Coping with Climate Change

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What is adaptive capacity?
The extent to which a system can cope with climate change. In human systems it depends on available human, physical and financial resources
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What is climate vulnerability?
The degree to which a natural or human system lacks the ability to cope with climate change. Vulnerability is a result of the magnitude of the change, its speed of onset, the sensitivity of the system and its adaptive capacity
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What is mitigation?
Mitigation means reducing the output of greenhouse gases and increasing the size of greenhouse gas sinks.
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What is an example of mitigation?
setting targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, switching to renewable energy sources or 'capturing' carbon emissions from power stations and storing them
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What is adaptation?
Adaptation means changing our lifestyles to cope with a new environment rather than trying to stop climate change
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What is an example of adaptation?
Manages retreat of coastlines vulnerable to sea-level rise, developing drought-resistant crops or enlarging existing conservation areas to allow for shifting habitat zones
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What does UNFCCC stand for?
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
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When and where was the UNFCCC agreed?
The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
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What does the UNFCCC aim to do?
To 'achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a low enough energy level to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system'
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How many countries signed the treaty?
190 including the USA
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What was the protocol called which the UNFCCC adopted?
The Kyoto Protocol
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In what year was the Kyoto Protocol made?
1997
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When and why was the protocol undermined?
In 2001 because the USA withdrew
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Why did the US withdraw?
Because they felt the cost of meeting the Kyoto targets was too high and it would damage their economy
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Which two economic sectors contribute the most global greenhouse gas emissions?
Electricity & Heat followed by Defoestation
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What did the Stern Review conclude?
If climate change is allowed to continue unchecked, it would cost at least 5% and possible 20% of global annual GDP per annum.
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What is the UK's aim with climate change?
To reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050
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What is Norway's aim with climate change?
To exceed the Kyoto agreement and cut 1990 emissions levels by 30% by 2020.
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What are biofuels?
Fuels such as ethanol which are extracted from plants
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In what year did the mayor of London launch the 'Action Today to Protect Tomorrow' plan for London?
2007
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What does the plan aim to do?
It commits the city to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions to 30% of 1990 levels by 2025
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How can your own carbon and ecological footprint be reduced?
Walking, cycling, taking the bus, buying local products, switching energy supplier to one using renewable sources, using energy saving light-bulbs and other energy saving household appliances.
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What are 'Climate Crusaders'?
The individuals and groups who keep climate change in the news by the fact they are already famous, are passionate about climate change and they use the topic as a selling point for another purpose.
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What are the barriers preventing action?
Uncertainty, costs, political inertia, economic systems, international agreements
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What 3 areas contribute over 50% of all carbon emissions?
China, USA and the EU
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is climate vulnerability?

Back

The degree to which a natural or human system lacks the ability to cope with climate change. Vulnerability is a result of the magnitude of the change, its speed of onset, the sensitivity of the system and its adaptive capacity

Card 3

Front

What is mitigation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What is an example of mitigation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is adaptation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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