Think, pair, share Individually, you have 5 minutes to think about possible management strategies for global warming Now share your ideas with you neighbour and see which ones you both have Share them with the group

Learning outcomes You should all be able to: Describe different pollution management strategies for dealing with global warming Most of you should be able to: Evaluate the effectiveness of the different strategies

Management strategies Three strategies we can adopt: Do nothing Wait and see Take precautions now

Do nothing A minority of scientists and others do not accept that global warming and climate change is problem for human activity. They say that we may forfeit economic development by reacting to a non-threat Or they say that global warming is a good thing and technology can manage the effects.

Wait and see It takes a long time for actions to have results E.g. to move economies away from a fossil fuel base is a long process. It is possible that we may reach the tipping point when our actions will have little effect because of the positive feedback mechanisms that change the climate.

Precautionary strategy Majority choice Even if we find out that fossil fuels do not cause global warming we know that they are running out. It makes sense to find alternative sources now while we have the chance. Can be divided into three categories: International commitments National actions Personal lifestyle changes In pairs, come up with 2 examples for each of these categories.

The Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol treaty was negotiated in December 1997 at the city of Kyoto, Japan and came into force February 16th, 2005. "The Kyoto Protocol is a legally binding agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990 (but note that, compared to the emissions levels that would be expected by 2010 without the Protocol, this target represents a 29% cut). The goal is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, HFCs, and PFCs - calculated as an average over the five-year period of 2008-12. National targets range from 8% reductions for the European Union and some others to 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 0% for Russia, and permitted increases of 8% for Australia and 10% for Iceland."

Carbon taxes These taxes have been introduced by some countries – Britain is one example. Carbon tax is a form of pollution tax. It levies a fee on the production, distribution or use of fossil fuels based on how much carbon their combustion emits. The tax makes using dirty fuels more­ expensive, so it encourages utilities, businesses and individuals to reduce consumption and increase energy efficiency

Carbon trading An attempt to create a market in which permit issued by governmentsto emit carbon dioxide are traded . In Europe permits are traded through the emission trading system (ETS) Governments set targets for the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted by industries and divide these between plants or companies. It is working but not well – critics say that targets are too generous.

Carbon offset Carbon offsets are a form of trade. When you buy an offset, you fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. E.g. restore forests, update power plants or increase energy efficiency in transport Carbon offsets let you pay to reduce the global GHG total instead of making radical or impossible reductions of your own. Carbon offsets are voluntary. People and businesses buy them to reduce their carbon footprints or build up their green image. Can be seen as dangerous because they dissuade people from making changes to their own lives.