Carbon Unseen Spec Notes

• What has led to contrasting regional trends in land-use cover affecting terrestrial carbon stores?

  Growing demand for resources
• What are the main causes of deforestation?

  • Clearance for timber and land
  • Cultivation for grazing livestock
  • Production of cash crops
• What is the positive aspect of afforestation and reforestation in temperate latitudes?

  Helps offset loss of tropical rainforest services
• How much forest area did China gain from 1990 to 2015?

  More than 500,000 Ha
• Which countries experienced a net gain of 250,000 to 500,000 Ha of forest?

  USA and India
• What was the net gain of forest area in Russia, Turkey, Iran, Italy, France, and Spain?

  50,000-250,000 Ha
• Where did little change in forest area occur?

  Rest of Europe, Northern Africa, Middle East
• Which regions experienced significant forest losses?

  South America and Central Africa
• How much forest area was lost in Brazil and Indonesia?

  More than 500,000 Ha
• What are the effects of grassland conversion on carbon stores?

  • Heavily exploited by agriculture
  • Overexploitation leads to CO2 and moisture loss
  • Changes runoff characteristics
• What is the greatest land-use conversion associated with urbanization?

  Urbanization itself
• What impact does urbanization have on carbon and water cycles?

  It has a disruptive impact
• What are towns and cities focal points of?

  GHG emissions and intense water demand
• What is ocean acidification a result of?

  Fossil fuel combustion and carbon sink role
• What has happened to the average ocean pH from the early 19th century to 2015?

  Fallen from 8.2 to 8.1
• What is the critical pH threshold for coral reefs to grow?

  pH < 7.8
• What is the significance of the decrease in ocean pH since the 1700s?

  Indicates risk to marine ecosystems
• What is a clear indication of the threat to coral reefs?

  Widespread bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef
• What are the main sources of renewable energy today?

  • Hydro
  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Geothermal
  • Tidal
• Why might not all countries exploit renewable energy sources?

  Geographic limitations like lack of coasts
• What happens to renewable energy options when oil and gas prices are low?

  Renewables become more expensive options
• What is a negative aspect of harnessing renewable energy?

  Environmental costs from land use
• What is NIMBYism in relation to renewable energy projects?

  Opposition to local renewable projects
• What are the downsides of nuclear energy?

  • Safety and security risks
  • Long decay life of radioactive waste
  • Complex technology limits use
• What percentage of the UK's primary energy consumption is renewable?

  31.4%
• What are the two main crops for biofuels in the UK?

  Oilseed rape and sugar beet
• What is a negative consequence of growing biofuel crops?

  Less farmland for food production
• Why is there uncertainty over biofuels being carbon neutral?

  Previous land use may have been forest
• What steps has Brazil taken regarding biofuels since the 1970s?

  • Diversified energy mix
  • Improved energy security
  • Developed hydropower resources
• What percentage of Brazil's energy comes from renewable sources?

  Less than 5%
• What has led to significant reductions in Brazil's carbon emissions?

  Flex-fuel engines using petrol and ethanol
• What has resulted from the cultivation of sugar cane in Brazil?

  Displacement of other types of agriculture
• What is a consequence of deforestation in Brazil related to biofuels?

  Nullifies CO2 emission reductions from ethanol
• What are the challenges of carbon capture and storage technology?

  • Expensive to implement
  • Uncertainty of carbon leakage
  • Requires high priority development
• What do hydrogen fuel cells produce when combining hydrogen and oxygen?

  Electricity, heat, and water
• What is a challenge in using hydrogen fuel cells?


  Finding a cheap source of hydrogen
• What are the main fossil fuel pathways for energy security?

  • Coal from 6 main producers to 4 markets
  • Oil from Middle East to major markets
  • Gas from Middle East and Russia to Europe
• What is the geopolitical significance of Russian gas exports to Europe?

  Many pipelines cross Ukraine
• Which countries receive 100% of their gas from Russia?

  Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
• What percentage of the UK's gas comes from Norway?

  41.1%