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UK Environmental Concerns - Coggle Diagram
UK Environmental Concerns
Causes
Storm Eva -Area of low pressure over the Atlantic.
Collision of two air masses: Tropical Maritime and Polar maritime -created a weather front and lots of rain.
High pressure over Europe-pulled in by the low pressure system over the UK bringing heavy winds.
The steep valleys within Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge meant rainwater moved quickly down the V-shaped valleys into the River Calder. The River Calder could not discharge the volume of water quick enough and so overtopped the river bank causing flooding.
Saturated land due to lots of rainfall in previous weeks increased surface run off.
1 months rainfall fell in 24 hours.
Effects
Economic
60% of Businesses closed which meant loss of jobs and livelihoods.
It cost a total of £47 million to clean up the damage caused by flooding in Calderdale.
Social
People lost their homes and independent businesses (especially those with no insurance) could not afford to reopen.
Riverside school closed for 9 months, all children's equipment had to be thrown out leading to a loss of education and disruption to the entire school community.
On the 6th January over 60% of the affected businesses were closed including 11 out of the town's 15 public houses, bars or social clubs, 10 out of 17 of the town's cafes and 9 out of the 14 restaurants or fast food establishments. All Banks and the Post Office remained shut.
Environmental
Mud and sewage deposited by the flood waters left a thick sludge over the town which involved a huge clean up and meant flooded café and restaurant kitchens had to be completely ripped out.
Management
Initially-evacuation of flooded homes, community response co-ordinated from the Town halls, donations.
National Government donated £500 to every person whose homes were effected to help them get back on their feet..
Slow the Flow-Leaky dams and reservoirs aimed to slow the flow of surface run off reducing the risks of flooding.
Culvert design and raising of the river walls reduced the risk of flooding within Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd
Energy Supply and Demand has changed over time within the UK
1950’s-60’s Coal, then Gas in the 1970’s and 80’s, now Nuclear and renewables
Demand increased from 1970-2000, now decreasing due to rising energy prices and consumer awareness
National Strategies to sustain our energy supply.
Increase in renewables: 52% in 2017, 10% from wind power, 5% Biomass
Nuclear power: 24 new power stations will be built in the next 25 years, heavy investment from China.
Conservation: Energy efficiency on all electrical products, incentives and grants for solar panels, loft insulations etc.
Carbon capture and storage: Government pulled £1billion of funding.
Local strategies
‘Repower Balcolme’: 18,500 solar panels with £250 investment (5%) in the project.
Threats from Fracking by the company Quadrilla in the village.
Powered 500 homes and local primary schools.
Now plans to develop larger solar farms, providing sustainability to the village.
Gaining Commercial funding but any profits reinvested into the village.
Fracking:
Immediately impacts the environment where drilling occurs as the land is cleared for drilling.
Drilling of pipes occurs vertically and horizontally, pumping of water through the pipes at pressure makes rocks unstable.
Wildlife is disrupted e.g. Rabbit warrens and earthworms.
Chemicals are pumped underground, it can leak into the water table impacting ecosystems and drinking water sources.
Shale gas emits less greenhouse gases than coal, however methane can be released during the drilling process which could modify the atmosphere and is explosive.
Wind Farms: How do they modify UK environments?
The energy is clean, no CO2 means it is less harmful for the environment.
Recreational paths and bridleways for horse riders can be built within the windfarm.
Economic activity such as hill-sheep farming can be combined with wind farms.
Wind farms an modify the landscape, spoiling the natural view for homeowners.
Rotating wind turbines can create noise pollution and impact the migration an nesting of local birds.
Transporting and building wind farms can damage peat bogs on moorland, disrupting the habitats of Falcons.