Thermohaline circulation – how does it work?

Recap the Arctic• Give some environmental impacts of global warming in the Arctic

• Name some ecological impacts of GW in the Arctic

• Name some effects on the people of the Arctic

Africa• We will be looking at Africa this lesson and specifically the impacts economically and socially (on people e.t.c)

Aim:• To know your 2 compulsory

case studies for impacts of Global warming

• To understand how Africa has been effected economically and socially

Homework task

1. Complete the Africa case study in detail.

2. Explain why the impacts of global warming are predicted to be uneven and unfair. (15 marks)

3. Mark your own answer using the mark scheme

Due Tues 1st April

Why?

“ Too much or too little rain can be a matter of life or death in Africa”.

Oxfam, 2006

What might the possible impacts be?

List the possible effects of a change in climate on Africa.1.2.3.4.

Complete case study sheet for Africa

Key Terminology• The Debt Crisis = many African countries have

become so heavily indebted that repayments sometimes exceed their entire GNP.

• Cash Crops = those crops sold for income, rather than one’s own food supply.

• Desertification = the way in which climate change and over-grazing turn previously fertile land into desert.

• Food Security = the extent to which a country can rely upon food supplies e.g. upon the weather, or, if unable to grow all its food, the extent to which it can pay for imports to feed itself.

Africa • There are 55 countries in Africa- in 2007 2/3 of them were among the worlds 50 poorest countries.

• 34% of the population aged 15-24 was illiterate.

• Many countries owe millions in debt!

• Now they face the impacts of GW.

Per capita greenhouse emissions

Africa • Despite contributing the least out of all continents to GW they could be affected the most!

• The continent is 0.5 C warmer than in 1900.

• Droughts are more common.

• Rainy seasons are more unreliable.

Why is a reduction of rainfall an issue?

Northern Kenya drought 2005/6

Economic Africa impacts

1. Read the sheet then the sheets around the room and complete your case study.

• Clue the picture on the right is one impact!!

2. Should countries which cause the most global warming pay to reduce their impacts on Africa?

Summary of Economic African impacts

• Changing patterns of rainfall is likely to have impact on agriculture, as rainfall declines growing seasons shorten aswell.

• Reduction in crop yields could be as much as 50% by 2020 making problem of malnutrition even worse!

Summary of Economic African impacts

• Movement of environmental migrants to coastal African areas puts added strain on local economies for jobs/food e.t.c and areas often become overcrowded

Social African impacts1. Information sheet

then sheets around the room.

• Clue the picture on the right is one impact.

2. How are African farmers trapped in poverty? How does a.Global Warming and b.Malaria worsen this?

Summary of Social African impacts

• Water stress could lead to wars, global migration and famine

• Major increase in malnutrition due to failing crops! Also increase in locust plagues threatening food supply.

• Major water issues in Africa as many large rivers are internationally shared e.g. Nile. Conflicts could arise between countries

Summary of Social African impacts

• Movement of migrants to coastal areas leads to refugees setting up in poor conditions in shanty towns- many of which will be on the coast which is most at risk from floods with rise in sea levels.

• Increase in diseases such as Malaria and diarrhoea, and remedies of wild plants under threat!

To end…•Are the consequences of global warming worse for Africa than the Arctic?