Dealing with Global Warming SNC2D

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 global food production must not threaten economic interests must not threaten economic interests must support sustainable development 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 global food production must not threaten economic interests must not threaten economic interests must support sustainable development 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 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 is not imposed. A carbon tax is a tax on greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Taxes Proposed carbon taxes are typically revenue- neutral (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.