Climate Change

1
Climate Change

• Lesson 5 Social and Economic Effects of
  Climate Change (8.3 of Textbook)

2
Economics Background

• Economic System
• The organized way in which a country or region
  sets up activities related to how goods and
  services are produced, distributed, and consumed.
• Production using raw materials to make the
  products
• Distribution packaging and shipping goods to
  stores
• Consumers people who buy the products and use
  them.

3
Economics Background

• Production and Distribution of Goods
• People used to produce their own crops, goods,
  and clothing, but since the Industrial
  Revolution, we have found it more convenient to
  mass-produce and sell from a specific area.
• This means we need to use natural resources for
  raw materials, energy to run machines, and
  transportation to deliver materials to where they
  will be made.
• This also means we need to make packaging and
  shipping containers, and use trucks and fuel to
  deliver the goods to stores where they can be
  sold.

4
Economics Background

• Consuming Goods
• We are a society of consumers we tend to want
  the newest and best items for sale.
• Think about what you want for Christmas do you
  have the item already but want an upgrade? Is it
  something you need? Can you go without?

5
Economic Impacts of Climate Change

• What does production, distribution, and
  consumption of goods have to do with climate
  change?

6
Society Background

• A society is a group of people who have a
  distinctive way of life and economic system.
• Developed countries live in a way that differs
  greatly from developing countries.
• G8 Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the
  UK, the USA and Russia we enjoy the highest
  standards of living in the world, and use more
  energy per capita than those who live elsewhere.

7
Developed vs. Developing

• People who live in developing countries are the
  most vulnerable to the effects of climate change
  why?

8
Societal Impacts of Climate Change

• 1. Food
• Warming will make it harder to grow crops in
  tropical countries
• Reduction in crop would lead to food shortages in
  developing countries
• Rising food prices in developed countries
• 2. Drinkable Water
• Drought will make it more difficult to obtain
  water
• Shrinking glaciers will limit fresh water supply
  in Southeast Asia and western South America
• Flooding could contaminate freshwater supplies in
  low-lying areas

9
Societal Impacts

• 3. Infrastructure Breakdown
• Equipment, buildings and roads
• Severe weather events can damage infrastructure
• Energy
• Distribution
• Communication
• Transportation

10
Societal Impacts

• 4. Disease
• Malaria and other tropical diseases could spread
  as climates become warmer.
• 5. Population Displacement
• If land is flooded or becomes desert, people will
  be forced to move in order to meet their basic
  needs.
• World conflicts for space and food

11
Positive Feedback Loops

• A sequence of events that cycles back to one of
  the earlier events and enhances the outcome.
  (Positive, in this case, means enhanced, not
  good)
• Example 1 Wildfires
• Destroy forests
• No longer a carbon sink, so releases carbon
  dioxide into the atmosphere
• Increase in the greenhouse effect causing warming
• Drier conditions cause more fires

12
Feedback Loops

• Example 2 Ice and Snow Melt
• Ice and snow have a high albedo
• When they melt, darker surfaces absorb 90 more
  radiation
• Darker water absorbs radiation and warms up
• More ice around it melts
• Water cycle occurs quicker as well

13
Positive Effects of Climate Change?

• In Ontario, warmer temperatures coming earlier
  means longer growing seasons for crops
• Also can now grow crops we did not used to be
  able to grow before
• Northwest Passage in the Arctic opens up as a
  possible transport route for shipping goods which
  is significantly shorter than other routes which
  will save money and reduce fuel consumption

14
Homework

• Textbook Page 330 2-8, 10-16
• How to Save the World fromUs Video
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?v2yx8kGyeOyY
• Mosquitos Malaria Video
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?vCKyrVzvjHWw
• (245 min onward)