since this would substantially reduce the risks and effect of climate change.
To strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.
To put in place appropriate financial flows and new technology frameworks that would help to support developing and vulnerable countries (mitigation and adaption).
Positives of the Paris Agreement
First time that all governments have agreed to try to limit global warming.
Some countries (like France) have taken immediate action and have stated an intent to ban all petrol and diesel engine cars by 2040.
Governments have agreed to review all of their climate commitments every 5 years.
Many of the world’s biggest polluters agreed to make big reductions in their emissions. China who have produced 24% of all world carbon have promised to reduce emissions by 60% from 2005 levels. The EU have also pledged a 40% reduction in domestic emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This is a really ambitious target but many of the EU countries are well on their way to achieving this.
Negatives of the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement is non-binding – this means that there are no consequences for any country that fails to achieve the agreed targets.
Many environmental organisations (like Greenpeace) find the 1.5°C to 2.0°C global warming limit as ‘delusional’. They argue that the world is already two-thirds of the way towards that target and increasing at over 2% each year.
Although the US initially agreed to sign the Agreement and have pledged to reduce their domestic emissions by 26% from 2005 levels, the newly-elected President Trump has withdrawn the USA from the Agreement.
Renowned climate change scientist James Hansen has noted, ‘It’s just worthless. There is no action, just promises. As long as fossil fuels appear to be the cheapest fuels out there, they will continue to be burned.’
Conclusion for the Paris Agreement
Overall, this Agreement should protect against the threats of global warming even though some countries are still worried that reducing carbon emissions wil harm their economy.
Impacts of Mass Tourism
It means that there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions of tourists who will descend onto a variety of tourist resorts each year.
In the UK, tourism makes up nearly 10% of the total GDP which means that tourism has cultural, economic and environmental impacts.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
Cultural Impacts
Tourists learn about other cultures
Tourists bring money which can breathe new life into neglected areas.
Local crafts might be revived to be sold to the tourist market.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
Economic Impacts
Increased employment. Over 400 million people around the world are employed in the tourism industry.
Tourism companies make a profit which can either be invested into new facilities in a country or back into the business.
Improvement in general infrastructure can help locals.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
Environmental Impacts
Provides money that can help local people to protect their environment.
Can also help raise awareness of different issues such as water shortages or endangered animals.
Improvements and investment in derelict areas and spaces that cannot be used for any other purpose.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Cultural Impacts
Some traditional roles (such as farming) will be lost in order to provide tourist services.
Local languages might be lost as people prefer to use international languages such as English.
Crime and anti-social behaviour might rise as more and more tourists visit a place and bring their own social problems with them.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Economic Impacts
Many tourism services are of little value to the locals.
The character of a place might change. Local shops might be displaced by shops that cater solely for tourists.
Traditional jobs will be lost as an area switches focus in providing for tourists needs.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
Environmental Impacts
Overcrowding can cause congestion and pollution. It will increase the carbon emissions in an area.
Tourists will increase the amount of waste and sewage in an area and this will need to be dealt with in a sustainable manner.
More pressure on delicate water supplies. Many tourist facilities require increases in the use of water and this can lead to local people losing access to clean drinking water.
Affordable Travel
More affordable travel has led to some places in the world being significantly damaged by tourism. Budget-friendly package tours and cheap flights to all-inclusive resorts, allow large numbers of tourists to arrive at popular destinations, most likely during the summer months. Cruises are also a form of mass tourism.
Impacts of Affordable Travel
Places like Cape Town in South Africa have become cheaper to visit. Some visitors like the place so much and, as property is affordable, buy a house or apartment. Some of these will become holiday homes while others may be rented out as Airbnbs or similar. This pushes prices up and makes it very difficult for local people to own their own home.
Bali was once an unspoilt island in Indonesia but its capital city is now congested with traffic and pollution, and the beaches are crowded and the local authorities have to manage the amount of rubbish created by visitors.
Some countries are trying to address the problems. Machu Picchu, in Peru is a destination that may tourists want to visit. The damage to the site by uncontrolled tourism has been considerable and so, since 2017, the Peruvian government have restricted access to Machu Picchu to groups of 16 or less, with an official guide.
Responsible Tourism
This is any form of tourism that is conducted in a more responsible manner. A responsible tourist respects the environment of the places being visited, but also respects the cultures and societies of the people who live there. Tourists will do their best to minimise any negative social, environmental or economic impacts on the local people and will aim to enhance any community that they come into contact with.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has prepared a special booklet called ‘Tips for a responsible traveller’. This booklet emphasises the point that travellers should ensure that travel is as rewarding and gratifying for the traveller and for the people they meet and the places they visit
How do you be a Responsible Tourist
Honour your hosts and our common heritage ⇢ Make sure that you know local customs, traditions, social conditions and try to use the local language. Make sure you have permission before taking photos.
Protect our planet ⇢ Be a guardian of natural resources, respect wildlife by not using products that might endanger plants or animals. Only visit places open to visitors and avoid protected areas, leaving as small a carbon footprint as possible.
Support the local economy ⇢ Buy locally-made goods and pay a fair price, make sure that all products are acceptable within national and international law. Use local guides who have an in-depth knowledge of the area.
Be an informed traveller ⇢ Make sure that you take the right health and safety precautions on your trip, know how to access medical care and choose tour operators with a proven track record in sustainability and community projects.
Be a respectful traveller ⇢ Observe all national laws and regulations, ensuring that you respect human rights. Refrain from giving money to people who beg on the streets but support local community projects. Take photos instead of bringing cherished cultural objects home.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a type of sustainable development. The aim of ecotourism is to reduce the impact that tourism has on naturally beautiful environments.
Any tourist destination can be harmed by increased levels of tourism. If areas are damaged or destroyed, they might not be available to future generations.
Ecotourism is environmentally sound so that natural environments and wildlife are protected; natural resources are protected in a sustainable way and that tourism is socially appropriate.
What is the Ecotourism Approach
Ensuring that tourism does not exploit the natural environment or local communities.
Consultation with local communities on planned developments.
Making sure that infrastructure improvements benefit local people and not just tourists.
Ecotourism now has the backing of the United Nations, which made 2002 the International Year of Ecotourism.
Guidelines for Ecotourism
Ecotourism sets out guidelines for how tourists should behave when visiting fragile environments:
Protect the environment ⇢ keep to footpaths, don't leave litter or start fires.
Don't interfere with wildlife ⇢ don't scare or feed the animals.
Protect resources ⇢ don't take too many showers or use air conditioning.
Support local communities ⇢ stay in locally owned accommodation and buy produce from local people.
Eat local food and drink ⇢ avoid products that have been imported from MEDCs.
Respect local customs and traditions ⇢ some communities are offended when tourists wear inappropriate clothes in religious places, strip off on the beach or behave in a rowdy manner. Locals appreciate tourists who try to learn the language and show an interest in their culture.
Ecotourism is increasingly popular and many people appreciate remote locations, small numbers of tourists and less sophisticated facilities. If a resort becomes overdeveloped then they will choose alternative destinations.
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