Climatology Final Test 12/13/23

Why do people often remain silent in the face of real threats to their future?

People are largely silent in the face of real threats to their futures and the future of all people.

What is the logic of decision making?

The disconnect between the scientific facts and action. (Using logic to make a decision)

What are the two statements that are needed to come to a reliable conclusion?

A statement of fact and a statement of value.

A statement of value

“this is the way the world ought to be; this is good, this is just, this is a worthy goal”

A Statement of fact

“this is the way the world is; this is the way the world may become under a certain set of conditions”

What are some reasons why it is hard to get people to act on climate change?

Because different people have different beliefs on climate change and most people tend to ignore the issue at hand.

Do we have a moral obligation to do what we can to prevent catastrophic climate change?

There isn’t no one right answer to this question, as the individuals who posed the question were actually looking for many answers, so that no matter what views people had, they would find a reason that speaks to them.

What were the responses given by some of the world’s moral leaders when they were asked the previous question? What do these responses mean?

“Yes, to protect the thriving of humankind” “Yes, for the sake of the children”

These responses mean that we have to fight for climate change, primarily for future generations.

What are the ethics of gift-giving? How is this relevant to climate change?

To receive a gift requires us to be grateful and we protect it, as well as using it all.

Because we give in return when we use our gifts well for the benefit of the Earth and the inhabitants who depend on its generosity.

What is compassion? How is this relevant to climate change?

The feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering

As people who call themselves compassionate have an obligation to the future to reduce the effects of a changing climate.

What is integrity? How is this relevant to climate change?

A matching between what you believe and what you do. Do you walk the talk?

This is important because it makes us act lovingly toward the Earth, because you love it.

Is it possible to get every person on board about climate change and climate action? Why?

Not quite, as every person on Earth has unique perspectives, lived experiences, viewpoints, and beliefs.

Alarmed

Knows that global warming is happening, human-caused, an urgent threat, and strongly support climate policies. Most do not know what they or others can do to solve the problem.

Concerned

Thinks human-caused global warming is happening, is a serious threat, and support climate policies. However, they believe that the impacts are still distant in time and space, so it remains a lower priority issue.

Cautious

Haven’t made up their minds up about whether global warming is happening or if it’s human-caused

Disengaged

Doesn’t know much about global warming. Rarely hear about it in the media/news

Doubtful

Does not think global warming is happening or that it is just a natural cycle. It is not a serious issue

Dismissive

Believes global warming is not happening, is not human-caused, and is a hoax.

Within which audience do most people fall? How has this changed from 2012 to 2022?

Most people fall into alarmed.

Because in 2012, 12% of people were alarmed with global warming and now that percentage has increased to 26%.

What does sustainable development mean?

How we must live today if we want a better tomorrow.

What are the sustainable development goals?

A set of 17 global goals that aims to address pressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. These goals serve as a blueprint for creating a more sustainable and equitable world by balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects of development.

Why is climate change a difficult problem to solve?

Modern society was built on fossil fuels. As we depend on fossil fuel energy for everything from driving our cars, to charging our cell phones, to heating our homes.

What do the numbers 51 billion and zero represent?

We emit 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases each year and we need to get that down to ZERO.

Is it possible to get to zero emissions?

No it is not, but the main goal is to aim to get near net zero.

How is the climate a lot like a bathtub slowly filling with water?

Even if we slow the flow of water to a trickle, the bathtub will still eventually fill up. Water will then begin to overflow and spill onto the floor

What does net zero mean?

The balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) that's produced and the amount that's removed from the atmosphere.

What are the three main goals when it comes to combating climate change?

Stabilising emissions, concretions and temperature.

Mitigation

Reducing the emissions of GHGs and/or taking GHGs out of the atmosphere

Ex: reforestation – replanting trees that have been depleted through deforestation.

Adaptation

Learning/adjusting to live with the consequences.

Ex: as the climate continues to warm, sea level rise and increased flooding is expected.

Geoengineering

Engineering our way around the problems that GHGs produce

Non-renewable

Cannot be replenished. Energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas, that can not be replaced over a useful period of time

Renewable

Can be replenished. Derived from resources like the sun and wind, that can easily be replenished.

Why is increasing energy efficiency important in reducing emissions?

Because traditional power plants burn fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases and contribute to air pollution.

What are some examples of personal actions that each of us can do to reduce the impacts of climate change?

Conserving energy by turning off the lights and switching to energy efficient appliances.

What is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change? What is the purpose of the IPCC?

Established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Used to review and prepare recommendations with respect to the state of knowledge of the science of climate change.

• This includes the social and economic impact of climate change, and possible response strategies.

Why was the IPCC first assessment report so important?

Because it lead to the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Which was an international treaty to reduce global warming and cope with the consequences.

What is the Kyoto Protocol? Was it a success?

First legally binding climate treaty, which was an international agreement linked to the UNFCCC that commits its parties (which are developed countries with strong economies) to binding carbon emission reduction targets.

Yes, as it was used primarily not to reduce global emissions. Instead, it was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industrialised countries and lay the groundwork for future negotiations in which developing countries would be included.

Why didn’t the U.S participate in the Kyoto Protocol?

The government at the time felt that the pace and scale of emission reduction would hurt the U.S economy without providing significant benefits

What are the Conference of the Parties? (COP)

An annual meeting where United Nations member states meet to assess progress in dealing with climate change and make a plan for climate action

Why was COP 21 so important?

As 196 countries agree to the most significant global climate agreement in history – the Paris Agreement.

What is the Paris Agreement? What was part of this agreement?

Keep global temperature rise below 2°C and pursue efforts to keep it below 1.5°C

Aimed to reach global net-zero emissions, where the amount of GHGs emitted equals the amount removed from the atmosphere, in the second half of the century.

Has the U.S always been part of the Paris Agreement?

No, as the United States had formally joined the agreement in September of 2016, then they withdrew on November 4th 2020. And now rejoined on February 19th 2021.

Is the Paris Agreement enough to combat climate change? Why?

No it’s not, because temperatures will still rise by 2.1°C by 2100, even if countries fully implement their pledges for 2030 and beyond.

Why do developing countries feel that developed countries should carry more of the burden when it comes to climate change?

Developing countries have been demanding money to cover the losses they are already dealing with from the effects of climate change, which are primarily caused by developed countries.