Geography 5 Week 8 Lecture 14 Climate Change The Science Politics of Global Warming continued Water International Climate Politics Emissions per Country Per Capita We do have global warming and humans have contributed to that Challenges in both international and domestic spheres Conflict between developed and underdeveloped countries o Developed countries are worried that underdeveloped countries will increase greenhouse gas emissions o Underdeveloped countries believe that developed countries are to be blamed and are the ones that need to take responsibility and action since they are the historical contributors China is 1 for CO2 emissions will increase due to increase use of fossil fuels US 2 for CO2 Emissions Russia is 3 for CO2 Emissions Top Per Capita Emitters from the Middle East o Emitting the most C02 o Fossil fuel use US China Emission by Sector Economic development Cumulative Co2 emission 1751 2006 Argument used by developed world Kyoto Protocol Negotiated during Clinton administration and Al Gore The Senate did not vote for it Adopted 1997 enforced by 2005 o USA has not Ratified Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities o The largest share of historical and current emissions responsibilities originated in DCs Developed Countries o LDCs Lesser Developed Countries emissions will grow to meet social and development needs o Developed countries had the responsibility of limiting and reducing their carbon emissions Target was to reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions Copenhagen Accord 2009 Political not legal agreement Continuation of Kyoto Protocol goals Both DCs and LDCs will work to reduce GHGs Developed countries will raise money for Developing countries to reduce emissions Goal 100 billion by 2020 Described by many as a failure by others as a small step forward Geopolitcs in the Arctic Sea Northwest Passage Climate is rapidly changing in temperature Oil Reserves Russia claiming territory the old fashion way Domestic Climate Politics Global Warming s Six Americas Lisowitz 2009 American attitudes towards global warming Alarmed 18 Ready to act Concerned 33 Future unsure personal impact Cautious 19 Unsure if a threat Disengaged 11 Natural not a threat Dismissive 7 It s a hoax conspiracy Climate Skeptics News Cap and Trade Climate Legislation Neoliberal approach to environmental politics Market Regulation Solution Companies receive incentives to reduce C02 emissions Water The Human Impact on Water Resources Dams 1930 1960s Benefits and Costs Clean Renewable Energy Production US has built many dams E g China s Three Gorges Dam o Argued that it would stop floods create electricity Flood control justification to build dams Water Conservation o Agriculture and Municipal Services o Hoover Dams Credited for contributing towards CA s large agriculture Improved Navigation o E g Mississippi o E g Illinois Waterway Environmental Costs of Dams Ecological Habitat Changes o Free Flowing Reservoir o Can impacts the species in the areas o Water Temperatures alters o Change natural river courses Seasonal Flow Steady Flow o E g Colorado River Reduction of silt o Loss of Sandbanks and Shoals o Ecological and economic impact of dams o Sedimentation of Reservoir Decreased Dams Effectiveness o Delta Subsidence and Erosion Shanghai is sinking Yangtze River Glen Canyon Dam retains 95 percent of the Colorado s sediment load in its reservoir Lake Powell Artificial Floods on the Colorado River to Restore Sandbars and Simulate Natural Flooding Before After Controlled Sediment Release Periodically done over the years Loss of Reservoir capacity Black Migration of Fish Populations North West US Fish Ladders Dissolved Nitrogen o The Bends Dams is the Northwest USA Columbia Snake and Klamath River o Dan Removal in the Klamath River o Removal of Marmot Dam in 1997 Social Costs of Dams o Population Resettlement E g China s Three Gorges Dam 1 2 million people Huge problem in the developing world Picture of a city that was a dam China o Aesthetic and Cultural Questions Three Gorges Hetchy Hetchy etc John Muir Ground Water and Aquifer Depletion for next lecture 26 05 2012 22 12 00 26 05 2012 22 12 00