Chapter 2: Greenhouse gases

GreenHouse Gases: Warmer Isn't Better

Greenhouse gases...we know this is BAD climate change: a change in climate patterns as a result of human activity (a.k.a. global warming) anthropogenic: human induced "climate change is anthropogenic" Humans accept this fact, but what is done to avoid it ???

Implications

Climate change is going to have major sociological consequences.... These consequences will affect the following: urban areas food security children, women, and elderly climate change refugees  

Urban Areas

Urban areas is an indication of growing areas  this means more people more than 50% of the world's population lives in an urban area it is not only the environment that affect urban areas, but also the ability of the city and such to adapt and rebound from said events  

informal settlement:  unplanned/illegal housing and/or not compliant with building code heat island effect: area that is significantly warmer due to human activity low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ): areas within 10 meters of mean sea level   See pages 24-25 for chart and statistics

Food Security

abject poverty: a severe state of poverty Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): international accepted authority to provide scientific assessments on issues relating to climate change Future climate change will affect crops...CROP FAILURES! the most affected will be those dependent on agriculture...most namely the poor. The poor get the most trouble from climate change even though they are the least responsible :(    

Children, Women, and the Elderly

During extreme environmental events, the highest rates of deaths are amongst women, children, and the elderly :( (look at page 28 for a figure that shows how they are most vulnerable) Climate change = fluctuations in weather = extreme hot/cold weather = more death among the vulnerable  This is a group that is very vulnerable to climate changes and the after effects, which are complex and socially based

Climate Change Refugees

Climate change refugees: those forced out of their homes due to changes in the weather. adaptation: changes made to adjust sociological systems to respond to predicted climate changes in order to reduce negative effects the developing world hosts the majority of refugees It can take years for refugees to reintegrate into a new area  Effects of refugees: -Competition over resources -Ethnic Tension  -Fault lines (job availability) -Weak states (political tension)

Solutions

Mitigation - lessening out greenhouse gas footprint  

Environmental Movements Matter

Politics and collective action actually can aid in sustainability, but only if we choose to participate DO NOTHING AND WE INCREASE "anthropogenic environmental stress" Don't simply leave all our mess on the "little guys" Listen to eco-advice  Refer to page 32 for further context.

17 Pragmatic Behavioral Changes

Weatherization HVAC (central heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems) and equipment Low-flow showerheads Efficient water heater appliances low rolling resistance tires Fuel-efficient vehicle laundry temperature water heater temperature  

standby electricity thermostat setbacks line drying change HVAC air filters Tune up air conditioner Routine auto maintenance Driving behaviors Carpooling

Green Building

The US building sector consumes about 48% of all energy in the country Green building can drastically reduce this percentage. this means solar panels, good insulation, natural lighting, etc. As a positive result, could cause cost-efficiency for employers in the long run! Future would see less economic/ecologic stress!!!!!  

Geoengineering, Carbon Markets & Offsets

Geoengineering (climate engineering) - activities designed to effect a change that reverses anthropogenic climate change Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - a international legally binding treaty that entered into force in 1993, its goal is to conserve biological diversity, resources, and fair/equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. the question is: does geoengineering solve anything? Or is it only a temporary resolution? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cap and Trade - regulatory programs that cap harmful greenhouse gases Kyoto Protocol - a UN treaty signed in 1997 that requires its signatories to reduce greenhouse gas emissions carbon offsetting - buying "carbon credits" to offset the carbon footprint carbon credit - a permit that allows for the (limited) use of carbon in an area Carbon offsetting may not be the most efficient way to reduce the carbon footprint, in fact it may just be doing the opposite. See pages 41-42 for a detailed description on this theory

Important Concepts

adaptation and mitigation climate change refugees  costs of action versus inaction human-induced climate change stabilization triangle vulnerable populations