There are increasing concerns of carbon dioxide emissions and its relationship to climate change.
Figure 1: CO2 emissions of select countries in 2007 and 2030 (Projected)
Identify two possible reasons for China's projected change in CO2 emissions.
- Growing number of fossil-fuelled vehicles/transport
1 mark - Rapidly advancing economy/standard of living
1 mark - Increase in fossil-fuelled power plants / increased industrialization
1 mark - Increase in intensive/mechanized farming systems (in place of traditional)
1 mark - Burning of forests to clear land for agriculture
1 mark
Calculate Russia's projected percentage increase from 2007 to 2030 in CO2 emissions.
Russia's CO2 emissions in 2007 = 11.7 (from the data)
Russia's projected CO2 emissions in 2030 = 12.6 (from the data)
Percentage increase =
=
=
Therefore, the projected percentage increase in CO2 emissions for Russia from 2007 to 2030 is 9.40%.
Discuss how the ability to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies may vary from one country to another.
Award
- Political will/pressure for change may differ due to some countries being more/less committed to their industrial lifestyles/economic growth / inhibited through political corruption
- Finance/economics may/may not allow some countries to fund new technologies/infrastructures
- Some countries may depend upon others for knowledge transfer/technological assistance to implement resolutions
- Religious/political/cultural norms/education in some countries may promote/limit their perception of environmental threats/approach to management
- Geographical location of some countries may place them at greater/more immediate risk from impacts of climate change (e.g. low-lying islands/tropical storm-prone nations) / or offer them greater opportunities for mitigation (e.g. available sources of alternative energy)
- Some countries may perceive greater immediate priorities e.g. war in Syria/poverty in Somalia
Outline how CO2 emissions may cause a change in the global climate.
Award
- CO2 emissions (lead to higher concentration) of CO2 which is a greenhouse gas
1 mark - Causing greater absorption of infra-red/heat radiation and rise in global temperature
1 mark - Leading to increased evaporation/changing winds/shifting patterns of precipitation/droughts/extreme weather events/storms/hurricanes/El Niño.
1 mark
Identify one adaptation strategy that can be used to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Award
- Flood defences (e.g. levees/dikes)
1 mark - Desalinization plants to replace freshwater losses
1 mark - Planting of crops in previously unsuitable areas
1 mark - Water conservation (e.g. restrictions on use of irrigation/sprinklers)
1 mark - Exploiting areas that have become more productive for crops through climate change
1 mark - Developing (e.g. drought-resistant) crops better adapted to areas impacted by climate change
1 mark - Green roof system that cools the building through evapotranspiration/reflection
1 mark
Identify one reduction strategy the United States might use to achieve its projected change in CO2 emissions.
Award
- Implementing carbon pricing/taxes on fossil fuel emissions to incentivize a shift towards renewable energy sources
1 mark - Increasing investment and subsidies for renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power
1 mark - Promoting energy efficiency measures in industries and buildings through regulations and incentives
1 mark - Transitioning towards electric vehicles and improving public transportation infrastructure
1 mark - Implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in power plants and industrial facilities
1 mark - Encouraging reforestation and afforestation programs to increase carbon sinks
1 mark
