Exam 2 - Global Warming

Global Warming Gas

A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range

Sinks holding carbon

Atmosphere, land and ocean

Prevention

• Cut fossil fuels use (especially coal)

• Shift from coal to natural gas

• Repair leaky natural gas pipeline

• Improve energy efficiency

• Shift to renewables

• Reduce deforestation

• Use more sustainable agriculture and forestry

• Put a price on greenhouse gas emissions

Cleanup

• Sequester CO₂ by planting trees and preserving forests and wetlands

• Sequester carbon in soil using biochar

• Sequester CO₂ deep underground (with no leaks)

• Sequester CO₂ in the deep ocean (with no leaks)

• Remove CO₂ from smokestack and vehicle emissions

Atmospheric Gases

Nitrogen, N₂ (78%), Oxygen, O₂ (21%) Argon, Carbon Dioxide, others…

Switzerland

Climate change impacts on crops, especially grapes for wine, Europe is WARMING

Yes

Are concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere slowing?

Mining Industry

Committed to carbon neutral by 2050

Carbon Dioxide

Which gas in the atmosphere has the greatest influence on average Earth's temperatures today?

Warming Causes

• CO₂ vast majority (75-90%)

• Methane (CH₄) (5-15%) and Nitrous Oxides (N_xO) (5-15%)

• CFC's (2-10%) and Ozone (O₃) (1-8%), minor

Amount, Absorbance, Residence Time

What Greenhouse Gas “Warming Ability” Depends On

Kyoto Protocol

1997: Treaty to slow climate change

Paris Agreement

2016 Paris, US and China agreed to reductions (New administration has decided to withdraw the U.S.)

China

Which country (out of the options) charges the most amount of CO₂ to the atmosphere today?

World Carbon Emissions by Country

China > US > India > Russia

Power

Highest Emissions by Sector

Taxes Advantages

• Simple to administer

• Clear price on carbon

• Covers all emitters

• Predictable revenues

Taxes Disadvantages

• Tax laws can be complex

• Vulnerable to loopholes

• Doesn't guarantee lower emissions

• Politically unpopular

US Current Politics

Federal government wants to transition back to fossil fuels and away from renewables, incentivizing energy efficiency

US Military View

Climate change is a “threat multiplier”

114 years

Nitrous Oxide Atmospheric Lifetime

100 years

Carbon Dioxide Atmospheric Lifetime

12 years

Methane Atmospheric Lifetime

New York

Which state has taken action to reduce CO2?

Lithosphere to Atmosphere

Carbon Cycle Function