I. Definition of Global Warming
Global warming and climate change refer to an increase in average global temperatures, which is caused primarily by increases in “greenhouse” gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) that are believed to be brought about by natural events and human activities. For long, this issue has been widely concerned and discussed. |
II. Background
i. History
Dated back to the 18th Century, the Industrial Revolution which is believed to be a indispensable milestone for the development of global economy brought up the inventions of steam engine, automobile, etc., and the use of coal.
In 1896, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius concluded that industrial-age coal burning will enhance the natural greenhouse effect, but it was considered to be beneficial for future generations. It was not until 1988, where Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed, that the globe started to recognize the problem of climate change. At that time, the Carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning and industry reached six billion tonnes, which were six times more than that in 1927.
Since then, more and more conventions were established: In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, governments agree the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UFCCC) in which developed countries agree to return their emissions to 1990 levels. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed. Developed nations pledge to reduce emissions by an average of 5% by the period 2008-12. In 2010, Developed countries begin contributing to a $30billon, three-year deal on "Fast Start Finance" to help them "green" their economies and adapt to climate impacts.
By 2001, IPCC Third Assessment Report finds "new and stronger evidence" that humanity's emissions of greenhouse gases are the main cause of the warming seen in the second half of the 20th Century. Further data in 2013, the Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii reports that the daily mean concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since measurements began in 1958.
ii. Current Situation Environmental Repercussions
The rising in average global temperature is now effecting on the earth’s climate patterns and on all living things.
a) Weather Patterns
Higher temperatures could lead to increased droughts and wildfires, heavier rainfall and a greater number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes.
More Powerful and Dangerous Hurricanes: Warmer water in the oceans pumps more energy into tropical storms, making them stronger and potentially more destructive. The number of category 4 and 5 storms has greatly increased over the past 35 years, along with ocean temperature.Hurricane Katrina of August 2005 was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history and caused economic losses in the order of $125 billion.
Drought and Wildfire: Warmer temperatures could increase the probability of drought. Greater evaporation, particularly during summer and fall, could worsen drought conditions and increase the risk of wildfires. The 1999-2002 national drought was one of the three most extensive droughts in the last 40 years. In 2006, Close to 100,000 fires were reported and nearly 10 million acres burned, 125 percent above the 10-year average.
Intense Rainstorms: Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climatic system and can lead to heavier rainfall in some areas. IPCC reports that intense rain events have increased in frequency during the last 50 years.
b) Wildlife
Increasing global temperatures are expected to disrupt ecosystems, pushing to extinction those species that cannot adapt. The first comprehensive assessment of the extinction risk from global warming found that more than 1 million species would disappear by 2050 if the current phenomenon continues. Rising temperatures ravage coral reefs and melt the habitats of polar bears and Antarctic penguins.
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report found that approximately 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species assessed so far are likely to be at increased risk of extinction if global average temperature increases by more than 2.7 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit. And over the past 25 years, some Antarctic penguin populations have shrunk by 33 percent due to declines in winter sea-ice habitat.
c) Health
Hotter weather enables deadly mosquitoes to travel greater distances; carbon dioxide in the air aggravates asthma and allergies.
Deadly heat waves: More frequent and severe heat waves will result in a greater number of heat-related deaths. In 2003, extreme heat waves claimed as many as 70,000 lives in Europe. In France alone, nearly 15,000 people died during two weeks of soaring temperatures, which reached as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bad Air, Allergy and Asthma: Global warming could increase smog pollution in some areas and intensify pollen allergies and asthma. The number of pollen allergy and asthma sufferers has increased worldwide over the last several decades. Some researchers have suggested that this could be an early health effect of human-caused climate change.
Infectious Disease and Food and Waterborne Illness Outbreaks: Warming temperatures, alternating periods of drought and deluges, and ecosystem disruption have contributed to more widespread outbreaks of infections like malaria, dengue fever, tick-borne encephalitis, and diarrheal illnesses.
Dangerous weather events: A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, contributing to more intense extreme weather events, which in turn put people’s lives at risk. Hurricane Katrina forced the evacuation of 1.7 million people in 2005, and lead to deaths and long-term health problems for 200,000 New Orleans residents.
d) Glaciers and sea level
Arctic summers could be ice-free by 2040, and sea levels could rise as much as 23 inches by 2100 if current warming patterns continue.
Arctic sea ice extent set an all-time record low in September 2007, with almost half a million square miles less ice than the previous record set in September 2005, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Over the past 3 decades, more than a million square miles of perennial sea ice -- an area the size of Norway, Denmark and Sweden combined -- has disappeared.
i. History
Dated back to the 18th Century, the Industrial Revolution which is believed to be a indispensable milestone for the development of global economy brought up the inventions of steam engine, automobile, etc., and the use of coal.
In 1896, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius concluded that industrial-age coal burning will enhance the natural greenhouse effect, but it was considered to be beneficial for future generations. It was not until 1988, where Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed, that the globe started to recognize the problem of climate change. At that time, the Carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning and industry reached six billion tonnes, which were six times more than that in 1927.
Since then, more and more conventions were established: In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, governments agree the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UFCCC) in which developed countries agree to return their emissions to 1990 levels. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was signed. Developed nations pledge to reduce emissions by an average of 5% by the period 2008-12. In 2010, Developed countries begin contributing to a $30billon, three-year deal on "Fast Start Finance" to help them "green" their economies and adapt to climate impacts.
By 2001, IPCC Third Assessment Report finds "new and stronger evidence" that humanity's emissions of greenhouse gases are the main cause of the warming seen in the second half of the 20th Century. Further data in 2013, the Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii reports that the daily mean concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since measurements began in 1958.
ii. Current Situation Environmental Repercussions
The rising in average global temperature is now effecting on the earth’s climate patterns and on all living things.
a) Weather Patterns
Higher temperatures could lead to increased droughts and wildfires, heavier rainfall and a greater number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes.
More Powerful and Dangerous Hurricanes: Warmer water in the oceans pumps more energy into tropical storms, making them stronger and potentially more destructive. The number of category 4 and 5 storms has greatly increased over the past 35 years, along with ocean temperature.Hurricane Katrina of August 2005 was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history and caused economic losses in the order of $125 billion.
Drought and Wildfire: Warmer temperatures could increase the probability of drought. Greater evaporation, particularly during summer and fall, could worsen drought conditions and increase the risk of wildfires. The 1999-2002 national drought was one of the three most extensive droughts in the last 40 years. In 2006, Close to 100,000 fires were reported and nearly 10 million acres burned, 125 percent above the 10-year average.
Intense Rainstorms: Warmer temperatures increase the energy of the climatic system and can lead to heavier rainfall in some areas. IPCC reports that intense rain events have increased in frequency during the last 50 years.
b) Wildlife
Increasing global temperatures are expected to disrupt ecosystems, pushing to extinction those species that cannot adapt. The first comprehensive assessment of the extinction risk from global warming found that more than 1 million species would disappear by 2050 if the current phenomenon continues. Rising temperatures ravage coral reefs and melt the habitats of polar bears and Antarctic penguins.
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report found that approximately 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species assessed so far are likely to be at increased risk of extinction if global average temperature increases by more than 2.7 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit. And over the past 25 years, some Antarctic penguin populations have shrunk by 33 percent due to declines in winter sea-ice habitat.
c) Health
Hotter weather enables deadly mosquitoes to travel greater distances; carbon dioxide in the air aggravates asthma and allergies.
Deadly heat waves: More frequent and severe heat waves will result in a greater number of heat-related deaths. In 2003, extreme heat waves claimed as many as 70,000 lives in Europe. In France alone, nearly 15,000 people died during two weeks of soaring temperatures, which reached as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bad Air, Allergy and Asthma: Global warming could increase smog pollution in some areas and intensify pollen allergies and asthma. The number of pollen allergy and asthma sufferers has increased worldwide over the last several decades. Some researchers have suggested that this could be an early health effect of human-caused climate change.
Infectious Disease and Food and Waterborne Illness Outbreaks: Warming temperatures, alternating periods of drought and deluges, and ecosystem disruption have contributed to more widespread outbreaks of infections like malaria, dengue fever, tick-borne encephalitis, and diarrheal illnesses.
Dangerous weather events: A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, contributing to more intense extreme weather events, which in turn put people’s lives at risk. Hurricane Katrina forced the evacuation of 1.7 million people in 2005, and lead to deaths and long-term health problems for 200,000 New Orleans residents.
d) Glaciers and sea level
Arctic summers could be ice-free by 2040, and sea levels could rise as much as 23 inches by 2100 if current warming patterns continue.
Arctic sea ice extent set an all-time record low in September 2007, with almost half a million square miles less ice than the previous record set in September 2005, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. Over the past 3 decades, more than a million square miles of perennial sea ice -- an area the size of Norway, Denmark and Sweden combined -- has disappeared.
III. UN's Past Actions
UN:
As the globe started to recognize the problem of climate change, began to establish several organizations and conventions.
In 1972, first UN environment conference was held in Stockholm. At then, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is formed. The voice for the environment, UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.
In 1987, Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion, was signed.
In 1988, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed. It produces reports cover "the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation.
In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, governments agree the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This treaty is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".
In 1997, Kyoto Protocol is set to bind obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
EU & UNEP:
25 June 2014, the European Commission and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that lays the foundation for continued collaboration on environment and climate change issues.
UN:
As the globe started to recognize the problem of climate change, began to establish several organizations and conventions.
In 1972, first UN environment conference was held in Stockholm. At then, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is formed. The voice for the environment, UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment.
In 1987, Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion, was signed.
In 1988, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was formed. It produces reports cover "the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation.
In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, governments agree the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This treaty is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system".
In 1997, Kyoto Protocol is set to bind obligations on industrialized countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
EU & UNEP:
25 June 2014, the European Commission and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that lays the foundation for continued collaboration on environment and climate change issues.
IV. Possible Solutions of the Issues
i. Set limits on global warming pollution
The most significant step we can take to reduce carbon pollution is to set practical, feasible limits on the major sources such as cars and power plants. Through the Clean Air Act, the nation's air pollution law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority and responsibility to establish limits for carbon pollution from all major sources, such as cars and power plants.
After establishing the emission limits on power plants, NRDC estimates that emissions from existing power plants could be reduced by 26 percent by 2020 at very modest costs and significant economic and health and welfare benefits. As for cars, the emission and fuel economy standards are able to cut fuel use and emissions from new cars in half by 2026.
ii. Invest in green jobs, clean energy, electric cars
Investing in clean energy industries, such as wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency programs and retooling manufacturing plants can lead us out of crisis and into a new clean energy economy. Studies show that investing in clean energy technologies would produce more jobs than similar investments in oil and gas. Furthermore, the manufacture of fuel-efficient cars can save the use of gases, which not only benefits the economy but also the environment.
iii. Create green buildings, establish better communities
New buildings should meet strong new energy-efficiency standards that maximize energy savings. Existing homes and commercial spaces can be retrofitted to save energy by installing energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems.
In addition, investment and expansion of public transit -- such as commuter rail -- to give people real transportation choices. A "smart growth" community, which is so-called walkable community, allows the residents to reach anywhere within walking distance. Each "smart growth" community reduces global warming pollution by 20 to 40 percent compared to the norm.
Finding the solutions and putting them into practice is believed to ameliorate the environment and create a better living quality for all of us.
i. Set limits on global warming pollution
The most significant step we can take to reduce carbon pollution is to set practical, feasible limits on the major sources such as cars and power plants. Through the Clean Air Act, the nation's air pollution law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority and responsibility to establish limits for carbon pollution from all major sources, such as cars and power plants.
After establishing the emission limits on power plants, NRDC estimates that emissions from existing power plants could be reduced by 26 percent by 2020 at very modest costs and significant economic and health and welfare benefits. As for cars, the emission and fuel economy standards are able to cut fuel use and emissions from new cars in half by 2026.
ii. Invest in green jobs, clean energy, electric cars
Investing in clean energy industries, such as wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency programs and retooling manufacturing plants can lead us out of crisis and into a new clean energy economy. Studies show that investing in clean energy technologies would produce more jobs than similar investments in oil and gas. Furthermore, the manufacture of fuel-efficient cars can save the use of gases, which not only benefits the economy but also the environment.
iii. Create green buildings, establish better communities
New buildings should meet strong new energy-efficiency standards that maximize energy savings. Existing homes and commercial spaces can be retrofitted to save energy by installing energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems.
In addition, investment and expansion of public transit -- such as commuter rail -- to give people real transportation choices. A "smart growth" community, which is so-called walkable community, allows the residents to reach anywhere within walking distance. Each "smart growth" community reduces global warming pollution by 20 to 40 percent compared to the norm.
Finding the solutions and putting them into practice is believed to ameliorate the environment and create a better living quality for all of us.
V. References1. NRDC http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/
2. http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming
3. NASA http://climate.nasa.gov
4. UNEP http://www.unep.org/climatechange/adaptation/
5. UNEPhttp://www.pnuma.org/forodeministros/16-repdominicana/rde05rfi-UNEPandClimatechangeQandA_25Oct2007.pdf
6. http://climate-l.iisd.org/category/actors/un-programme-agency-or-fund/unep/page/104/
7. http://climate-l.iisd.org/news/eu-unep-strengthen-collaboration-on-environment-climate-change/
8. BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15874560
9. http://www.ipcc.ch
10. http://unfccc.int/2860.php
11. http://www.epa.gov
12. http://www.un.org
13. http://en.wikipedia.org
2. http://www.globalissues.org/issue/178/climate-change-and-global-warming
3. NASA http://climate.nasa.gov
4. UNEP http://www.unep.org/climatechange/adaptation/
5. UNEPhttp://www.pnuma.org/forodeministros/16-repdominicana/rde05rfi-UNEPandClimatechangeQandA_25Oct2007.pdf
6. http://climate-l.iisd.org/category/actors/un-programme-agency-or-fund/unep/page/104/
7. http://climate-l.iisd.org/news/eu-unep-strengthen-collaboration-on-environment-climate-change/
8. BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15874560
9. http://www.ipcc.ch
10. http://unfccc.int/2860.php
11. http://www.epa.gov
12. http://www.un.org
13. http://en.wikipedia.org