In-Depth Notes on Climate Change

Climate Change Overview

• Various responses to climate change can be organized at different scales, including:
  • International
  • National
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Individual

International Efforts to Combat Climate Change

• 1992: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • Framework for international cooperation to limit global temperature rise and cope with impacts of climate change.
  • Annual meetings known as Conference of Parties (COP).
• 1997: Kyoto Protocol adopted in Kyoto, Japan
  • 192 countries signed, with major exception of the USA.
  • Set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
• 2015: Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 in Paris, France
  • First universal, legally binding climate deal.
  • Goals to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, with each country setting its own emission-reduction targets.
  • Some reporting requirements are binding; target setting is non-binding.

The Kyoto Protocol: Key Details

• First commitment period: 37 industrialized nations and the European Community aimed for a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 5% from 1990 levels by 2012.
• Second commitment period: Aimed for at least an 18% reduction below 1990 levels from 2013-2020, with a different set of participating countries.

Local Government Actions

• Cities for Climate Campaign: Encourages cities to adopt policies for tangible reductions in local GHG emissions and enhance urban sustainability.
  • Over 650 local governments participating globally.
  • Managed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

Climate Change Response Strategies

• Mitigation (reducing emissions) vs. Adaptation (adjusting to impacts). Some measures can encompass both.
• Examples of Potential Mitigation Strategies include:
  • Reduce emissions through renewable energy sources.
  • Enhance carbon sinks like forests.

Ozone Depleting Substances

• Main substances: CFCs, HCFCs, Halons, etc.
• Found in many common products (refrigerators, cleaning agents, etc.).

The Montreal Protocol - 1987

• International treaty aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances.
• Ratified by 197 parties, marking a significant achievement in international climate cooperation.
• Projections indicate a recovery of the ozone layer to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070.

Methane Emissions from Agriculture

• Livestock significantly contribute to methane emissions, leading to research on reducing emissions through dietary changes (e.g., medicines to reduce flatulence in cattle).

Landfill Methane Recovery

• Beare Road Landfill: Example of methane collection from decomposing trash using Landfill Gas-to-Electricity (LFGTE) technology.

Nitrous Oxide Emissions

• Emitted through fertilizers due to microbial processes in soil. Solutions include reducing fertilizer use and improving soil management techniques.

Cap and Trade in Ontario

• Limited tradable emission allowances with an emissions cap that decreases yearly.
• Encourages emissions reduction through market mechanisms.

Promotion of Green Technologies

• Encourage green energy technologies (hybrid cars, solar, wind) and sustainable practices (reduce, reuse, recycle).
• Urban development must focus on sustainability and environmental impact.

Individual Actions to Combat Climate Change

• Students encouraged to reduce their “Carbon Footprint” which represents the total GHG emissions caused by an individual or organization.

Role of Forests in Climate Mitigation

• Increase urban forestry initiatives and replant areas cleared for development to act as carbon sinks.

Adapting to Climate Change

• Awareness initiatives by organizations like UNFCCC to highlight the importance and strategies for adaptation to changing climate conditions.