CLIMATE CHANGE
TAMMY JIN
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?
¡ Changes in the Earth’s weather (temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall)
¡
Increase temperature of the atmosphere caused by the increase of particular gases, especially CO2
CLIMATE CHANGE V. GLOBAL WARMING
¡ Global warming – the average global surface temperature increase from human emissions of
greenhouse gases
¡ Became the dominant popular term in June 1988, when NASA scientist James E. Hansen had testified
to Congress about climate, specifically referring to global warming
¡ Temperature change itself isn't the most severe effect of changing climate.
¡
Changes to precipitation patterns and sea level are likely to have greater human impact
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
¡ Since the Industrial Revolution (~1750), human activities has significantly increased CO2 and other
heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere
¡
Emissions have increased the greenhouse effect and caused Earth’s surface temperature to rise.
¡
The primary human activity affecting the amount and rate of climate change from burning fossil fuels
CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
¡ The biggest climate polluter is the global power sector
¡
Generates around 40% of all global electricity from coal
¡ The power sector is responsible for 37% of all man-made CO2 emissions according to the International
Energy Agency
¡
Creates about 23 billion tons of CO2 emissions per year, or 700 tons a second
CURRENT EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
¡ Glaciers are shrinking
¡ Ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier
¡ Plant and animal ranges have shifted
¡ Trees are flowering sooner.
¡ Loss of sea ice
¡ Accelerated sea level rise
¡ Longer, more intense heat waves
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
¡ The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10
degrees Fahrenheit over the next century
¡
Includes over 1,300 scientists from the United States and other countries
¡ Will affect not only the climate of different regions, but also businesses (such as agriculture, energy
sectors, health services, etc.)
INDUSTRIAL WATER POLLUTION IN RICH NATIONS
7
6
3
1970
4.17
2
1980
6.48
1
1990
5.95
0
2000
5.25
Millions of Tons of Pollution Released
2000
2.95
1990
4
1960
1980
1.36
1970
5
1950
1960
Millions of Tons of Pollution Released
1950
Year
CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS
Millions of Tons of CO2
1950
4.25
1960
5.68
16 14 12 10 8
1970
8.94
6
1980
10.41
4
1990
11.02
2
2000
13.41
2010
2000
1990
1980
1970
1960
*an estimate from the World
Resources Institute
2010*
15.07*
1950
0
Year
Millions of Tons of Carbon Dioxide
STEPS TAKEN TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE USA
¡ The Climate Action Plan
¡
aimed at achieving the U.S. commitment to reduce emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020
¡ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing carbon pollution standards for existing power
plants (issued by June 2014)
¡
Greatest potential to drive significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years
¡
New power plants will preclude the building of new coal power plants without carbon capture and automatic
budget cuts
STEPS TAKEN TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE USA
¡ Domestic changes
¡
Encourage the use of substitutes for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a class of “super greenhouse gases” commonly
used as refrigerants
¡
The Department of Energy is accelerating energy efficiency standards for buildings and appliances
¡ Executive branch agencies are addressing regulating/reducing methane emissions from oil and gas
systems, landfills, and other sources
COMPARING THE FORD HYBRID
¡ Ford Hybrid truck – 36 miles per gallon
¡ Honda Accord – 30 miles per gallon
¡ Toyota Prius – up to 51 miles per gallon
PROFITING FROM “THINKING GREEN”
¡ King Kullen v. Wild by Nature
¡
WBN is an organic market also owned by King Kullen
¡
Prices nearly doubled that of the King Kullen prices
¡ Companies with “green” branches profit by marking up prices
¡
Organic produce is not worth the significant inflation compared to non-organic food
LOOPHOLES IN AMERICAN LAWS
¡ Products imported from other countries aren’t put under the same standards
¡
Imported fruit can still contain harmful pesticides (i.e. dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
¡ Outsourcing jobs to nations with lower environmental standards
RACE TO THE BOTTOM
¡ What occurs when poor nations “compete” to attract multinational corporations
¡
Leads to progressively lower environmental regulations
¡
Lower wages and benefits for workers
FACTORIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
¡ Steel mills in China produce more steel per year than the U.S., Germany, and Japan combined
¡
German steel mills have been dismantled, shipped, and reassembled in China
¡
Produces high levels of benzene and sulfur dioxide in the air
¡
Creates pollution that is harmful to many of the residents living in the area, including pregnant women, children, and the
elderly
INDUSTRIAL WATER POLLUTION IN POOR NATIONS
1970
3.85
1980
4.25
1990
6.59
2000
8.91
Millions of Tons of Pollution Released
2000
2.74
1990
1960
1980
0.24
1970
1950
1960
Millions of Tons of Pollution Released
1950
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Year
RICH NATIONS V. POOR NATIONS
Poor Nations
2000
QUESTIONS?
1990
1980
1970
1960
1950
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Rich Nations