Climate Change By Kamaldeep Mann kdhaliwal@schools.nyc.gov P.S./M.S. 123, Manhattan School Year 2014-2015

Steps of the Public Policy Analyst Define the Problem Gather the Evidence Identify the Causes Examine an Existing Policy Develop New Policy Solutions Select the Best Solution Effectiveness vs. Feasibility http://flippedtips.com/plegal/tips/welcome.html

Define the problem… The average temperature of the Earth has been increasing for many years. This is called global warming. Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather.

Gather Evidence Sea level rise – sea levels have risen about 17 centimeters in the last century (100 years) Global temperature rise – the earth’s temperatures have risen since 1880, with the 20 warmest years having occurred since 1981 Warming oceans – the oceans have absorbed the increased heat with temperatures rising 0.302 degrees since 1969. Extreme events – the number of high record temperatures has been rising in the U.S., while the low temperature events have been decreasing

Identify Causes The greenhouse gases affect the amount of heat retained by the earth’s atmosphere Changes in the sun’s energy affect how much energy reaches Earth’s system Land use changes, for example cutting down forests to create farmland, have led to changes in the amount of sunlight reflected from the ground back into space

Evaluate Existing Policies The EPA (environmental protection agency) is developing common regulatory initiatives to reduce GHG emissions and increase efficiency.  Partnering With the Private Sector: Through voluntary energy and climate programs, EPA's partners reduced over 345 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2010 alone. Reducing EPA's Carbon Footprint: EPA is monitoring emissions from its own energy use and fuel consumption and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020

Develop Solutions EPA is engaged in a variety of international activities to advance climate change science, monitor our environment, and promote activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Select Best Solution Many say that imposing a carbon tax is the best solution. Polluters will pay per ton of carbon that they release into the atmosphere. This is thought to be the most effective and least costly way to reduce carbon output as well as the level of climate change that is occurring.

Interactive Activity http://ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/climate/quiz/index.cfm

References http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids http://www.epa.gov/climatechange