MET 112 Global Climate Change: Lecture 14

MET 112 Global Climate Change: Lecture 14

Energy & Climate Change Mitigation

Dr. Craig Clements

Obviously, one of the main issues related to climate change is the burning of fossil fuels

Thus, energy use, and the continuing demand for energy are central to the challenges of climate change.

Energy and Climate Change

Data from 2006, Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Country

MET 112

4

Tons of CO2 emitted per capita

US COUS CO22 Emissions Emissions

Total emissions ~ Total emissions ~ 5,788.5 million metric tons5,788.5 million metric tons ~ 22 metric tons per person ~ 22 metric tons per person

Industry: 35% Industry: 35% Transportation: 33%Transportation: 33% Residences: 18%Residences: 18% Commercial: 14%Commercial: 14%

1,600 million metric tons due to personal use (~33%)1,600 million metric tons due to personal use (~33%)

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJpj8UUMTaIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJpj8UUMTaI

Automobile fuel: 38 gallons per month Natural Gas: 15 therms per monthElectricity: 190 Kilowatt-hours per monthAirline Miles flown 147 miles per monthTotal:

Latest estimate ~ 17,600 lbs of CO2

Kyoto allowance (for US): ~11,000 pounds To stabilize climate (550ppm):

4,700 pounds

Average US Personal Energy Use (Per Person)

Mitigation of climate changeMitigation of climate change

Mitigation: Mitigation: – Steps taken to avoid or minimize negative Steps taken to avoid or minimize negative

environmental impacts.environmental impacts.

Mitigation can include: Mitigation can include:

– avoiding the impact by not taking a certain action; avoiding the impact by not taking a certain action; – minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude

of the action; of the action; – rectifying the impact by repairing or restoring the rectifying the impact by repairing or restoring the

affected environmentaffected environment

Figure: Courtesy of IPCC

IPCC Assessment ReportIPCC Assessment Report IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

– Greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise (warming).Greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise (warming).

““The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate”on global climate”

(IPCC) 1997(IPCC) 1997

"There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming "There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human

activitiesactivities .“.“ (IPCC),(IPCC),

20012001

(IPCC) 2007

IPCC Assessment ReportIPCC Assessment Report

IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – Greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise (warming).Greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise (warming).

““The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate”on global climate”

(IPCC) 1997(IPCC) 1997"There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming "There is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming

observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activitiesactivities .“.“

(IPCC),(IPCC), 20012001

The IPCC finds that it is “very likely” that emissions of heat-The IPCC finds that it is “very likely” that emissions of heat-trapping gases from human activities have caused “most of the trapping gases from human activities have caused “most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the

mid-20th century.mid-20th century.(IPCC) 2007

The Kyoto Protocol 1997 (in The Kyoto Protocol 1997 (in effect 2005)effect 2005)

A United Nations sponsored effort:A United Nations sponsored effort:– Calls for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by Calls for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions by

industrialized countries of 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels. industrialized countries of 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels. – The Protocol will go into force after The Protocol will go into force after

1.1. The protocol has been ratified by a minimum of 55 countries.The protocol has been ratified by a minimum of 55 countries.2.2. The ratifying nations comprise 55% of global greenhouse The ratifying nations comprise 55% of global greenhouse

gas emissions.gas emissions.– Current status:Current status:

156 countries have signed accounting for 61% of global CO156 countries have signed accounting for 61% of global CO22.. US not planning on signing protocol (US accounts for 36% of US not planning on signing protocol (US accounts for 36% of

COCO22 emitted) emitted) Kyoto protocol went into force in Feb 2005Kyoto protocol went into force in Feb 2005

Articles of the Kyoto ProtocolArticles of the Kyoto Protocol

Aim:– Ways to reduce increasing GHG

Goals:

– Enhancement of energy efficiency in relevant sectors of the national economy



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks– Promote sustainable agriculture



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks– Promote sustainable agriculture– Research and promote new and renewable energy–

Altamont Pass, CaliforniaAltamont Pass, California

GeothermalGeothermal

Hydro powerHydro power

Tidal powerTidal power



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks– Promote sustainable agriculture– Research and promote new and renewable energy– Phase out any incentives for ‘bad practice’–



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks– Promote sustainable agriculture– Research and promote new and renewable energy– Phase out any incentives for ‘bad practice’– Encourage ‘good practices’

If you buy an electric car, what is the most likely energy source

1. Natural gas

2. Coal

3. Petroleum



Goals:


– Protection and enhancement of sinks– Promote sustainable agriculture– Research and promote new and renewable energy– Phase out any incentives for ‘bad practice’– Encourage ‘good practices’– Cut GHG from aviation

Kyoto TargetsKyoto Targets

National targets– European Union - 8% below 1990 levels– USA - 7% below 1990– Japan - 6% below 1990– Russia 0% (stay at 1990 levels)– Australia 8% (over 1990 levels) – Developing countries (no target)

China, India etc.

Kyoto Targets: Developing Kyoto Targets: Developing countriescountries

The UN Framework on Climate has agreed:

1. The largest share of historical and current global emissions of greenhouse gases – has originated in developed countries;

2. Per capita emissions in developing countries – are still relatively low;

3. The share of global emissions originating in developing countries – will grow to meet their social and development needs.

Emissions TradingEmissions Trading

Each country has an emission limit. If this country cannot meet it’s target, it may

purchase carbon credits from other countries (on the open market) who are under their limit.

This financially rewards countries that meet their targets.

Example of Russia Countries also receive carbon credits through

– clean energy programs (i.e. greentags) – carbon dioxide sinks (i.e. forests, oceans)

CO2 emissions for various scenarios

Kyoto’s eventual goal

"We will not do anything that harms our economy, because first "We will not do anything that harms our economy, because first things first are the people who live in America" things first are the people who live in America"

- President Bush- President Bush

Main reasons the US will not sign the Kyoto Protocol?Main reasons the US will not sign the Kyoto Protocol?Economic burdenEconomic burdenNo limits on developing countries (i.e. China, India)No limits on developing countries (i.e. China, India)Protocol is not going to help muchProtocol is not going to help much

Solutions - government

Kyoto Protocol

California potential leader

Solutions - personal Transportation Home Food Consumption

www.earthday.net : Top 10 Actions; Ecological Footprint

http://www.earthday.net/

Four R’s

1. Rethink

2. Reduce

3. Reuse

4. Recycle

Solutions - Consumption

Question your consumption urges

Material versus service based economy

Buy products that are in line with your values

Your Carbon Footprint

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

http://www.carbonfootprint.com/

If you were going to help mitigate global warming, which change would you feel most comfortable making.

1. Taking public transport more

2. Paying more for gasoline (i.e.1 dollar per gallon)

3. Altering your food choices

Global warming will affect your life?

1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree

3. Neutral

4. Disagree

5. Strongly Disagree

Summary

Over the last 100 years and especially over the last thirty-five years, the Earth climate has experienced a significant warming trend.

Current levels of greenhouse gases are higher than anytime over the last 400,000 years and likely longer.

Science is confident that humans are responsible for a majority of the warming observed over the last 50 years.

The Earth’s climate will continue to warm and this warming will place significant stress on social systems throughout the world.

Climate change mitigation is necessary to reduce negative impacts.

Developing countries are the most vulnerable to climate change

Impacts are worse –

– already more flood and drought prone as a large share of the economy is in climate sensitive sectors.

Harder to adapt

– due to lack of financial, institutional and technological capacity and access to knowledge.

Climate change is likely to impact disproportionately upon the poorest countries and the poorest persons within countries,

– exacerbating inequities in health status and access to adequate food, clean water and other resources.

Local Action: Does It Make a Local Action: Does It Make a Difference?Difference?

““Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; committed citizens can change the world;

indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.

-- Margaret Mead.-- Margaret Mead.

Tips to reduce

Transport– Drive less– Public transport– Carpool– Do errands on one trip– Don’t idle car– Check tire pressure

Residential– Check home insulation– Turn off electrical appliances (lights, TV, computers) when not

in use– Replace standard light bulbs with low energy bulbs– Monitor your home heating/cooling by using thermostats

Tips (continued)

Reduce your waste– Consider the packaging when purchasing

goods.– Reuse bags– Recycle

Purchasing Power– Buy energy efficient light bulbs– Consider fuel economy when purchasing a

vehicle

Purchasing

Consider the implication when you buy something.– Was the product produced in an environmentally

friendly manner.– Were the people who made the product treated

fairly.– Do the values of the company selling the product

match your own.– Low price doesn’t always mean the best deal for

everybody… It’s up to you to make the choice!

Summary

Climate change is potentially one of the Earth’s greatest challenges over the next few decades.

How we as a planet choose to react to the threat of climate change is largely a political and economic issue.

Solutions clearly require global action.

Goal of educationGoal of education

Critical ThinkingCritical Thinking

So don’t be afraid to contemplate, examine and So don’t be afraid to contemplate, examine and analyze…or in simple words…think.analyze…or in simple words…think.

Documents

MET 112 Global Climate Change: Lecture 14