Coping with Climate Change: Mitigation vs. Adaptation

Today we will:

•Explore the options for coping with climate changes.

•Consider the advantages and disadvantages of adaptation and mitigation as coping strategies.

•To consider examples of each option and their potential.

TEST

• You have minutes to answer Question 1 parts (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the ‘Exam Practice’ on page 53.

• Pay attention to the mark allocations this is your guide for detail/time allocation for each question.

• There are no QWC marks so bullet points etc are OK – these are part A questions.

Recap of Last Lesson:• What is the IPCC?• The 4 basic IPCC scenarios:

– High emissions scenario: Business as usual, rapid economic and population growth with intensive fossil fuel use.

– Medium-high emissions scenario: Self-reliance but still increasing population and economic growth.

– Medium-low emissions scenario: Slowing pop. Growth, fossil fuels replaced by renewable technology.

– Low emissions scenario: Local solutions, slow pop. Growth, slower technological changes.

• What is the Tipping Point?• Which global feedback systems might trigger it?

Mitigation or Adaptation?• Mitigation means reducing the output of

greenhouse gasses (burning less fossil fuels) and increasing the size of greenhouse gas sinks (planting more trees etc.). Long Term.

• Adaptation means changing our lifestyles and businesses to cope with the impacts of climate change (higher temperatures, sea level rise etc.) rather than trying to stop climate change. Short term.

• TASKS: – Add some examples of each strategy using page 66.

– Add definitions of Adaptive Capacity and Climate Vulnerability to your glossary sheet (Page 64).

– List the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy using pages 64-66 to help.

Strategies

•There are a number of different coping strategies all of which have costs and benefits, some would be easier to implement than others

Cast Study of Adaptation

Adaptation

in Tuvalu

Prevent the loss

Modify the Threat

Change Behaviour

Relocate Change Behaviour

Mitigation: The Kyoto Protocol

• TASK:

– Read through the case study on page 67 and 68 and produce a summary poster on the Kyoto Protocol. Include:

• What were its aims?

• Why did it take so long to come into force?

• How successful has it been?

• How could it be made more successful in future?

Independent Study (Homework)• Input hazards into your hazard log table (you have

been emailed this). Use http://news.bbc.co.uk and www.emdat.be to find the information plus library and news.

• Complete your poster on the Kyoto Protocol (1992) by next lesson so we can discuss it.

• Remember to have a go at the longer exam questions on the back of the mark scheme you have been given.

• Explore at the links in the weekly email this week.• FIELD TRIP 1st PAYMENT (£60) NOW OVERDUE –

PLEASE PAY ANY OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS ASAP. Next payments (£60) by end of term please!