Global Warming Solutions
for America
Dr. Eban Goodstein, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
Presentation materials supplemented by Jennifer Edmonds, PhD
Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is
collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening
blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the
planet to warm up. (URL)
The “Carbon Blanket”:
Getting Thicker Every Year
Pre-industrial:
280 PPM ≈ 1950
Today:
384 PPM
2050:
??
FAQ 1.2, Figure 1
FAQ 1.3, Figure 1
FAQ 1.1, Figure 1
Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is
collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening
blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the
planet to warm up. (URL)
The “Carbon Blanket”:
Getting Thicker Every Year
Automobiles, the
second largest
source, create
nearly 1.5 billion
tons of CO2
annually.
Pre-industrial:
280 PPM ≈ 1950
Coal-burning power plants
Today:
384source
PPM
are the largest U.S.
2050:
of carbon dioxide
??
pollution -- they produce
2.5 billion tons every
year..
384pm
Today’s
level
Clear Impacts: 1º F degree warming
Pasterze Glacier, Austria - 1875
Pasterze Glacier, Austria – 2004
Is the earth really getting hotter?
Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate
naturally, over the past 50 years the average
global temperature has increased at the fastest
rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last
two decades were the hottest in 400 years…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Instrumental_Temperature_Record.png
Average temperatures
have climbed 1.4º F (0.8º
C) around the world
since 1880, much of this
in recent decades (according to
NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies)
Is the earth really getting hotter?
Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate
naturally, over the past 50 years the average
global temperature has increased at the fastest
rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last
two decades were the hottest in 400 years…
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html
http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp
Temperate glacier retreat is global
Portage Glacier, Alaska - 1914
Portage Glacier, Alaska – 2004
Portland, Oregon
1984
2002
Are warmer temperatures causing bad things to
happen?
Global warming is already causing damage in many parts
of the World.
In 2002, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon endured their
worst wildfire seasons ever.

The same year, drought created severe dust storms in
Montana, Colorado and Kansas, and floods caused
hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in Texas,
Montana and North Dakota.

Since the early 1950s, snow accumulation has declined 60
percent and winter seasons have shortened in some areas of
the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington.

In 2003, extreme heat waves caused more than 20,000
deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India.

http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp
Global Impacts

The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack
loss
Global Impacts

The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)


Water shortages from snowpack
loss
Increased floods and droughts
Global Impacts

The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack
loss

Increased floods and droughts

Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
Global Impacts

The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)




Water shortages from snowpack
loss
Increased floods and droughts
Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
More heat related illnesses and
deaths…
Global Impacts

The BAD:
(worse as it warms more)





Water shortages from snowpack
loss
Increased floods and droughts
Extinction of many species &
ecosystems…
More heat related illnesses and
deaths…
More intense hurricanes and
typhoons
Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains
Dire warming scenarios for world’s reefs
Experts predict ’crumbling frameworks’ if CO2 emissions continue to grow
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
These images published with a coral acidification study in the journal Science reflect
scenarios of carbon dioxide's impact on reef ecosystems. The left image represents an
intact system at current CO2 levels; the center image shows coral decay with increased
CO2; and the right image shows a devastated system with even higher CO2 emissions.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22185971/
Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming
Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming

Methane release from tundra:
accelerated warming
Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential
collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of
Amazon: accelerated warming

Methane release from tundra:
accelerated warming

Continental Ice Sheet Collapse:
sea level rise of 35-40 feet, 2
www.focusthenation.org
What can be done?
WHY SHOULD I DO
ANYTHING?
What is
‘going
green?’
GO GREEN!

WHAT?
 Consumers
What is
‘going
green?’
GO GREEN!

WHAT?

Consumers
 Businesses
For a small company, going green might
mean using recycled paper products,
installing solar panels and using organically
grown materials.
For a large company, it might mean
investing millions of dollars in renewable
energy research, slashing carbon dioxide
emissions and drastically reducing energy
consumption.
WHY go
green?
GO GREEN!


WHAT?
WHY go green?
 Consumers
WHY go
green?
GO GREEN!


WHAT?
WHY go green?
 Consumers
 Businesses
…companies are increasingly learning
that green initiatives are not just good
P.R., they're good business.
“They're not just doing this to try to save
the planet…They're seeing the huge
economic potential. Instead of simply
growing the bottom line by reducing costs,
they're growing the top line by increasing
revenue. This is creating new products and
new markets and in some cases new
companies.”
WHY go
green?
GO GREEN!



WHAT?
WHY
WHO’s going green?
Real
Estate
Entertainment
Auto Industry
Restaurants
Careers
Education
Explains why America’s transit system is the
worst in the industrialised world. Two
generations ago, Americans depended on
thriving privately owned streetcar lines across
the nation, but then the auto and oil industry, led
by General Motors, bought and dismantled the
streetcar lines. The private auto stopped being a
luxury andShows
became
thata necessity.
global
warming is already
hurting the Pacific
Islands
Connects asthma
and other
A 1997 PBS documentary
respiratory diseases
about consumerism,
with air pollution
emphasising how much
of the
and suburban
world’s fossil fuel supply
is
sprawl
consumed by the United States.
Entertainment/Communication
Industries go GREEN

Movies/Documentaries
Entertainment/Communication
Industries go GREEN


Movies
Music
Live Earth was a series of worldwide concerts held on July 7, 2007, that
initiated a three-year campaign to combat climate change. The concerts
brought together more than 150 musical acts in eleven locations around the
world and were broadcast to a mass global audience through televisions,
radio, and streamed via the Internet
Artists clearly appear to be backing
green innovations. For instance, [a]
new album … was issued in a
recycled-paper Digipak; the carbon
dioxide used to make and ship the
disc is being offset with contributions
to renewable energy projects
Virgin Entertainment
Group North America VP
of marketing … revealed at
NARM that the chain is
converting all its shopping
bags and point-of-purchase
material to recycled stock
Universal Music Group has
reissued its Millennium
greatest-hits series in ecofriendly packages that replace
the CD booklet with a single
card, featuring only the cover
of the album on the front
Warner Music Group, which has
launched a companywide initiative
to reduce or offset greenhouse gas
emissions, reported at NARM that
it has also been using ecologically
enhanced paper for the last month
Entertainment/Communication
Industries go GREEN
Movies
 Music
 Consumer Electronics

 How
to GREEN your electronics
Consumer electronics aren't
exactly easy on the environment - they consume electricity that
contributes to global warming,
and toxins leach out of them
when they end up in landfills.
…smart power
adapters that don't
waste as much
electricity, batteries
that are easier to
recycle, and
components made
from plants
…the EPA will be announcing a
campaign to provide consumers
with more places to turn in cell
phones for recycling.
…a laptop with a
plastic case made from
corn rather than
petroleum products
Auto Industry

…high prices at the gas pump,
concerns about global warming and an
increase in production sent hybrid car
sales soaring from around 9,000 in
2002 to above 200,000 in 2005,
according to Hybridcars.com
Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/
Hybrid cars are projected to make up
5 percent of the U.S. market by 2013,
according to J.D. Power and
Associates, a market research firm, up
from 1.2 percent in 2005
Auto Industry
Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/
 New Efficiency Standards

Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
The energy efficient systems in
the building [could] include: modular
gas-fired boilers, water-cooled
chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy
sensors, skylights, energy-efficient
lights, high-efficiency motors and
variable flow pumping systems,
variable air volume heating and
cooling systems with night and low
occupancy system setbacks,
insulated windows, highly rated
insulation, and automated
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
Natural landscaping incorporates
many
The energy
environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
in
the
thebuilding
property’s
include:
design,six
including
modular
gas-fired
soil type,
boilers,
use oftwo
native
water-cooled
plants,
chillers,
minimal
daylight
turf area,
dimmers,
minimal
occupancy
need
sensors,
for irrigation,
skylights,mulches,
energy-efficient
and
appropriate
lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
schedules.
and
variable flow pumping systems,
By
variable
using native
air volume
plantsheating
that require
and
cooling
little watering,
systems with
are well-suited
night and low
to
the
occupancy
climate and
system
resistsetbacks,
pests, we
insulated
reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
Natural landscaping incorporates
many
The energy
environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
in
the
thebuilding
property’s
include:
design,six
including
modular
Water in the building will be
gas-fired
soil type,
boilers,
use oftwo
native
water-cooled
plants,
conserved with the use of electronic
chillers,
minimal
daylight
turf area,
dimmers,
minimal
occupancy
need
sensors on plumbing fixtures
sensors,
for irrigation,
skylights,mulches,
energy-efficient
and
in restrooms.
appropriate
lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
schedules.
and
variable flow pumping systems,
Outside, native
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variable
using native
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plantsheating
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and
trees and shrubs requiring
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systems with
are well-suited
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the
occupancy
climate and
system
resistsetbacks,
pests, we
insulated
reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
Natural landscaping incorporates
many
The energy
environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
in
the
thebuilding
property’s
include:
design,six
including
modular
Water in the building will be
gas-fired
soil type,
boilers,
use oftwo
native
water-cooled
plants,
conserved with the use of electronic
chillers,
minimal
daylight
turf area,
dimmers,
minimal
occupancy
need
sensors on plumbing fixtures
sensors,
for irrigation,
skylights,mulches,
energy-efficient
and
The building
in restrooms.
will recycle
appropriate
lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
schedules.
and
much of the solid waste it generates
variable flow pumping systems,
Outside, native
By
variable
using native
air volume
plantsheating
that require
and
trees and shrubs requiring
cooling
little watering,
systems with
are well-suited
night and low
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little water have been planted
the
occupancy
climate and
system
resistsetbacks,
pests, we
insulated
reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
 Solar Power
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
Natural landscaping incorporates
many
The energy
environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
in
the
thebuilding
property’s
include:
design,six
including
modular
Water in the building will be
gas-fired
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boilers,
use oftwo
native
water-cooled
plants,
Photovoltaic
conserved with
(solar
the energy
use of electronic
producing
chillers,
minimal
daylight
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dimmers,
minimal
occupancy
need
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sensors
awnings
on plumbing
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fixtures
office
sensors,
for irrigation,
skylights,mulches,
energy-efficient
and
windows
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outside
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and
appropriate
lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
schedules.
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much
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of cooling
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reduce the
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need forhighly
irrigation
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insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
 Solar Power
 Indoor Air Quality
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
A healthy indoor environment is
Natural landscaping incorporates
a critical safety concern in a
many
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environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
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thebuilding
property’s
include:
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need
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awnings
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at plumbing
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for irrigation,
skylights,mulches,
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and
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in on
restrooms.
compound
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outside
recycle
(VOC),
and
appropriate
lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
schedules.
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much
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insulated
reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
use of environmentally preferable
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
cleaning materials.
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
 Solar Power
 Indoor Air Quality
 Green Power
The building and it’s components
have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
A healthy indoor environment is
Natural landscaping incorporates
a critical safety concern in a
many
The energy
environmental
efficient factors
systemsinto
in
laboratory setting.
the
thebuilding
property’s
include:
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including
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insulated
reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
use of environmentally preferable
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
cleaning materials.
building management and
monitoring systems.
Real Estate goes GREEN
Green Building Features
 Energy Efficiency
 Landscape Design
 Water Efficiency
 Waste Handling
 Solar Power
 Indoor Air Quality
 Green Power
 Environmentally
Preferable Materials
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have been designed to minimize
energy consumption.
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restrooms.
compound
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and
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lights, high-efficiency
maintenancemotors
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and
much
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reduce
strict
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the
glare
environmental
solid
and
ofwaste
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benefits
thus
variable flow pumping systems,
construction
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by reducing
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thematerials;
amount
greenhouse
native
of
off-gassing
cooling
gases
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variable
using native
air volume
plantsheating
that require
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reduce the
windows,
need forhighly
irrigation
rated
use of environmentally preferable
insulation,
and pesticides
and automated
cleaning materials.
building management and
monitoring systems.
GREEN Careers



http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/
http://jobs.treehugger.com/
"Green" careers are no longer just the realm of environmental
biologists and conservationists. Many new green jobs are built around
investment in clean technologies and the business community's focus
on environmental sustainability.
Why? Money.
Corporations want to cut costs and find new income streams. The
green revolution has put new twists on existing careers (like
architecture), but jobs in engineering, design and corporate social
responsibility are booming.
Emissions Trader
In a market economy, brokers can trade just about
anything on an exchange, including greenhouse
gas emissions. Companies have been able to
voluntarily trade emissions credits on the Chicago
Climate Exchange since 2003. If the U.S. ever
adopts a mandatory emissions credit trading
system (like Europe's) expect this field to pop.
Environmental Architect
With new building codes promoting energy
efficiency, "green" architecture is booming. In 1994,
the U.S. Green Building Council developed a set of
standards for environmentally sustainable
construction. In the decade that followed, many
architects and developers sought accreditation.
Sustainability Analyst
Just as corporations are hiring managers to ensure
that they are engaging in sustainable business
practices, many financial firms are examining
sustainability industry-wide. Even Dow Jones has
gotten in on the game: In 1999, they launched
several indexes to track the performances of
companies with a focus here.
Lobbyist
As business faces increased environmental
legislation in Washington, corporations will seek
help from lawmakers in the form of tax breaks
and grants to pursue clean technology
investments. Expect a greater presence on Capitol
Hill from lobbyists working in the energy and
environmental fields.
Renewable Fuels Engineer/Biologist
The financial rewards associated with the development of renewable
fuels are driving much of the business community's investment in the
environment. As long as this money keeps coming in, there will be a
need for engineers who can develop more efficient wind turbines and
solar panels, and biologists who can develop cleaner--and cheaper-biofuels
Climate Risk Analyst
The insurance industry stands to be greatly
affected by climate change, and many companies
are now offering policies to promote energy
efficiency and help reduce global warming.
Climate analysts provide the industry with
information to determine the risks associated with
extreme flooding, storms or temperature changes.
Sustainability Coordinator
Dozens of multinational corporations have
pledged to help the environment through their
business practices. For example, Coca-Cola asked
the World Wildlife Fund to help them conserve
water. More companies are looking for a single
manager to oversee these efforts
Ecological Economist
Who puts a price tag on the ecosystem? Economists,
of course. They determine, for example, what a ton
of carbon dioxide pollution costs, or the economic
value of keeping a rainforest intact. Outside of
academia, non-governmental organizations and the
federal government are major employers of
ecological economists
GREEN Careers
http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx
 http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/
 http://jobs.treehugger.com/

Restaurants go GREEN
Cooking Oils
 …certified GREEN Restaurants

Founded in 1980, Whole
Foods has grown to 180
stores in the U.S.,
Canada and Britain.
Organic food sales
jumped from $3.59
billion eight years ago to
$13.8 billion in 2005.
Education goes GREEN

EPA
Education goes GREEN
EPA
 Colleges & Universities



http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/bachelors_degre.php
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_1797.cfm
GREEN Legislation

Paper vs. Plastic