Key questions
Key terms
- How does the atmospheric system function in terms of the energy balance between solar and longwave radiation?
- How has this balance changed due to external forcings (changes in solar radiation, changes in the albedo of the atmosphere, and changes in the longwave radiation returned to space)?
- What are the causes and environmental consequences of global climatic change?
Key terms
Climate change
Natural greenhouse effect Enhanced greenhouse effect Global warming Tipping point Insolation Energy balance Solar constant Sensible heat ConductionConvection Latent heat Evaporation Condensation Ground heat |
Albedo
External forcings Solar forcing Global dimming/brightening Ice sheets Troposphere Tropospheric ozone Positive feedback Heatwaves Thermal expansion Low-carbon economy Community energy |
Describe the functioning of the atmospheric system in terms of the energy balance between solar and longwave radiation
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Online resources:
ONLINE RESOURCES
An online quiz: http://quizlet.com/9824628/patterns-in-environmental-quality-and-sustainability-flash-cards/
Guardian newspaper Climate Change web site:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climate-change
NASA Climate Kids - http://climatekids.nasa.gov/
United Nations Environment Programme: http://www.unep.org/climatechange/
Science daily: www.sciencedaily.com
New scientist: www.newscientist.com
Oxfam: www.oxfam.org.uk
BBC on climate change: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/climate
Howstuffworks: www.howstuffworks.com
Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC): www.ipcc.ch
SKEPTIC (Promoting science and critical thinking): www.skeptic.com
Climate research.com: www.climateresearch.com
ONLINE RESOURCES
An online quiz: http://quizlet.com/9824628/patterns-in-environmental-quality-and-sustainability-flash-cards/
Guardian newspaper Climate Change web site:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/climate-change
NASA Climate Kids - http://climatekids.nasa.gov/
United Nations Environment Programme: http://www.unep.org/climatechange/
Science daily: www.sciencedaily.com
New scientist: www.newscientist.com
Oxfam: www.oxfam.org.uk
BBC on climate change: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/hi/climate
Howstuffworks: www.howstuffworks.com
Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC): www.ipcc.ch
SKEPTIC (Promoting science and critical thinking): www.skeptic.com
Climate research.com: www.climateresearch.com
Changes in the energy balance due to external forcings
How has the energy balance changed due to external forcings (changes in solar radiation, changes in the albedo of the atmosphere, and changes in the longwave radiation returned to space)?
Key terms
External forcings
Solar forcing
Global dimming
Global brightening
Ice sheets
The causes and environmental consequences of global climate change
Key terms
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxides
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Tropospheric ozone
Troposphere
Positive feedback
Heatwaves
Thermal expansion
Low-carbon economy
Community energy
How has the energy balance changed due to external forcings (changes in solar radiation, changes in the albedo of the atmosphere, and changes in the longwave radiation returned to space)?
Key terms
External forcings
Solar forcing
Global dimming
Global brightening
Ice sheets
The causes and environmental consequences of global climate change
Key terms
Carbon dioxide
Methane
Nitrous oxides
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Tropospheric ozone
Troposphere
Positive feedback
Heatwaves
Thermal expansion
Low-carbon economy
Community energy
Read the two case studies on Africa and the Arctic and answer the following question:
With the use of examples, how might climate change affect crop yields and wildlife. [15 marks]
With the use of examples, how might climate change affect crop yields and wildlife. [15 marks]
the_impacts_of_global_warming_on_the_arctic.pdf | |
File Size: | 721 kb |
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the_impacts_of_global_warming_on_africa.pdf | |
File Size: | 750 kb |
File Type: |
Climate change discussion
Discuss the technologies and practices (solutions) that can be used to combat climate change.
Answer the questions below to help you formulate your answer to the discussion statement above.
•What are the causes of climate change?
•What are the consequences of climate change?
•Why is it important to move towards a low-carbon economy?
•What are the advantages of developing community energy?
Discuss the technologies and practices (solutions) that can be used to combat climate change.
Answer the questions below to help you formulate your answer to the discussion statement above.
•What are the causes of climate change?
•What are the consequences of climate change?
•Why is it important to move towards a low-carbon economy?
•What are the advantages of developing community energy?
Carbon footprint
- What is a carbon footprint?
- Use the following link to calculate your own carbon footprint: http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/
- What was your carbon footprint - was it high/low.?
- What factors in your lifestyle help to reduce/increase your footprint?
- What tips were you given on how you can reduce your carbon footprint?
- Describe three things you could change in your life to reduce your footprint.
tracking_carbon_emissions.jpg | |
File Size: | 175 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
Soil and change
Key questions
- What are the causes of soil degradation?
- What are the environmental and socio-economic consequences of soil degradation?
- What management strategies can be used to combat soil degradation?
Key terms
Soil degradation
Soil profile
Universal soil loss equation
Deforestation
Overgrazing
Acidification
Salinisation
Soil aggregates
Desertification
Dust storms
Soil buffering capacity
Carbon farming
Soil structure
Perennial crops
Afforestation
Reforestation
Sustainable agriculture
Soil degradation
Soil profile
Universal soil loss equation
Deforestation
Overgrazing
Acidification
Salinisation
Soil aggregates
Desertification
Dust storms
Soil buffering capacity
Carbon farming
Soil structure
Perennial crops
Afforestation
Reforestation
Sustainable agriculture
Tasks
1 - Open the 'Apple Earth' document. We're not going to use real apples! The idea of this document is to force you to consider how little of the Earth's surface is available to us to grow food. Soil is important - we should look after it!
2 - Soil profiles - to help us understand soils a little better we're going to do a quick exercise. Open the remaining two documents. We're going to annotate a diagram of a soil profile using the notes.
1 - Open the 'Apple Earth' document. We're not going to use real apples! The idea of this document is to force you to consider how little of the Earth's surface is available to us to grow food. Soil is important - we should look after it!
2 - Soil profiles - to help us understand soils a little better we're going to do a quick exercise. Open the remaining two documents. We're going to annotate a diagram of a soil profile using the notes.
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The extent and causes of soil degradation
Task - open 'The extent of soil degradation' document. Find the 'Geographical Skills' box on page 162. Imagine this is an exam question.
Consider the following:
Task - answer questions 1 and 4 (not 2 and 3) on page 164 of the hand out.
Task - read p164-65 and part 1 and 2 of the GeoFile (above).
Now complete the following:
a) Explain the Universal Soil Loss Equation. (what is the command word in this question)
b) Briefly discuss the merits and limitations of this model.
Task - open 'The extent of soil degradation' document. Find the 'Geographical Skills' box on page 162. Imagine this is an exam question.
Consider the following:
- What is the command word?
- Distribution means 'spread'. Is the spread even/uneven?
- Where are the types of degradation - do you need to name countries, continents, use the points of the compass. Do you need to use specificdescriptive vocabulary e.g. narrow belts, along the coast etc.
- In this question you won't be able to use data
- Don't use the word 'because' - that's an 'explain' word!
Task - answer questions 1 and 4 (not 2 and 3) on page 164 of the hand out.
Task - read p164-65 and part 1 and 2 of the GeoFile (above).
Now complete the following:
a) Explain the Universal Soil Loss Equation. (what is the command word in this question)
b) Briefly discuss the merits and limitations of this model.
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Why do you think overgrazing continues to be a problem in many areas when the
local population understand what is happening?
local population understand what is happening?
Environmental and socio-economic consequences of soil degradation
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Water and change
Key questions
Key terms
Groundwater
Aquifers
Water-stressed
Water-scarce areas
'Green' water
'Blue' water
Potable water
Evapotranspiration
Physical water scarcity
Economic water scarcity
'Grey' water
Water table
Virtual table
Water footprint
Desalination
Hong Kong resources:
Water Supplies Department
http://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/home/index.html
Wikipedia - remember to use this source critically
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Hong_Kong
Hong Kong government
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/water/drinkingwater.htm
Key questions
- In which ways is water utilised at the regional scale?
- What are the environmental and human factors affecting patterns and trends in physical water scarcity and economic water scarcity?
- What are the factors affecting access to safe drinking water?
Key terms
Groundwater
Aquifers
Water-stressed
Water-scarce areas
'Green' water
'Blue' water
Potable water
Evapotranspiration
Physical water scarcity
Economic water scarcity
'Grey' water
Water table
Virtual table
Water footprint
Desalination
- Write a brief explanation of the information presented in Figure 1 (p180)
- Open the document 'water consumption lic vs hic' below. Complete the boxes giving reasons for varying water consumption.
- Question: Where does Hong Kong get its water from?
Hong Kong resources:
Water Supplies Department
http://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/home/index.html
Wikipedia - remember to use this source critically
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Hong_Kong
Hong Kong government
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/water/drinkingwater.htm
hong_kong_water_power_gas_supplies.pdf | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: |
water_consumption_lic_vs_hic.ppt | |
File Size: | 1371 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Examine the environmental and human factors affecting patterns and trends in physical water scarcity
and economic water scarcity.
- Physical water scarcity
- Economic water scarcity
- Conservation measures
- Depleted aquifers
- Virtual water
- Water footprints
- Hydropolitics, water terror and corruption
- Climate change
- The role of government
- External development assistance
Textbook, p.182-189 and the websites referenced on p.195
Remember to complete the interactive mind map at mind42.com
and economic water scarcity.
- Physical water scarcity
- Economic water scarcity
- Conservation measures
- Depleted aquifers
- Virtual water
- Water footprints
- Hydropolitics, water terror and corruption
- Climate change
- The role of government
- External development assistance
Textbook, p.182-189 and the websites referenced on p.195
Remember to complete the interactive mind map at mind42.com
Examine the factors affecting access to safe drinking water.
Textbook p.191-194
Textbook p.191-194
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Review: Exam-style questions
water_scarcity.pdf | |
File Size: | 452 kb |
File Type: |
Biodiversity and change
Key questions
Key terms
Key questions
- What is biodiversity?
- How important is biodiversity in tropical rainforests?
- What are the causes and consequences of reduced biodiversity in this biome?
Key terms
Biodiversity
Biodiversity hotspot Ecosystem Biotic Abiotic Endemism Biome |
Tropical rainforests
Latosol Igapo forest Carbon sink Recolonise |
World map
http://edit.freemap.jp/en/trial_version/edit/world
What is biodiversity?
http://edit.freemap.jp/en/trial_version/edit/world
What is biodiversity?
biodiversity_and_change_revision_notes.pdf | |
File Size: | 101 kb |
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an_introduction_to_ecosystems.pdf | |
File Size: | 136 kb |
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screen_shot_2014-04-03_at_8.05.21_am.png | |
File Size: | 62 kb |
File Type: | png |
The tropical rainforest
Using the textbook (p.199-209) and resources below, prepare a presentation (for Thursday 10th April).
Cover the following points:
- Ecological, economic and cultural values;
- The characteristics of the rainforest (soil, vegetation)
- Exploitation of the Amazon rainforest
- The consequences of the changes made to the Amazon rainforest
- How important is biodiversity in tropical rainforests?
- What are the causes and consequences of reduced biodiversity in this biome?
Using the textbook (p.199-209) and resources below, prepare a presentation (for Thursday 10th April).
Cover the following points:
- Ecological, economic and cultural values;
- The characteristics of the rainforest (soil, vegetation)
- Exploitation of the Amazon rainforest
- The consequences of the changes made to the Amazon rainforest
rainforest_cross_section.jpg | |
File Size: | 502 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
structure_of_the_rainforest-1.pptx | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
rainforest_function.pdf | |
File Size: | 2362 kb |
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rainforest_structure.pdf | |
File Size: | 1717 kb |
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rainforest_soil.pdf | |
File Size: | 1208 kb |
File Type: |
Sustainability and the environment
Key terms
Environmental sustainability
Business-as-usual
Green technology
Destination footprint
Ecotourism
Environmental impact assessment
Pro-poor strategies
Communal conservancies
Scaling-up process
Find out what has been done to improve environmental sustainability in Hong Kong.
How successful do you think these policies have been?
Useful websites:
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/sustainable/dev.htm
htmhttp://www.enb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/WastePlan-E.pdf
http://www.susdev.gov.hk/html/en/council/
HOLIDAY HOMEWORK
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS BY THE 28TH APRIL
Read pages 211-223
Complete the exam-style questions 1 and 2 on page 223.
- What is environmental sustainability?
- How effective are management strategies in achieving environmental sustainability?
Key terms
Environmental sustainability
Business-as-usual
Green technology
Destination footprint
Ecotourism
Environmental impact assessment
Pro-poor strategies
Communal conservancies
Scaling-up process
Find out what has been done to improve environmental sustainability in Hong Kong.
How successful do you think these policies have been?
Useful websites:
http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/environment/sustainable/dev.htm
htmhttp://www.enb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/WastePlan-E.pdf
http://www.susdev.gov.hk/html/en/council/
HOLIDAY HOMEWORK
PLEASE COMPLETE THIS BY THE 28TH APRIL
Read pages 211-223
Complete the exam-style questions 1 and 2 on page 223.