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The Global Climate System (Implications of forest loss on human wellbeing,…
The Global Climate System
Impacts of Deforestation
Carbon
Reduction in strorage in soil & biomass
Reduction in CO2 influx from photosynthesis
Increasing carbon influx to atmosphere
Hydrological
Reduced rainfall storage for plants
Increased rain-drop erosion
Loss of ecosystem input
Growing Resource Demand
Afforestation
Cause monocultures of commerical trees
Often store less carbon
Use more water and more disease prone
Grassland Conversion
Soil & ecosystem degradation
Rapid increases in population
Poor management
Ocean Acidification
Causes
Overfishing
Tourism
Pollution, disrupting corals algae
Absorb 30% of CO2 emitted from atmosphere
Impaacts
Marine animals unable to build shells & skeletons
Increased ocean temperature / rising sea level
Lack of biodiversity
Change in behaviour
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Provision of goods
Relies of food / water / wood and fuel
1.1% of global economy income / 13.2 million jobs
Regulation of earth systems
Water purification / regulates climate
Water related risks (landslides), increased air & water pollution
Cultural value
Aesthetic / spiritual / recreational
Reliance from indigenous people / leisure & tourism
Implications of forest loss on human wellbeing
90% of the 1.2 billion poorest people depend on forests
In India, 2500 plants are used medicinally
$75 billion of pharmaceuticals were sold in US
Smoke from forest fires causes respiratory problems
Farmers depend on forests
Change to Arctic Water
Largest global increase in temp is in arctic
Drying up arctic ponds
Greatest humidity increases in Northern High latitudes
High air temp will reduce duration and extent of ice
Threats to Ocean Health
Coral Reef Case Study
Decrease in marine productivity - damaging to fish stocks
100 countries benefit from tourism of reefs - worth $9.6 billion
In Fiji, coral degradation will cause losses of $14 million
Cause a loss of cultural and leisure opportunities
Reducing protection from storms
Effected by acidity, salinity and current changes
Feedback Mechanisms
Human
Population growth
Economic growth
Land use change
Natural
Milankovitch cycles
Sun cycles
Atmospheric oscillations
Negative feedbacks include
Increased plant growth, due to higher CO2
Reduced CO2 concentrations in atmosphere
Dust from drier climates in atmosphere
Adaption Strategies
Any actions taken to adjust to changing climatic conditions
Water Conservation
Less resources used, less groundwater abstraction
Efficiency cannot meet increased water demands
Land use planning
Building restrictions in vulnerable places
Needs strong governance, and enforcement
Solar radiation
Deliberately intervening in climate systems
Involves altering a very complex system which might have uninteded consequences
Mitigation
The reduction or prevention of CO2 emissions
Carbon Taxation
Encouraged use of public transport a
Unpopular with industry and environmental groups
Renewable switching
UK target = 15% energy from 2020
Continuous power for current infastructure
Energy efficiency
Encourages efficient boilers and lighting
Must comply with schemes to deliver energy
efficient measures.