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Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program

Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program Chinese University email: kingchan@cuhk.edu.hk. Global Warming: Its challenges and solutions. CONTENTS: Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect The Impacts of Global Warming 3. Kyoto Protocol

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Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program

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  1. Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program Chinese University email: kingchan@cuhk.edu.hk Global Warming: Its challenges and solutions. KMCHAN

  2. CONTENTS: • Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect • The Impacts of Global Warming • 3. Kyoto Protocol • 4. Act now ! An Inconvenient Truth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XMn_Ry3z6M KMCHAN

  3. http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm Q1 What factors have contributed to surface temperatures of planets? 1. Carbon Cycle & Green House Effects KMCHAN

  4. 1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect Atmospheric CO2 • Sources: • Burning of fossil fuels and organic matters • Respiration • Sinks (Carbon Fixation) : • Photosynthesis • Uptake by ocean Other forms of carbon deposits, e.g. coral, cellulose. KMCHAN

  5. Major sources of greenhouse gases: burning of fossil fuels, e.g. vehicle and power plant emissions. KMCHAN

  6. Green House Gases Reference: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/default.aspx?id=516&terms=carbon+emission+and+coal Downloaded on Nov 24, 2009. KMCHAN

  7. Annual CO2 Emission 2006 Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions Downloaded on Nov 26, 2009, according to International Energy data. KMCHAN

  8. 4 ℃ – 8 ℃ surge in this century Increased 0.6 C in 20th century KMCHAN

  9. 2. The Impacts of global Warming 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. 北極Arctic 1979 Ice from land could raise sea level Reduced ice from ocean changes currents 北極 Arctic2003 KMCHAN

  10. 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. KMCHAN

  11. The Impacts of global Warming • Reduction of Biodiversity • Losing Habitats due to temperature rises • Reduction of freshwater supply trapped in mountains • More Diseases • Endemic diseases increasing health risks • Extreme Weathers more storms, floods, droughts… 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……… KMCHAN

  12. 全球暖化會議摘要Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, 2006. 2. The Impacts of global Warming KMCHAN .. today‘s atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the highest in 650,000 years.  Antarctic climate and concentrations of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were tightly coupled. … CO2 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….

  13. 3. Kyoto Protocol京都協定 KMCHAN Took effect in February, 2005.Obligates countries to observe target figures for green house gas reduction. 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. Kyoto Mechanisms : Scheme for Trading Green House Gas Emissions Rights and encourage international co-operations to achieve carbon neutral 3. Kyoto Protocol

  14. 3. Kyoto Protocol KMCHAN

  15. Kyoto Mechanisms 京 都 機 制 : • Joint Implementation (JI): international cooperation • Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): new technology to cut emissions • Emission Trading (ET): set ceiling to trade KMCHAN 3. Kyoto Protocol

  16. Carbon Market for Carbon dioxide emission trading Carbon Tax ? 3. Kyoto Protocol

  17. http://en.cop15.dk/ • In the US, the American Clean Energy & Security Act (July 7, 2009; 219>212 in House of Commons) would charge carbon tax for all imports to US in 2010. Beginning in 2012, emissions would be capped at 3 % below 2005 levels increasing to 17 % below 2005 levels in 2020 and 83 % below 2005 levels in2050. • In EU, the target is 20 or even 30 % reduction in 2020 of 1990 level !! Renewable energy targets at 20% share in 2020. • In France, carbon tax of 14 euro per kg carbon dioxide to be charged in 1/1/2010. • Low carbon business had expanded 75% in 2008 during the economic tsunami. Hopenhagen? KMCHAN

  18. 4.ACT NOW! HK Hong Kong is hotter than global trend in recent years (since 90’s)! Why?? global Leung et al., 2004. Climate Change in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Observatory Technical Note No.107. HKSAR Government. 41 p. KMCHAN

  19. http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/climate_change/files/GHG_Emission_Trend_1990_2007.pdfhttp://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/climate_change/files/GHG_Emission_Trend_1990_2007.pdf 60% GHG Emission is from Power Stations KMCHAN

  20. WHAT CAN YOUDO TO HELP ?? • REDUCE CITY HEAT: Use public transports, build less road and urban area, etc, to reduce heat island effect. • LOW CARBON LIVING: Live a low-carbon life and practice carbon neutral. Set targets for emission reduction to cut energy consumption (e.g. Stop using tungsten light bulb, etc). Start your carbon audit NOW. • PLANT MORE TREES: Conserve rural area and Plant more trees. KMCHAN

  21. Wedge Strategies: Substitutions: Reduction • 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 with mass transit systems) • Fossil-Fuel-Based fuel switching(natural gas), biogas, and carbon capture KMCHAN

  22. The Wedge Game http://www.ctenergyeducation.com/images/Wedges_Concept_Game_Materials_July05.pdf KMCHAN

  23. Summary KMCHAN Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal range and is rising, together with global temperature The impacts are visible and the situation is getting worse We are causing global warming and we have to act on saving our planet earth! Fossil fuels are NOT unlimited, we need a sustainable energy policy: carbon tax, carbon trading, nuclear energy, and renewable energy.

  24. Discussions: KMCHAN What’s Carbon neutral? What can we do to achieve Carbon neutral or carbon compensation? Practicing wedge strategies (auditing) and low carbon living in your school/firm/organization/ at home! Is carbon tax better than carbon trading?

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