Download YES, WE CAN! Global Warming is something we all need to be wo

YES, WE CAN!
Global Warming is something we all need to be worried about, for this reason there
are a lot of nations who work together to prevent and reduce its effects.
UNFCCC The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an
international environmental treaty negotiated at the Earth Summit, held in Rio de
Janeiro from 3rd to 14th June, 1992. The objective of the treaty is “to stabilize
greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent
dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system."
The treaty itself set no binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual
countries but on 9th May, 1992, 154 nations signed the UNFCCC, that committed
signatories governments to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases
with the goal of "preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference with Earth's
climate system".
Article 2 of the Convention states that Parties should act to prevent "dangerous"
anthropogenic interference of the climate system, this requires that GHG
concentrations are stabilized in the atmosphere at a level where ecosystems can adapt
naturally to climate change.
Article 3 of the Convention states that Parties should act to protect the climate
system on the basis of "common but differentiated responsibilities", and that
developed countries Parties should "take the lead" in addressing climate change.
The parties to the convention have met annually for 1995 in Conferences of the
Parties (COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change. In 1997, the Kyoto
Protocol was concluded and established legally binding obligations for developed
countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Parties to the UNFCCC are classified as:
- ANNEX I COUNTRIES : The industrialized countries
- ANNEX II COUNTRIES: These countries are required to provide financial
and technical support to the developing countries to assist them in reducing
their greenhouse gases emissions and manage the impacts of climate change.
- ECONOMIES IN TRANSITIONS: They are 49 developing countries.

Australia

France

Lithuania

Austria

Germany

Luxembourg

Belarus

Greece

Malta

Belgium

Hungary

Monaco

Bulgaria

Iceland

Netherlands

Canada

Ireland

New Zealand

Croatia

Italy

Norway

Japan

Poland

Latvia

Portugal

Liechtenstein

Romania

Czech
Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Russian
Federation

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine


United
Kingdom
The U.S.A.
Annex II countries
There are 24 Annex II countries and the European Union. In 2002, Turkey was
removed from Annex II.[9] This decision was made on the basis of the fact that
Turkey is at an early stage of industrialization.[10] Turkey remains an Annex I Party:[8]

Australia

Germany

Luxembourg

Sweden

Austria

Greece

Mexico

Switzerland

Belgium

Iceland

Netherlands


Canada

Ireland

New Zealand
United
Kingdom

Denmark

Italy

Norway

United States
of America

Finland

Japan

Portugal

France

Spain
Economies in Transition

Belarus

Estonia

Poland

Slovenia

Bulgaria

Hungary

Romania

Ukraine

Croatia

Latvia


Lithuania

Czech
Republic

Russian
Federation
Slovakia
THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
The Kyoto protocol is an international treaty that forces the industrial countries to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It was adopted in 1997 but it entered in force
in 2005. It established legally binding commitments to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases for Annex I Parties, which are also required to increase the
absorption of these gases.
MAY BE OUR MIRACLE!!!
The Mayor of London has announced his intention to create the world’s first Ultra
Low Emission Zone in central London. He has asked Transport for London to
prepare plans to introduce a scheme that would aim to ensure all vehicles driving in
the centre of the capital during working hours to be zero or low emission and the
feasibility of introducing such a scheme from 2020. The Mayor of London, Boris
Johnson, declared: “Creating the world’s first big city ultra-low emission zone has
the potential to be a game changing moment in the quality of life of our great capital.
My vision is a central zone where almost all the vehicles running during working
hours are either zero or low emission. This would deliver incredible benefits in air
quality and stimulate the delivery and mass use of low emission technology.”
The Mayor’s new package of measures includes:
•Extra hybrid buses
•New Euro 6 Standard buses – the Mayor now proposes a programme to retire the
last 900 Euro 3 standard buses in London so that all of the buses will be of Euro 4
standard or better.
•Measures to clean up construction sites – these sites are responsible for around 12
per cent of London’s emissions. The Mayor will also work with the Environment
Agency to rollout the use of dust suppressants at industrial sites. At Horn Lane these
reduced concentrations of PM10 emissions by up to 59 per cent.
•A new zero emission taxi – the Mayor has asked his team to explore the potential of
taxi designs that offer no emissions at the point of use. Ecotive Limited has already
designed a unique and purpose-built new Metrocab taxi for London with zero
emission capabilities, which is exactly the type of vehicle the Mayor would be
delighted to see manufactured in the capital and entering the market.
•More energy efficiency measures – will be encouraged in homes, schools and public
buildings.
PM 10
Nature and Sources of the Pollutant: Particulate matter is the term for solid or
liquid particles found in the air. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as
soot or smoke. Others are so small they can be detected only with an electron
microscope. Because particles originate from a variety of mobile and stationary
sources (diesel trucks, woodstoves, power plants, etc.), their chemical and physical
compositions vary widely. Particulate matter can be directly emitted or can be formed
in the atmosphere when gaseous pollutants such as SO2 and NOx react to form fine
particles.
The PM-10 standard includes particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less.
Major concerns for human health from exposure to PM-10 include: effects on
breathing and respiratory systems, damage to lung tissue, cancer, and premature
death. The elderly, children, and people with chronic lung disease, influenza, or
asthma, are especially sensitive to the effects of particulate matter.
Liceo Scientifico Statale “G. Galilei” – Pescara
A. S. 2012-2013
UDA: Global Warming. Protocols
EMANUELE D’ANTONIO
Class: II A
English Teacher: Prof.ssa Miscia Roberta