Professor: Ivelin Sardamov Group: Bulganchimeg Bayasgalant Cholpon Aitakhunova

1. Prospects for Major Progress in Global Efforts to Curb the Emission of Greenhouse GassesPOS 333 – International Political EconomyBriefing Note Professor: Ivelin Sardamov Group: Bulganchimeg Bayasgalant Cholpon Aitakhunova Ivelina Atanasova Mirela Apostolova

2. Issue • The concentrations of most of the greenhouse gases have increased since the Industrial Revolution,hence contributing to the global warming • Climate Change-beginning of Global Warming • The world has been emitting greenhouse gases at extremely high rates and has shown only small signs of reducing emissions until the last few years

4. Background • Increased concentration of greenhouse gases causes many environmental problems • Causes: rapid industrial rise of Asian economies (China) • China and US – biggest emitters of greenhouse gases

5. This chart shows how emissions from the major emitting countries contribute to the world total. Together, the 25 countries with the largest GHG emissions accounted for approximately 80% of global emissions in 2005.

6. Current Status and Key Considerations • EU 27 by 2020 by 20 % reduce the EU greenhouse gas emissions • EU proposal to replace the UN Kyoto Protocol (1997) by 2012 • The US plan on reducing emissions 2008-2013 • The US and its economy

7. Essential Elements of a Copenhagen Agreement:The Big Picture Agreement

8. Options: advantages and disadvantages • Hydro power –a renewable energy source. It is one of the most clean and cheapest ways of producing energy but it can also change the flow of rivers and increase sediment which kills fish.  It is a large investment for developing countries. • Wind power –emits no greenhouse gases, but it takes up large amounts of land; noise pollution that the large windmills produce along with the reliability of wind. • Solar power –do not emit any greenhouse gases, but they are very expensive and more development is needed in order for this to be realistic energy source for the future. • Nuclear power –Europe 42%. Nuclear generation provides about 17% of world electricity, avoiding the emission of up to 2.3 billion Mt of CO2 annually. France 76% and Lithuania 85.6%. many experts claim that it is a safe, clean, and reliable source of energy.  Nuclear Fission produces no greenhouse gases but does produce highly toxic radioactive wastes.

9. Conclusions/Recommendations • Political interventions have not been successfully conducted so far and therefore the post-modernistic society should engage in a proactive approach towards the fight against emissions of greenhouse gasses. • Such include: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle; Use water and electricity efficiently; Use Renewable Fuels; Estimate your emissions and take the challenge. • Active involvement in public decision-making is an important way to combat global climate change.

10. Bibliography • ABC News • Agua-Luna http://www.agua-luna.com/40plus.html • Encyclopedia Britannica • Envirolink • European Environment Agency • “Foundation for a Low Carbon Future: Essential Elements of a Copenhagen Agreement”World Resources Institute http://www.wri.org/stories/2009/11/foundation-low-carbon-future-essential-elements-copenhagen-agreement • GHG data from UNFCCC • Greenhouse gas emissions per capita http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/indicator.cfm?IndicatorID=199 • Harris, Richard. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise in China. NPR • League of Women Voters: Curbing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Two Approaches by Eleanor Revelle • McNeil, John. Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the Twentieth Century. Penguin History 2000 • Turton, Hal. Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Industrialized Countries. • US Environmental Protection Agency • US Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)