Homework#2 IDS310
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Dec 6, 2023
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IDS310 Global Climate Change
Homework #2 (10 points)
The Melting Himalayas
Instructions:
Read the article below (PDF provided) and answer the following questions.
Upload to Blackboard.
Jianchu X., Shrestha A., Vaidya R., Eriksson M., and Hewitt K. (2007)
The Melting Himalayas:
Regional Challenges and Local Impacts of Climate Change on Mountain Ecosystems and
Livelihoods
. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Technical Paper,
Kathmandu, Nepal.
1) Global climate change is predicted to lead to major shifts in the strength and timing of the
main climate systems affecting the Himalayan region.
True
False
2) The climate systems affecting the Himalayan region include:
A) Asian monsoon
B) inner Asian high-pressure systems
C) Westerlies
D) All the above
3) Write a complete sentence on what is meant by the theme ‘uncertainty on a Himalayan scale’?
Global climate change is causing a change across the entire world especially in this
Himalayan region; however, due to the lack of research about the effects of climate change in
this region, scientists are uncertain about the toll it will take on the region and what they need to
do about it.
4) Name at least 5 different communities and/or sectors of society that are likely to suffer
disproportionately as a result of climate change.
Five sectors of society that are likely to suffer disproportionately as a result of climate
change are people of the higher mountains, women, elderly, disabled people, and indigenous
groups.
5) Mountain people have lived with and survived great hazards for thousands of years. Name 2
major factors that are different in regard to the effects of climate change occurring today as
opposed to the past.
Two major factors that are different today as opposed to the past effect of climate change
are the changes to the cryosphere and the fast rise of the tree line. The glaciers are melting at a
more rapid rate which decreases stable slopes. This can cause catastrophic events in the nearby
areas like avalanches. The people in these areas are some of the poorest which means it will be
difficult for them to rebuild. Also, the fast rise of the tree line means that flush grasslands are
losing water causing desertification which means that species in the area must adapt or risk
extinction.
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IDS310 Global Climate Change
Homework #2 (10 points)
6) Name the 9 largest rivers in Asia that are sourced from the Himalayas.
The nine largest rivers in Asia that are sourced from the Himalayas are the Indus, Ganges,
Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, Yangtze, Yellow, and Tarim.
7) Glacial melt provides the principal water source during the dry season for what percentage of
the population living in western China?
Glacial melt provides the principal water source during dry season water for 23% of the
population living in western China.
8) Describe the different aspects of the water cycle affected by climate change.
Climate change is affecting water cycles not only by increasing the temperatures of these
regions but by accelerating them which increases the available renewable freshwater source. The
lower regions are being affected faster than the higher regions. Predictions of precipitation will
be much more difficult and uncertain.
9)
Circle one
.
As a result of climate change, snowmelt in the Himalayas begins
earlier
/
later
and winter is
shorter
/
longer
.
10) What is permafrost? Write a complete sentence.
Permafrost is land that remains permanently frozen which means it is 32 degrees Celsius
or less for two years or longer. The most common regions with permafrost are high mountains
regions and near the north and south poles.
11) Describe how permafrost degradation affects regions previously underlain by permafrost.
Write a short paragraph.
Permafrost is shrinking and the active layer thickness is increasing. This means that the
hydrological cycle, vegetation composition, and carbon dioxide and methane levels are being
affected by the permafrost degradation. Permafrost covers much more area than glaciers and
perennial snow which means that permafrost degradations affects slope stability, ecology, erosion
processes, and surface waters. Also, permafrost degradation is dangerous for ecological and
technological reasons.
12) What are glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and why are they so dangerous? Write a short
paragraph.
Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are lakes that are created from the glaciers that are
melting due to climate change. These lakes form on different areas of the mountain range and
can increase rain and other natural events because of the increase in water flow. One of the many
side effects of GLOFs is landslides. Twenty-four events have been caused by GLOFs in the past
seventy years.
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IDS310 Global Climate Change
Homework #2 (10 points)
13) When do most scenarios suggest freshwater scarcity will hit the region and what are the 3
main driving forces?
Most scenarios suggest that freshwater scarcity will hit the region by the 2050s which
will result from population growth, climatic change, and an increase of water intake.
14) Name 4 types of mountain infrastructure that will be increasingly at risk from climate
change.
Four types of mountain infrastructure that will be increasingly at risk from climate
change are hydropower plants, roads, bridges, and communication systems.
15) What 5 factors are needed to reduce uncertainty in global circulation models to predict
climate changes for the Himalayan region?
Five factors that are needed to reduce uncertainty in global circulation models are well-
equipped baseline stations, long-term monitoring, networking, open data exchange, and
cooperation.
16) Adaptive policies and major efforts to reverse the human drivers of climate change must be
incorporated into which 5 main sectors?
Five main sectors which need to have adaptive policies and major efforts incorporated
into them are land use, water management, disaster management, energy consumption, and
human health.
17) Describe the difference between credible, salient, and legitimate knowledge.
Credible knowledge means that the knowledge comes from field observations and it has
been tested by local communities. Salient knowledge means information that is immediately
relevant and useful to policymakers. Lastly, legitimate knowledge means unbiased in its creation
and origin as well as sensibly comprehensive towards opposing views and interests.
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