...Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming Evaluation Jennifer Marshall ECO/370 September 2, 2013 Ronda Jantz The Kyoto Protocol was an international treaty that was proposed to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions with legally binding signatures and expectation of ratification by industrialized countries especially. However, being an international treaty, compliance or ratification is not required but suggested in order to mitigate the global climate change that is occurring. Climate being the characteristic condition of the earth’s atmosphere over a specific area of the planet for a long period of time can be in fact altered by activities of man-kind that consist of burning fossil fuels and deforestation. Since the industrial revolution, fossil fuels and other greenhouse gas emissions such as methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone depleting substances have increased in the atmosphere to the point of altering the composition and increasing the global temperature by “about 1.1 degree F over just the last 30 years” (New England Aquarium, 2013). This is the concept of global climate change. The increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases need to be mitigated. “In 2007, the IPCC published a series of scenarios ranging from “business as usual/no actions taken” to “aggressive actions taken” to reduce climate change. Models based on these scenarios from the IPCC 2007 report predict that average global surface temperatures will likely...
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...Edwards Plateau Aquifer Kathryn Matthews University of Phoenix Through time and the history of the Earth, many events have shaped the land and regions we all, as humans, know so well. One thing is certain, without the resources of our planet home, we would not survive. The natural resources of, air, plants and animal life for food, water, Sunshine, and the Earth and land, we are able to live and breed to continue onward. In this presentation, the element of water resources will be explored and given a voice and praise. We will look at one water source, in particular, the Edwards Plateau Aquifer. This Aquifer developed over millions of years’ time, to be the faithful water supplier we all know in Texas. The water is naturally cycled through limestone and still needs some treatment after it has been in the ground in this matrix of limestone rock beneath. This water supplies many towns and cities in the region and spans thirteen counties. It is fed by rivers, creeks, and tributaries along the distance (Eckhardt, 2011). Because of the cracks, faults, fractures, sinkholes, and caves, the rivers and streams too, can be contaminated carrying the pollutants to the recharge zone, therefore it must be checked often for quality control. The Edwards Aquifer Authority, along with other groups, like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Geological...
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...Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming Evaluation Ron Lewis ECO/370 November 10, 2014 Ronda Jantz Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming Evaluation Introduction of Global Climate Change In this paper we will research, come to know and understand the causes and effects of global warming and global climate change. We will also come to know and understand the Kyoto Protocol. Let’s first look at the meaning of the words global warming and global climate change. Global warming is an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect (Global Warming, 2014). Global climate change is changes in the earth's weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth's atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide (Global Climate Change, 2014). Earth's average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century, and is projected to rise another 2 to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Small changes in the average temperature of the planet can translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate and weather (Basics of Global Climate Change, 2014). Global climate change is a really big issue in the world today, and trying to fight it is an ever bigger issue. The question is, can we fight it and how? Contrast the costs and benefits of combating Global Climate Change The benefits...
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...Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming Evaluation xxxxxx ECO-370 April 21, 2014 Xiaobing Shuai Kyoto Protocol and Global Warming Evaluation Surface temperature of the earth has been an indicator of threatening critical concern. The principle of a greenhouse is that the enclosing glass or plastic allows the passage of incoming sunlight, but traps a portion of the reflected infrared radiation, which warms the interior of the greenhouse above the outside temperature (Field & Field, 2009, p. 430). This reaction encloses greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere that cause an increase in temperature in earth’s surface, in which is known as global warming. Based on this chemical reaction, it creates a global climate change on planet earth that changes meteorological patterns in each region. Costs and benefits from industrialized countries Due to a higher economic standing in industrialized countries, such as the United States and Europe we have larger amounts of pollution discharges that contribute to global climate change. Major issues related to costs with the intent to reduce global climate change include: what methods to adopt in various countries to meet the performance required by the agreements and how to share the overall costs among the participating countries (Field & Field, 2009, p. 456). These are cost-effective measures that countries can substantially decrease of the overall program. In accordance with Field & Field (2009), “The benefits accruing to any particular...
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...superseded individual societies. Resultantly, there have been countless efforts of working towards pragmatic solutions to environmental concerns by means of global governance as an international collective. “The distinct characteristics of global governance lies in the assumption that the effective handling of problems is no longer the exclusive responsibility of government but of joint activities by governments, international and supranational institutions.” This understanding of global interconnectedness has incited the creation of numerous organizations, institutions and international environmental initiatives, specifically the Kyoto Protocol. However, environmental impediments have not seen notable improvements and can be attributed to the flaws of global environmental governance. Firstly, contributing to the failure of environmental policies is the ineffective structure of the Kyoto Protocol. Furthermore, with the rise of globalization, neoliberal ideals have prioritized market successes at the detriment of the environment and international environmental initiatives. Lastly, the international environmental governing body of the United Nations Environment Programme (herein referred to as UNEP) lacks legitimacy, organization and corroborated influence. This paper asserts the fundamental flaws and failures of environmental global governance in efforts of controlling and improving environmental degradation. Although there have been many initiatives taken to...
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...Ouari SEKKOUM 05/03/2012 GLOBAL WARMING: A THREAT TO THE PLANET. Human activity is subjected to weather major upheavals. The evaluation of all information related to climate change is effected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). According to their latest report of 2007, global warming is unequivocal because it appears with evidence in the observation of the increase in global average temperatures of the atmosphere and ocean, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising average sea level. The high concentration of greenhouse gases generated by human activities cause global warming. Their concentration in the atmosphere keeps increasing since the beginning of the industrial era. If today, the state of scientific knowledge and models used by climatologists cannot make fine predictions at the regional level, they predict the overall global large developments that need expect. However, predictions regarding human and environmental consequences are alarmist: disturbance of Gulf Stream, wildfires, ice caps thaw, disappearance of plant and animal species, decrease of water resources, increased flood risk, droughts, forced migration of population, resurgence of diseases…the reality of the risk and the phenomenon is now almost a consensus. The economic, political, social, environmental, even moral stakes, being major, they arouse numerous debates, on an international scale, as well as controversies. Governments...
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... Other effects of climate change that continue to be experienced include increased frequency of droughts, decrease in crop productivity, water stress and the rising of sea levels. The problem is that these effects of climate change are predicted to worsen since the global average temperature continues to increase. Governments have set and embarked on a global goal, aimed at limiting the degree of warming to below 2oC above pre-industrial levels by 2100. From a scientific standpoint, it is unfortunate that there continues to be a significant gap between the actualities of global emissions, and the level of mitigation on climate change that is required to stay below 2oC by 2020 (Bowen and Ranger, 16). From a political and philosophical context, there are actions and commitments for both the short and long-terms, which had been agreed upon in previous conferences such as Copenhagen 2009, and agreements such as the Bali Road Map of 2007 that have been delayed. Also, there has been the withdrawal of key governments such as Canada and other rich industrialized countries from international agreements. According to UNCCD (9), after years of negotiation regarding key climate change plans such as the Kyoto Protocol, Long-term Cooperative Action (LCA) and Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), governments have failed to agree...
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...Economics of Climate Change Sachin Sharma 11060221060 Research Supervisor: Mrs. Sukalpa Chakrabarti A Dissertation Submitted in the Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics (2011 - 2014) Symbiosis School of Economics CONSTITUENT OF SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (Established Under Section 3 Of The UGC Act 1956, By Notification No F9-12/2001-U.3 Of Government Of India) EXAMINERS’ CERTIFICATE This is to certify that the dissertation titled ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE submitted by has been assessed and graded towards the partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of Science (Economics) in the academic year 2011-14. ____________________________ (Signature) Name of Internal Examiner: _________________________________________ ____________________________ (Signature) Name of External Examiner: _________________________________________ Date: Time: Place: Symbiosis School of Economics CONSTITUENT OF SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (Established Under Section 3 Of The UGC Act 1956, By Notification No F9-12/2001-U.3 Of Government Of India) Submission Checklist | Tick the field on the left of the list | | INITIAL PRECONTENT MATTER | | Filled in all fields on the title page. | | Filled in the acknowledgments page. | | Filled in the executive summary page. Dissertation abstract is fewer than 350 words. | PAGE NUMBERS | | No page number...
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...trends of the 2011 state and trends of the 2011 Environment Department This report was prepared by a World Bank team comprising of Nicholas Linacre, Alexandre Kossoy and Philippe Ambrosi, with important contributions from Manelle Aït Sahlia, Veronique Bishop, Benoît Bosquet, Christophe de Gouvello, Taisei Matsuki and Monali Ranade. 2 | State and Trends of the Carbon Market 2010 New Approach for the 2011 Report With the goal of providing a comprehensive discussion of the issues that most affected the carbon market in 2010, the authors of last year’s report have restructured State and Trends of the Carbon Market for 2011. The report still provides an overview of the size and reach of the carbon markets, as well as the evolution of the Kyoto flexibility mechanisms, and offers potential supply/demand scenarios for coming years. However, it no longer includes a detailed breakdown of carbon transactions, as in previous years. Instead, the report provides a more in-depth analytical discussion of the regulation and policy issues that will guide future carbon market development. The findings and opinions expressed in this report are the sole responsibility of the authors and should not be cited without permission. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank Group, its Executive Directors, the countries they represent or of any of the participants in the carbon funds or facilities managed by the World Bank. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data...
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...The concern of the relationship between international trade and the environment can date back to the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment in early 1970s (UN,1972). As the international trading activities increase in both frequency and magnitude, the relationship between world trade and environmental conservation becomes closer and closer. The extent of globalisation is now spreading across every parts of the world. At present, human is facing an important yet complicated problem climate change. In order to address this problem and promote sustainable development, the globalisation becomes a key focus. As one of the drivers of globalisation, international trade receives more public awareness than before. Nowadays, whether or not the trade-driven globalisation conflicts with preservation of the environment and natural resources environmental is a controversial topic (Heywood, 2014). However, in this essay I will argue that promoting globalisation through international trade creates both conflicts and opportunities to conservation of the environment and natural resources. From an economic point of view, both world trade and environmental protection are important because they are the essential for promoting sustainable development, due to this reason it is possible to reconcile their continued levels. Hence, addressing the conflicting aspects and maximising the opportunities between them are necessary. After discussing the relationships, I will also give the relevant...
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...Green Technologies for 2020 In recent history, human activities have significantly added to global greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Current carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere are reaching concentrations of 393 ppm (parts per million), the highest it’s been for the last 800,000 years. Unfortunately, most laymen are not able to understand or relate to what 393 ppm means. To explain briefly, most adults will probably remember from science class that the atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, with carbon dioxide contributing 0.03%. However, at 393 ppm, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is now closer to 0.04%, which means a 25% increase in overall levels. And most shockingly, this increase in CO2 levels is largely irreversible. Scientists and policymakers worldwide are working toward halting the increase in CO2 levels, but the likelihood of reversing carbon dioxide levels back to 0.03% is almost nil. So what does all this mean? The most noticeable trend is the slow and steady increase in global temperatures, with the last decade (2001 to 2010) having some of the hottest years on record. The hotter temperatures have in turn affected global climate patterns, which has led to more severe floods, draughts, snowstorms, and so on. (Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis are not a result of higher carbon dioxide levels). The severity in losses and damage is further compounded by increasing population growth and urbanization,...
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...Climate Change and its Effects on Accounting Practices William Conder Accounting 5233 November 26, 2013 Abstract in Climate change is a subject that invokes many different opinions and reactions from different people in different regions. Although there is a general consensus in the scientific and environmental advocate communities as to that the worldwide climate is changing, specifically warming, and that the activities of man are the primary cause, as for the degree of change and the possible effects, there is anything but a consensus. There is a fairly new concept that is taught in many businesses, colleges, and universities called the triple bottom line. This is referring to the three things that businesses should concern themselves with and strive to achieve excellence in if they wish to be sustainable; they are “profit, people, and the planet” (Elkington, 1995). The purpose of this research is to find out and explore some different ways that businesses today are utilizing good sustainability practices, and dive into some other areas like accounting for carbon emissions, and also seeing how accounting for predicted outcomes might work in the business environment. The environment affects us all and any sort of change, contingency, or preparation has to be accounted for, so this work is designed to find out how it is being done, and things that could be done to improve business. The triple bottom line The age old practice of businesses being concerned strictly with...
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...Providing clean and secure energy supplies Stimulating clean development through EU emissions trading Promoting sustainable forestry Assisting developing countries through climate research 5 10 14 17 20 22 24 Introduction As the world’s largest donor of development assistance, the European Union is strongly committed to supporting developing countries in the fight against poverty, the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals and the promotion of sustainable development. Combating climate change, one of the gravest challenges facing mankind, forms an integral part of this agenda. The EU is actively pursuing this objective, both multilaterally through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and its...
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...GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGIME DESCRIPTION The following paper is going to investigate, analyze and evaluate the Global Environmental Regime, topic that is included within the discipline of Global Governance. Najam, Papa and Taiyab (2006, p. 3) define the global environmental regime as “the sum of organizations, policy instruments, financing mechanism, rules, procedures and norms that regulate the processes of global environmental protection”. Nowadays, it has increased the importance of this sector in global governance, in which different actors are involved. Biermann (2004) states that global environmental regime is characterised as a multi-actor governance system where the non-state organisations have a large influence. Biermann (2004) highlights some actors such as nongovernmental lobbying as activist groups, business associations and policy research institutes; networks of scientist; the influence of mayor companies; intergovernmental organizations; and supra-national institutions (OCDE). EVALUATION Global environmental regime is an immature regime. In this section it is going to be analysed the main global governance gaps and what is their weaknesses. According to Fauchald (2010) the weaknesses of the regime are: 1. Environmental indicators still deteriorating despite the efforts of different actors. 2. Lack of coordination among the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs). It is a problem the lack of common tools and the developing of a common strategy...
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...Study of Japanese Experiences es on Sustainable Urban Development el including Pollution Control and Management, Resource/Energy Efficiency and GHG Reductiion o GH FINAL REPORT T February 2011 y THE WORLD BANK JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY STUDY OF JAPANESE EXPERIENCES ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING POLLUTION CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT, RESOURCE / ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND GHG REDUCTION FINAL REPORT The First East Asia Eco2 Program, including this study, was funded by the Cities Alliance through a non-core contribution of the Japanese Government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the World Bank February 2011 ALMEC CORPORATION TABLE OF CONTENTS MAIN TEXT 1 SUMMARY 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Context of the Study....................................................................................................... 1-1 Study Objectives ............................................................................................................ 1-2 Analytical Framework of the Eco2 Initiative.................................................................... 1-3 Urban Development Process, Urban Management, and Environmental Initiatives in Japan.......................................................................................................................... 1-5 Responses of Stakeholders ........................................................................................... 1-8 Lessons from Japanese Experiences...
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