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Dealing with Global Warming
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The IPCC
The IPCC is the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change, a
group of the world’s leading
climate scientists from many
countries.
In 2007, it received the Nobel
Peace Prize jointly with Al Gore.
Models
IPCC scientists use climate data (such as that
collected from ice cores) as inputs in
quantitative models that simulate the
interactions of the Earth’s systems.
Confidence Level
Each prediction can be given a
confidence rating, an
indication of the probability
that the prediction is correct,
based on the amount and
accuracy of data
measurements and scientists’
understanding of climate
interactions.
Political Agreements
The IPCC does not make policy decisions, only
recommendations.
The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC), in operation since
1992, is an agreement of the world’s nations to
stabilize greenhouse gas emissions caused by
human activity.
A Caveat
However, the UNFCCC agrees that any actions
taken to stabilize emissions:
• must not threaten global food production
• must not threaten economic interests
• must support sustainable development
A Caveat
However, the UNFCCC agrees that any actions
taken to stabilize emissions:
• must not threaten global food production
• must not threaten economic interests
• must support sustainable development
. . . which is ironic since climate change itself
threatens food production and economic
interests
Remember this image of an
irrigation reservoir in Australia?
The Kyoto Protocol
In Kyoto, Japan, in
1997, Canada and
160 countries agreed
to set a goal of an
average 5%
reduction in global
greenhouse gas
emissions by 2012.
However, our emissions
have since risen.
Reducing Emissions vs. Levels
And remember that reducing emissions means
only reducing the rate at which greenhouse
gases are being added to the atmosphere. They
are still being added.
Reducing Emissions vs. Levels
In the long term, we need net emissions to drop to
zero. And even then, temperatures will continue
to rise before they stabilize.
Mitigating Greenhouse Emissions
To mitigate our emissions (make them less
severe), we can actively remove greenhouse
gases.
Mitigating Greenhouse Emissions
To mitigate our emissions (make them less
severe), we can actively remove greenhouse
gases.
Individuals can purchase carbon offsets, which
financially support removal processes.
Nations, under the Kyoto Protocol, can trade in
emission-reduction credits for engaging in
these processes.
Mitigating Greenhouse Emissions
One way of removing
carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere is developing
carbon sinks, e.g.
replanting seedlings after
forests have been cut
down.
Mitigating Greenhouse Emissions
Sequestration removes greenhouse gases
from the air by storing them in the Earth.
Carbon Footprints
It is important, however,
that individuals reduce
their carbon
footprint, the sum of
all the emissions
produced by their
activities, by changing
their activities.
Carbon Footprints
Individuals can reduce the amount they
consume by reusing, reducing, and
recycling.
And they can reduce the energy they
consume by using energy-efficient
appliances – or they can use green energy.
Renewable Resources
Green energy comes from
renewable (non-fossil
fuel) resources: the sun,
the wind, the tides, and
the Earth itself
(geothermal energy).
Carbon Taxes
However, it is unlikely that individuals and
industries will change their behaviours
significantly if a carbon tax, a tax on green
house gas emission, is not imposed.
Carbon Taxes
Proposed carbon taxes are typically revenueneutral (they replace other taxes and/or reward
green behaviours), but they are still politically
unpopular.
Green Technology
We need to remember, however,
that green technologies may
come with a cost but also offer
long-term economic
opportunities in addition to
combating climate change.