AICE Environmental Management: Managing Climate Change

Climate Change Overview

8.1 Climate Change

• Greenhouse Gases: Gases that absorb infrared radiation. Common ones include:

  • Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

  • Water vapor (H₂O)

  • Methane (CH₄)

• Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

  • CO₂: Combustion of fossil fuels, decomposition of organic matter.

  • CH₄: Rice fields, livestock, landfills.

  • H₂O: Associated with fossil fuel combustion.

• Enhanced Greenhouse Effect:

  1. Sunlight (infrared radiation) passes through the atmosphere.

  2. Some energy is reflected back into space.

  3. Reflected energy causes greenhouse gas molecules to move rapidly, trapping heat.

  4. Increased greenhouse gases lead to further warming (global warming).

• Monitoring & Predicting Challenges:

  • Limited historical data (ice cores, tree rings).

  • Future predictions depend on complex climate models.

  • Climate feedbacks not fully understood.

  • Time delays between causes and effects.

  • Data uncertainty leads to differing opinions.

8.2 Impacts of Climate Change

• On the Environment:

  • Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.

  • Rising sea levels.

  • Altered ocean and wind circulation.

  • Melting ice (sea ice, ice sheets) and biodiversity shifts.

• On Human Populations:

  • Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (floods, droughts).

  • Damage to properties and threats to life.

  • Forced migrations due to climate impacts.

  • Decreased crop yields and increased pest outbreaks affecting food security.

8.3 Managing Climate Change

• Reduction Strategies:

  1. Lower global carbon footprints (e.g. smaller families, plant-based diets, energy efficient lifestyle).

  2. Reduce reliance on fossil fuels (low-carbon fuels, alternative energy).

  3. Transportation policies (mass transit, cycling incentives).

  4. Carbon capture and storage technologies.

  5. Deforestation reduction; increase reforestation/afforestation.

  6. Promote energy-efficient buildings.

• Adaptation Methods:

  • Relocate coastal communities or build sea walls.

  • Alter river channels to combat saltwater intrusion.

  • Shift agricultural practices to suit new conditions.

  • Improve city planning to manage flood risks.

• Agreements:

  • Kyoto Protocol (1992): Limit GHG emissions.

  • Paris Agreement (2016): Legally binding treaty aiming to limit global warming below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C.

• Geo-engineering Strategies:

  • Solar Radiation Management (SRM): Reflecting sunlight to reduce climate impacts.

  • Techniques:

    • Stratospheric aerosol injection (mimic volcanic cooling by releasing sulfate particles).

    • Marine cloud brightening (increase cloud reflectivity by spraying seawater into clouds).

  • Side Effects of SRM:

  • Potential ozone layer damage.

  • Health risks from added aerosols.