Climate Change Agreements and Alternative Energy

Climate Change Agreements

  • COP 3 (1997): Outcome - Kyoto Protocol
  • COP 21 (2015): Outcome - Paris Agreement
  • COP 26 (2021): Outcome - Glasgow Climate Pact
  • COP 27 (2022):
    • Established a "loss and damage" fund
    • Focused on reforming climate finance
    • Addressed food security risks
  • COP 28 (2023):
    • Aimed for a global agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner
  • COP 29 (2024): Outcome - Baku Unity Pact

Adaptation vs. Mitigation

  • Adaptation: Improve the ability to cope with or take advantage of unavoidable impacts of climate change

    • Example: Rainwater harvesting

  • Mitigation: Take actions to reduce the severity of climate change

    • Example: Renewable heat and power sources

Types of Alternative Energy

  • Nuclear Power:
    • Pressurized water reactors
  • Solar Energy:
    • Solar panels
  • Wind Power:
    • Wind mills
  • Hydropower:
    • Dams
  • Geothermal Energy:
    • Thermal energy stored in the Earth’s crust
  • Biofuels:
    • Fuel derived from Earth’s plant life

Personal Choices for Alternative Energy

  • Preferred Energy Source: Nuclear Energy
    • Advantages: Releases the least amount of CO₂, creates jobs, reliable, safe
    • Disadvantages: Costly, associated transport can increase CO₂, has a negative public perception

Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

  • SRM: Solar Radiation Management

    • Personal Choice: Brightening marine clouds
    • Advantages: More research available, relatively inexpensive, fast-acting
    • Disadvantages: Potential alteration of precipitation patterns, unintentional warming elsewhere, ecosystem impacts

  • CDR: Carbon Dioxide Removal

    • Personal Choice: Afforestation
    • Advantages: Decreases atmospheric CO₂, increases biodiversity, supports wildlife, prevents soil erosion
    • Disadvantages: Dormancy in winter limits CO₂ reduction, time-consuming, requires significant space

Strategies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

  • Drive responsibly:
    • Stay at the speed limit
    • Minimize idling
    • Avoid aggressive driving
  • Flight considerations:
    • Reduce flight time
    • Consider one-way trips
    • Opt to drive if feasible
  • Insulate older homes to reduce energy loss
  • Unplug unused devices to minimize energy waste
  • Utilize the dishwasher efficiently
  • Wash clothes in cold water to save energy
  • Hang dry clothes when possible to cut down on dryer use