RESPONSES TO GLOBAL WARMING

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Ross Green
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1 RESPONSES TO GLOBAL WARMING Need to look at 3 levels: INTERNATIONAL NATIONAL LOCAL

2 INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES EARTH SUMMIT in Rio de Janeiro Developed countries agree to stabilise CO2 emissions. To prevent concentrations rising we need to reduce current global emissions by 60%. KYOTO in Japan governments signed a Climate Change Protocol. Set specific targets and agreed to reduce their atmospheric pollution levels to those of 1990.By countries had ratified the agreement, which expires in main things to note: 1. The USA releases 15% more CO2 at the start of the century than it did in 1990 and despite this Bush refused to sign the Kyoto proposals, feeling it would damage the US economy. 2. Countries are disproportionately responsible for releasing greenhouse gases. In 1996 USA released 21% of CO2, but only has 4% of global pop. China now produces lots of pollution and is a major industrial nation but in 1997 was not considered an industrial giant. 3. LEDC have little industry and release few greenhouse gases.

3 CARBON CREDITS Following the Kyoto meeting countries were set an annual CO2 pollution limit. Major polluters can buy carbon credits from less polluting countries, which are not using up their quotas. If countries go over their limit, a number of options are forced upon them: 1. a fine, 2. investment in ways to reduce domestic CO2 emissions eg wind or solar, 3. paying for improved technologies in other countries or for other countries to plant trees (in feb 2000 the Japanese paid the government of New South Wales in Australia 50 million to plant over 40,000 ha of trees in 20 years).

4 Critics of the carbon credits 1. System is flawed and serves the best interests of the developed countries, allowing them to go on polluting, 2. Mass industrialisation and consumerism which underpin the economies of the developed world is unsustainable, 3. Countries are expected to monitor themselves, leaving room for cheating!

5 Results of the carbon credit system 1. The intro of the carbon credit levy- a tax on energy used by industry, commerce and the public sector. Came into effect in April 2001, UK committed to a 12.5% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases by Generally felt to be the best way to eradicate atmospheric pollution in the 21 century.

6 Post Kyoto July 2005 the G8 world leaders from China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico attended a conference in Gleneagles, Scotland. G8 countries have 13.5% of the pop, but produce 39% of the current greenhouse gas emissions. They devised the Gleneagles Action Plan, with plans to increase the energy efficiency of buildings and appliances, cleaner fuels, renewable energy and the promotion of research and development into cleaner technologies.

7 In 2007 a UN climate change convention in Bali was attended by more than 180 countries, Main outcome was the Bali roadmap, which started a 2 year process of negotiations on new emissions targets to be finalised at the Copenhagen conference in Dec 2009, When the G8 met in Japan in 2008 they made a commitment to halve their greenhouse gas emissions by TASK: Research the outcome of the Copenhagen conference. Do you think it was a success? Give a balanced answer.

8 NATIONAL RESPONSES:THE UK CLIMATIC CHANGE PROGRAMME(2006)- STRATEGIES SET UP TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, MANAGE IMPACTS AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY: 1. On the domestic front, new housing has to be insulated and fitted with energy efficient boilers, 2. In transport, vehicle excise duty and company car tax were amended to make it cheaper to drive the cars with lowest CO2 emissions, 3. The carbon trust was granted 65 million from the government over 5 years to help provide loans to businesses to improve energy efficiency, 4. In Scotland woodland creation schemes were sponsored and a package of measures designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilisers was introduced, 5. The CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACT of 2006 placed an obligation on DEFRA to report annually on emissions of greenhouse gases.

9 CLIMATE CHANGE BILL (2008) Aimed to manage and respond to climate change in the UK in the following ways: 1. Targets for reducing emissions using 1990 as a baseline, there should be a reduction in CO2 emissions of 26% by 2020 and 60% by 2050, 2. an annual review by the independent committee on climate change, 3. the creation of 5-year carbon budgets, which set limits on CO2 emissions, 4. encourage the purchase of carbon credits from abroad, 5. expansion of Renewable Transport Fuels Operation which will increase the proportion of biofuels used in transport, 6. assist the local authorities to improve their household wasts reduction and recycling schemes.

10 LOCAL RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE Sustainable development is key to maintaining living standards and to slow the predicted impacts of global warming, Some cities such as Manchester are planning to follow Londons lead, using congestion charges to limit traffic entering their inner cities, Initiatives such as tram systems and park and ride schemes will curb emissions. Activity: Find out what initiatives there are in a local city (Leeds/Manchester)

11 RESPONSES AT THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL INSULATING HOMES: cavity wall, loft insulation and double glazing (grants can be obtained from government for insulation). New housing is governed by regulations on insulation, RECYCLING: Local councils have targets for recycling and provide separate containers for paper, glass, aluminium cans, plastic and compostable waste. USING ENERGY WISELY: Individuals can cut energy bills by turning off lights, stand-by buttons and using energy efficient light bulbs. TV ad campaigns to raise awareness of these. USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Car-share schemes,walking-bus schemes,cycling routes and footpaths all encourage leaving the car at home! ACTIVITY: Research schemes in your area to encourage these individual responses.

12 SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT ization.htm?stc=wwccc020805

FROM RIO TO BALI. Quo Vadis Climate Policy? CLIMATE POLICY. Brussels, 13 th February European Social Dialogue Committee Extractive Industries

FROM RIO TO BALI. Quo Vadis Climate Policy? CLIMATE POLICY. Brussels, 13 th February European Social Dialogue Committee Extractive Industries CLIMATE POLICY FROM RIO TO BALI Quo Vadis Climate Policy? Brussels, 13 th February 2008 The Greenhouse effect Historical Background 1988 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 1992 Conference in Rio