Committee:
I.
Committee: UNEP
Topic: Climate Change
Position Papers are due January 9th to qualify for a research award
All Position Papers due by January 13th at 11:59pm
Position Papers are due to the committee email
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Background of Topic
Climate change may be one of the greatest threats to the planet. The climate is changing
dangerously fast. The earth is warming up, and it has become a real issue that we have no one to
blame but ourselves for. Global warming is human-induced and as it increases the species and
habitats on earth decrease. Chances for species to adapt naturally are disappearing. In recent years
increasing temperatures have occurred in various regions. As well as increasing extremities in
weather patterns. Some of the dangerous consequences of climate change are rising seas, increased
risk of drought, fire, and floods, and more extreme temperatures. The people living in poverty will
be hit hardest by climate change. They are more dependant on natural resources and destroyed
crops and natural disasters are results of climate change that could severely destroy the way of life
for these vulnerable communities. The poor who will be hit hardest by climate change are also the
least responsible for contributing to this global warming. Seasons are shifting, temperatures are
increasing and sea levels are rising. If we don't act now, climate change will permanently alter the
way we live life.
II.
United Nations Involvement
In 1992, UN’s “Earth Summit” produced the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) as a first step to take on the issue of climate change. In 1998, the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to provide an simple source of
scientific information. Kyoto Protocol, a convention in 1997, set emission reduction targets and has
helped stabilize and reduce emmisions in several countries. Targets of the Kyoto Protocol expire in
2012. The Copenhagen Accord was agreed to by Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers
and other heads of delegation at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December
2009. Some resolutions that have been passed include, A/RES/63/281 (climate change and its
possible security implications), A/RES/62/276 (human rights and climate change).
III.
Bloc Positions
Asian Bloc
The Asian Bloc has many third world countries. Few governments are open to the idea of “going
green.”
Latin Bloc
The Latin Bloc also has many rural third world countries. Due to all its rural areas the emission of
pollution tends to be lower than most other blocks and therefore the governments do not believe in
a carbon tax.
European Bloc
The European Bloc has fewer third world countries and is therefore is full of growing and expanding
nations. Pollution levels tend to be much higher, however the European nations ten to have more
money to carry out environmental experiments.
African Bloc
The African Bloc in comparison to other blocs barley contributes to the level of pollution. Most
governments are corrupt so it can be difficult to come up with a solution that creates a common
ground for all nations.
Middle Eastern Bloc
The Middle Eastern Bloc as well has many third world nations, however it does significantly
contribute to the worlds level of pollution. All the wars currently in the middle east make it near
impossible to come to a common ground to focus on this specific issue.
IV.
Possible Solutions
The most plausible approach to climate change is to begin long-term planning for fighting this issue.
A big contribution is pollution emission, if it was to be reduced we would see remarkable results.
There have been many research experiments to create alternate forms of energy that can be further
used for conserving energy and potentially posing a lesser threat on the environment. One idea to
consider is to make environmental, social, and health evaluations before large industrial and
construction projects were implemented. Consultant engineers must conduct evaluations
themselves and projects that had not been evaluated must not be implemented. Other possible
solutions include the encouragement of the Kyoto Protocol and openness to the experimentation of
new energy sources, and energy saving gadgets. Overall climate is no small issue and as we go older
so does our planet. If we want to save it we must take action.
V.
Guiding Questions
1. How does your country feel towards the Kyoto Protocol?
2. How much pollution does your country emit?
3. What are some new technologies that your country has suggested to help your economy “go
green”?
4. Should incentives be used to help out third world nations in their efforts to reduce their
pollution emission?
5. Should a universal carbon tax be set?