Turning the Tides of Climate Change

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Turning the Tides of Climate Change
Focus the Nation January 31, 2008
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Anthropogenic Causes of Climate Change

• I. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
• Global GHG emissions have increased 70 between
  1970 and 2004
• Primary contributing GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Black carbons, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide
  (NOx), flourinated gases

• Need for Carbon Sinks/Sequestration
• Oceans and forests largest natural sinks
  (reservoirs) for removing
• CO2 out of the atmosphere
• Deforestation ? eliminates essential carbon sinks
  
• ? adds to climate change when
  felling/burning of trees
• releases trapped carbon

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Source Pew Center on Global Climate Change,
Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions. Part of a series
called Climate Change 101 Understanding and
Responding to Global Climate Change, published by
the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and the
Pew Center on the States.
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by Robert A. Rohde at http//www.globalwarmingart.
com/wiki/ImageGreenhouse_Gas_by_Sector_png
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Impacts of Climate Change
Projections of future warming suggest a global
increase of 2.5oF (1.4oC) to 10.4oF (5.8oC) by
2100

• I. Rising Sea Level
• Melting glaciers polar ice and mountain
  glaciers
• Thermal expansion of seas as oceans warm
• II. Changing Weather Patterns
• Stronger hurricanes / increased droughts /
  increased flooding
• Increase in heatwaves
• III. Human Health Effects
• Poor air and water quality
• Water shortages / food scarcity
• IV. Ecosystems
• Habitat loss / reproductive cycle and migration
  pattern disturbance
• Increase of opportunistic diseases

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Addressing Climate Change

• National Level
• Invest in renewable energy
• Improve efficiency (buildings, appliances)
• Adopt new emissions-reducing technologies for
  cars/trucks
• Short term energy efficiency, fuel blending,
  advanced
• diesels and hybrids
• Long term electricity, biofuels, hydrogen
• Reduce carbon content of vehicle fuels
• Invest in carbon capture and sequestration RD
• Reduce fossil fuel subsidies

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Addressing Climate Change

• State Level
• Climate Action Plans
• Smart growth and the use of mass transit
• Reserves for plants/animals requiring adaptation
• Northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
  (RGGI)
• Biomass and promoting climate-friendly farming
  practices
• Financial incentives and regulations for
  improved land
• management, maintaining soil carbon content,
  efficient use of
• fertilizers and irrigation

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Addressing Climate Change

• Local and Campus Level
• Urban Center through Comprehensive Development
  Master Plans
• Government green building / clean fuel fleets /
  green purchasing
• Green roofs
• Education program for residents
• Municipal interest-free financing programs for
  home energy
• improvements and upgrade
• Encourage schools and businesses to reduce
  emissions
• Develop programs to educate custodial staff on
  importance of
• recycling

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Addressing Climate Change

• Personal Level
• Calculate your carbon foot print and strive to
  become carbon neutral
• Conduct an energy audit (inquire with NYSERDA)
• Commit to driving less, carpooling more, using
  mass transit
• Purchase Energy Star appliances
• Purchase local foods
• Lower thermostat in winter increase in the
  summer lower hot water
• Replace incandescent light bulbs w/ compact
  fluorescent light bulbs
• Install motion/occupancy sensors and photo
  sensor
• Install low-flow faucets/showerhead

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Climate Change Curriculum Internet Resources

• The Discovery of Climate Change
• The Pew Center on Global Climate Change Climate
  Change 101 Series
• Global Warming Art
• Center for International Earth Science
  Information Network CIESIN
• EPA Climate Change Program
• Union of Concerned Scientists Climate Choices
  in the Northeast
• Climate Change Education / Focus the Nation
• Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
• Climate Hot Map
• Princeton Universitys Carbon Mitigation Game
• The New York Times Dot Earth Blog

Photo Credit Lanet-vi program of I.
Alvarez-Hamelin et al.