Download Climate Change Student Booklet

Climate Change Student Booklet
Essential information on
climate change for secondary
school pupils
For more information on climate change, visit www.bp.com/climatechange
Climate Change Student Booklet
The world’s climate
Climate is the word we use for the typical weather patterns of a particular region over a long period of time
– at least 30 years. Long-term changes in typical weather patterns for a region are called climate change.
We can divide the Earth’s climate into five main groups:
ffTropical (equatorial and
monsoon)
ffMediterranean
ffDry (desert and savannah)
ffPolar
ffTemperate
What affects climate
The diagram shows the climate zones across
the world.
Polar
Desert
Savannah
Temperate
Equatorial
Other climates
Climate on the other hand is affected by a number of longer
term physical factors:
Changes and wobbles in the orbit of the Earth: these
affect the distance between the Earth and the Sun. The angle
at which sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere changes too.
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Weather is affected most immediately by changes in the
atmosphere – the air is constantly moving, heating up and
cooling down, and drying or becoming loaded with water
vapour.
Volcanic activity: ash and gases reduce the sunlight that
reaches the Earth, cooling it at the surface.
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Mediterranean
A country’s climate will influence every part of its life, from
the clothes people wear to the houses that are built, and
over time even the daily pattern of life.
Ocean currents: the oceans are constantly on the move
because of the wind as well as changes in the temperature
of the water and the amount of salt dissolved in it. The
currents carry warm and cold water around the globe, which
impacts on the temperature of land masses.
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Areas near the Poles have huge variations in the number of
hours of sunlight each day, depending on the time of year.
Areas close to the Equator have the most regular hours of
sunshine and are therefore hottest.
The changing surface of the earth: as tectonic plates shift,
the extent of rocks, ice sheets and oceans changes. This
affects the temperature of the prevailing winds.
Living organisms: the number and types of organisms and
their activity have an impact on climate.
Changing output of solar radiation: over the course of
time the power of the Sun has varied. There is evidence that
this also affects the Earth’s climate.
Ocean currents affect climate on a global scale but also at a
more local level. The warmer water of the Gulf Stream (see
diagram) makes the UK much milder in winter than other
places at the same latitude.
Industrial Revolution transforms industry
Page 2
1988
1800s
Timeline
The public start to become aware of changes in climate
and how it might be linked to burning fossil fuels
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Climate Change Student Booklet
The greenhouse effect
The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is about 15°C. Scientists believe that without the
greenhouse effect from greenhouse gases the temperature would be about 33°C cooler, at -18°C.
This would make it the same temperature as the Moon, which is the same distance from the Sun but
has no atmosphere. Without the greenhouse effect, life on Earth would probably not exist.
Scientists talk about two different types of greenhouse effect: natural and enhanced.
The enhanced greenhouse effect
The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of many gases, including
several greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water
vapour, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These act as
the Earth’s insulation.
There is evidence that the concentration of greenhouse
gases in our atmosphere has increased dramatically since
the Industrial Revolution. This is especially true for carbon
dioxide and methane. As a result the atmosphere is trapping
a far greater amount of infra-red radiation than it used to. This
is called the enhanced greenhouse effect. Most scientists
believe this to be the reason for a rapid increase in the
Earth’s temperature, particularly over the last 50 years.
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Energy from the Sun in the form of sunlight can pass through
these gases to reach the surface of the Earth 1 . When the
Earth’s surface absorbs energy from the Sun the solar energy
is converted into heat 2 . The heat energy is emitted back
from the Earth’s surface as infrared radiation 3 .
Greenhouse gases then absorb some of the infrared radiation
and trap the heat increasing the temperature of the lower part
of the atmosphere 4 . This is called the greenhouse effect
because, as in a greenhouse, a lot of the Sun’s energy can
enter, but little can leave.
Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit launches World Sustainable
Development programme
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The graph shows changes in atmospheric CO2
concentration and global temperature increase projected
to 2100. Because the future is uncertain, the graph is
not drawn as a single line beyond 2000. The shaded area
shows a range of possible scenarios.
1997
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1992
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The natural greenhouse effect
Kyoto Protocol – worldwide measures to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions agreed by many governments
Page 3
Climate Change Student Booklet
The human contribution to climate change
Population has increased slowly over the course of human history. The world’s population reached
1 billion by about 1830. By 1930 the population had doubled. By 2030, the population of the world is
expected to reach 9 billion!
This increase in population, along with greater industrialisation, has led to a massive rise in the
demands on our Earth’s resources.
Generating electricity
We need energy to generate
electricity. We need electricity
to provide light and heat to our
homes, factories and streets.
We also need electricity to run
all the machines we rely on in
our daily lives.
Most power stations generate
electricity by burning fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels
releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Generating
electricity accounts for about one third of global greenhouse
gas emissions. It is estimated that we will need to generate
twice as much electricity as we do now, worldwide, by 2050.
Buildings and waste
Poor building design wastes energy. This means more
electricity has to be generated to get the energy we need.
We are often wasteful too – we leave lights on, leave our
machines on standby or switched on when we are not using
them.
Disposing of and treating rubbish and other waste can use
energy and can also produce carbon dioxide and/or other
greenhouse gases such as methane.
Industry
Energy is needed to make the huge number of products
we use in our everyday life. It is also needed to make their
packaging and to transport them. If this energy is supplied
by electricity made from fossil fuels then it is adding to the
carbon dioxide emitted.
Of course, during every stage of manufacture and transport
some energy is also wasted, usually in the form of heat.
Transportation
The amount of traffic on the roads and in the air has
increased enormously.
This is partly because we now travel more, both for work
and for pleasure. It is also because we buy more goods from
overseas and these have to be transported to reach us.
22% of annual UK emissions – equivalent to 120 million
tonnes of CO2 – are from road transport. Globally, emissions
from air travel account for 2% of all CO2 emissions and this
is increasing very fast.
Deforestation and farming
In many areas of the world
large areas of forest are being
cleared. This is happening for
many reasons:
ffDemand for wood to use in
manufacture
ffNeed for more land for
growing food crops
ffNeed for more land to grow
crops to use as biofuels
ffNeed for more land for housing and industry
Once the trees have been cut down they are often burned.
This transfers their stored carbon into carbon dioxide.
Moreover, animal farming releases methane which
contributes to GHG emissions and rice production in paddy
fields also produces significant amounts of methane.
The UK Government imposes a climate change levy on
UK businesses
Page 4
2001
2000
Timeline
Governments continue to negotiate terms for the
Kyoto Protocol
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Climate Change Student Booklet
Effects of climate change
Climate change doesn’t just mean that the world will suddenly become much hotter. Some areas may
even experience lower temperatures. In the most extreme predictions, the average temperature will
rise by about 5.8°C by the end of the century but even a rise of just above 2°C could have some severe
consequences. Even in our lifetime we may see more dramatic events that are related to climate
change.
Rising sea levels and
flooding
Sea level could rise between
20 and 60 cm by the end of
the century. Oceans expand
as temperatures rise and
melting land ice also causes
the sea level to rise. It could
affect 85% of the world’s
population who live in coastal
regions. As a result, large areas of land could disappear
under water.
Droughts and water shortages
In some parts of the world, especially northern Africa, the
Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, water resources for
drinking and irrigation will be affected by reduced rainfall and
desert areas are likely to get
bigger.
Food shortage
With the increased temperature, the growing season may
get longer and hence increase productivity in temperate
climates such as the UK. In contrast, Africa, and parts of the
Middle East and India, are expected to experience significant
reductions in how much cereal they can grow.
Biodiversity affected
There will be less biodiversity as habitats change. By the
2070s, large parts of northern Brazil and central southern
Africa could lose their tropical forests because of reduced
rainfall and increased temperatures. This will lead to fewer
surviving varieties of the plants and animals that give us
fertile soils, clean air and
water as well as natural
resources.
Extreme weather events
Hurricanes, storms and
flooding will become more
common, particularly in low
lying areas.
As well as the immediate
damage caused by
these events, the long-term impact on economies and
environments is serious too. It includes the displacement of
people, loss of crops and water supplies, increased coastal
erosion and destruction of ecosystems.
2003
2002
With the rise in sea levels,
many coastal zones will
suffer from salination – when
salty sea water mixes with
the fresh water. About 30%
of the world’s population
have problems finding
enough water now. This
figure is predicted to double
in the next 30 years.
All 15 states of the EU agree to the Kyoto Protocol to
pave the way for new international attempts to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions
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The UK Government produces the Energy White Paper,
which sets targets for improvement:
ff 20% improvement in efficiency in the domestic sector
by 2010
ff Further 20% improvement by 2020
ff 20% increase in the electricity generated by renewable
sources by 2020
ff 60% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050
Page 5
Climate Change Student Booklet
What can we do?
We can’t stop the effects of the greenhouse gas emissions that have already taken place. However, by
acting now we can influence the future and reduce the impact of climate change on society.
While most now agree that human activity is contributing to climate change, it’s difficult to decide who
is responsible and exactly what should be done. The problem is made worse because some countries,
particularly in Asia, are growing fast. This growth means more energy consumption and a bigger
impact on climate change.
There needs to be a unified response to climate change which takes into account the needs of all
countries, whether ‘developing’ or ‘developed’. For it to work, we all need to take positive steps
globally, nationally and locally.
International actions
ff Governments have already drawn up agreements to limit the
amounts of greenhouse gases they produce. The first step
was taken in 1997 when the Kyoto Protocol was initiated as
part of the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate
Change. Governments agreed to reduce, on average, the
amount of greenhouse gases their countries produced by
5.2% below 1990 levels. 175 countries have now made a
commitment to achieve the aims of the Kyoto Protocol.
ff The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was set
up in 1988 to assess the scientific and technical aspects of
climate change. It reports on the work of scientists from all
regions of the world. In 2007 it released its 4th Assessment
Report, bringing together all global findings.
ff Work is needed to further limit deforestation and to replace
trees that have already been cut down (reforestation).
ff Businesses too have an international responsibility in this
area. BP, while continuing to fulfil the needs of its customers
for conventional fuel, is also rapidly increasing the supply of
low-carbon energy.
ff Some industries are also limited by the EU’s Emission
Trading Scheme (ETS), which caps greenhouse gas
emissions and allows companies to buy and sell emissions
permits with each other.
What BP is doing
ffIn 1997 BP acknowledged the growing scientific
consensus on human influence on the climate.
ffIn 2005 BP launched BP Alternative Energy, a business
providing low-carbon energy from wind, hydrogen and
natural-gas fired power.
ffSince 2006 BP has been developing a range of advanced
biofuels such as butanol and ethanol from crops to meet
the demand for renewable transport fuels.
ffBP has established the Energy Biosciences Institute at the
University of California, Berkeley with an investment of
$500 million over 10 years as part of its research work.
ffBP has formed Hydrogen Energy – along with Rio Tinto –
to develop power stations coupled to carbon capture and
storage facilities which will remove CO2 from fossil fuels
(coal, oil and gas) and store it permanently in geological
formations deep underground.
ffBP’s targetneutral initiative aims to educate motorists
and encourage them to reduce CO2 emissions by funding
carbon offset schemes.
Launch of Sustainable Mobility Project Report by the World
Business Council for Sustainable Development // British
Prime Minister Tony Blair says that climate change is the
world’s “greatest environmental challenge” // Russia signs
up to the Kyoto Protocol
Page 6
2006
2004
Timeline
The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change,
commissioned by the UK Government, warns that without
strong early action to combat climate change, the world will
have to pay a severe economic penalty later
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Climate Change Student Booklet
National actions
ffMany governments are working with researchers,
environmental groups and businesses to provide solutions
and develop new technology to help reduce emissions.
ffBy using less carbon intensive fossil fuels, e.g. natural gas
rather than coal, we can drastically reduce emissions of
carbon dioxide.
ffMany governments are using more renewable energy
such as wind power, wave and tidal energy, biomass and
biofuels. Some countries could also use more nuclear
energy.
ffOther national projects such as the Sleipner Project in
Norway aim to store CO2 and stop it getting into the
atmosphere. CO2 is pumped into tiny holes in a layer of
rock 1,000m under the sea.
Local actions
ffImproving public transport. With over 400 million motor
vehicles on the road, worldwide, each emitting carbon
dioxide and other pollutants, it is important to reduce the
use of cars locally.
ffLocal recycling schemes save energy and resources. They
can also reduce the use of landfill sites. This is important
because landfill sites can release methane gas.
ffSchools and public buildings can improve their waste
management and use of goods and energy. By 2020 the
UK Government wants all schools to be models of energy
efficiency and to use more renewable energy. It also
wants schools to set an example for sustainable travel.
Focus on the Stern Review
Stabilising emissions
This diagram shows that the amount of carbon we emit could
double by 2050.
In 2006 the UK government released a report by Sir Nicholas
Stern, the former chief economist of the World Bank, on the
economics of climate change. While assessing the likely
environmental impact of carbon emissions, he also identified
the economic impact extreme weather could have on GDP,
global output and consumption.
Among the options for change suggested were:
A wedge can involve using greener fuels, storing carbon and
increasing efficiency.
Examples of a wedge include:
ffcutting non-energy emissions such as those from
deforestation and from agricultural and industrial
processes
ffGas replacing coal in 1,400 large new power stations.
ffpromoting cleaner energy and transport technology
ffDoubling the fuel efficiency of 2 billion cars.
ffdeveloping carbon capture and storage to allow continued
use of fossil fuels.
2007
The wedges above the solid green line stand for ways to help
stabilise emissions. Each one represents a saving of 1 billion
tonnes of carbon per annum by 2050.
G8 members agree that reducing the effect of greenhouse gas
emissions is a global priority // Nobel Peace Prize awarded
to Al Gore and the IPCC for informing the world of the dangers
posed by climate change
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ffreducing demand for goods and services
ffincreasing energy efficiency
The future
Can we make a difference?
Page 7
What can you do?
Tackling climate change isn’t just a job for politicians and global businesses. We can all contribute to
living our lives in a sustainable way for the future good of the planet.
And it’s not difficult. Look at the following simple steps and start taking them today.
Close curtains at night to keep in the heat.
Use the car less – cycle or take public transport to school
and to the shops.
Turn off non-essential appliances and lights.
Switch off machines rather than leave on standby.
Keep the heating on a lower setting – just turning it down
by one degree makes a difference.
Use a lower temperature when you do the laundry.
Save water by taking a shower instead of a bath and don’t
leave the taps on when you brush your teeth.
Change to energy-saving light bulbs, which last up to 12
times longer than traditional light bulbs.
If you use a dishwasher, make sure it’s full before you
switch it on.
Make sure you reuse and recycle as much as possible,
from paper to glass and plastics.
Give unwanted goods to community groups or charity
shops for others to use, thus reducing the need for energy
to be used making new ones.
When making a hot drink, only boil as much water as you
need (but make sure the water covers the element if you’re
using an electric kettle).
Fix leaking taps – a dripping tap wastes enough water in a
week to fill half a bath.
Block up draughts around doors and windows.
Buy energy efficient appliances and gadgets.
And if you and your family want to make an even
bigger difference:
Make sure your home is well insulated. Loft insulation,
cavity wall insulation and double-glazing all help stop heat
escaping. They’ll cut your fuel bill too.
Switch to a green fuel provider for your electricity.
Investigate the possibility of generating your own power
from a renewable source. As well as wind and solar power,
there’s also biomass, ground source heat pumps and even
hydro.
Start a recycling scheme at school or lobby your council for
one if it’s not available already.
Your hot water thermostat shouldn’t need to be set higher
than 60ºC (140ºF).
©BP International Ltd 2007. Permission to photocopy for educational purposes
BP Educational Service
PO Box 105, Rochester, Kent ME2 4BE
Tel: +44 (0)870 333 0428
Fax: +44 (0)870 333 0449
Email: [email protected]
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