UNEP: Crisis Committee on Climate Change Fairfield University High School Conference 2014

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1 UNEP: Crisis Committee on Climate Change Fairfield University High School Conference 2014 F.U.M.U.N

2 Hello! My name is Alli Scheetz and I will be your Chair for the Climate Change Committee. A little bit about myself first: I am a junior at Fairfield, double majoring in International Studies and Politics. I have been a part of FUMUN since freshman year, and I did Model UN all throughout high school. I m really passionate about Model UN and the ideas that it teaches young students like you about the real world. I have an Internship with AmeriCares working in their Middle East and Africa division, sending medical supplies to facilities in need. So, if you have any questions about my major or what this looks like, let me know. Out of all the conferences I have attended, I have never seen one on climate change. So, this is why I thought that a real life issues that have not been addressed heavily in the media needs to be addressed. I also took a class on climate change, and the politics that comes with it and it really opened my eyes. Fun fact: The United States has not ratified lots of the treaties regarding climate change and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The United States is also one of the only countries not to do so. Why? You ll find out!! Please remember background guides are due no later than Friday, November 7 th Please send me your position papers via with Position Paper as the subject. My address is Allison.scheetz@student.fairfield.edu. It is also listed below.

3 Feel free to contact me at any point regarding the research that you need to do, or any questions about the committee. I will provide you with lots of information and guides you can look at to educate yourselves on the topic of Climate Change. I cannot wait to get this conference started! Best, Alli Scheetz 16 Fairfield University Allison.scheetz@student.fairfield.edu

4 This committee was called to discuss immediately: Scientists have discovered that the Ozone layer is severely depleting over the European Continent. They have concluded that the ozone layer issue is the reason why there has been a 200% increase in the number of severe skin cancers in the past month. Research has deduced that the reason why the ozone layer is becoming so thin so quickly is due to a chemical found in Apple Computers, Cell Phones and ipads. These items are being improperly disposed of, which is leading to the release of these chemicals into the atmosphere. The UNEP has called this committee to come up with a solution or action plan to solve this problem. This not only effects the present day, but these effects will be felt on earth for the rest of time if we do not solve the issue now. Questions you should be prepared to answer: 1. Where are you getting the money to fund the resulting decision? 2. How long do you expect your action will take to implement? 3. Will these funds take away from other environmental issues (ie: deforestation, ocean polluting)? 4. How are you expecting to address this issue to your countries/companies/the media after this committee press conference? Keep in Mind: This is not a real problem, but it is a real topic. In the 1970 s this was a very large issue and this was a very similar conversation back then. Use your resource and past treaties to form your position papers.

5 Basic Facts 1 : What is Climate Change? 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. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves. The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced some big changes - oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising. As these and other changes become more pronounced in the coming decades, they will likely present challenges to our society and our environment. Who is Responsible? Over the past century, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, although deforestation, industrial processes, and some agricultural practices also emit gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect and is natural and necessary to support life on Earth. However, the buildup of greenhouse gases can change Earth's climate and result in dangerous effects to human health and welfare and to ecosystems. The choices we make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases we put in the atmosphere in the near future and for years to come. What does this mean? Carbon dioxide can stay in the atmosphere for nearly a century, so Earth will continue to warm in the coming decades. The warmer it gets, the greater the risk for more severe changes to the climate and Earth's system. Although it's difficult to predict the exact impacts of climate change, what's clear is that the climate we are accustomed to is no longer a reliable guide for what to expect in the future. What are CFCs 2? Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are a group of compounds, which contain the elements chlorine, fluorine and carbon. At room temperatures, they are 1 "Climate Change." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 18 Mar Web. 23 Sept "Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)." Pollutant Fact Sheet. Scottish Environment Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Sept

6 usually colorless gases or liquids, which evaporate easily. They are generally unreactive and stable, non- toxic and non- flammable. CFCs are also a part of the group of chemicals known as the volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The properties of CFCs make them useful for a variety of commercial and industrial purposes: as a propellant in aerosol sprays (now banned in the cleaning solvents and in electrical components. Montreal Protocol: POPs Convention: Basel Convention: IPCC: Rotterdam Convention: US/Default.aspx Who is Participating? Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Finland France Germany Greece Hungary India Indonesia

7 Ireland Italy Japan Luxembourg Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands Norway Philippines Poland Portugal Russian Federation Singapore Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom United States WHO Apple IMF World Bank Cancer Research Institute EuroDispose GEF

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