exam 3 ESCI
why manufacture doubt in science
the history of manufacturing doubts has not only changed all that much through evidence
Tobacco & Fossil Fuel Industry Public Relations (PR) playbook - what strategies are used to "manufacture doubt"?
they blame the consumers and not the scientists
Define "The Weather Gap"
The Weather Gap - a disproportionate sensitivity to extreme weather events and a delay in the ability to bounce back. The weather gap is closely related to the "wealth gap", the fact that white Americans earn far greater salaries than Black and Hispanic Americans.
What is climate justice?
"Climate justice is a term, and more than that a movement, that acknowledges climate change can have differing social, economic, public health, and other adverse impacts on underprivileged populations." Daisy Simmons, Yale Climate Communications (Links to an external site.).
What are the two dominant contributors to sea level rise over the past 15 years or so?
*** of the six causes listed above, the first two --- thermal expansion and added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers --- are the two major causes of global sea rise MINI LECTURE 39
What are some of the most common climate myths?
-climates changed before -its the sun -its not bad -there is no consensus -its cooling -models are unreliable -temperature record is unreliable -animals and plants can adapt -it hasn't warmed since 1998 -antarctica is gaining ice
Examples of solutions or adaptations to sea level rise.
1. Managed retreat - simply put, ask people who live in coastal areas to relocate inland. This solution is fraught with complications. First and foremost, it asks people to leave their homes. In some cases, this may be their ancestral lands where they have lived for thousands of years. Watch the documentary short Sun Come Up [38 min] (Links to an external site.) to learn more about a group of islanders in the South Pacific who are undertaking this approach. In other cases, people don't have the resources or funds to move. We'll talk more about this in our Climate Justice module next week. 2. Sea walls - hardened, large barriers that prevent coastal erosion around major cities. Such barriers already exist in many low lying, coastal areas including a massive 20-mile (32 km) sea wall that protects the Netherlands (Links to an external site.). A $120 to $300 billion 6-mile sea wall (Links to an external site.) has been considered for New York City. 3. Living shorelines - using natural vegetation (Links to an external site.) (dunes, mangroves) and sand/gravel barriers to reduce storm surge. This approach is beneficial for regions currently undeveloped or underdeveloped and more effective than hardened barriers. Living shorelines have added benefits of enhancing natural habitat and reducing coastal erosion. Check out some New Hampshire living shoreline projects (Links to an external site.) here. 4. Raising Streets - In Key Largo, FL, a brutal King Tide season left residents in one neighborhood flooded for over three months (Links to an external site.). One proposal to adapt to rising seas included elevating the streets and installing more pumps, but this would come at a cost of over $1 billion, take a long time to plan and construct, and would only cover 1/3 of the Monroe County's roads. Another impact that needed to be addressed - the mosquitoes. You can read more about the Key Largo neighborhood 82+ days of flooding here at the New York Times (Links to an external site.), or read the pdf version downloadin your readings. The Miami Herald (Links to an external site.) also published an article on the Key Largo situation when they were 40 days in. 5. Stop building there. Leave undeveloped coastal areas in their present state.
What are the six main causes of sea level rise?
1. thermal expansion; when water above 4 of celsius is warmed, its density decreases and a given mass of water will thus take up more space (volume) 2. Glaciers & ice sheets - the melting of ice sheets causes sea levels to rise due to added water. the expansion of ice sheets causes sea level to drop. 3. Terrestrial water storage - changes in groundwater storage (aquifers), draining of wetlands, damming of reservoirs and rivers, and irrigation can all impact sea level rise by changing the flux in to the ocean. 4. Vertical land movements - movement of Earth's crust in the vertical direction (up & down) can cause relative changes in sea level. 5. Gravity effects - the shape of an idealized sea-level surface extending around the entire globe is known as a geoid. It does not look like a sphere, but rather looks like a lumpy potato because the strength of Earth's gravitational field varies depending on where you are on Earth. This slight difference in gravitational pull influences sea level. Places on Earth with a slightly stronger gravitational pull will have higher sea level. 6. Dynamic component - changes in ocean circulation, storm surges, and other ocean water properties (ie: salinity)
Briefly summarize the Kyoto Protocol. Did the US sign/ratify? Why or why not?
1997 Kyoto Protocol (entered into forec in 2005). Created commitments from industrialized countries to reduce GHG emissions to 5% below 1990 levels, and 18% below 1990 levels 2013-2020. The US never ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Why? Required 2/3 majority from senate, and the Senate had also passed the Bydr-Hagel Resolution that required developing countries to commit to emissions reductions.
What is climate determinism? How is climate change rooted in colonialism, exploitation, and slavery?
Climate determinism is the racially motivated notion that the climate influences human intelligence and societal development Climate determinism is "the racially motivated notion that the climate influences human intelligence and societal development" (Donner, 2020 download). Its historical roots date as far back as ancient Greece and persist today. In order to address climate injustice, we have to face our implicit biases about people living in different regions of the world.
Impacts of sea level rise
Coastal regions around the world are already feeling the impacts of sea level rise. Sea level rise damages coastal infrastructure (roads, bridges, sewer systems, homes), ecosystems (through salt water intrusion), and in worst case scenarios permanently displaces people from their homes.
Define environmental justice. Who is considered the Father of Environmental Justice?
Dr. Robert Bullies is the father of Environmental justice "Environmental justice embraces the principle that all people and communities have a right to equal protection and equal enforcement of environmental laws and regulations....Today, zip code is still the most potent predictor of an individual's health and well-being. Individuals who physically live on the "wrong side of the tracks" are subjected to elevated environmental health threats and more than their fair share of preventable diseases....Reducing environmental, health, economic and racial disparities is a major priority of the Environmental Justice Movement."
5 characteristics of science denial? hint - FLICC
Fallacies come in many forms as DR. Cook summarizes them as FLICC F: fake experts ----- magnified minority L: logical fallacies ------ red herring I: impossible expectations ----- red herring, misrepresentation, jumping to conclusions, and false dichotomy C: cherry picking ----- red herring, misrepresentation, jumping to conclusions, and false dichotomy C: conspiracy theories
How are climate change and capitalism related?
How money is a driving factor, producing more things, more money, more climate change
Greenland vs. Antarctica contributions to sea level rise if they melted completely
It remains uncertain how quickly Greenland and Antarctica would melt beyond 2100, but safe to say it's likely that melting will continue at an accelerated rate. If Greenland were to melt completely, sea level would rise by 6 meters (about 20 feet). If the Antarctic Ice Sheet melted completely, sea level would rise by 60 meters (200 feet). We are unlikely to see this amount of sea level rise in our lifetime.
Know how to read/interpret a future projections of sea level graph
MINI LECTURE 39
How do rural mountain communities benefit from
Money: the Us ski industry suppress over 11 billion in economic activity that includes direct spending and indirect spending in the rural mountains and indices spending from those employed. If we see a decrease in skiing, we will see a big decrease in this revenue and in these jobs, less waiters at the restaurants a rippling effect.
How many ski resorts have closed since the 1950s?
Over 600 have closed
Briefly summarize the Paris Agreement? Why is it considered a hybrid agreement? What is the ratchet mechanism? What is the US history with the Paris Agreement?
Scope expanded beyond emission reductions commitments to include mitigation, adaptation, financing, loss and damage. US joined the Paris Agreement by Executive Order under President Obama. The Paris Agreement included a "ratchet" mechanism, designed to steadily increase ambitions over time to ensure net zero global emissions by 2050. US is not able to ratify commitments due to 2/3 senate rule, but able to proceed with a hybrid agreement that requires signatories to prepare, communicate, and maintain plans to reduce emissions through domestic mitigation measures (ie: Clean Power Plan, fuel economy standards under Obama administration). -US withdrawal from Paris Agreement on 11/4/2020 by President Trump. This political move left the United States' international reputation in tatters. What followed was the rollback of many climate-friendly domestic rules (ie: Clean Power Plan, fuel emissions standards) from the Obama administration.
Describe the climate debt the Global North owes to the Global South?
The global north includes JUSSCANNZ (Japan, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, Norway, New Zealand) and the European Union. The global north has high cumulative, current, and per capita emissions. They want emissions reduction commitments from all countries. BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) The global south as a whole has low cumulative and per capita emissions, but high current GHG emissions. They want industrialized countries to lead on reductions. The vulnerable countries (ie: small island states) have low cumulative, current, and per capita emissions and are the most vulnerable to climate change impacts and have the least resources to do so. It is important to note that the global north industrialized on the backs of the global south, specifically through colonialism and resource extraction. IN OTHER WORDS, the global north is in climate debt to the global south. This is also the foundation of Climate Justice MAXI LECTURE 38
What is the IPCC? When was it formed? What does it do?
The intergovernmental panel on climate change is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988. Its initial tasks, as outlined in UN General Assembly Resolution 43/53 on 6 December 1988 were to 1. prepare a comprehensive review and recommendations with respect to the state of knowledge of the science of climate change 2. the social and economic impact of climate change, and 3. potential response strategies and elements for inclusion in a possible future international convention on climate -Since 1988, the IPCC has had five assessment cycles and delivered five Assessment Reports, the most comprehensive scientific reports about climate change produced worldwide. -The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report is currently underway and scheduled to be released in April 2022. -As noted in task #3 above, the IPCC reports also provide policy makers with potential strategies for addressing climate change impacts in global climate agreements and negotiations.
How does climate exacerbate inequitable social conditions? How can/should climate solutions address these conditions?
Vulnerable populations of senior citizens and others on fixed income (social security or disability) are at greater risk during extreme heat waves, poor communities are more at risk for air populations, built by highways or power plants 1) Climate justice begins with recognizing key groups are differently affected by climate change. This is a point that was highlighted in Dr. Ashcraft's guest lecture on Thursday and key component of international climate negotiations. Many of those against policies that address climate change fail to acknowledge the legacy of heat-trapping pollution that built the backbone of industrialized countries. The same historical legacy provides said countries with greater resiliency, reduced vulnerability, and more resources to adapt to a changing climate. Climate justice acknowledges these inequities and attempts to redistribute wealth and resources to those most in need. 2) Climate impacts can exacerbate inequitable social conditions. For example, vulnerable populations of senior citizens and others on fixed income (ie: social security or disability) are at greater risk during extreme heat waves. During the 2003 European heat wave that killed 30,000 people (Links to an external site.), most of whom were elderly and/or living alone. It is also well established that poor people and communities of color are often more at risk from air pollution, a legacy of racist infrastructure planning that includes constructing coal fired power plants (Links to an external site.) and highways (Links to an external site.) through communities of color. This is why President Biden's $2 trillion dollar infrastructure plan includes a $20 billion dollar program to "reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments," and targets "40 percent of the benefits of climate and clean infrastructure investments to disadvantaged communities." 3) Momentum is building for climate justice solutions. At the beginning of the semester, Michael S. Regan was sworn in as the first Black man and the second person of color to lead the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Links to an external site.). Regan has made it clear that environmental and climate justice will be top priorities for his office. US organizations like the NAACP and the Climate Justice Alliance, along with international bodies such as the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, are all emphasizing the intersectional issues of environmental justice and climate change.
What is a storm surge?
storm surges are stronger, slower moving hurricanes exacerbate sea level rise impacts, as was seen in Katrina, Harvey, and Maria and many other storms -Storm surges from stronger, slower moving hurricanes exacerbate sea level rise impacts, as was seen in Katrina, Harvey, and Maria, and many other storms. What exactly is a storm surge? MINI LECTURE 40
How much sea level rise has NH seen? What can we expect for the future?
along the new hampshire seacoast, relative sea rise measured as tidal gauges has increased 7.5-8" over the period 1912-2018 (Wake et al. 2019Links to an external site.). King Tides (highest high tides of the year) routinely flood coastal roadways and buildings. Groundwater rise is also a known issue responsible for flooding basements during higher high tides. Under higher emissions (RCP8.5), coastal New Hampshire is likely to experience RSLR of 1.5 - 3.8 feet by 2100. Under stabilized emissions (RCP4.5), coastal New Hampshire is likely to experience RSLR of 1.0 - 2.9 feet by 2100.
Difference between cumulative emissions and annual emissions. Who are the top three cumulative emitters of greenhouse gases? Who are the top three annual emitters (in 2017)?
cumulatively US China and Russia annually China US and the EAU the top cumulative emmiter of carbon dioxide from 1751 to present is the US. We are responsible for 25% of global historical emissions, or 400 billion tonnes -the second highest cummunlative emitter of carbon dioxide is China, their cumulative emissions are half of the United States, or 200 billion tonnes. Russia comes in 3rd with about 110 billoin tonnes. -in 2017, the top five countries ranked by annual emissions of carbon emission of carbon dioxide are: 1. China (27.5% of global emissions) 2. United States (14.7%) 3. EU-28 (9.8%) 4. India (6.9%) 5. Russia (4.6%) Per capita, the United States is ranked much higher than India and China, though those two countries have seen the largest increase in emissions since 1990.
Land ice vs. sea ice contributions to sea level rise
important note: - only melting of land ice (glaciers and ice sheets) causes sea level to rise. Melting sea ice does not contribute significantly to sea level rise, due to the same reason your water glass does not overflow when your ice cubes in your drink melt.
Examples of logical fallacies
red herring is a kind of fallacy that is an irrelevant topic introduced in an argument to divert the attention of listeners or readers from the original issue. In literature, this fallacy is often used in detective or suspense novels to mislead readers or characters, or to induce them to make false conclusions.
What were some of the main outcomes of the Biden Climate Summit?
reduce US GHG emission by 50-52 percent by 2030 -bringing 40 world leaders together -commitment from China to reduce coal usage -on US rejoining the Paris Agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said of the U.S return to the Paris agreement: "Its return is by no means a glorious comeback but rather the student playing truant getting back to class." The US has a long way to go rebuilding trust in the international community to address global climate change. Domestic plans include a $2.5 trillion infrastructure plan, half of which has a climate focus (ie: more efficient transportation, investment in alternatives to fossil fuels, etc.
How are vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity related?
vulnerability: exposure + sensitivity + adaptive Capacity exposure: whether a resource is located in an area experiencing impacts of climate change and coastal hazards. For example, the mid-Atlantic region is exposed to hurricanes, snowstorms, forest fires, a drought Sensitivity: how a resource fares when exposed to an impact. For example, transportation generally grinds to a halt during large winter snowstorms. transportation is sensitive to exposure to snowstorms Adaptive Capacity: the ability of a resource to adjust or cope with an impact, also known as resiliency. For example, wealthy Americans are generally have a high adaptive capacity to deal with a major winter storm because they can afford generators, snowblowers, and have homeowner's insurance to pay for damages to their home related to the storm.
Fact-Myth-Fallacy method for busting climate myths
where we first explain the science, then introduce the myth then explaIn the fallacy the myth uses. Dr. Cook outlines three steps to correct climate myths and prevent them from spreading 1. start with the scientific FACT 2. present the MYTH, making it clear that there is indeed a myth 3. reveal the FALLACY. what fallacy is the myth using to dupe you?
