Global Env Mid 1
The drivers of the Earth's climate system:
The Sun, greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and others), and natural climate oscillations (such as El Niño and La Niña) are the primary drivers of the Earth's climate system.
What arguments are made by Boserup and others against Malthusian thinking?
Boserup and others argue that population growth can drive technological innovation and that resource scarcity can lead to new technologies and increased efficiency. They also argue that Malthusian thinking does not take into account the social and economic factors that influence fertility rates.
What are the various means by which both producers and consumers can affect the price of a resource?
Both producers and consumers can affect the price of a resource through factors such as supply and demand, production costs, geopolitical events, and government policies.
There is a reading about Elinor Ostrom in the Module 4 tab. What does she identify as the critical component in the sustainable management of natural resources? Is it nationalization, privatization, or something else?
Elinor Ostrom identifies the critical component in the sustainable management of natural resources as the establishment of community-based management systems that involve the participation of resource users in decision-making and governance. This is neither nationalization nor privatization but rather a system of collective action known as common-pool resource management.
What is the name of the Nobel prize winning economist who argued against the Tragedy of the Commons thesis? What is the basis of her argument (see point 29)?
Elinor Ostrom was the Nobel prize-winning economist who argued against the Tragedy of the Commons thesis. Her argument was that communities could develop their own rules and institutions to manage common resources sustainably, without the need for privatization.
What are the reasons, both mathematical and biological, why Garrett Hardin thought population an unsolvable problem?
Garrett Hardin believed that population growth was an unsolvable problem because of the mathematical concept of exponential growth, and because of biological factors such as the tendency of populations to grow until they exceed the carrying capacity of their environment.
What are the processes of Globalization and Regionalization, how are they related, and how do they operate together?
Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and integration of economies, cultures, and societies on a global scale, while regionalization refers to the formation of distinct economic and cultural regions. These processes are related because globalization can drive regionalization as actors seek to protect their interests and identity, and regionalization can affect globalization by creating new trade blocs and networks.
What is the country in West Africa with a quarter of global aluminum resources?
Guinea is the country in West Africa with a quarter of global aluminum resources.
What is the solution that Hardin offered to solve the 'tragedy of the commons'? What are the implications of this for the ownership of land?
Hardin's solution to the 'tragedy of the commons' was to privatize common resources and place them under the control of individuals or groups. This would create a sense of responsibility and accountability for the use of these resources. The implications of this for the ownership of land are that the state would need to intervene and regulate the use of natural resources.
Some of the geological indicators that mark the coming of the Anthropocene:
Human-made materials such as plastics, concrete, and aluminum, as well as radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing and the widespread distribution of fossil fuel combustion residues, are some of the geological indicators of the Anthropocene.
What is the fertility rate in Africa in the middle of the 20th century, the present day, and the predictions for the end of the 21st century?
In the middle of the 20th century, the fertility rate in Africa was around 6 children per woman. In the present day, it has decreased to around 4.7 children per woman. Projections suggest that by the end of the 21st century, the fertility rate in Africa will continue to decline to around 2.5 children per woman.
What is the pattern of global population growth since 1800? What is the pattern of population growth rates over time, which are different?
Since 1800, the global population has been steadily increasing, with a notable acceleration in the 20th century. However, the rate of population growth has been declining over time, from a peak of around 2.2% in the 1960s to around 1.1% in the present day. This means that while the global population is still growing, it is growing at a slower rate than in the past.
The two different possible future scenarios suggested by the Astronomer Royal of the UK:
Sir Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal of the UK, suggested two possible future scenarios: a world where humanity will continue to thrive with improved technology and cooperation or a dystopian world where climate change, pandemics, and nuclear war pose existential threats.
What is the relationship between poverty, education level, and rural/urban location, and the number of children had by women?
Studies have shown that there is a negative correlation between education level and number of children had by women. Women with higher education tend to have fewer children. Poverty and rural location are also factors that tend to be associated with higher fertility rates.
Temperature trends based on distance from equator:
Temperatures generally decrease with increasing distance from the equator, with some exceptions due to factors such as ocean currents, elevation, and wind patterns.
The organization that recently declared that we were officially in the Anthropocene. The epoch that we were in before the Anthropocene:
The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) of the International Commission on Stratigraphy declared that we are in the Anthropocene epoch in 2019. The Holocene epoch preceded the Anthropocene.
Why has the current era been named as the Anthropocene?
The Anthropocene has been named as the current geological era because human activities have had a significant and widespread impact on the earth's geology and ecosystems.
Where is the location(s) on the earth where Projections of Global Temperature Increase by 2080 is expected to be greatest? What are the positive and negative feedbacks that will occur in this region, and which of these are thought to be strongest?
The Arctic and subarctic regions are expected to experience the greatest increase in temperature by 2080. Positive feedbacks include melting of sea ice and permafrost, which amplify warming, while negative feedbacks include increased cloud cover that reflects sunlight back into space. The strongest feedback is thought to be from the loss of sea ice.
What are the causes of the ITCZ, and in which direction does it move throughout the year?
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is caused by the convergence of air masses from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and moves northward in the Northern Hemisphere summer and southward in the winter.
What are the assumptions present in Malthusian thinking about how people are affected by natural laws of population growth and fall?
The assumptions present in Malthusian thinking include the idea that population growth is exponential while food production is linear, and that population growth is ultimately limited by resource scarcity and disease.
What is the concept of decoupling? What is the example country in Europe that has achieved a degree of decoupling in the past 25 years?
The concept of decoupling refers to the ability to achieve economic growth without a corresponding increase in environmental impact. The example country in Europe that has achieved a degree of decoupling in the past 25 years is Germany.
What happened to the demand for silver as a resource, and why did that change?
The demand for silver as a resource increased dramatically during the 20th century due to its use in electronics and other industries, but has since declined somewhat due to substitution by other metals and technological advancements.
What should be known about the demographic transition model? What does Hans Rosling identify as a critical indicator in explaining falling population growth rates?
The demographic transition model is a model that shows the changes in birthrate and death rate, and the balance between them, as societies pass through varying levels of economic development. Hans Rosling identifies female education as a critical indicator in explaining falling population growth rates.
Who is the economist who said that, "resources are not..."?
The economist who said that "resources are not..." is Julian Simon, who completed the sentence with "...what you have, but what you can imagine."
What is the example of silver and its importance in explaining why quantities of natural resources are not permanently fixed, and declining?
The example of silver demonstrates how technology and innovation can increase the availability of natural resources, despite a declining trend in reserves. As silver reserves declined and prices rose, technological advances in mining and extraction led to the discovery of new deposits and increased efficiency in extraction.
What are the examples of a 'tragedy of the commons' type situation given in class? Why are each of the three examples (one fisheries based, one maritime but caused by terrestrial activity, one very much human) examples of the tragedy of the commons?
The examples of a 'tragedy of the commons' type situation given in class were overfishing, pollution of the oceans, and urban traffic congestion. Each of these examples is an example of the tragedy of the commons because they involve the overuse of a common resource without regard for the negative impact on others.
The two different definitions of the word 'environment':
The natural world around us, including all living and nonliving things, is one definition of environment. The social, cultural, and economic conditions that affect the well-being of people and communities also define the environment.
What should be understood about the population pyramids for Ghana and Kenya? What does the changing shape of the pyramid over time indicate, in terms of changing population growth rates?
The population pyramids for Ghana and Kenya show the age and sex distribution of the population. The changing shape of the pyramid over time indicates changing population growth rates, with a broad base indicating high fertility and a narrowing base indicating declining fertility. In both countries, the pyramids show a gradual shift towards an older population, which indicates declining fertility and increasing life expectancy.
What is the rate at which sea levels are rising in Atlantic City, NJ? What are the two New Jersey counties most vulnerable to future sea level rise (in terms of number of people expected to be affected by it)? What is the amount of days with flood events in Atlantic City, in the 1970s and the present day?
The rate of sea level rise in Atlantic City, NJ is approximately 3.15 millimeters per year. The two New Jersey counties most vulnerable to future sea level rise are Atlantic and Cape May counties. In the 1970s, Atlantic City experienced an average of 10 flood events per year, while in the present day, it experiences an average of 50 flood events per year.
What should be studied carefully in the reading on geoengineering? What are some of the different proposals for removing carbon from the atmosphere and increasing solar reflectance?
The reading on geoengineering should be studied carefully, particularly the different proposals for removing carbon from the atmosphere and increasing solar reflectance. Some proposals for removing carbon include afforestation, ocean fertilization, and direct air capture. Some proposals for increasing solar reflectance include cloud brightening, ocean whitening, and space-based mirrors.
During which time of the year do the sun's rays hit Earth most directly and focus the greatest solar energy at the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Tropic of Capricorn?
The sun's rays hit the Earth most directly and focus the greatest solar energy at the Equator during the March and September equinoxes, and at the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn during the June and December solstices, respectively.
What is the total amount spilled (in barrels) from the Deepwater Horizon explosion?
The total amount spilled from the Deepwater Horizon explosion was approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil.
Which two countries currently produce the most oil, and which two countries have the largest reserves of oil?
The two countries that currently produce the most oil are the United States and Saudi Arabia, while the countries with the largest oil reserves are Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.
What is the etymology of the word 'Geography', the language it derived from and its meaning?
The word "geography" derives from the Greek words "ge" meaning "earth" and "graphia" meaning "writing" or "description", and refers to the study of the earth's features, inhabitants, and phenomena.
What are the impacts of invasive species, specifically the zebra mussel, the Nile perch, bass in Gatun Lake, and a specific strain of cholera?
The zebra mussel is an invasive species that can cause significant economic and ecological damage by clogging water intake pipes and altering aquatic ecosystems. The Nile perch is an invasive species in Lake Victoria that has caused the extinction of many native fish species. Bass in Gatun Lake have caused significant ecological damage by preying on native fish species. A specific strain of cholera caused by invasive Vibrio cholerae has spread globally, causing widespread illness and death.
What are the arguments of Thomas Malthus and the definition of a Malthusian catastrophe? Why was a Malthusian catastrophe predicted to inevitably occur? What are the things that stop a Malthusian catastrophe from occurring (checks and balances)?
Thomas Malthus argued that population growth would inevitably outstrip the planet's finite resources, leading to widespread famine, disease, and conflict. A Malthusian catastrophe refers to a situation in which population growth exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment, leading to a collapse in the population. A Malthusian catastrophe was predicted to occur because of exponential population growth and linear resource growth. However, checks and balances, such as disease, famine, war, and resource conservation, can limit population growth and prevent a Malthusian catastrophe.
The broad locations on Earth where you get a tropical wet climate, tropical dry climate, arid climate, and polar climate:
Tropical wet climate occurs near the equator, tropical dry climate occurs in regions bordering the tropics, arid climate occurs in desert regions, and polar climate occurs near the poles.
What are the definitions of Weather and Climate, and the difference between them?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions in a particular place and time, while climate refers to long-term patterns of weather over a region or the entire Earth.
