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33 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Why does Rawson argue that Bostonians weren’t just constructing a water delivery system,but were in fact constructing water itself? |
They started the debate about what water is, means, and who has access to it. The basic question: iswater like air or food? Do we have an inherit right to it or must we buy it? |
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During the first half of the 19th Century when Bostonians were debating whether or not tosupport a private or public water system, what were the real and perceived problems ofeach approach? |
Private – wealthy get better water because they can pay for it- There wouldn’t be enough water since they were looking at smaller lakes to privatize- Private companies may not be as reliable since they are not as beholden to the public Public – who pays for it?- Rich people would be paying for poor people’s water- Main source was too far away, it would cost a lot of money to transport- Contaminants in water- It would be an unprecedented expansion of government |
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Also name at least one benefit of each type of water system. (Public and Private) |
Private – companies would have to compete with one another, meaning the water would be cheaper andcleaner Public – water for everyone |
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Compare and contrast the water systems established in Philadelphia, NYC, and Boston. |
Philadelphia – yellow fever health scare that they traced back to the water Boston – health scare as well
NYC – had a fire and no way to douse it, also health scare |
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Why were the water officials of Boston reluctant to resort to filtrated water during the late1800s and into the 1900s? |
It was more expensive. |
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Describe 3 methods of estimating the Earth’s temperatures during the past. |
Biological Evidence – tree rings, pollen in lake sediment cores, packrat middens
Physical Evidence – ice cores, ocean sediments- Oxygen 16 v. Oxygen 18- Speed at which water reacts is temperature-
Foraminifera with CaCO 3 shells, oxygen in shells and see what past climate used to looklike |
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About how much colder was the Earth’s temperature during glacial periods compared tothe current interglacial period of this Ice Age? |
At least 4 degrees Celsius colder. |
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How long has the current Ice Age lasted? |
2.6 million years |
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Describe 4 things that contribute to climate change. |
Earths Orbit Solar Activity/Sunspots Volcanoes Continental Drift |
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What change correlates most closely with the observed temperature increases of the last100 years? |
Continental drift start the ice ages by changing ocean currents- Continent on south pole- Tibetan plateau rose- Panama joining South America closed- Earth’s orbit sunspots and volcanoes contribute to variability in temperature- Increases in CO2 (and methane) form humans explain most (at least 74%) of the modernincrease in temperature |
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What are the major predicted impacts of climate change on water resources? |
Sea level rising- Thermal expansion of water- Melting of glacial ice- Increase Temperature- Precipitation- More or less rain in some places- Competition for water |
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What are some other major predicted impacts of climate change on humans? |
Lower crop productivity- Coastal ‘dead zones’ – depleted oxygen and excess nutrients- Mosquito habitats will change (Zika)- Forests (composition)- Water Resources (increased competition)- Species in new environments- Flowers blooming earlier |
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How does the most recent international agreement attempt to reduce emissions? What aresome specific strategies for reducing emissions? |
International Climate Conferences (Paris) – goals to limit increase to 2°C, and to try to target1.5°C Alternate energy sources- Funding for developing countries (Green Climate Fund) Agreement: “a protocol, a legal instrument or an agreed outcome with legal force” (from2011 Durban SA meetings) to be agreed on in 2015 with implemented by 2020 |
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If current international agreements and pledges are followed, what will be the resultingtemperature at the end of the century? |
With current INDCs we will be at 3.5°C by end of the century- If we do nothing we will be at 4.5°C |
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What is the temperature above which climate scientists tell us to expect catastrophicchanges in the climate system? |
2 degrees celsius |
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Why is there an ozone hole over Antarctica and the ozone layer globally thinner? |
CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons, which escape into the atmosphere from refrigeration and propellant devices and processes |
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Why is less ozone in the stratosphere a problem? |
Less ozone in stratosphere means less blocking of UV rays |
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Why is more ozone at ground level a problem? |
At ground level ozone is a pollutant that can damage human health, vegetation, and create smog. |
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How is climate change related to ocean acidification? |
They both have the same cause: humans releasing Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere Bacteria releases carbon dioxide -- Stratification |
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How is the power of running water turned into electricity? |
Power of water is harnessed to spin a generator , which spins magnets which forces electrons in copperwire to move into the direction and that’s electricity |
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In what ways is hydropower green? |
Doesn't burn fossil fuels, its renewable, does not release co2 or mercury |
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In what ways is hydropower not green? |
Stops natural flows, displaces people, dams cause ecological impact (fish migration, temperature, etc) |
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What are most dams in MA used for today? |
Most are old water wheels from colonial era that do nothing. |
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Aren’t dams just like all the beaver dams that used to be everywhere before we trapped outall the beaver? |
No. Beaver dams dont disrupt flow as much, and are temporary. Concrete dams require maintenance. |
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What are problems with fish ladders? |
Other animals can hunt there, hard to find for the fish, sediment is still a problem, and fish ladders costs money. |
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Reminder question: What’s an ecosystem service? |
Any benefit you derive from an ecosystem |
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What is the unit for measuring the value of an ecosystem service? |
Money, or how much we as humans benefit. |
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What are some specific ecosystem services that are relatively easy to determine the valueof? |
Drinking water, water bills (payment) |
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What are some specific ecosystem services that are more challenging to assign a value to? |
Aesthetic Value Historical Value
Flood protection
Habitat for non-market species |
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For 2 services listed in the previous question (Aesthetic, Flood protection, Habitat for non-market species), give an explanation for why it’s hard toassign a value. |
Aesthetic: Different factors/opinions on beauty Flood protection: flood impact cant be predicted Habitat: Hard to assign value to since they don't have benefits for humans. |
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What are some examples of treating the symptoms and why have those specifically failed? |
Dams and Fish ladders: Don't always work, sediment is an issue.
Salmon cannon. |
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Why might it be impossible to restore an ecosystem to its historical state? |
Climate change makes it impossible to completely restore it No way to get rid of sediment blocked by dam. |
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What’s the best way to restore an ecosystem? |
Re-establish natural ecosystem processes Remove dams, don't cut down all the trees by rivers |
