GC 170a1 1st Edition Lecture 22 Outline of Last Lecture - Political solutions to climate change- Stakeholderso Energy industry groupo Environmental group- Guest Ivan Rudiko Cost of carbon emissionso Why?o Does it matter?o How do we get the #s?Outline of Current Lecture - Climate Change Debateo Homeo Classo Debate questiono Roles- Political history/Kyoto protocolo IPCC o Uncertainty reportso Kyoto Protocol US  Canada- Adaptation/Mitigationo Definitions- Alternative/Renewable Energy o Solaro Windo Hydropowero Nuclear Benefits ProblemsCurrent LectureClimate Change Debate- At home (40 points)o Paragraph one to answer the debate questionsThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. Consider how climate change policy would impact your role’s life, company or financial interestso Paragraph 2)  How would climate change policy affect your personal life (not the role)? What isyour personal opinion about immediate action?- Group Activity (20 points)o Debate of different perspectives on government regulations of carbon emissions- Debate questions: Should the US take immediate aggressive action to reduce CO2 emissions?o Carbon tax imposed?o Gas prices increasing by at least 30 cents/gallono Higher energy costs, water restrictions, etc. - Roleso Climate change scientisto Global warming deniero Executive from the fossil fuel industry (coal/oil/gas)o Representative from an environmental NGO o Working class Americano Upper class American Historical of Political Action- Late 1980’s, topic of global warming was becoming a concern- 1988: IPCC established by World Met Organization and United Nationso Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changeo Thousands of scientists contributed data (195 countries)o Provide scientific, technical and socioeconomic information- 1990: First assessment report from the IPCCo Published every 6 years Physical Science Basis Impacts, Adaptation, Vulnerability Mitigation (what can we do) o Groundbreaking conclusions that global warming is happeningo Supplemental report 1992o Led to the creating of the UN Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC) Stabilize emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000 Following the 1992 agreement, opposition quickly formed in the US and from developing nations- US: not enough scientific evidence that global warming is happening- Developing nations: regulation would hinder economic growth- 2007 report uncertaintyo 99% certainty: more warm days and nights in the future o 90% certainty: warming will be at least 1.5 degrees Celsius in the future increase in heat waves and precipitation amountso 66% certainty: warming will be between 2 degrees Celsius and 4.5 degrees Celsius Areas affected by drought will increase loss of glaciers will accelerate in the next decades the intensity of hurricanes will increase- 2014: Most recent IPCC reporto Most aspects of climate change will persist for many centuries even if emissions of CO2 are stopped. This represents a substantial multi-century climate change commitment created by past, present and future emissions of CO2.- Kyoto Protocolo 1997: After several years of difficult negotiations, the Kyoto protocol was finally signed in1997o Outcome: agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to below 1990 levels (350 ppm) Only required for 37 industrialized nations Developing nations were asked to make voluntary reductions, where economically feasibleo The US did not sign this Huge failureo Has been modified: Keeping temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100 Drastic governmental action is needed (carbon tax and regulations) 192 countries have signed the latest agreement United states still has not signed Canada & Japan have dropped out o Major difficulty with international government comes down to 2 major issues Negative impact on economy of US/Canada Division between developing and developed nations Developing nations such as Brazil, India and China refuse to sign because US/Canada have not signed- US/Canada want large developing nations to limit emissions - Recent agreements between China and US is promisingWhat should we do about it?- Mitigation: strategies to reduce GHG emissionso This could be local to national government policies (laws, regulations, etc) that promote energy conservation and renewable energy sources Nuclear- Splitting of uranium releases energy- Supplies 20% of energy that US needs- Problems: o Creates toxic nuclear waste (difficult to dispose of) Waste-disposal facility build in Nevada o Fear and risk of major radiation leakso However, death rates from nuclear toxic spills is tiny compared to coal and oil- Benefits:o No greenhouse gaseso Huge reserves of Uranium availableo Technology is availableo Can provide critical power for 30 years while transition to renewable energy sources Solar- PV (photovoltaic) cells convert solar radiation into electricity- Large scale solar power has two forms: o Solar Farm: An array of solar panels (PV cells) that generate power for a public utility companyo Concentrated solar power plants Moveable mirrors Reflect the sun’s energy on receivers that store heat energy  The heat energy drives a steam turbine that creates electricity  Not same thing as a PV cell Wind- 1% of total world energy- US produces 17 Gigawatts (3% of our needs)- Wind turbines spin and this produces energy - Efficient, but wind doesn’t always blow o Need to improve infrastructure for storing energy Hydropower - Dam built on a river o Water flows through turbines and creates energy - Meets 7% of the US energy needs Renewable energy: derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly (bold are major sources)- Adaptation: adjustments made to reduce the impact of climate change, lessen harm associated with climate change impacts Many people are vulnerable to impacts and protection is