Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of the Earth's terrestrial surface is covered by urban areas?
What percentage of the Earth's terrestrial surface is covered by urban areas?
How much carbon dioxide emissions were produced from tropical primary forest loss in 2022?
How much carbon dioxide emissions were produced from tropical primary forest loss in 2022?
What does forest degradation indicate about a forest's ecosystem?
What does forest degradation indicate about a forest's ecosystem?
By 2050, what is the projected percentage of the global population that will live in urban areas?
By 2050, what is the projected percentage of the global population that will live in urban areas?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the four types of forests worldwide?
Which of the following is NOT one of the four types of forests worldwide?
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Which statement best describes urban area expansion's projected rate?
Which statement best describes urban area expansion's projected rate?
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What is the equivalent of the tropical forest loss in terms of football fields?
What is the equivalent of the tropical forest loss in terms of football fields?
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Which of the following is NOT a driver of deforestation?
Which of the following is NOT a driver of deforestation?
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Which of the following statements about Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) is accurate?
Which of the following statements about Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) is accurate?
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What is one major consequence of climate change as highlighted in the content?
What is one major consequence of climate change as highlighted in the content?
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What phenomenon is primarily responsible for sea level rise as mentioned in the content?
What phenomenon is primarily responsible for sea level rise as mentioned in the content?
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Which of the following best describes deforestation as presented in the content?
Which of the following best describes deforestation as presented in the content?
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In the context of climate change, what does the term 'tipping points' refer to?
In the context of climate change, what does the term 'tipping points' refer to?
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How does climate change directly impact small islands as per the provided information?
How does climate change directly impact small islands as per the provided information?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Instructor team includes Prof. Maria Francesch (Lead), Dr. Kwan Kit Wong, and Prof. Qiming Zheng.
- Lecture sessions take place at YIA LT9 on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:15.
- Important dates for adding or dropping courses fall between September 9 and September 15 of Term 1, 24/25.
- Communication is primarily via Blackboard and email with an emphasis on academic integrity and plagiarism.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of geography and resource management across diverse areas.
- Explore the relationship between human and physical geography on different scales.
- Integrate various theories and tools to analyze human-environment interactions.
- Encourage critical and geographical thinking regarding resources, society, and the environment.
- Support navigation through geography and resource management programs.
Course Content
- Topics include Physical Environment and Resource Management (in two parts), Geo-spatial Data Science, and Smart Sustainable Cities in Urban and Regional Development.
Course Assessment
- Quizzes account for 60% of the grade, covering fundamental concepts and frameworks of the course.
- Participation and tutorials contribute 10% (7% from lectures, 3% from field trips).
- Writing a supervised review paper is valued at 20%, along with a 10% for an individual presentation.
- Active participation in classes and meetings with academic advisors is expected.
Important Notes on Academic Integrity
- Academic honesty is mandatory; use of AI tools is limited to polishing writing, not for writing review papers.
Global Environmental Changes
- The concept of planetary boundaries includes critical tipping points that could lead to irrevocable environmental changes.
- The carbon cycle is essential in understanding climate change and global warming.
- Observations from 1850-2012 indicate significant shifts in surface temperature anomalies and ocean warming.
Climate Change Metrics
- RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways) are scenarios for projecting future greenhouse gas concentrations.
- Annual glacial melting contributes approximately 2,700 tons, resulting in sea level rise of about 0.74 mm.
- Notable changes in annual precipitation patterns and their broader implications on ecosystems have been recorded.
Impacts of Climate Change
- Economic costs are rising due to increased extreme weather events and human displacements.
- Small island nations face specific projected threats, revealing critical vulnerabilities in the face of climate disruption.
Deforestation Trends
- A dramatic loss of forests occurred since 1990, with 178 million hectares lost, often for agriculture.
- Tropical primary forest loss was 4.1 million hectares in 2022, equating to approximately 11 football fields lost every minute.
- Deforestation caused 2.7 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, comparable to India’s fossil fuel emissions.
Urbanization Insights
- Urban areas comprise roughly 3% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface.
- Urban locations are home to 50% of the global population, accounting for 75% of GDP and 70% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
- By 2050, urban populations are projected to rise to 68%, representing a significant demographic shift.
Urban Expansion and its Implications
- Over 60% of the urban area projected for 2050 remains unbuilt.
- Urban area expansions are comparable to the size of 20,000 American football fields constructed weekly.
- Currently, half of the global population resides in urban settings, highlighting the need for sustainable urban planning.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on global environmental changes as discussed in GRMD1403. This quiz will cover key concepts related to resources, society, and their interconnections with the environment. Enhance your understanding of the impacts of environmental changes in our global society.
