10.3 Why is there a debate over climate change?

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What was the debate over climate change in the 1970’s? (Global warming debate)

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1

What was the debate over climate change in the 1970’s? (Global warming debate)

Debate between:

  • Scientists who believed global warming was happening

  • Scientists who believed in glacial cooling and the imminent glacial period.

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2

When was the IPCC established? (Global warming debate)

1988

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3

How many scientists believe that global warming is happening? (Global warming debate)

97%

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4

What did dissenters believe was the cause of global warming? How was this proven wrong? (Global warming debate)

  • Rising temperatures in the first half of the 20th century = due to increased solar output and volcanic activity

  • Continued rise in temperature despite reductions in solar output and volcanic activity disproved this.

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5

When did the Kyoto Protocol take place? (The UN)

1997

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6

What was the Kyoto Protocol? (The UN)

  • Set legally binding targets for countries to reduce their CO2 emissions

  • 192 countries

  • Though big emitters (China and the US) did not ratify.

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7

What did the Kyoto Protocol recognise? (The UN)

  • That major AC’s were responsible for global warming

  • Therefore, placed heavier burden on these countries

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8

What was the second commitment of the Kyoto Protocol and what did it result in? (The UN)

  • Target of 18% reduction by 2020

  • Canada, Japan, and Russia withdrew.

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9

What do UN international climate chance conferences aim to achieve? Has this been successful? (The UN)

  • Legally binding agreements to combat climate change

  • 2009-2014 = conferences failed to reach agreement.

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10

How does the European Union tackle climate change? Is this successful? (The EU)

  • Each EU state has their own policies that compliment the European Climate Change Programme (EPCC)

  • Very successful

  • The EU leads the world in its commitment to tackling climate change

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11

What are the EU’s targets for GHG emissions up to 2050? (The EU)

  • Transform the EU into a low-carbon economy

  • 20% of electricity to be generated from renewables

  • 20% improvement in energy efficiency

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12

What is the EU ETS scheme? (The EU)

  • European Trading System

  • Cap-and-trade scheme

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13

How much of the EU’s emissions does the ETS scheme cover? (The EU)

45%

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14

What is the target of the EU’s cap-and-trade scheme by 2030? (The EU)

Aims for a 62% reduction in emissions from power stations, industry, and aviation by 2030.

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15

What legal act commits the UK government to reduce emissions? By how much? By when? (The UK)

  • The Climate Change Act (2008)

  • Reduce emissions by at least 80%

  • By 2050

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16

What is the UK’s strategy for reducing emissions? (The UK)

  • Setting carbon budgets

  • Reducing the demand for energy

  • Investing in low-carbon technologies

  • Reduce coal usage

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17

How do carbon budgets help the UK government in reducing emissions? (The UK)

  • Set every 5 years

  • 2018-2022 = 35% decrease in emissions

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18

How does the UK government reduce the demand for energy? (The UK)

  • Promoting energy efficiency

  • Reducing GHG emissions from transport and agriculture

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19

What low-carbon technologies does the UK government invest in to help reduce their emissions? (The UK)

  • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

  • Growth of renewables

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20

How has the UK reduce their coal usage? (The UK)

  • Carbon taxes

  • Switch to greener fuels

  • UK’s remaining coal-fired stations, e.g. Ferrybridge, closed in 2015.

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21

Why did India not ratify Kyoto? (India)

Believed AC’s should cover the costs of reducing emissions

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22

What is India’s case for their responsibility in reducing emissions? (India)

  • Their per capita energy consumption was far below the global average

  • They were prioritising alleviating poverty

  • Current high concentrations of CO2 were due to AC emissions

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23

What is India’s per capita energy consumption in comparison to the global average? (India)

  • India = 1.7 tonnes

  • Global average = 5 tonnes

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24

What has India done to reduce emissions? (India)

  • Established the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

  • Aims to reduce emissions as a rate to its GDP

  • Commitment is voluntary

  • Aims to improve energy efficiency and develop renewables.

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25

How is public opinion about climate changed shaped by the role of the media? (Media)

  • Media misrepresentation

  • Most people rely on magazines/newspapers/social media to gain their news

  • These play a crucial role in shaping opinion.

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26

What are right-leaning newspapers more likely to publish? What is an example? (Media)

  • Report sceptical news

  • The Times

  • The Sunday Telegraph

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27

What are left-leaning newspapers more likely to publish? What is an example? (Media)

  • The Guardian

  • Publish more factual information?

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28

What was the BBC accused of? What do climate experts argue in response? (Media)

  • False balance in an attempt to provide unbiased discussions.

  • Climate experts argue that reporting should reflect the huge weight of scientific research in favour of climate change.

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29

Who are the strongest opponents to climate change? (Opponents)

  • Energy industries

  • Major oil and gas corporations

  • Mining companies

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30

Why does the energy industry oppose climate change? (Opponents)

  • Vested interest in maintaining the importance of fossil fuels

  • Protecting their profits

  • Believe CO2 restrictions will weaken economic growth and create unemployment.

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31

What is the significance of such opponents to to climate change? (Opponents)

  • Have the resources to influence or manipulate the media and politicians

  • Employ dissident scientists to reinforce their arguments.

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