Question
1.How will climate and weather trends affect the physical Earth over the next 500 years based on current pollution trends? What changes could be made by humans to alter the current pollution trends and produce a different outcome than the one you previously projected . (has to have at least 150 words, excluding your greeting, signature, quoted/cited text, and the references.)
In Week three use the ebooks and the selected readings available to you in this class to answer the following question
2.What would happen to the Earth’s climate if the flow and temperature of the oceans were altered due to ocean basin earthquakes? . (has to have at least 150 words, excluding your greeting, signature, quoted/cited text, and the references.)
In Week three use the ebooks and the selected readings available to you in this class to answer the following question
3.How does weathering and other geological processes affect the landforms of a place. Provide examples. . (has to have at least 150 words, excluding your greeting, signature, quoted/cited text, and the reference.
4.Discuss attached pdf document: South Dacota State university research: Tracking Changes on Earth’s Surface . (has to have at least 150 words, excluding your greeting, signature, quoted/cited text, and the references.)
5.Discuss attached pdf document: On the Politics of Sustainability a Long Way Ahead . (has to have at least 150 words, excluding your greeting, signature, quoted/cited text, and the references.)
answer
GEO 215
Question 1
How will climate and weather trends affect the physical Earth over the next 500 years based on current pollution trends? What changes could be made by humans to alter the current pollution trends and produce a different outcome than the one you previously projected?
Climate and weather trends will have a profound effect over the physical earth. To start with, the earth’s average temperatures will be unbearably high. This will lead to such problems as reduction in ice cover & melting of the polar ice caps, changes in permafrost, and also changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation (Dahlman & Renwick, 2014). Most regions will likely experience severe droughts, leading to desertification. A gradual rise in sea level will displace those living near the sea or in low lying regions. The intensity and frequency of extreme events such as storms will be extremely high. There are some changes that can alter the current pollution trends. First, humans must completely shift from fossil fuels to clean sources of energy in order to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. Second, new potential technologies such as trapping and storing carbon dioxide gas will likely reverse the current trend. Lastly, increasing forest cover will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere (Dahlman & Renwick, 2014). The major concern is: will there be an alternative source of energy that can fully replace fossil fuels?
Related : Global warming
Question 2
What would happen to the Earth’s climate if the flow and temperature of the oceans were altered due to ocean basin earthquakes?
There are several ocean basins ocean basins with different temperatures and levels of salinity such as Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Southern Ocean. Water in these basins is always in circulation. Ocean circulation is controlled by earth’s rotation, sun, and plate tectonics movement. Surface winds greatly determine the climate of an area. Weather systems are greatly influenced by differences in temperatures between the sea and land. This is because the ocean temperatures influence the ocean currents which are responsible for bringing rain or other climatic conditions such as a warming effect over land. Altering the ocean temperatures would therefore lead to changes in the climate of regions especially in areas where climate is modified by ocean currents such as the Gulf Stream. The flow of the ocean would have similar effects to climate due to the mixing of warm and cold waters (Dahlman & Renwick, 2014). The critical question is: what are the chances that the flow and temperatures of the oceans may be altered the near future?
Question 3
How does weathering and other geological processes affect the landforms of a place?
Weathering can be defined as a chemical or mechanical process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces. Chemical weathering is caused by the action of chemicals in water on rocks which causes them to either become weak or crumble or to dissolve. Chemical weathering has a significant impact on areas with limestone rocks or marble. Chemical weathering in limestone areas leads to formation of various features such as swallow holes, scars, underground features such as stalagmites & stalactites, and rock pillars. Mechanical weathering also affects the landforms of a place. Mechanical weathering causes rocks to crumble into smaller pieces. In the polar zones and areas covered by ice, glaciers break down rocks as they move down a mountain creating various landforms such as hanging valleys, glacial troughs, arêtes, truncated spurs, and other features. Other geological processes such as soil erosion result to formation of gorges, river valleys, river deltas, waterfalls, and other features (Dahlman & Renwick, 2014). The critical question is how does weathering affect the shape of young and old mountains?
Question 4
Discuss attached pdf document: South Dacota State university research: Tracking Changes on Earth’s Surface ?
The document titled “Tracking Changes on the Earth’s Surface” reveals the critical role research plays in monitoring changes on the earth’s surface that are largely attributed to human activities. The unique thing about the study is that it is being conducted through the use of modern technology, and does not involve physical travel to the regions under observation. The study involves analyzing images taken over time to find clues about any changes to the areas being studies that might be the result of natural or man-made causes. The study of changes on the earth’s surface, better known as terrestrial monitoring, is particularly being used to analyze deforestation which will help scientists understand the various effects of deforestation. Technology plays a critical role in enhancing terrestrial monitoring. This is because it is extremely difficult to assess the level of deforestation from the ground, making analysis of satellite images as the only viable option in studying deforestation. The question is; will terrestrial monitoring enable scientists to accurately determine deforestation rates and possible impacts?
Question 5
Discuss attached pdf document: On the Politics of Sustainability a Long Way Ahead?
The article “On the Politics of Sustainability a Long Way Ahead” exposits the concept of sustainable development and the need for human beings to embrace it before it is too late. The article stresses on the importance of modern societies to plan for the future in their utilization and exploitation of various resources. Sustainable development is a concept that will require innovative practices and creativity in order to develop solutions to problems bedeviling societies and to plan for future generations. The article further describes eight themes that may help communities achieve sustainability. Some of the key themes discussed include governance, education, cultures, demography and others. Governments play a crucial role in determining sustainability in resource use through formulation of policies. Education can also play a critical role in enhancing sustainability through inculcating positive behaviors among the youth. In terms of culture, a global shift in people’s value system towards sustainability may help save resources for future generations. The concern remains as can sustainable development be achieved in the real world?
Question 6
In Week three watch the videos available to you in class.GRACE: Tracking Water from Space
“Tracking Water from Space” is an educative video detailing potential technologies that could be used in measuring water distribution on earth. The distribution of water around earth has been highly impacted by climate change. For instance, higher temperatures have seen more water being held up in oceans from the melting ice caps. GRACE mission is meant to utilize two satellites orbiting around earth to measure distribution of water. Success of this mission means that scientists will be able to accurately measure the amount of water lost by an iceberg, or the amount of water on the ground following a downpour. GRACE mission is a revolutionary technology that for the first time will allow scientists to easily collect vital data on water distribution on earth without spending too much time on the ground. GRACE mission provides visual maps that show the distribution of water on the entire globe. This will enable scientists learn how climate change is affecting various regions. However, in what ways will the GRACE mission help fight climate change?
Question 7
In Week three watch the videos available to you in class. Moyers & Company: Climate Change—The Next Generation
The video “Moyers & Company: Climate Change – The Next Generation” assesses some of the actions that groups as well as individuals have taken to fight climate change and global warming. Juliana is an 18 year-old who started campaigning against government’s inaction regarding climate change while still a teenager. The video asserts that in the current word, disasters such as flooding, storms, and drought have become severe and frequent, phenomena which can only be attributed to climate change. It is with this knowledge that people must take concrete actions to avert a catastrophe. Over the recent past, organizations and support groups are more vocal in the fight against climate change. In 2014, the UN Global Summit was held to pressure governments to cut emissions. Juliana has adopted a radical approach in the fight against climate change. Her approach involves taking legal action against the state in a bid to compel the state to take active measures to mitigate climate change. The concern is: do the courts have the legal mandate to compel the government to take such measures?
Related: GEO 2015 – HYDROLOGICAL AND CARBON CYCLES
Question 8
In Week three watch the videos available to you in class. The Mendoza Case: A “Green Rights” Legal Ruling in Argentina
The video titled “The Mendoza Case: A “Green Rights” Legal Ruling in Argentina” demonstrates the power courts yield in relation to matters environment. The video shows that the courts may actually be the solution to curb the increasing pollution and ultimately climate change in the world. This is evidenced by a Supreme Court ruling which directed that the government was responsible for providing a clean and safe environment for every individual. Contrary to expectations, the river had become an eyesore and a threat to public health due to heavy pollution from industries, sewer lines, farmlands and shanty towns that lined the banks of the river. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the government engaged in concerted efforts to clean the entire river basin. Years later, the river is free of most of the garbage that lay on its banks. However, the river still poses significant health risk due to the high concentration of chemicals on the river bend. The critical concern is: will civil suits force governments to implement climate change mitigation measures?
References
Dahlman, C.T., & Renwick, W.H. (2014). Welcome to Geography: People, Places & Environment (6th ed.). : Pearson Education Company
GRACE: Tracking Water from Space. Retrieved from: http://fod.infobase.com/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=47556
Moyers & Company: Climate Change—The Next Generation http://fod.infobase.com/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=60355
The Mendoza Case: A “Green Rights” Legal Ruling in Argentinahttp://fod.infobase.com/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=60293
O’Riordan, T. (n.d). On the Politics of Sustainability a Long Way Ahead. Retrieved from: www.environmentmagazine.org
South Dakota State University Research. (2016). Tracking Changes on the Earth’s Surface.
