Back to Topic 6.3 — Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

6.3.1ESS SL15 flashcards

Mitigation strategies

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Card 1 of 156.3.1

Question

Define mitigation (climate change).

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All 15 Flashcards — Mitigation strategies

Card 1definition

Question

Define mitigation (climate change).

Answer

Mitigation is action that reduces or prevents greenhouse gas emissions to limit the extent of future climate change.

💡 Hint

Reduce the cause (emissions).

Card 2example

Question

State the key idea of mitigation in one line.

Answer

Mitigation reduces greenhouse gas emissions (or removes CO2) to prevent climate change from getting worse.

💡 Hint

Reduce emissions or remove CO2.

Card 3example

Question

Give two mitigation strategies in the energy sector.

Answer

Examples include renewable energy (solar/wind), nuclear power, energy efficiency, and smart grids.

💡 Hint

Energy supply + efficiency.

Card 4definition

Question

What is carbon capture and storage (CCS)?

Answer

CCS captures CO2 emissions (e.g., from power plants/industry) and stores the CO2 underground to prevent it entering the atmosphere.

💡 Hint

Capture + store underground.

Card 5example

Question

Distinguish between mitigation and adaptation in one sentence.

Answer

Mitigation reduces the causes of climate change (emissions), while adaptation reduces vulnerability to its effects (impacts).

💡 Hint

Cause vs effect.

Card 6example

Question

Give one example of a policy tool that supports mitigation.

Answer

Carbon taxes, emissions trading (cap-and-trade), regulations/standards, and subsidies for renewables are common mitigation policy tools.

💡 Hint

Pricing or rules.

Card 7example

Question

Give one mitigation strategy in transport and one in agriculture.

Answer

Transport: electric vehicles or public transport. Agriculture: reduce meat consumption, improve livestock management, or reduce fertiliser use.

💡 Hint

One per sector.

Card 8example

Question

Give two examples of mitigation strategies.

Answer

Examples include switching to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, preventing deforestation, or electrifying transport.

💡 Hint

Any two emission-cutting actions.

Card 9example

Question

Why can deforestation be described as a “double impact” on climate?

Answer

Deforestation removes a carbon sink (less photosynthesis) and often releases stored carbon when biomass is burned or decomposes.

💡 Hint

Removes sink + adds source.

Card 10definition

Question

What is meant by “carbon removal” as a mitigation approach?

Answer

Carbon removal is reducing atmospheric CO2 by increasing sinks or using technology (e.g., afforestation, carbon capture and storage, direct air capture).

💡 Hint

Take CO2 out of air.

Card 11example

Question

What is a common limitation of relying heavily on technological mitigation (e.g., CCS)?

Answer

It can be costly, slow to scale, and may create reliance on future technology rather than immediate emissions cuts; storage and monitoring also pose challenges.

💡 Hint

Cost + scale + time.

Card 12definition

Question

Define afforestation and explain why it is mitigation.

Answer

Afforestation is planting trees where there were none recently. It is mitigation because trees absorb CO2 via photosynthesis, increasing carbon storage.

💡 Hint

Increase sinks.

Card 13example

Question

Name two evaluation criteria used to judge mitigation strategies.

Answer

Common criteria include effectiveness, cost, feasibility, time scale, equity, and side effects/co-benefits.

💡 Hint

Pick any two criteria.

Card 14example

Question

Give one reason mitigation requires international cooperation.

Answer

Greenhouse gases mix globally, so emissions reductions in one country benefit everyone; effectiveness increases when many countries act together.

💡 Hint

Global commons.

Card 15example

Question

In essays, what’s the safest way to conclude a mitigation evaluation?

Answer

Conclude using your evaluation criteria (effectiveness, cost, feasibility, time scale, equity) and argue that a mix of strategies is usually needed.

💡 Hint

Criteria-based conclusion.

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Topic 6.3 hub

Climate change—mitigation and adaptation

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