Geography
Form 4 Business 2
Group Members:
Matthew Lakhram
Donrick Garnes
Malique Mccoy
Leyton Samuel
Mr. Boucher
Friday 29th January, 2021
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Content Page
QUESTION
PAGE NUMBER
Question A
3
Question B
7
Question C
12
Question D
22
Question E
28
Question F
29
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Question A
Global Warming - This is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere.
It is generally attributed to the Greenhouse Effect, caused by an increase in the levels of carbon
dioxide and other pollutants, which are caused by mankind.
The effects of Global Warming
What nature was on the right and what happened to it because of global warming on the left
.
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Greenhouse Effect - This is the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the
planet's surface. Then the surface of the planet is heated to a temperature above what it would be
without this atmosphere. This is due to the greater transparency of the atmosphere to radiation
from the sun than from infrared radiation emitted from the planet's surface. Main greenhouse
gasses are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor and Chlorofluorocarbons
A poster of The Greenhouse Effect
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El Nino - El Niño is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific
Ocean near the equator, off the coast of South America. The sun warms the water near
the equator. However, normally there are trade winds, which blow that warm water west..
El Niño is an oscillation (A back and forth movement in a regular rhythm) of the ocean
atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific having more important consequences for
weather around the globe. Among these consequences are drastically increased rainfall
across the southern area of the US and in Peru, which has caused destructive flooding,
and drought in the West Pacific, sometimes associated with devastating brush fires in
Australia. But when the warm water is pushed away from the east, cold water replaces it
through the process of upwelling.
El Niño
Warm water being blown to the west by tradewinds and cold water replacing it in the east
through the process of upwelling
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La Niña - This is a period, where the sea surface temperature across the eastern equatorial
part of the central Pacific Ocean will be lower than normal by 3 to 5 °C (5.4 to 9 °F).
This cold water appears from upwelling. An appearance of La Niña persists for at least
five months. It has extensive effects on the weather across the globe, particularly in North
America, even affecting the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons. As well as more
tropical cyclones occuring in the Atlantic basin due to low wind shear ( a difference in
wind speed or distance over a short distance in the atmosphere) and warmer sea surface
temperatures, while reducing tropical cyclogenesis (this is the development and
strengthening of tropical cyclones in the atmosphere) in the Pacific Ocean.
Note for El Niño and La Niña : El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9-12 months. They
both tend to develop during the spring (March-June). Then reach peak intensity during the late
autumn or winter (November-February). But then weaken during the spring or early summer
(March-June) of the following year. They affect the weather in the world by affecting the
jetstream.
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Question B
1. Travel & Transportation
The vast majority of vehicles on the road (and in the air and water) are powered with fossil fuels,
such as gasoline. As they burn this fuel to power their engines, they release carbon dioxide and
other pollutants. This affects both air and water quality. In fact, transportation was a huge
contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2016.
Greenhouse gases trap heat within the atmosphere, which causes global temperatures to rise. It’s
not hard to understand why transportation is such a huge contributor to global warming once you
understand just how much we drive.
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2. Deforestation
Millions of acres of forest are cleared every year, whether to harvest wood for making lumber,
paper, to clear land for farming and ranching or to make way for residential and industrial areas.
Forests store enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, essentially removing it from the air and
preventing it from being absorbed into the atmosphere. This is especially true of rainforests,
which are even more endangered than other types of forests. In addition to losing the natural air
converting function of trees (Carbon dioxide into Oxygen), deforestation decreases biodiversity,
which can cause ripple effects throughout entire ecosystems, putting whole species at risk.
39 million acres of tree cover was lost in the tropics in 2017; that’s equivalent to losing 40
football fields worth of trees every minute for a whole year.
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3. Factory Farming
The industrialization of agriculture takes the potential negative effects of livestock production
and amplifies them. While organic farming can have a positive impact on global warming by
reducing carbon through the growth of crops, large-scale, industrialized farming negates the
positive impact of organic food and animal production.
These large-scale animal-producing farms, known as concentrated animal feeding operations
(CAFOs) have risen sharply in recent years.
Additionally, the use of antibiotics in animal production is increasing, which contributes to
antibiotic resistance in humans that is expected to become deadlier and deadlier.
Projected rise in antibiotics used in animal production through 2030 is 67% . And people killed
annually by drug-resistant infection by 2050 is estimated to be 9.5 million.
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4. Use of Aerosols
Though some forms of aerosols have been banned in many countries, other forms of them still
are in wide use. These products are loaded with greenhouse gases, including CO2 and methane,
as well as chlorofluorocarbons, which erodes the ozone layer. Production of aerosols has actually
increased throughout the world, with most aerosols being produced in Europe.
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5. Livestock Production
Ranching contributes to climate change in a few ways. In addition to clearing trees to make room
for large areas adequate for the care and feeding of animals for food, these animals create a huge
amount of waste, which produces methane, a very harmful greenhouse gas.
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Question C
Consequences of Global Warming In The Caribbean
1. Rising Sea Levels
Ocean levels are ascending because of a dangerous atmospheric deviation. Rising ocean levels
can cause damaging coastline disintegration that can influence beachfront networks
and networks beneath ocean level, for example, Sandy Bay in St Vincent and Ostin's in
Barbados. Rising ocean levels can likewise influence one of the Caribbean fundamental kinds of
revenue and unfamiliar trade which is Tourism, numerous travel industry destinations are
situated close to the coast, for example, Beaches, Resorts and Hotels. Harmed coastlines
additionally influence marine life for instance ocean turtle settling ground can be harmed by
rising ocean levels causing a decrease in their populace.
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Tires are used to prevent erosion:
Nesting grounds for turtles are threatened:
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2.
The Increase In The Frequency and Severity of Natural Disasters
Hurricanes and storms are predicted to become more frequent and intense. Along with rising
ocean level, this will worsen flooding, storm surge, threatening vital infrastructure, settlements
and facilities that support the livelihood of island communities. This increase in storm activity
can also cause loss of life which in turn increases the amount of money spent on repair and aid
for the areas affected by the storms. These storms also affect tourism sites and cause a decrease
in the income and foreign exchange from tourism.
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3.
Damages to the Ecosystem
The increase in the temperature of the sea affects the marine ecosystem, killing coral reefs,
causing coral bleaching and destroying the habits of the animals that depend on them. This
affects the fishing communities who depend on the reefs as a source of food and income. It also
affects the tourism industry; coral reefs are a form of tourist attraction that reduces revenue.
Dead and Damaged Coral:
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Consequences of Global Warming In The USA
Coastal Floodings
Climate change is driving sea levels to rise at a rate of about one-eighth of an inch per
year. Higher sea levels push storm surges further inland, which creates more destructive
flooding along the coastlines. Flooding results in damaged homes, ruined roads and
contaminated drinking water, especially in communities that have hazardous waste sites
at risk of flooding. In the U.S., where 40% of the country's population lives in high
density areas on the coast, rising seas are causing an extraordinary and record surge in
coastal flooding, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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Forest Fires
The forest fires in California and the Western United States have grown in intensity
because the 1980’s and are nevertheless intensifying. Due to the boom in worldwide
temperature wildfires are getting more frequent and devastating, that is influenced by
both natural and human causes.
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Dirtier Air/ Air Pollution
Rising temperatures worsen air pollution, the increase in ground level ozone that's produced with
the aid of using pollutants from cars, factories, and other sources of air pollutants reacts with
daylight and heat. Ground level ozone mainly consists of smog, the higher the temperature
increase the greater smog is produced. This air pollution is linked to higher hospital admissions
and deaths for asthmatics. It worsens the fitness of humans with cardiac and pulmonary diseases.
Rising temperature additionally will increase the quantity of pollen in the ecosystem which will
increase the hypersensitive reaction for humans with hay fever and other allergies.
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Consequences of Global Warming In The UK
1. Heat Waves
In mid-August 2020, the UK saw the longest stretch of daytime temperatures above 30°C since
1976, as well as the hottest August day (36.4°C) since the deadly 2003 heatwave. Throughout
2020, there have also been 16 “tropical nights”. The three heatwaves the UK experienced in
2019 led to 892 deaths.
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Many People Flock to Beaches during Heat Waves:
2.
Coast Erosion
People in Happisburgh are losing their homes to the sea. Erosion, caused by waves attacking the
cliffs, has claimed as many as 35 houses in the past decade. Other households, like those
pictured, fear the same fate. Coastal erosion will continue to get worse as sea levels rise.
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3.
Flooding
Streets like this one in York turned into rivers during Storm Desmond in 2015. Flooding
devastated both Leeds and York. People had to be evacuated by boat as water levels rose higher
and higher. Climate change had made the flooding 40% more likely and it will only get worse as
time goes on.
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Question D
Measures Adopted to Reduce the Effects of Climate Change in The Caribbean
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce your need to buy new products resulting in a smaller amount of waste. Even if you need
to buy, consider buying eco-friendly products. It simply says cut back from where you are now.
Reuse bottles, plastic containers, and other items bought at the grocery store. Reusing water
bottles, yogurt cups, bread ties, and other items are being conscious about what is already out
there. It will lessen having to purchase other items that would fulfil the same function. We can
use disposable products into some other form.
Usage of LED lights
Change light bulbs to LEDs. Quality LED light bulbs can last 25 times longer, are more durable,
and use at least 75 percent less energy than other bulbs. This is also perfect for the Caribbean
because it is relatively cheaper than other methods of stopping global warming.
Educating persons
Lack of awareness among the common people is also one of the major aspects of the misuse of
resources which ultimately leads to pollution. The government of every country should take up
the responsibility of educating its citizens. People should be educated by the aid of
documentaries, short films, advertisements and campaigns.
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Measures Adopted to Reduce the Effects of Climate Change in The USA
2
Conserve Water
This is a tired tip, but ever so important. If we added up the water wasted by the millions of
Americans brushing their teeth, we could provide water to parts in the USA with unclean
drinking water.
Solar panel usage
Fossil fuels with the energy of our hottest star might be an excellent idea to decline the trend of
overuse of resources. The use of solar panels to enlighten our houses at night can save thousands
of megawatts of electricity. although, setting up rooftop solar panels can be expensive. But with
the advancement in technology, the rates of solar panels are declining, and the overall cost of
installing these panels will get mitigated in the long run.
Less destruction of forest
Stop destroying forests for intensive agriculture such as cattle farming and palm oil plantations,
allowing the trees to regrow and planting hundreds of millions more. And creating ocean
sanctuaries will provide protected areas in which sea life can flourish away from the threats of
industrial fishing, helping to restore the oceans’ natural balance.
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Measures Adopted to Reduce the Effects of Climate Change in The UK
Usage of electric vehicles
The electric vehicle market is booming, and although the electric vehicles are quite expensive for
the time being, these will soon provide an effective alternative for petrol and diesel operated
vehicles. The use of the Electric vehicles would not only lessen the pollution on the Earth, but it
will also decrease the traffic due to their tiny size. Ensuring good health of our planet is for our
own good. We’ve been exploiting natural resources for long, but it is high time we realize the
damage it has done to the planet and takes necessary steps to protect our only shelter.
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Sustainable infrastructure
In order to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings - caused by heating, air conditioning, hot water
or lighting - it is necessary both to build new low energy buildings, and to renovate the existing
constructions.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat doesn’t cost much and its cost can be recovered from the amount
that you save by reducing energy. The easiest and most cost-effective advice is simply adjusting
your thermostat up 1 degree down in the winter and up by 1 degree in the summer. Lower your
thermostat 2 degrees in the winter. Instead of making your home a burning furnace, try putting
on extra layers.
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Question E
Effects of Climate Change on Mayreau, St. Vincent
Climate change, as evident by sea level rise, can clearly be seen on the Grenadine island of
Mayreau, St. Vincent, where a sliver of land that separates Salt Whistle Bay (Caribbean Sea
Side) from Windward Carenage Bay (Atlantic Ocean Side) is a mere 20ft across, having being
reduced from 70ft wide, over a few decades. The gradual erosion of land by water rise, has also
resulted in the destruction of plants that once thrived there. If the situation is left unchecked, this
sliver of land would become submerged and Mayreau would be split into two separate pieces of
land where Salt Whistle Bay and Windward Carenage Bay were once connected. With the
devastation of Salt Whistle Bay the economy of Mayreau will be severely affected since this Bay
is its most famous tourist attraction.
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Question F
The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP 21 or CMP 11 was held in Paris,
France, from 30 November to 12 December 2015. It was the 21st yearly session of the
Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) and the 11th session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP) to the 1997 Kyoto
Protocol.[1] The overarching goal of the Convention is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to
limit the global temperature increase. ... During previous climate negotiations, countries agreed
to outline actions they intended to take within a global agreement, by 1 October 2015. The Paris
Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196
Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016.
Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared
to pre-industrial levels.
To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse
gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the
first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious
efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.
Implementation of the Paris Agreement requires economic and social transformation, based on
the best available science. The Paris Agreement works on a 5- year cycle of increasingly
ambitious climate action carried out by countries. By 2020, countries submit their plans for
climate action known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs).
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