The Impacts of Global Warming

?
  • Created by: em42
  • Created on: 26-04-15 15:22
1. Name an indirect impact of global warming?
Sea-level rise.
1 of 16
2. Why is it difficult to predict sea-level rise?
It is caused by both thermal expansion of the oceans and melting ice sheets.
2 of 16
3. State some areas that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
The world's largest deltas e.g. Brahmaputra/Ganges in Bangladesh which have large populations and high risk of exposure to storm surges, flooding and sea-level rise. Small low-lying islands e.g. Pacific islands. Areas close to sea level which are
3 of 16
3. State some areas that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. [continued]
heavily defended e.g. the Wash. Places like Hong Kong, where new developments have been built on reclaimed coastal land.
4 of 16
4. Where have the first environmental refugees been registered from?
The Char Islands of Bangladesh and Tegua in the South Seas (2006).
5 of 16
5. What is the IPCCs high emissions scenario?
Rapid economic growth, increasing populations, reliance on fossil fuels and business as usual.
6 of 16
6. What is the IPCCs medium-high emissions scenario?
More self-reliance, increasing populations and economic growth.
7 of 16
7. What is the IPCCs medium-low emissions scenario?
Population growth slows, clean and efficient technology, reduction in use of fossil fuels.
8 of 16
8. What is the IPCCs low emissions scenario?
Local solutions to sustainability, slower rate of population increase, less rapid technological change.
9 of 16
9. Why is it difficult to predict future emissions levels and their impacts?
It is hard to predict: the level and nature of economic development (especially in places like India) which will determine GHG emissions; what degree of international action will be taken to reduce emissions; the inertia in the system (GHG emissions
10 of 16
9. Why is it difficult to predict future emissions levels and their impacts? [continued]
stabilising will still mean climate change will continue); the impact of positive feedback which will increase warming still further.
11 of 16
10. What is the tipping point?
It is when change from global warming becomes irreversible and catastrophic.
12 of 16
11. What is the current (2011) level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
Around 400 ppm CO2 equivalent. Yet, even if the annual flow of emissions didn't increase beyond today's rate, the stock of GHGs in the atmosphere could reach 550 ppm by 2050.
13 of 16
12. Why is the annual flow of emissions accelerating?
Fast-growing economies invest in a high-carbon infrastructure and as demand for energy and transport increases around the world. 550 ppm could be reached as early as 2035.
14 of 16
13. At 550 ppm, what changes could occur around the world?
There is a strong chance of a global average temperature rise exceeding 2°C, which many regard as the tipping point for temperatures. (The Arctic is already showing this profile of acclerating change.)
15 of 16
14. What could happen under a business-as-usual scenario without any serious attempt at mitigating the impacts?
GHGs could more than treble by 2100, giving at least a 50% risk of exceeding a 5°C global average temperature change in the following decades. The huge rise would bring an unknown territory with disaster on an unimaginable scale.
16 of 16

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

2. Why is it difficult to predict sea-level rise?

Back

It is caused by both thermal expansion of the oceans and melting ice sheets.

Card 3

Front

3. State some areas that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

3. State some areas that are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. [continued]

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

4. Where have the first environmental refugees been registered from?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Geography resources:

See all Geography resources »See all World at Risk resources »