Chapter 2: Challenges for the Planet

Revision summary

Chapter 2: Challenges for the planet

The causes, effects and responses to climate change Recall: You should be able to recall definitions of greenhouse gases, climate change and solar output. You should be able to indentify the key greenhouse gases including water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane. You should be able to recall the key areas of human activity that have contributed to these emissions increasing in recent years. You should be able to define the term fossil fuels.

Explain: You should be able to explain how greenhouse gases trap outgoing solar radiation. You should be able to explain how and why climate varied before human activity had an influence. You should be able to explain why economic growth, especially, in developing countries might be expected to lead to further increases in greenhouse gas emissions in the future.

Apply: Check that you can write a brief paragraph about the impact of catastrophic events on the earth’s climate. Try to explain to someone why the amount of energy that the earth receives varies over time, (solar output and orbital changes). Look at figure 3 on page 32 of the Student Book. Identify at least one source of emissions of water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane. Look at Figure 5 on page 34 of the Student Book. Describe the differences in the sources of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide – what do you think might explain these differences. Check that you can explain why Figure 6 on page 34 is relevant to the question of rising

CO2 emissions.

The impact of climate change on people and the environment and responses to these threats Recall: You should be able to recall the potential impact on crop yields, sea level change and climate. You should be able to define the terms and phrases, ‘live sustainably’ and international co-operation. You should be able to describe factors which would make some places more sustainable than others. You should be able to recall some details about Bangladesh and why it is vulnerable.

Explain: You should be able to explain how climate change might affect the pattern of agriculture. You should be able to explain why uncertainty about future patterns makes the world a more dangerous and difficult place to live in. You should be able to explain the link between climate change and sea-level rise. You should be able to offer some details to explain why some places are more threatened than others by sea-level rise. You should be able to explain why international co-operation has been so limited in its effectiveness. You should be able to offer arguments both for and against individual action on climate change.

Apply: Look at the speech ‘bubbles’ on page 38 of the Student Book and write a brief response to each on these opinions giving an opposing view. Write brief notes, making the case that Bangladesh’s problems are the responsibility of the whole planet. Suggest an argument that you would use to persuade an individual that they should live sustainably.

Definitions and interpretations of sustainable development

Revision summary

Recall: You should be able to recall the definition of sustainable development. You should be able to define at least one other view of sustainable development.

Explain: You should be able to explain how the definition of sustainable development is made up of two parts. Meeting the needs of today, especially targeting global poverty. Not compromising the possibility of future generations meeting their needs by our current actions. You should be able to explain how two large organisations have tried to make their operations more sustainable.

Apply: Check that you can write a brief paragraph about the way in which sustainable development is differently defined by different groups. Make brief notes explaining why a company such as Interface carpets has modified its production process.

Issues surrounding sustainability Recall: You should be able to recall the methods used to make urban transport systems more sustainable. You should be able to define congestion charging, park and ride schemes. You should be able to define the terms resource extraction and tropical rainforest. You should be able to define the terms deforestation, biodiversity loss and air pollution. You should have good case study details about the Oriente in Ecuador and palm oil extraction in Papua New Guinea. You should be able to define the term biofuel.

Explain: You should be able to explain how high density cities are easier to manage sustainably than low density cities. You should be able to explain the ‘pros and cons’ of traffic management schemes such as congestion charging. You should be able to explain the various threats to tropical rainforests. You should be able to make the case both for and against oil extraction in the Oriente region of Ecuador. This should include recognition of the various ‘winners’ and losers’ from that extraction. You should be able to make a case both for and against the development of palm oil estates in Papua New Guinea.

Apply: Look at Figure 14 on page 46 of the Student Book. Describe and explain the relationship shown. Use Figure 16 which shows the world’s rainforests – make a copy of it on a world outline map and then annotate it to show pressures on the rainforest using the table on page 49. Using an atlas locate the Oriente region of Ecuador and Papua New Guinea; mark them on the outline map. Add text boxes with brief notes about the two case studies.

Now revisit the KnowZone section on page 52-53