Global Climate Change

Response and Action

What Can We Do?

The Montreal Protocol

Due to the Montreal protocol, CFCs will be less of a concern, as time goes on Outlawed

manufacture, sale or use of CFCs in most instances

Why was Montreal successful?

The Montreal Protocol occurred because: Scientific agreement on

problem (upper atmospheric CFC’s destroy upper atmospheric ozone (O3

++). Technological substitutions are

economically viable. The company which held the

license on the offending chemicals (Freon 11,12, etc.) also held newer licenses on those substitutes (DuPont).

Will Montreal occur for climate change?

No!No! Scientific consensus will

not emerge until it is too late

The winners and losers have very large stakes.

Technological substitutes are not available, or will be economically prohibitive.

The Mainstream Debate Focus

How do we respond?

The Mainstream Debate Focus

Mitigation strategy aimed at alleviating the problem,

i.e. attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Adaptation strategy aimed at minimizing the impacts

by finding ways to cushion oneself from the effects

Both approaches are necessary, because even if we halt all global emissions today, global warming will continue.

Mitigation is necessary because without it, any effort at adaptation will be over-whelmed

Strategies

Mitigation Energy conservation Improving energy

efficiency Switching to clean and

renewable energy sources

Preventing deforestation Encouraging practices

that protect soil quality.

Adaptation Restrict coastal

development Adjust farming practices

to cope with drought Modify water

management practices to deal with reduced river flow or salt contamination of groundwater

SOURCE OF CO2

Two-thirds of the carbon dioxide entering the Earth’s atmosphere comes from natural sources such as animal respiration and volcanoes

One-third is anthropogenic

Human-Produced Greenhouse Gas Levels

CO2 PRODUCERS

Only one percent of the world’s countries (which is two countries) are producing 55% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. What are those two countries?

THAT’S RIGHT…

The United States and China China has just surpassed the United States as the

world’s greatest emitter of carbon dioxide. China is presently bringing coal-fired power-plants

on line at the rate of one or two a week.

The Tragedy of the Commons

Global Climate Change is the Tragedy of the Commons at its most global expression

It is not to any nations advantage to unilaterally reduce emissions

Generates U.S. Electricity

Coal alone accounts for

Fossil Fuel Combustion

Of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from households:

• Vehicles

• Home Heating

• Electricity

Households are Big Contributors to Climate Change

So how can each of us slow global warming now?

Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels

Because greenhouse gas emissions are tied very closely to our energy consumption, using less fossil fuel based energy puts fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

50% of electricity in the United States is produced from coal

Mountaintop removal for coal mining near Rawl, West Virginia.

(

Transportation

Increase fuel efficiency Develop technologies that

bring alternative approaches Hybrid and fully electric

vehicles Development and greater

reliance on mass transit

Agriculture and Forest Management

Sustainable land management on cropland and rangeland Enable soil to store

more carbon. Reforestation results

in additional carbon absorption

Carbon Capture

Technology that removes carbon dioxide from power plant emissions

Carbon sequestration Carbon storage

underground under pressure in rock formations

Technology is a long way from being feasible.

International Attempts

World policy makers have tried with international treaties 1997 Kyoto Protocol

Reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases to levels below 1990 (by 2008-2012)

U.S.A. refused to ratify and remains the only developed nation not to join this effort

1997 Kyoto Protocol The U.S. emits 20% of the world’s greenhouse

gases, so its refusal to join international efforts to curb greenhouse emissions has generated widespread resentment.

As of 2008 (the most recent year with full international data), nations that signed the Kyoto Protocol had decreased their emissions by 5.2% from 1990 levels.

Despite the failure of the more recent Copenhagen conference (2009), nations are continuing efforts to design a treaty to follow the Kyoto Protocol.

Economic Consideration

The U.S. Senate has consistently opposed emissions reductions out of fear that this would dampen the U.S. economy. (or perhaps the members are

just representing big business and personal interests in lieu of larger society)

China and India have so far resisted emissions cuts under the same assumption Their economies depend on

fossil fuels

Response by Others…

Germany 3rd most technologically advanced

economy in the world and a leading producer of iron, steel, coal, automobiles and electronics, has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 22% since 1990.

U.K. Cut its emissions by 18.4% during the

same time period Germany and Japan are currently leading the

world in production and employment of solar energy technology

Response by Others…

China recently surpassed the U.S.A. to become the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, although it still emits far less per capita that the U.S.

China is also embarking on initiatives to develop and sell renewable energy technologies on a scale beyond what any other nation has yet attempted.

Who Loses?

If the U.S. does not fulfill its potential to develop energy technologies for the future, then the future could belong to nations like China, Germany and Japan

(Why are we still subsidizing oil companies?)

Federal Fallout

In the absence of the U.S. federal government to address climate change, state and local governments are advancing policies to limit emissions 2006 CA – Global Warming

Solutions Act Cut emissions 25% by

2020 2007 10 northeastern states-

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Set up a cap-and-trade program

Cap and Trade Controversy

Supporters of permit trading programs argue that they provide the fairest, least expensive and most effective method of reducing emissions.

Cap and Trade Controversy

Critics claim it doesn’t reduce emissions.

Carbon Footprint

The most influential economic and environmentally sound factor may be the collective decisions of millions of regular people taking steps to approach a carbon-neutral lifestyle.

Determining one’s individual carbon footprint and taking the necessary steps to change behavior and consumption choices will be an important factor in addressing the biggest challenge facing current and future generations

Simple Substitutions

If every American household replaced just 5 high-use incandescent bulbs with compact florescent lights we'd collectively save more than $8 billion each year in energy costs and we would prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars.

Replacing just 1 incandescent light bulb with 1 compact florescent bulb saves about 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!

Source: http://www.energystar.gov

Three 60 Watt Bulbs

Kitchen Light Fixture

Trade Off?

Small changes really add upReplace your old refrigerator with a new Energy Star: Annual savings: $90; 700 pounds CO2

Set your thermostat down a few degrees in the winterAnnual savings: $135; 1400 pounds CO2

Wash clothes in cold water onlyAnnual savings: $70; 500 pounds CO2

Drive JUST 10 fewer miles per weekAnnual savings: $80; 520 pounds CO2

Reduce your garbage by 10% through greater recycling or reduced packagingAnnual savings: 1200 pounds CO2

Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windowsAnnual savings:$80; 650 pounds CO2

(These are mid-range estimates from published sources; your savings may vary.)

Blowing Up Your World

Do you leave your bedroom light on when you are not in the room? 2 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

Did you walk or bicycle or take the bus to get to school today instead of a private automobile? 3 points to you

Blowing Up Your World

Did you throw away that plastic container last time you had a soft drink, coffee, hot chocolate…? 3 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you eat fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned or frozen?Fresh vegetables cook more quickly and are usually more nutritious than frozen or canned foods. Canned and frozen vegetables are often over-processed, contain additives, contribute to air pollution (transport and packaging) and add to our waste problem.

4 points to you

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you use a hairdryer or other energy-consuming convenience appliance, especially in the morning?Hairdryers use a lot of energy. In the morning so much energy demand is put on our grids that power companies have to find other sources of energy just to meet the morning rush hour

2 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you, when you go to a store, get a bag for your purchases, even if you have only one or two small items to carry?Making paper and plastic bags uses energy and resources. The bags add to our litter and waste problems, and plastic is not biodegradable. Recycling is not the best answer because collecting and recycling materials requires energy. Instead, carry a reusable cloth bag or a knapsack with you.

3 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you carry your lunch to school in a lunch box or reusable container?

3 points to you

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you eat take-out or cafeteria food that is served in foam or plastic containers?

Polystyrene and other plastic containers are made from precious petrochemicals, do not decompose in landfills, and release toxic gases when they are burned in incinerators.

10 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

How many of you use handkerchiefs instead of tissues and use cloth towels instead of paper towels?

Paper comes from trees. The more of it we use, the more trees that are cut down

2 points deduction

Blowing Up Your World

How many are changing incandescent bulbs for new compact fluorescent bulbs?

Changing one bulb could save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year!

10 to you

Blowing Up Your World

31 - 40 Very good. You're an environmentalist! 21 - 30 Good, you're starting to save the world. 11 - 20 Lots of room for improvement. 0 - 10 You're exiled to the town dump