IB Geography Flashcards: Climate Change
IB Geography — Climate Change Flashcard Deck
20 flashcards with spaced repetition. Press Space to flip, then rate your recall (1—4).
Key Concepts
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture, industrial processes) increase concentrations of greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, water vapour) in the atmosphere. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, trapping more heat and raising global temperatures beyond natural variability. CO₂ concentrations have risen from ~280 ppm (pre-industrial) to over 420 ppm today. The enhanced effect is distinguishable from the natural greenhouse effect by its rate and magnitude.
Carbon Cycle Feedback Loops: Warming can trigger positive feedback loops that accelerate further warming. Permafrost thawing releases stored methane and CO₂, which causes further warming, which thaws more permafrost. Reduced ice cover lowers albedo (reflectivity), increasing solar absorption and warming. Warmer oceans release more CO₂ (reduced solubility). These feedbacks mean that small initial warming can trigger cascading effects that are difficult to reverse.
Mitigation vs Adaptation: Mitigation aims to reduce the causes of climate change (e.g., renewable energy, carbon taxes, reforestation, carbon capture and storage, international agreements). Adaptation addresses the effects (e.g., sea walls, drought-resistant crops, managed retreat, early warning systems, crop diversification). Both strategies are needed simultaneously — mitigation alone cannot prevent all impacts (some warming is already locked in), and adaptation alone cannot address the root cause.
Paris Agreement Goals: The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Countries submit nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their emissions reduction targets. The agreement includes mechanisms for finance (developed countries funding adaptation in developing countries), technology transfer, and transparency (reporting and review of progress). Current NDCs are insufficient to meet the 1.5°C target.
Intuition
Think of the greenhouse effect like a blanket around the Earth. Some blanket is good — without it, Earth would be frozen. But adding too many layers (more greenhouse gases) makes the blanket too thick, trapping too much heat. Feedback loops are like a snowball rolling downhill — once they start, they accelerate. The Paris Agreement is essentially the world trying to agree on how many blanket layers to keep. Mitigation is like taking off layers; adaptation is like turning on the air conditioning.
Why it matters: Climate change is the defining challenge of the 21st century. It affects food security, water availability, biodiversity, human health, and economic stability. Understanding the science, impacts, and responses is essential for informed citizenship and for careers in environmental science, policy, and engineering.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing mitigation with adaptation. Mitigation reduces the cause (emissions); adaptation manages the effects (flooding, drought). Both are needed but address different parts of the problem. A common exam error is describing only one when the question asks for both.
- Thinking that the greenhouse effect is inherently bad. The natural greenhouse effect is essential for life — it keeps Earth about 33°C warmer than it would otherwise be. It’s the enhanced (human-caused) increase that’s the problem.
- Assuming climate change only causes warming. It also increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including cold snaps in some regions due to disrupted jet streams. Climate change means more variability, not just higher average temperatures.
- Forgetting that feedback loops make climate change potentially irreversible. Some tipping points (permafrost collapse, ice sheet disintegration) may be crossed at relatively low levels of warming, triggering cascading effects that continue even if emissions stop.
Cross-References
- Population: Population growth increases emissions and vulnerability to climate impacts — demographic trends shape climate change trajectories.
- Economic Development: Development patterns determine emissions (industrialisation) and adaptation capacity (wealth enables adaptation).
- Freshwater Issues: Climate change alters precipitation patterns, glacier melt, and sea level, affecting freshwater availability worldwide.
- Urban Environments: Cities are major emitters and are vulnerable to sea level rise, heat islands, and extreme weather events.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.
Advanced Content
This section provides detailed coverage of advanced concepts, including full derivations, proofs, and extended examples.
Derivations and Proofs
Complete mathematical derivations and proofs are provided where appropriate. Each step is explained to ensure understanding of the underlying reasoning.
Extended Examples
Advanced examples demonstrate the application of concepts to complex problems. These examples go beyond standard exam questions to develop deeper understanding.
Research Connections
This material connects to current research and advanced applications in the field. Understanding these connections provides context for the study material.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have mastered the prerequisite material before attempting this advanced content.