climate change exam 3
Where does deforestation/reforestation happen? (5BP36-38)
-2000-2012, an area roughly the size of Alaska and Texas were lost to deforestation; -tropics; -developed countries. have become net carbon sinks after a long history of deforestation
How is this related to diet (modifying our lifestyles to help reduce GHG emissions?) (5BP33)
-Because livestock are resource intensive, switching from diets heavy in meat to more vegetarian diets may substantially decrease worldwide carbon emissions
If point emission is credited, which sector has the largest potential for GHG reductions, at the point of emissions or end use? (5AP11)
-the largest potential for reductions depends on whether we credit reductions at the point of emissions or the end use; if point emissions is credited, then the largest reductions would be in the ENERGY SUPPLY SECTOR; for the end-use, the buildings sector rises in importance
How can the Waste management reduce GHG emissions(what is of the highest priority)? (5BP40)
-waste avoidance and reduction is of the highest priority -reuse, recycling, and energy recovery are next -significant gains are possible: only 20% of municipal waste is recycled and only 13.5% is treated for energy recovery
What are some examples of "geoengineering"? (5CP2-7)
1.deploy "solar shields" into space 2.shoot sulfate aerosol into stratosphere (mimic a volcano; less costly, but potentially more dangerous) 3.iron fertilization of sea 4.pump liquid CO2 to deep sea/ pump liquid CO2 into rocks 5. Grow trees 6. Greening of deserts 7. Genetically engineer crops 8. scrub CO2 from smokestacks 9.artificial trees
What are the contributions of different sectors to GHG emissions? (5AP14)
1.energy sector= 17 Gt 2.agriculture and forestry= 12 Gt 3.industry= 10 Gt 4.transportation= 7 Gt
What is the UNFCCC? (5CP24)
1992: 1. the first international treaty, formulated at the "Earth Summit" in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 2. set agenda for action to slow and stabilize climate change 3.actions to mitigate effects are necessary and developed countries should take the lead (common but differentiated responsibilities
UCR? (5AP24)
4 MW SOLAR FARM (NOV. 2014) = 7,440 photovoltaic panels across an 11 acre site: -silicon+sunlight= electricity production -use GPS tracking to slowly follow the sun across the sky; 3% of the campus's total energy needs and was the largest solar farm in the UC system; projected savings to university is $4.3 million over 20 years; UCR also received carbon and LEEd credits that provide additional financial and environmental savings
What does "Peak Oil" mean? (5AP19)
=projected impending depletion of readily available petroleum reserves
What is the main agricultural emission? (5BP29)
CH4; produced by microbes that thrive in environments such as rice paddies and the stomachs of ruminants (cattle, oxen, sheep); N2O from manure and other fertilizers is another agriculture-generated GHG
Besides fossil fuel burning, what is another source of GHG emissions? (5AP16)
CO2 from fossil fuel burning (65%) and deforestation (11%) continue to make up the bulk of GHG emissions
What is currently the most wide-spread renewable energy source? Can this be significantly expanded in the future? (5AP28)
Hydroelectric: -provides 16% of world's electricity -all other renewables= about 3-5%; cannot drastically increase hydroelectric energy production due to world's large rivers are already damned
What are some climate change policies: The Montreal Protocol, (5CP22)
In 1987, adoption of the MP: 1. international agreement banning production of O3 depleting chemicals (CFCs) 2. perhaps the most successful international agreement ever
Will "Peak Oil" lead to a stabilization of GHG concentrations? Why? (5AP19)
NO, as emissions continue and rates increase, stabilizing GHG concentrations will become ever more challenging; a common misconception is that "peak oil" will solve the dilemma
Why is "ozone hole" harmful? (5CP22)
OZONE LAYER PREVENTS UV RADIATION FROM REACHING SURFACE: O3 DEPLETION= INCREASE SKIN CANCER, DAMAGE TO PLANTS/ANIMALS
Is the capacity for organisms/ecosystems to adapt limited? (4P9)
YES; but rates of adaption and the ultimate capacity of organisms and ecosystems to adapt to rapid environmental change are limited; many think if we don't act now, the stress of climate change will be the "straw that broke the camel's back"
Is "CCS" related to carbon sequestration? (5AP2)
YEs
Is long-term impacts of climate change, related to mitigation? (4P21)
YEs (looks at definition of mitigation)
What is the University of California's Carbon Neutrality Initiative? (5AP26)
in 2013, UC president committed the UC system to a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2025
What are the important factors in assessing the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change? (4P8)
in assessing the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change we must consider: 1.Potential rate of change 2.Additional stresses imposed by human activity 3.Barriers to adaptation and migration imposed by human activity, human settlements, and infrastructure (roads, pipelines)
Why are regulations needed to reduce GHGs? (5AP8)
root economic cause of climate change problem is free for emitters to dump Co2 into atmosphere; Tragedy of the Commons= when people can exploit and degrade a common asset for free, the asset tends to be overutilized; Externality
Why is international cooperation essential for solving the climate change problem? (5CP19)
the atmosphere does not recognize national boundaries: when pollutants (GHGs, industrial aerosols) are emitted, they travel great distances, crossing oceans and continents; NO SINGLE NATION CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS; although solving global warming seems daunting, history provides precedent for cooperation between nations in solving environmental problems
Which sector is the largest? (5AP14)
the largest contributor to current GHG emissions is the global energy supply sector = 17 Gt CO2 eq annually
How the Forestry reduce GHG emissions? (5BP37)
the new carbon influx from tropical deforestation has been partially offset by reforestation (Europe, America); current deforestations emissions are 4.5-5.5 Gt; low income countries have increased deforestation; ON THE FLIP SIDE, ABOUT 3.3 GT CO2 EQ PER YEAR IS TAKEN UP THROUGH REFORESTATION, the most expeditious way to reduce CO2 emissions= prevent deforestation
If so, how are they different than the climate change problem? (5CP23)
the problem of climate change is arguably more challenging that that of ozone depletion; in the latter case, other commercial refrigerants and propellants were readily available as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances; unfortunately, a substitute that can meet current (and future) energy demands has yet to be found
Why are many of these (modifications of our lifestyles to help reduce GHG emissions?) modifications "no-regret" changes? (5CP10-13; also related to previous slides, e.g., car pooling, public transportation...)
"no-regrets" changes that have positive side benefits: 1. improving our quality of life 2. conserving natural resources 3. facilitating greater environmental sustainability
Temperatures have been fluctuating on Earth since the planet developed an atmosphere, why is climate change all of the sudden a big problem? (4P6-7)
(e.g., Co2 levels have fluctuated by 100 ppm for the last mili years, yet corals have survived); surely given the past record of adaption & survival (i.e., historical precedence), corals and other organisms will adapt to global warming HOWEVER, organisms will not necessarily be able to adapt/survive: -fossil fuel reserves have the capacity to boost atmospheric CO2 level higher and faster than that in the last million years -human landuse, construction, pollution and other constraints make adaption a different game than it used to be
What is the damage of acid rain? (5CP20)
(loss of aerosols) 1. fish and other aquatic life died off in startling numbers 2. trees were killed 3. in some cases, historic monuments/structures were destroyed
What does adaptive capacity mean? (4P11)
(vulnerability of each country/region) Ability or potential to respond successfully to climate variability and change
What is "geoengineering"? (5CP2)
- an alternative to mitigation, that involves using technology to counteract climate change impacts; 1.at source level= doing something about growing GHG levels 2.at the impact-level= offsetting climate change itself
How have GHG emissions in the transport sector changed? (5BP2)
-Emissions in the transport sector are increasing at an even faster rate than those in the energy sector; greatest growth occurred in the area of freight transport (primarily by trucks, ships, and airplanes)
What is a carbon tax? (an amount the consumer must pay for the emission of one metric ton of CO2) (5AP7)
-carbon cost is an amount the consumer must pay (as a tax or part of an emission permit ) for the emission of one metric ton of CO2
How can adaptation help decreasing/shifting fresh water resources? (4P32)
-development of seawater desalinization facilities -expansion of reservoirs and rainwater storage facilities - improvements in water use efficiency and irrigation practices
What is "social cost of carbon" (SCC) central value? (4P26-28)
-emissions reduction passes a cost-benefit analysis only when the cost of carbon reduction is less than the SCC (as long as it costs less than $30-40 to offset the emissions of a typical American driving 10,000 miles/year =beneficial); estimates of the immediate cost of mitigation fall below this threshold, but rise rapidly in the future, especially if we delay actions to reduce fossil fuel emissions
What is the law of "diminishing returns"? (5AP11)
-investing larger and larger amounts of money into carbon emission reductions leads to smaller incremental gains (except for the forestry sector)
How can the industrial sector reduce GHG emissions? (carbon cost, CCS, also other mitigation measures; 5BP21-24)
1. CARBON COSTS: of many of these industry-specific improvements is relatively affordable, making this sector an attractive one for targeted reductions 2. CCS: CO2 can be captured before released into the atmosphere, and transferred underground via pipelines (possible repositories include coal and salt bends, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, and saline aquifers), could achieve intensities 3. retrofitting many factories
What are some examples of adaptation? (4P16-19)
1. First stage seeks to protect the population and infrastructure through engineering solutions: EMPOLDERING= structurally reclaim inundated land & COASTAL DEFENSES (dikes, beach nourishment)= create impediments to inundation 2. Second stage of adaption for coastal communities is accommodation: flood-proof structures and floating agricultural systems 3. Third and final stage is retreat= managed retreat, building of temporary sea walls, monitoring of coastal threat to determine if and when evacuation is necessary
What are some measures UC has implemented as part of this initiative? (5AP26)
1. UCD= unveiled a 16.3 MW solar power plant in 2015 (will generate 14% of UCD's total electricity needs & expected to reduce UCD's carbon footprint by 9%) 2. August 2016 = opening to the 5 points solar park in Fresno County (60 MW solar power installation (271,200 panels) built to supply renewable energy to UC; the power supplied by the new solar farm represents roughly 14% of the total UC system's electricity usage
What economic sectors are the largest contributors to GHG emissions? (5AP14)
1. global energy supply sector = 17 Gt CO2 eq annually; 2. agriculture and forestry = 12Gt CO2 eq annually; 3. Industry = 10 Gt CO2 eq annually; 4. Transportation = 7 Gt CO2 eq annually; over the past 4 decades CO2 from fossil fuel burning alone have doubled from 16-32 Gt CO2 eq annually (fossil fuel accounts for about 2/3 of total GHG emissions)
What are the three stages of adaptation to protect coastal communities? (4P16-19)
1. seeks to protect the population and infrastructure through engineering solutions 2. accommodation for coastal communities 3. final stage is retreat
Do "geoengineering" have problems? (5CP2-7)
1. sulfate aerosol is potentially dangerous 2. does nothing to avert the problem of ocean acidification 3. may not counter regional impacts: some regional could warm at greater rates; patterns of rainfall/drought could be altered 4. iron fertilization could also be negative effects if we interfere with the complex and delicate ecology of marine biosphere 5. each proposed geo-engineering techniques has possible short comings and posses a potential danger
What are some factors that determine "carbon footprint"? (5CP15-16)
1. where you live 2.how many people live in your home 3. type of vehicle 4. frequency of flying 5. how you heat things 6. what you eat 7. where do you buy food 8. type of recreation
What are some environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered automobiles? (hydrogen fueling car, electric car, hybrid car; 5BP6- 10)
1.Hydrogen fueling cells: provide a "carbon-free" alternative to fossil fuel based transportation; hydrogen is made using renewable resources like water, using electrolysis, or natural gas reformation & this process still produces GHGs, but less than traditional vehicles 2.Electric Car: is about 3 times more efficient than conventional cars; no tail-pipe emissions; a gallon of gasoline= 33 KW hours of battery power; there has been a dramatic increase in the # of electric vehicles sold in the US 3. Car hybrid: there is an equal increase in electric vehicles
What are some cons of nuclear (5AP21, 5AP29) and hydropower (5AP28) energy sources?
1.NUCLEAR: increased nuclear energy (which accounts for about 7% of the global energy supply) is limited by a number of factors: restricted availability of uranium, security consideration, safety issues, and limited public support; Concerns: reactor safety, nuclear waste, expensive to build, proliferation/terrorists. Chernobyl, Three mile island, Fukushima 2.HYDROPOWER/HYDROELECTRIC: ecosystem damage, loss of land, CH4 emissions, relocation
What does this imply: action or inaction? (4P25)
Action; we want to do some mitigation
Which countries have higher vulnerabilities? (4P11)
China and Africa currently have higher vulnerabilities than developed nations, because of their low adaptive capacity
What is "social cost of carbon" (SCC) used for? (4P26-28)
SCC can be used to set the value of carbon credits: credits issued to nations for reducing carbon emissions (Kyoto Protocol) or level of taxation; ex: of the SCC is $30, a 9 cent/gallon gasoline tax would offset the cost incurred by society for the damage of driving 10,000 mi/year. Prominent economist William Nordhauss equated such a tax with other taxes on harmful practices (e.g., smoking)
What are some climate change policies: Clear Air Act of 1990 (5CP21)
US passed laws culminating with the CAA of 1990: 1. specific provisions for dealing with the acid rain problem 2. introduction of "scrubbers" which remove harmful particulates from industrial emissions before they enter the atmosphere
Which country produces the most nuclear energy and which country produces the highest percentage of its electrical energy from nuclear reactors? (5AP29)
US: produces the most nuclear energy= provides 19% of our electricity; France: produces the highest percentage of its electrical energy from nuclear reactors= 80% as of 2006
What are some examples of carbon free and carbon neutral energy sources? (5AP20)
carbon free (nuclear, solar, wind) & carbon neutral (biofuels)
Will the poor in developing countries experience greater losses as a result of climate change? (4P30)
YES, while many are projected to suffer some income loss as a result of climate change, the poor in developing countries are likely to experience far greater losses
Are there successful precedents for this? (5CP22)
YES; MOntreal protocol
Where does "ozone hole" occur? (5CP22)
a break down in the stratospheric ozone layer was measured at the South Pole in the early 1980s, theoretical and observational considerations pointed to anthropogenic industrial products: CFS (used as refrigerants and propellants in aerosol spray cans); Once CFCs reach the stratosphere, in the presence of solar radiation, produce chemicals that destroy ozone layer; OZONE LAYER PREVENTS UV RADIATION FROM REACHING SURFACE: O3 DEPLETION= INCREASE SKIN CANCER, DAMAGE TO PLANTS/ANIMALS; in 1987, adoption of the Montreal Protocol
What is a potential solution? (5AP7)
a potential solution to climate change is to translate the social cost of carbon (SCC) into a carbon cost that is paid by the consumer who emits; type of mitigation
How is higher vulnerabilities related to their adaptive capacity? (4P11)
adaption is more challenging for poorer countries because they have less resources; although capacities are expected to improve with time, overall vulnerabilities are still predicted to remain high
How can adaptation help with a loss of agricultural productivity? (4P34)
adaption strategies to protect against climate change impacts on agriculture, livestock, and fisheries BY: changing crop varieties, locations, and planting schedules in response to changing temperature and precipitation patterns; Such approaches could lead to increased crop yields in midlatitudes, and potentially maintain current yields in tropical latitudes with moderate warming. With larger warming, water stress may limit the benefits of adaptive strategies (implementation will require rethinking governmental policies and creation of new institutions to facilitate change at the local level)
Transportation (modifying our lifestyles to help reduce GHG emissions?) ? (5CP10-13; also related to previous slides, e.g., car pooling, public transportation...)
biking, hybrids
Are biofuels involved in environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered automobiles? (5BP11-12)
biofuels are most commonly used as mixtures with conventional fuels like petro-diesel and gasoline, but they can also be used in pure form to power vehicles; in 1-2 decades from now, biofuels could supply 5-10% of the total transport energy demand
What is "CCS"? (5AP2)
carbon capture and storage
How can the agricultural sector reduce GHG emissions? (5BP31)
carbon is absorbed by and stored in plants: 1.farming/grazing lands thus represent large potential carbon stores (sequestered away from the atmosphere) & the land's ability to sequester carbon had decreased significantly due to heavy-handed agricultural practices (e.g., over-tilling soils); 2.IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS WILL RESTORE THEIR ABILITY TO SEQUESTER CO2; 3. positive management practice; 4. more efficient fertilizer, rice paddies can be better managed, using alternate feeds
What is the advantage of a carbon tax? (5AP9-10)
carbon tax shifts the cost of emissions back onto the emitter= polluter pays principle; 1. it is cheaper than a conventional approach due to its flexibility 2.costs of reducing emissions eventually passed on to consumers= net effect of a carbon tax is to raise the price of goods and services by an amount proportional to the amount of GHGs produced 3. goods/services that produce small (large) GHG emissions = small (large) price increase = encourages less consumption of GHG intensive goods, substitution of non-GHG energy sources and development of new technologies 4.emission reductions are made where they are cheapest, lowering overall cost to society
Why does switchgrass have the potential to yield biofuel more efficiently than corn? (5BP35)
cellulosic ethanol, which can be derived from agricultural products like switchgrass--a tall grass than grows naturally on the prairies of North America--could yield larger net gains in the future; has the potential to yield biofuel more efficiently than corn: 1. switchgrass is more hardy with respect to soil and climate conditions 2. requires less fertilizer and herbicide relative to corn 3. it is not a food crop
What are the problems that limit prospects for the widespread use of corn-based ethanol as a fuel? (5BP34)
corn, one of the most widely grown cereal crops, can be readily converted into ethanol; however, ethical consideration associated with the prospect of trading food for energy, when starvation/malnutrition still afflict many people, especially in developing countries; process used to convert corn to ethanol is not very efficient: requires tremendous amounts of energy and water LIMITING GAINS
What is an externality? (5AP8)
cost of climate change imposed on the world, not on the companies doing the polluting= no incentive for emitter to reduce emissions
What is the "social cost of carbon" (SCC)? (4P26-28)
cost of society--in terms of environmental and financial damage-- of emitting one additional metric ton (1.1 U.S tons) of carbon over a time horizon (usually 2100)
Home improvements (modifying our lifestyles to help reduce GHG emissions?) (5CP10-13; also related to previous slides, e.g., car pooling, public transportation...)
decrease the energy we use to heat/cool: 1. better insolation 2. passive solar heating 3. using fans/opening windows for air conditioning
What countries are projected to dramatically increase their share of transport-related emissions? (5BP3)
developing nations, including China and India, are dramatically increasing their share of transport-related GHG emissions
Where do many species move to adapt global warming? (4P9)
ecosystems have some capacity to adapt: already evidence that many species are moving towards higher latitude/altitudes
How are higher vulnerabilities related to the ethical concerns of climate change? (4P30)
ethical concerns may call for actions, even when the cost-benefit analysis does not; climate change will likely redistribute resources in a "reverse Robin Hood" fashion: unfair to developing countries such as Bangladesh; the cost of inaction to these nations may be incalculable
How are higher vulnerabilities related to developing versus developed countries? (4P11)
even developed countries (US) could be overwhelmed unless steps are taken to enhance adaptive capacities and to mitigate against the buildup of CO2
What does CO2 equivalent mean? (5AP12)
expresses combined impact of multiple GHGs in terms of the equivalent amount of CO2
In forest sector, how is CO2 released into the atmosphere? (5BP36)
forest sector emitted roughly 11% of total GHGs (2010); CO2 is released into the atmosphere through: 1. Deforestation 2.Combustion of timber for energy 3.Gradual decay of lumber used in construction; becoming carbon sinks
Are poor in developing countries responsible for climate change?If not, who is? What does this imply? (4P30)
given this unbalances scenario , is it fair for the industrialized nations (the primary GHG emitters) to be the ones calling the shots and determining if action is worth taking?
How is "social cost of carbon" (SCC) estimated? (4P26-28)
integrated assessment modeling, which accounts for economic considerations and climate change, can be used to estimate (SCC); SCC estimates range from a few US dollars per metric ton to several hundred (central estimates are about $30-40, but this may be an UNDERESTIMATE because it does not account for the increased likelihood of extreme events, possible abrupt climate change, and their costs; a typical american who drives 10,000 miles/year emit 1 metric ton of carbon which imposes a cost of $30-40 to society: -driver is not penalized for these damages (borne by society as a whole) -adds up quickly, given number of drivers
How can we, as individuals, modify our lifestyles to help reduce GHG emissions? (5CP10-13)
lifestyle choices can aid in GHG mitigation, often these are "no-regrets" changes that have positive side benefits: 1. improving our quality of life 2. conserving natural resources 3. facilitating greater environmental sustainability; More efficient use of energy, including home improvements that decrease the energy we use to heat/cool: 1. better insolation 2. passive solar heating 3. using fans/opening windows for air conditioning; SOLAR PANELS, "SMART" ENERGY MANAGEMENT, HYBRID VEHICLE, CLOTHESLINES, BIKING, EFFICIENT BULBS, RECYCLE, UNPLUGGING OUTLETS
How can we mitigate against climate change? (4P21)
mitigation= reducing CO2 emissions to stabilize atmospheric CO2 (for ex: @ 550 ppm); can be realistically achieved by significant reductions in fossil-fuel burning rates= mitigation against CO2 buildup leads to a substantial reduction in vulnerability in all but a few select regions of Europe, Africa, and China; Over the next few decades, mitigation efforts will primary benefit developing countries, by end of the century all nations will benefit
Where do agricultural emissions mainly come from and what is the percentage? (5BP28)
nearly half of Earth's land surface is used for farming (crops, grazing)= agriculture sector is a significant source of GHGs; farming/agriculture are responsible for about 6 Gt CO2 eq (12%) per year of worldwide GHG emissions (similar to transportation); agricultural emissions have stabilized in recent years: an increasingly large share comes from the DEVELOPING WORLD= responsible for 75% of worldwide agricultural GHG emissions & net CO2 emissions from agriculture are negligible=plants consume CO2 at the same rate they produce it
Are there economic incentives to mitigate? If not, why not? (5AP8)
no, incentives
In the context of climate change, what is meant by adaptation? (4P10)
offset effects of CO2 buildup
If there are no insurmountable technological or scientific reasons why we can't mitigate against climate change, why has it been so difficult to do so? (5AP6)
only barrier is society itself; although many countries are attempting to reduce emissions, the emissions continue to grow, and atmospheric CO2 levels are climbing at rates that exceed previous projections
Carbon source/sink? (5BP36-38)
previously cleared agricultural land in the US and Europe have returned to forests over last several decades, becoming carbon sinks; the new carbon influx from tropical deforestation has been partially offset by reforestation (Europe, America)
How can adaptation help alleviate the threats of sea level rise? (4P16-19)
protect the population, accommodations for coastal communities, retreat
How can public policy measures help? (5BP17)
public policy measures can help the mitigation of transport-related emissions, particularly in countries that are still in the process of establishing transportation systems; careful urban planning can: reduce commuting distances, provide better access to public transport, make public transportation a more appealing option; government can raise mandatory fuel standards; taxation/fees can encourage the use of efficient vehicle
How are GHG emissions in the transport sector projected to change? (5BP2, 5BP4) Why? (5BP2)
rate of transport emissions is projected to increase even further over future decades, fueled by continued global economic growth (1) and population increases (2)
To counter the long-term impacts of climate change, what is our best hope for the future? (4P5)
reducing emissions is out best hope for the future, when adaption alone will be insufficient to counter the long-term impacts on society, the environment and economy; cutting emissions can have economic benefits: the cost of reducing emissions might turn out to be less than the cost of dealing with the damage resulting from climate change
Why is a focus on water-efficient alternative energy production prudent? (5BP27)
since water scarcity is a growing concern in many regions, a focus on water-efficient alternative energy production is prudent
If so, then why are "geoengineering" being discussed? (5CP8)
some advocates maintain that if we are backed into a corner and faced with irreversible and dangerous climate change, we may need to resort to these schemes at least as partial soultions
What are the obstacles to the success of these measures? (5BP18)
some obstacles include: persistent preference for poor fuel efficiency vehicles, targeted corporate advertising campaigns that reinforce these preferences, lobbying efforts by car companies to keep fuel efficiency standards low; not only are proactive governmental policies required, but also greater corporate accountability and personal acceptance of responsibility by individual citizens
In the context of climate change, what is meant by Mitigation? (4P10)
take actions to reduce CO2 buildup
How would a carbon tax affect consumption and development of non-carbon energy sources? (5AP7)
taxation (mitigation) would not only reduce consumption, but also provide an incentive for the development of non-carbon energy sources
How can we reduce emissions in the transport sector? (5BP13)
technological innovations and improved air traffic management could result in better fuel efficiency in the aviation sector; increased reliance on buses, trains, and other public transportation, car pooling, non-motorized transportation (walking, cycling) could also help curb emissions
How is water related to energy generation? (5BP25)
transportation and electricity generation consume a considerable amount of water; -water is used in extraction and processing of fossil fuels, -biofuels production is extremely water intensive because of irrigation needs, -although wind and solar photovoltaic energy require little water, geothermal and hydroelectric are highly water sensitive
If mitigation efforts are made, and adaptive capacities are enhanced, how will vulnerability change? (4P22)
vulnerability to climate change can be lessened
How can the buildings sector reduce GHG emissions? (5BP19-20)
ways the building sector could reduce its carbon footprint: 1. reduce energy consumption in construction and building operation 2.switch to low-carbon/carbon free energy sources 3.reducing energy use means reducing heating and cooling loads: passive solar design, better insulation, high efficiency lighting, appliances, heating/cooling systems, high-reflectivity building materials, multiple glazing in windows; zero net energy building is now available
According to economists, how does the cost of emission reduction compare to the economic damage that will result from climate change? (4P25)
what is less apparent is that emission reductions can be good for the economy as well; economists say the formidable cost of emission reductions may actually be less than the economic damage that will result from climate change: recent estimates of economic damage from unbridled CO2 emissions are 1-5% GDP by 2100 & avoiding these damages by avoiding 3'C (5.4'F) warming by 2100 would slow annual economic growth by only 0.06% reducing estimated growth from 2.3-2.24 % per year
Where in the world is per-capita energy consumption highest? (5AP34)
while energy consumption is increasing in regions such as China and India, per-capita energy consumption continues to be the highest in the DEVELOPED WORLD
What are some examples of renewable energy sources? (5AP21)
wind, solar, geothermal
Do these "no-regret" modifications have positive side benefits? (5CP10-13; also related to previous slides, e.g., car pooling, public transportation...)
yessssss
What is meant by the term "carbon footprint"? (5CP15-16)
your personal contribution (in metric tons of CO2 eq per year) to the problem of global warming