APES Final Study Guide FRQ 4

Question 4:


The problem of global warming caused by greenhouse gasses was brought to the forefront by the Kyoto Protocol of 1997. Signing nations were bound to reduce greenhouse gasses in the future. Although the U.S. originally supported the idea, it was not ratified by the senate. President Bush openly opposed the accord in 2001.



(a) List the two main greenhouse gasses and describe the process whereby they received this label.


Answer:


  1. Carbon Dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, primarily released from burning fossil fuels.


  1. Methane has the ability to trap heat, significantly released from livestock digestion and natural gas production.




(b) Describe two sources which produce, or could produce, a significant net input of the two listed greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.


Answer:


  1. Fossil Fuel Combustion is produced by burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy releases large amounts of CO₂.


  1. Deforestation occurs where trees are cutted down which reduces carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.


  1. Agriculture is affected by livestock digestion and rice paddles release significant amounts of methane.


  1. Landfills decompose the organic waste which produces Methane.





(c) It is thought that increased amounts of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere are responsible for global warming. Explain four possible effects of global warming.


Answer:


The effects of global warming include rising sea levels, which result from melting polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to coastal flooding. Additionally, there is an increase in extreme weather events, such as more frequent and severe hurricanes and droughts. Global warming also causes a loss of biodiversity as habitat changes threaten various plant and animal species. Furthermore, it impacts agriculture by altering growing seasons and crop yields due to changes in temperature and precipitation.





(d) In contrast to the Kyoto Protocol which seems doomed to failure, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was highly successful. The input of CFCs into the atmosphere has been significantly reduced. Explain why you think this program succeeded, and why the Kyoto Protocol will likely fail.


Answer:


While the success in the case of the Montreal protocol was supported by clear scientific consensus economic feasibility, and strong global cooperation, the reasons that the political oppose the force that brought Kyoto Protocol to fail because of their economic point of view and were involved in reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions with no fossil fuel involved. The United States morally supported the Montreal Protocol but not the Kyoto Protocol due to the threat of their economy. The Kyoto Protocol wasn’t successful because it would involve a lot of investment in the economy to reduce greenhouse gasses and the alternatives of fossil fuels are not ready to be replaced. 






Part (a)

Main greenhouse gases and how they trap heat:

  1. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):

    • What it does: Traps heat in the atmosphere.

    • How it's produced: Mainly from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.

  2. Methane (CH₄):

    • What it does: Traps heat even more effectively than CO₂.

    • How it's produced: Released from livestock digestion (like cows) and natural gas production.

Part (b)

Sources of significant greenhouse gas emissions:

  1. Fossil Fuel Combustion:

    • Source: Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy.

    • Gas produced: Large amounts of CO₂.

  2. Deforestation:

    • Source: Cutting down trees.

    • Gas produced: Increases CO₂ levels because trees absorb CO₂.

  3. Agriculture:

    • Source: Livestock digestion and rice paddies.

    • Gas produced: Significant amounts of methane (CH₄).

  4. Landfills:

    • Source: Decomposing organic waste.

    • Gas produced: Produces methane (CH₄).

Part (c)

Possible effects of global warming:

  1. Rising Sea Levels:

    • Cause: Melting polar ice caps and glaciers.

    • Effect: Leads to coastal flooding and loss of land.

  2. Extreme Weather Events:

    • Cause: Increased global temperatures.

    • Effect: More frequent and severe hurricanes, droughts, and storms.

  3. Loss of Biodiversity:

    • Cause: Changes in habitat and climate.

    • Effect: Threatens plant and animal species with extinction.

  4. Impacts on Agriculture:

    • Cause: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.

    • Effect: Alters growing seasons and crop yields, affecting food supply.

Part (d)

Why the Montreal Protocol succeeded and the Kyoto Protocol struggled:

  1. Montreal Protocol:

    • Success factors:

      • Clear Scientific Consensus: Strong agreement among scientists about the problem and solution.

      • Economic Feasibility: Solutions (like replacing CFCs) were relatively easy and affordable.

      • Global Cooperation: Strong international support and collaboration.

  2. Kyoto Protocol:

    • Challenges:

      • Economic Concerns: Reducing CO₂ and methane emissions requires significant investment and changes in energy infrastructure.

      • Political Opposition: Some countries, like the U.S., opposed the treaty due to potential economic impacts.

      • Complexity: Solutions are more complex and costly, such as transitioning away from fossil fuels.