planetary boundaries

Question 1

What are the causes of Climate change ?

Answer 1

• global warming

Question 2

What are the effects of climate change ?

Answer 2

• melting ice caps
• sea levels rise
• disruptions to wind patterns
• destruction of low level habitats

Question 3

What are possible solutions to Climate change ?

Answer 3

• reduce/stop the use of fossil fuels
• reduce deforestation
• use renewable sources and biofuels

Question 4

What are the causes of a decrease in Biodiversity ?

Answer 4

• Humans have caused quick environmental changes

Question 5

What are the consequences of of a reduced biodiversity ?

Answer 5

• animals/species cannot evolve quickly

Question 6

What are possible solutions to a decrease of biodiversity ?

Answer 6

• monitor biodiversity
• species conservation
• international trade agreements

Question 7

What are the causes of land use change ?

Answer 7

• using land to grow biofuels and food for export

Question 8

What are the consequences of land use change ?

Answer 8

• insufficient food is available for local use
• destruction of habitats
• biodiversity decreases

Question 9

What are some solutions to land use change ?

Answer 9

• concentrate farming in most productive areas
• reduce meat consumption
• sustainable forestry

Question 10

What are the causes of nitrates and phosphates ?

Answer 10

• fertilizers

Question 11

What are the consequences of nitrates and phosphates ?

Answer 11

• run off into the rivers and lakes can cause eutrophication

Question 12

What are solutions to nitrates and phosphates ?

Answer 12

• reduce the use of fertilizers

Question 13

What is the cause of Ozone depletion ?

Answer 13

• use of CFCs in fridges

Question 14

What are the consequences of Ozone depletion ?

Answer 14

• increase in UV light
• increase in skin cancers, cataracts and DNA mutations

Question 15

What are some solutions to Ozone depletion ?

Answer 15

• manufacture and use of CFCs have now been banned
• Ozone layer is now rebuilding

Question 16

What is the cause of ocean acidification ?

Answer 16

• Burning fossil fuels
• CO2 dissolves in water

Question 17

What are the consequences of ocean acidification ?

Answer 17

• pH of the water decreases
• CaCO3 moves out of corals and mollusk shells making them soft

Question 18

What are some solutions to ocean acidification ?

Answer 18

• reduce/stop fossil fuels being used
• reduce deforestation
• use renewable energy resources

Question 19

What is the cause of a lack of freshwater ?

Answer 19

• Use of water in irrigation
• more water is needed for more crops

Question 20

What are the consequences of a lack of freshwater ?

Answer 20

• pollution of water
• reduced availability of freshwater

Question 21

What are some solutions to a lack of freshwater ?

Answer 21

• reduce/stop irrigation of non-food crops
• reclaim wastewater and used desalinated water for irrigation

Question 22

What are the causes of Aerosol ?

Answer 22

• tiny particles of soot, ash and rubber in the atmosphere
• Burning fossil fuels
• quarrying

Question 23

What are the consequences of Aerosol ?

Answer 23

• cause respiratory problems

Question 24

What are the solutions for Aerosols ?

Answer 24

• reduce burning fossil fuels

Question 25

What are the causes of inorganic pollution ?

Answer 25

- inorganic pollutants

Question 26

What are the consequences of inorganic pollution ?

Answer 26

- can lead to bioaccumulation in food chains

Question 27

What are some solutions to inorganic pollution ?

Answer 27

- some are already banned eg. DDT - Assess some of the 100,000 that still need to be researched