Upload
naomi-gilbert
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Climate Change
October 29, 2007
By: Mr. Slater (Ms. Slater’s father-in-law)
The Greenhouse Effect
CO2 Levels are More Than 30% Higher Than Pre-industrialized Levels
*
* *******
****
**
** * * * *
** ** * * ** ** * * * *
900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000260
280
300
320
340
360
380
CO
2 C
once
ntra
tion
(ppm
v)
372ppm in 2002
Greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere are now at levels unprecedented in at least the past 400,000 years
The Carbon Cycle
What is a Carbon Sink?
Green House Gases (GHGs)
Carbon Dioxide Methane Nitrous oxide Sulphur hexafluoride Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) Perflurocarbons
Up to 20,000 times more potent than CO2
Come from diverse sources: from wetlands and cow burps to transportation and industry
Average Global Temperature Has Increased by Approximately 0.60 Since the Late 19th Century
Temperature Patterns in Canada will Change Substantially by 2050
What are GCM’s?
Number of days above 300 C
Heat Waves in Canadian Cities are Expected to Become More Frequent
… and warmer weather means the possible arrival of exotic diseases
Much of Canada’s Coastline is Sensitive to Sea-level Rise
… and melting sea ice has implications for Arctic sovereignty
The General Effects
• Higher temperatures will effect eco-systems• Flooding of coastal areas• Storms more severe and frequent• Floods and Droughts
Floods
Lightning damage
Ecologicaldisaster
Wind damage
Structural damage
Loss oflife
Extreme Events Can Cause Many Types of Disasters
Fires
The Risk of Forest Fires Will Increase
Coastal Erosion Means Buildings, Roads and Railways Will Have to be Moved
…and Finally There are Small Risks of Impacts of Catastrophic Proportions
Primary Sources of GHGs
Burning fossil fuels Industry Transportation
Refrigeration systems Deforestation Agriculture and livestock Volcanoes
The problem is not just about increasing sources, but also the reduction of ‘sinks’
Not Just Warming
Some places will experience cooling
Longer Growing Season
Animals winter outside
Changes in water distribution – flooding and
droughts
Melting glaciers and rising sea level
Spread of Tropical Diseases
Storms will be more frequent and more violent
Impacts of Climate Change
Impacts are felt on many different scales Local – urban heat Regional – Arctic, Prairies, Maritimes National – Becomes a warmer country Global – Environmental refugees
Impacts in Other Countries Have Implications for Canada
Environmental refugees 3 billion more in water stressed regions 200 million more displaced by sea level rise 80 million more malnourished
Offshore disasters Financial assistance Peace making/keeping
International conflict over dwindling natural resources Darfur (Sudan)
State of Play of Climate Change
Science is clear – serious problem that needs to be dealt with immediately
Must be dealt with at global level Emission reductions can take place anywhere
in world Global Convention 1992 Kyoto Protocol 1997 Protocol ratified in 2002, in effect 2003
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
850
900
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Kyoto Target -6%: 571 Mt
Projected 2010 Business as Usual Emissions:809 Mt
1990 Emissions: 607 Mt
Business as Usual “Kyoto Gap”: 270 Mt
Mil
lio
n t
on
nes
(M
t)
CO
2 eq
uiv
alen
t
2001 Emissions:
720 Mt
Canada’s “Kyoto Gap”Climate Change Plan
… and Canada is Furthest From its TargetP
er
cen
t d
iffe
ren
ce b
etw
ee
n 2
00
2 e
mis
sio
ns
an
d K
yoto
ta
rge
ts
*These countries have reached or surpassed their Kyoto target in 2002 but in France and the United Kingdom emissions started to increase in 2002
So What is Needed?
New sources of energy
New technologies
New ways of doing business
Responsible extraction and use of resources
New social/community values
Regulations, taxes, trade in emissions
Incentives, rewards, recognition
Leadership
What Has Happened Since Kyoto?
Main elements of program in place but very slow implementation
Conservative government backed out but now is legally obligated to follow-up on Kyoto commitments
30% increase in CO2 emissions
Commissioner on Environment and Sustainable Development “Achieving success on a problem as
pervasive as climate change demands that all levels of government, industry and business groups, science, academia, and civil society organizations collaborate.”
“…developing and deploying new technology will play a key role in building a healthier and more sustainable future. Canadians will have the opportunity to contribute and compete at home and globally.”
Johanne Gelinas, 2006 Commissioners Report to Parliament
Canada’s Clean Air Plan (Oct 2006) New baseline of 2003
Intensity targets up to 2020
Emission caps for sectors 2020 to 2030
National target 45-65% reduction by 2050
Kyoto not mentioned
Canada subject to Kyoto penalties
Good enough?
Takeaways
Climate change is real and already
happening
“greatest challenge to humanity this century”
Global approach essential but Canada not
pulling its weight
Technology is seen as being integral to
combat climate change
Full long-term consequences unknown
The End