Rushaun Burrell

October 31, 2023

5W
Social Studies
Graded Homework
1. A. What is meant by the term global warming (4 marks)
The term “global warming” refers to a long-term rise in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere due to
the enhanced greenhouse effect. The earth is naturally heated by rays from the sun which pass through the
layers of Earth’s atmosphere and are reflected back out again. The atmosphere is made up of different
gases some of which are called “greenhouse gases” because they act a little like a greenhouse, trapping
some of the warmth and warming up the earth hence the name global warming. Global warming is a
significant concern because it can have far-reaching and detrimental effects on ecosystems, weather
patterns, sea levels, and human societies.

B. Outline two effects of global warming( 4 marks)

Rising Sea Levels- Rising sea levels occur when the oceans of the Earth rise and cover more land along
the coast. This is caused by two major factors: melting ice from glaciers and polar ice caps, and the
expansion of seawater as it warms due to global warming. The sea level rises as the ice melts and the
water expands. This has severe consequences which include, coastal erosion, increased flooding, evictions
from homes, and damage to coastal ecosystems and wildlife. It's a major issue because it has an impact on
both the environment and the people who live near the coast.

Pests and Diseases Found in Areas Once Unaffected- Global warming heats up the environment which
can make the pests flee from their current area to an unaffected area that's cooler or heat up a cold/cool
unaffected area to the point where pests and diseases can thrive there. In places where it used to be too
cold for pests and disease-carrying organisms to survive, the warmer climate now allows them to thrive.
Altered habitats and disrupted ecosystems further enable their proliferation, and extended breeding
seasons, driven by the higher temperatures, give them more time to reproduce and spread. Additionally,
changing weather patterns, such as heavy rainfall or droughts, can create conditions that favour the
expansion of pests and diseases into new regions. This effect can lead to health and agricultural issues.

C. Identify which one of these two effects in B) you think is most serious for your
country and explain why. ( 3marks)
I believe that both of these issues are serious for Jamaica but when it comes on to rising sea levels that
would be more of a serious issue because:
1. Jamaica is an island which means that it is surrounded entirely by water so if the sea levels rise
the country will experience flooding from all around the edge of the country which would make it
hard to counteract this and it may be prolonged.
2. According to the planning institute of Jamaica, seventy percent of residents in the country live
along coastal areas so rising sea levels which would result in flooding would greatly affect the
livelihoods of a large sum of the population.
3. This is a serious issue for Jamaica because it would also have an economic impact. This is so
because a large part of Jamaica’s economy relies on the tourism sector. A large part of the tourism
 sector is made up of beaches and other tourist attractions that are situated in coastal areas which
would be flooded and greatly affected due to rising sea levels

2. Describe two factors which scientists think cause global warming(4 marks)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions- This refers to the emission of greenhouse gases(gases that trap heat)
such as chlorofluorocarbons and carbon dioxide into the air through various processes such as
burning fossil fuels and the emission of smoke from operating factories. When these gases get
into the air they build up and form a blanket like layer in the atmosphere. The blanket like layer
of gases stops the heat from radiating out of the earth and into space and instead traps it and
radiates it back to the earth, trapping the heat inside the planet and therefore leading to global
warming.
Deforestation-This refers to the large-scale cutting down of trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide
which is a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere so it effectively reduces the greenhouse effect.
When these trees are cut down, the carbon dioxide that they would have been absorbing remains
in the atmosphere, adding to the greenhouse effect and also when they are cut down the carbon
dioxide that they have not converted to oxygen is released into the atmosphere thereby speeding
up the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming.

3. Apart from water, identify Two major natural resources found in any ONE
named Caribbean country (3 marks)
Jamaica
1. Bauxite
2. Limestone

4. Describe two environmental problems commonly affecting ONE of the natural

resources identified in 3) above (5 marks)
Limestone
Two environmental issues that affect limestone are:
1. Quarrying
Quarrying is one environmental issue done by man that affects limestone. Quarrying refers to mining an
open pit called a quarry in search of useful naturally occurring resources such as limestone. This process
involves the removal of large quantities of limestone rock. This can result in the physical destruction and
removal of limestone formations and landscapes, altering the natural features of the limestone areas and
can also disrupt the formation of new limestone.

2. Acid Rain
Acid rain is an environmental problem that affects limestone. Acid rain refers to rainfall that is made
acidic due to it mixing with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere, primarily
from activities such as burning fossil fuels. When this acidic rain reacts with calcium carbonate present in
limestone it leads to the dissolution of the limestone. Over time, this can cause the degradation and
erosion of the limestone formations.
 5. Suggest THREE measures families could take at home which would help to
reduce global warming (6 marks)
1. One measure that can be taken at home to reduce global warming is to practice to be energy
efficient..This will include using energy saving appliances, and turning of appliances when not in
use in order to bring down the amount of energy consumed. Also investing in solar powered
appliances will reduce the amount of harmful non-renewable energy used by 100%.
2. Another measure that can be taken to reduce global warming is to practice the three R’s which are
to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This includes recycling materials like paper, plastic, glass and
aluminum. It also includes opting to use reusable items such as water bottles and shopping bags.
3. Lastly, another method that families can take to reduce global warming is to practice eco friendly
transportation choices.This can include choices such as car pooling, using public transportation,
or riding a bicycle in order to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emissions. It may also include
planning the nearest possible routes or running your errands as efficiently as possible in order to
reduce the amount of energy used.

6. Explain why EACH of these measures is likely to be helpful ( 6 marks)

1. Home appliances consume energy. To make this energy that these appliances consume it
goes through a process which emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere which speeds
up the greenhouse effect. Practicing the efficient use of energy through ways such as
using energy efficient appliances will reduce the energy used and therefore reduce the
amount of emissions into the atmosphere which in turn will reduce global warming.
2. Reducing, Reusing and Recycling
To make the items and materials that we use such as plastic and plastic items they require energy
from being made in places such as factories. These factories burn fossil fuels and use other
harmful methods in order to make these products. Practicing the three R’s will be an effective
method as we will be efficiently reducing the amount of materials that we need which will result
in firms burning less fossil fuels to make these products which in turn will reduce emissions and
reduce global warming.
3. Transportation Choices
To power these different modes of transportation they run on gas. When these machines run on
gas they emit harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide into the air. Practicing eco
friendly transport choices such as car pooling and taking public transport will be helpful because
it will effectively reduce the amount of energy used in these vehicles per person and also reduce
the number of emissions which will in turn reduce global warming.