EAES 101: Global Environmental Change Spring 2018 Possible Short Answer Question

Question

EAES 101: Global Environmental Change Spring 2018 Possible Short Answer Question 4: (20 points total) Reflect on anthropogenic climate change. A) Identify two changes in the Earth System that are evidence for contemporary anthropogenic climate change. For each change that provides a piece of evidence, discuss what it looks like and why that change is expected in light of anthropogenic climate change. (6 points) B) For each of the Earth System changes that you choose in A), identify an associated adverse consequence. For each adverse consequence, briefly discuss what it entails. (4 points)

Explanation / Answer

A) Two changes in the earth system that are evidence for contemporary anthropogenic climatic change are -

1) Global warming - it is caused due to the increase in green house gases in the atmosphere like methane, carbon dioxide and CFC which trap the infrared radiation and increases the temperature of the earth.

2) Acid rain - precipitation of oxides of Sulphur and nitrogen when rain is called Acid Rain. The main source of oxides of Sulphur and nitrogen are burning of fossil fuels in coal power plant, smelters, automobiles emissions.

Both acid rain and global warming are major man made global environmental pollution.

B) Adverse consequences of global warming are -

1)Melting of polar ice cap

2)increase in temperature of the earth

3)crop production and nutrient depletion.

Major consequences of Acid rain -

1)Affects the aquatic ecosystem - causes impairment in biological activities of aquatic Biota.

2) Affect on buildings - in Greece and Italy stone statues have been partially dissolved by the acid rain

C To reduce the adverse impact of Global warming -

1) Reducing the consumption of fossil fuels such aa coal, petroleum. Instead of motor vehicle cycles should be used by the individuals.

2) Reforestation - planting of trees. - more trees should be planted so that it could absorb a lot more carbon dioxide.

3)Disposing green house gases as they are formed elsewhere ithan in atmosphere. - AC and refrigerator use should be minimized.

Reduce the adverse impact of Acid rain

1)Short term control of acid deposition problem can be achieved by using lime.

2) reduction in use of motor vehicles.

3) instead of coal and petroleum in motor vehicles CNG should be used.

D) The environment protection agency defines the environmental justice - the fair treatment and involvement of all the people towards the development, enforcement, implementation of of environmental laws, regulations and policies. 1)for acid rain Clean Air Act policy is there. And for 2) for global warming Global warming policy foundation.

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