2015/11/30KMCHAN1 Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept.
of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program Chinese
University email: email: [email protected]@cuhk.edu.hk
Slide 2 2015/11/30KMCHAN2 CONTENTS : 1.Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse
Effect 2.The Impacts of Global Warming 3. Kyoto Protocol 4. What
can we do to help? (IPCC) 12 ( ) Slide 3 2015/11/30KMCHAN3
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm 1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse
Effect Slide 4 2015/11/30KMCHAN4 Atmospheric CO 2 Sinks (Carbon
Fixation) : 1.Photosynthesis 2.Uptake by ocean Sources: 1.Burning
of fossil fuels and organic matters 2.Respiration Other forms of
carbon deposits, e.g. coral, cellulose. 1. Carbon Cycle and
Greenhouse Effect 1. 2. 1. 2. Slide 5 2015/11/30KMCHAN5 1. Carbon
Cycle and Greenhouse Effect Slide 6 2015/11/30KMCHAN6 Major sources
of greenhouse gases: burning of fossil fuels, e.g. vehicle and
power plant emissions. Slide 7 2015/11/30KMCHAN7 Carbon Dioxide
Surge was created by human activities since industrial revolution
1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect ( ) Slide 8 2015/11/30KMCHAN8
1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect Global Carbon Dioxide Surge
leading to global warming. Global Warming = Rapid Increase of
Global Surface Air Temperature Slide 9 2015/11/30KMCHAN9 21 1- 2 2-
6 20 0.6 4 8 surge Slide 10 2015/11/30KMCHAN 10 1. Carbon Cycle and
Greenhouse Effect Global Warming Potentials, GWP, & (stability
in atmosphere) Carbon Dioxide = 1 (?) Methane = 21 (12 year)
Nitrous Oxide = 310 (120 years) CFC-11 = 4,600 (45 years) CFC-12 =
10,600 (100 years)
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html Q What
contributed to the heat energy absorption in molecules in the
atmosphere? Slide 11 2015/11/30KMCHAN11 2. The Impacts of global
Warming Arctic 1979 Arctic 2003 Arctic perennial sea ice has been
diminishing at a rate of 9% per decade. The ice of frozen
freshwater on Greenland melts to dilute and lower the salinity of
the arctic ocean. This would have significant effects (slower or
stop) on the ocean conveyor. Ice from land could raise sea level
Reduced ice from ocean changes currents Slide 12 2015/11/30KMCHAN12
How would the climate change if the Gulf Stream shut down? A shut
down of the Gulf Stream would suddenly decrease the amount of heat
in the North Atlantic, leading to much colder temperatures in
Europe and North America. Slide 13 2015/11/30KMCHAN13 Resting
Migration Reduction of sea ice has impact on populations of marine
mammals, they use ice floes for resting, molting and giving birth.
Even if not killed Bearded Seal Walrus 2. The Impacts of global
Warming Poor Cod Sardine Anchovy Slide 14 2015/11/30KMCHAN14
Flowering , Feeding Predators follow their prey Temporal mismatch
of prey and predator = phenological disjunction non-migratory Great
Tit (Parus major) and migratory Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula
hypoleuca) Reproductive success due to changing availability of
caterpillar food supplies. Also affected by phenological changes of
forest due to climate change and air pollution Parus major Ficedula
hypoleuca 2. The Impacts of global Warming 71% of UK butterfly
species are reported to be declining Slide 15 2015/11/30KMCHAN15
Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, 2006. In
2003, the World Conservation Union's Red List said more than 12,000
species (out of 40,000 assessed) faced some extinction risk,
including one bird in eight, 13% of the world's flowering plants, a
quarter of all mammals. 1/8 1/4 2. The Impacts of global Warming
Slide 16 2015/11/30KMCHAN16 The Impacts of global Warming Reduction
of biodiversity Losing Habitats due to temperature rises Reduction
of freshwater supply trapped in mountains Extreme weathers : more
storms, floods, droughts More diseases Endemic diseases increasing
health risks Unpredictable climate change Buffering power of planet
earth is lowered, leading to unforeseeable climate change leading
to fluctuating economy, e.g. Hurricanes in Mexico Bay are
threatening oil prices to surge, drought lead to depletion of
resources supply, etc 2. The Impacts of global Warming Slide 17
Effects of Global warming Economy Human health Terrestrial life
Marine life Phytopl ankton populat ion Fish population East and
west animal Coral North pole and south pole animals Agriculture
Food supply Climatic change Effects of global warming Slide 18
2015/11/30KMCHAN18 Abstract from the 17th Global Warming
Conference, April, 2006... todays atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
are the highest in 650,000 years. Antarctic climate and
concentrations of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and
methane (CH 4 ) were tightly coupled. CO 2 seemed to be confined
between bounds of about 180 ppmv (parts per million by volume) in
glacial periods and 280 ppmv in inter-glacials; Today is 380 ppmy
and is rising. 180 ppm 280 ppmv 380 ppmv 3. Kyoto Protocol Slide 19
2015/11/30KMCHAN19 The Kyoto Protocol, 1997 Took effect in
February, 2005. Obligates countries to observe target figures for
green house gas reduction. ( 2/05 ) Advanced nations should reduce
emissions of 6 gases by an average of 6-8% (relative to 1990
levels) over the five year period from 2008 to 2012. ( 08-12 90
6-8% ) Kyoto Mechanisms : Scheme for Trading Green House Gas
Emissions Rights and encourage international co-operations to
achieve carbon neutral ( ) 3. Kyoto Protocol Slide 20 History:
Emission Trading Clean Development Mechanism Slide 21
2015/11/30KMCHAN21 CountryTarget (1990** - 2008/2012) EU-15*,
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia,Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Monaco, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland -8% US***-7%
Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland-6% Croatia-5% New Zealand, Russian
Federation, Ukraine 0 Norway+1% Australia+8% Iceland+10% 3. Kyoto
Protocol Slide 22 2015/11/30KMCHAN22 199020002001 United
States4,9895,787 5,692 (5,800 in 2006) Canada473581569
Mexico308364352 United Kingdom600553563 France374401396
Germany995828819 Italy415443445 Netherlands211228248
Japan9871,1381,158 Australia/New Zealand294387398
Russia2,4051,5701,614 China2,2622,861 3,050 (6,200 in 2006)
India561914917 South Korea234425443 Turkey129184 Brazil250343347
Total World21,56323,53623,899 World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by
Region, 1990-2001 (Million Metric Tons Carbon Dioxide) 3. Kyoto
Protocol Slide 23 2015/11/30KMCHAN23 3. Kyoto Protocol Slide 24
History: Emission Trading Slide 25 The global carbon market Slide
26 Carbon dioxide emission trading Since carbon dioxide is the
principal greenhouse gas, people speak simply of trading in carbon.
Carbon is now tracked and traded like any other commodity. This is
known as the "carbon market." Each country and company must set its
own targets (set ceiling) Slide 27 Kyoto Mechanisms: 1.Joint
Implementation or JI 2.Clean Development Mechanism or CDM
3.Emission Trading 2015/11/30KMCHAN27 Slide 28 2015/11/30KMCHAN28
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7120952.stm 2007 UN
Climate Change Conference Result (Kyoto II): Road Map by 2009 for
all countries? 2009 ? 3. Kyoto Protocol Slide 29 2015/11/30KMCHAN29
http://www.ctenergyeducation.com/images/Wedges_Concept_Game_Materials_July05.pdf
Slide 30 Wedge Strategies: Nuclear energy Renewables (e.g. solar,
wind, hydrogen) Biostorage (e.g. forest and soil storage)
Efficiency (reduced miles traveled, increased building and
electricity efficiency) Conservation (reduced transport)
Fossil-Fuel-Based (fuel switching, carbon capture)
2015/11/30KMCHAN30 Slide 31 2015/11/30 KMCHAN 31 A question for you
Leung et al., 2004. Climate Change in Hong Kong. Hong Kong
Observatory Technical Note No.107. HKSAR Government. 41 p. Hong
Kong is hotter than global trend in recent years! Slide 32
2015/11/30KMCHAN32 4. What can we do to help?
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/files/GHG_trend_1990_2005.pdf
Slide 33 2015/11/30KMCHAN33
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/files/GHG_signifacnce_1990_2005.pdf
4. What can we do to help? Slide 34 2015/11/30KMCHAN34 Our Power
Plants are using coal or Natural gas as their major fossil fuel to
generate electricity! HK Electric Plants in Lamma Island. CLP
Plants in Castle Peak. 4. What can we do to help? Gas-fired Plants
under construction Gas-fired Plants planned Scheme of Control
Agreement Slide 35 2015/11/30KMCHAN35 Table of Progress in
Achieving the 2010 Targets 1997 Emission (tonnes) 2005 Emission
(tonnes) Changes 1997-2005 2010 Targets SO 2 64 50084 600+31%-40%
NO X 110 00093 800-15%-20% RSP11 2007 200-36%-55% VOC54 40040
200-26%-55%
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/ehk07/english/air/index.htm#2 Slide
36 2015/11/30KMCHAN36 4. What can we do to help? USE RENEWABLE
ENERGY AND NUCLEAR POWER Slide 37 2015/11/30KMCHAN37 WHAT CAN WE DO
TO HELP ?? Use public transports, build less road and urban area,
etc, to reduce heat island effect. Live a low-carbon life and
practice carbon neutral. Set targets for emission reduction t o cut
energy consumption (e.g. Stop usin g tungsten light bulb, etc).
Conserve rural area and Plant more trees. Practice LOHAS
(life-style of health and sustainability), e.g. 3R. 4. What can we
do to help? Slide 38 2015/11/30KMCHAN38 Summary Carbon dioxide
emission exceeds the normal range and is rising, together with
global temperature ( ) Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal
range and is rising, together with global temperature ( ) The
impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and the situation is getting
worse ( ) The impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and the
situation is getting worse ( ) We are causing global warming and we
have to act on saving our planet earth! We are causing global
warming and we have to act on saving our planet earth! ( ) ( )
Slide 39 2015/11/30KMCHAN39 Further Readings 1.Christianson, Gale
(1999) Greenhouse: The 200- Year Story of Global Warming. Walker
& Company, New York. Penguin Books, 305p. . ( ) 200 2006
2.Flannery, Tim (2006) We Are The Weather Makers, The Story Of
Global Warming. Text Publishing Co., 272p. (2007) ( ) 271 3.Gore,
Al (2006) An Inconvenient Truth. Rodale, Inc., New York, NY., 327p.
4.Houghton, John (2004) Global Warming. Third Ed., Cambridge
University Press, 351p. Slide 40 Discussion: 1.Whats Carbon
neutral? 2.What can we do to achieve Carbon neutral or carbon
compensation? 3.Practicing edge strategies (auditing) and low
carbon living in your school/firm/organization/ at home! 4.Is
carbon tax better than trading? 2015/11/30KMCHAN40
