Mission Viejo High School Model United Nations
Climate Change
I. 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. UN 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. 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.
Mission Viejo High School Model United Nations
IV. 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.
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?