Mitigation and adaption

• Explain how alternative energy production and planting trees may help to reduce the rate of climate change?

  • Renewable energy sources such as HEP/solar/wind/tidal do not emit large amounts of CO2 [1] Nuclear is another source with little or no release of CO2 [1]
  • Trees act as carbon sinks [1] removing CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis [1] They also release moisture which produces more cloud and reduces incoming solar radiation [1]
• What do global warming and climate change require?

  An international response
• What are the two main types of responses to climate change?

  Adaptation and mitigation
• What is one form of mitigation in climate change?

  • International agreements
  • Alternative energy production
  • Afforestation
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
• When was the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) established?

  1988
• What was the aim of the Earth Summit in Rio 1992?

  To stabilize greenhouse gas levels
• What did the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 require from industrialized countries?

  Reduce emissions below 1990 levels
• Which countries were exempt from the Kyoto Protocol?

  Developing countries like China and India
• Did the USA sign the Kyoto Protocol?

  No, it did not sign
• Why did Canada withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol in 2011?

  It believed the treaty wouldn't work without China and USA
• What is the goal of the Paris Agreement of 2015?

  Limit global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels
• How much should CO2 emissions be reduced by 2050 according to the Paris Agreement?

  At least 60%
• How many countries signed the Paris Agreement?

  196 countries
• What happened to the USA's participation in the Paris Agreement?

  Withdrew in 2020, re-joined in 2021
• What does COP stand for in climate change discussions?

  Conference of the Parties
• How often does the UN hold COP meetings?

  Annually
• Where was COP26 held?

  Glasgow, UK
• What was agreed upon at COP meetings?

  Actions to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• What are some alternative energy sources mentioned in mitigation?

  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Hydroelectric power (HEP)
  • Tidal
  • Geothermal
• What is a disadvantage of renewable energy sources compared to fossil fuels?

  Renewable energy is not as efficient
• What is afforestation?

  Planting trees to remove CO2 from the atmosphere
• What does carbon capture and storage (CCS) do?

  Captures and removes CO2 before emission
• What is a challenge of CCS?

  It is expensive and not economically viable
• What are some ways people can adapt to climate change impacts?

  Change agricultural systems, manage water supplies
• What changes might be needed in agricultural systems due to climate change?

  • Adapt to changing weather patterns
  • Manage different pests and diseases
  • Change crops or livestock
  • Develop drought-resistant crops
  • Use more irrigation
• How can water supplies be managed to adapt to climate change?

  Use water-efficient devices and desalinization
• What are some methods to reduce risks from rising sea levels?

  Construct sea walls and restore mangrove forests
• What is one method of construction to adapt to rising sea levels?

  Building raised homes on stilts
• What is the purpose of flood barriers like the Thames Barrier?

  To protect against flooding