A Model United Nations 2015
Forum:
Special Conference on Sustainable Development
Issue:
Protection of global climate for present and future generations of
humankind
Chair:
Mitchell Wan
Introduction
Global warming and climate change may be one of the greatest global challenges of our time. As
the concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere continue to increase, the issue of risen
global temperatures must be tackled before people’s lives are put in danger.
Climate change is evidently occurring. In the past century alone, the temperature has climbed 0.7
degrees Celsius, roughly ten times faster than the average rate of natural warming. The estimated rate
of warming for the next century is at least 20 times faster. These problems must be dealt with
immediately as even small shifts in the average temperature of the planet can lead to monumental and
potentially dangerous shifts in the climate and weather.
There are many factors that contribute to climate change. Among those are, deforestation,
over population, livestock, and the burning of fossil fuels, which are the main causes due to the
immense usage of fossil fuels and high amounts of carbon dioxide emitted.
Definition of Key Terms
Green House Gases
Green House gases are atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing
infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth’s surface.
Green House effect
Green House effect is when the earth’s atmosphere traps radiation emitted by the sun, allowing
the sunlight to pass through but not allowing the heat to leave the atmosphere. This consequently
causes the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of the earth.
Global Warming
Global warming is the gradual increase of the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere
generally due to the effect of the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and
other pollutants.
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Climate change
Climate change is a significant long-term shift in weather conditions identified by changes in
temperature, precipitation, winds, and other indicators. Climate change can involve both changes in
average conditions and changes in variability. It may also include the change in global temperatures
because of the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels
Global Dimming
Global Dimming is the effect in which the pollution makes clouds reflect much of the sun’s rays
back into space whereby reducing the amount of heat and energy reaching the earth.
General Overview
History
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, human influences on the climate system have
increased substantially. Human activities since the Industrial Revolution have had a negative impact on
global temperatures, primarily due to the massive emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases.
Temperature Changes
1.
Source: USGRCP (2009)
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The above graph shows the overall temperature of the earth from 1900 to 2000. The blue line
depicts how the earth’s temperature should proceed and the black line shows how it had progressed for
the past century. Evidently, human intervention has caused the global temperature to rise significantly.
The temperature increase can be explained through the drastic increase of CO 2 emissions. Furthermore,
because of the increase of global temperatures, heat waves are now becoming more common and tend
to last for longer periods of time.
2. Global CO2 emissions, 1751–2007,Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), August
2010,DOI:10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2010
The Green House Affect
One aspect of climate change is the green house affect, which is natural and necessary to
support life on Earth. However, if the greenhouse gases build up, it can change Earth's climate and
result in dangerous effects to human health and welfare and to ecosystems.
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3: Greenhouse Effect
Effects of Climate change
The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy. Below is a
graph made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US, on the 10
indicators of climate change.
4.
Ten indicators for a warming world, Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48
Countries, NOAA, July 28, 2010
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Another evidence of recent rapid climate change is extreme weather events. Other grave
consequences of the climate change can already be seen through the increase of natural disasters these
recent years. Global warming has already had measurably effects on ice coverage, the sea level, wind
patterns and a significant impact on triggering extreme weather events such as drought, floods, and
storms.
Climate change has become a critical political issue because it is interrelated with a variety of
important policy choices. Such policies may include from agricultural practices to the fight against
poverty worldwide, or from migration to conflict prevention and international security.
Causes of Climate Change
Deforestation
Deforestation is a significant problem as up to a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions
come from deforestation and forest degradation. Simply, forests have a vital role to play in the fight
against global warming. Forests absorb and store carbon, but if forests are being destroyed, then the
carbon will be released as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Ultimately, as more greenhouse
gases are released due to deforestation, climate change and global warming worsens.
Livestock
Animals such as cows are one of the greatest producers of greenhouse gases. An FAO
report found that current production levels of meat contribute between 14 and 22 percent of the 36 billion
tons of "CO2-equivalent" greenhouse gases the world produces every year. A cow does on average
release between 70 and 120 kg of Methane per year. Methane is a greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide
(CO2). But the negative effect on the climate of Methane is 23 times higher than the effect of CO 2.
Therefore the release of about 100 kg Methane per year for each cow is equivalent to about 2'300 kg
CO2 per year.
Major countries and Organizations involved
United States
The United States was the second top emitter in terms of CO2 from fossil fuels in 2009,
as it produced 17.8% of the world's total CO2 emissions. . According to a 2009 statement by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these changes included ice melting earlier in the
spring, plants blooming earlier, multiple animal species shifting their habitat ranges northward, and
reductions in the size of glaciers. However, it is also evident that the United States is trying to fix its
climate change. In December 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, President Barak Obama
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vowed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 17% by 2020. His plan included measures such as shifting
from coal-based power generation to solar and natural gas production.
China
China’s position on global climate change is very controversial. China has ratified
the Kyoto Protocol, but is not required to limit greenhouse gas emissions under terms of the agreement.
China's emissions have outpaced the U.S. in CO2 from 2006 onward. According to data from the US
Energy Information Administration, China was the top emitter of fossil fuels CO2 in 2009 as it produced
about 25.4% of the world’s total CO2 emissions.
United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is an organization established in 1972 within the United Nations that acts as
the voice for the environment. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to
promote the sustainable development and wise use of the global environment. UNEP assesses
global environmental conditions and trends, develops international and national environmental
plans and aims to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by
inspiring and enabling nations and people to improve their quality of life without compromising that of
future generations.
Timeline of Events
Date
Description of event
March 28, 1995
The first UNFCCC Conference took place in Germany
December 11,1997
The third conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change was held in Kyoto, Japan in which the Kyoto Protocol was
drafted in this conference
February 16, 2005
The Kyoto Protocol entered into action
September 5, 2013
The Majuro Declaration was signed at the Marshall Islands during the 44th
Pacific Islands Forum Summit. The leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum nations
recognized the need for strengthened national systems to plan for, access,
deliver, absorb and monitor climate change.
UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events

The Majuro Declaration, 5 September 2013 (Resolution Number)

The Kyoto Protocol, 11 December 1997 (30822)
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
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 21 March 1994
(30822)
Possible Solutions
There are many possible solutions to climate change; this may include gathering various types of
greenhouse gas emissions data as it can help policy makers, businesses, and the Agency track
greenhouse gas emissions trends and identify opportunities for reducing emissions and increasing
efficiency, focusing on sustainable development, and beneficial partnerships between different
industries.
Another solution may be to promote sustainable development as substantial amount of current
energy is produced by burning fossil fuels and trees. However, this produces a lot of greenhouse gases
that may harm the environment. If the burning of fossil fuels is replaced by sustainable resources, then
the amount of greenhouse gases can be drastically decreased. The implementation of water, solar, and
wind power as sustainable solutions can greatly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable development goals
As the eight Millennium Development Goals come to an end at 2015, new sustainable development
goals have been set for the coming age. Sustainable development has been a crucial aspect in global
development; in regarding to climate change, the new SDGs will need to support both climate mitigation
and adaptation. Some of the SDGs tackling global environmental problems include to strengthen
resilience and adaptive capacity to climate related hazards and natural disasters in all countries (Goal
13.1), improve education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change
mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning (Goal 13.3), and integrate climate change
measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (Goal 13.2).
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