Mitigation Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is mitigation of climate change?

Action to limit the magnitude or rate of long-term global warming, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing carbon sinks.

Why does increasing alternative energy production (solar, wind, hydro-electric, nuclear, tidal) mitigate climate change?

Less fossil fuel is burned, so fewer greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere; nuclear uses uranium and emits no CO2 as a by-product.

What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

Technology that captures CO2 produced by fossil fuels in power stations and industry and stores it safely, e.g. as a liquid injected into sedimentary rock.

Why is planting trees a mitigation strategy?

Trees act as carbon sinks, removing CO2 from the atmosphere by photosynthesis.

What is the main aim of international climate agreements such as the 2015 Paris agreement?

To cut global greenhouse gas emissions so that the global temperature rise is kept below 2°C above pre-industrial levels (aiming for 1.5°C).

True or false? International climate change agreements are always legally binding on the countries that attend.

False. Many are promises or aims rather than firm commitments, and some countries opt out, refuse to sign or water them down.