3.A - why is there a debate on climate change?

Question 1

the history of the global warming debate - 1820s

Answer 1

• greenhouse effect discovered by french physicist Joseph Fourier

Question 2

the history of the global warming debate - 1862

Answer 2

• John Tyndall suggested certain gases
• like water vapour and CO2
• trapped heat escaping from the earth’s atmosphere

Question 3

the history of the global warming debate - 1896

Answer 3

• swedish scientist Svente Arrhenius observed that CO2 is an absorber of long wave radiation emitted by earth
• also showed that a doubling of CO2 = increased avg. global temps by 5-6C

Question 4

the history of the global warming debate - 1938

Answer 4

• discussion lasted for several decades
• until Guy Callender linked global warming to emissions of CO2 from burning fossil fuels
• at time there was little interest in his assertion
• as people believed excess CO2 would be absorbed by oceans

Question 5

the history of the global warming debate - 1957

Answer 5

• this view changed dramatically = Hans Suess and Roger Revelle
• discovered a complex chemical process which limited the capacity of oceans to absorb CO2
• this mean that the residence time of CO2 in the atmosphere was much longer than previously thought

Question 6

the history of the global warming debate - 1958

Answer 6

• accurate measurements of global atmospheric CO2
• database provided incontrivertible proof that CO2 conc in atmosphere is increasing
• trend known as the Keeling curve
• atmospheric CO2 is at highest level for 700,000 yrs

Question 7

the history of the global warming debate - 1970

Answer 7

• debate continued
• satellite imagery and computer modelling advanced, revealing that human activites were main cause

Question 8

the history of the global warming debate - 1988

Answer 8

• IPCC set up international panel on climate change

Question 9

what is Greta Thunberg’s role in the climate change debate?

Answer 9

• act as a voice for young people
• fuel the debate and get young people to change

Question 10

what 5 pieces of evidence are in favour of the idea of humans warming our climate (warmists)?

Answer 10

1. the 2010 Anderegg study found that 98% of climate researchers publishing most actively in their field agree that human activity is primarily responsible for global climate change
2. dramatic changes in precipitation, such as heavier storms and less snow, are another sign that humans are causing climate change
3. rising levels of human produced gases released into the atmosphere create a greenhouse effect that traps heat and causes global warming
4. avg temperatures on earth have increased at a rate far faster than can be explained by the models of natural climatic factors alone
5. about a quarter of the globe’s glacial loss from 1851-2010, and approximately 2/3 of glacial loss between 1991-2010 is attributable directl yto global warming caused by human-produced GHGs.

Question 11

how many climate researchers believe climate change is human caused?

Answer 11

the 2010 Anderegg study found that 98% of climate researchers publishing most actively in their field agree that human activity is primarily responsible for global climate change

Question 12

how do weather changes indicate that humans are at fault for climate change?

Answer 12

dramatic changes in precipitation, such as heavier storms and less snow, are another sign that humans are causing climate change

Question 13

how do rising levels of GHGs indicate that humans are at fault for climate change?

Answer 13

rising levels of human produced gases released into the atmosphere create a greenhouse effect that traps heat and causes global warming

Question 14

how do rising temps indicate that humans are at fault for climate change?

Answer 14

avg temperatures on earth have increased at a rate far faster than can be explained by the models of natural climatic factors alone

Question 15

how does glacial loss indicate that humans are at fault for climate change?

Answer 15

about a quarter of the globe’s glacial loss from 1851-2010, and approximately 2/3 of glacial loss between 1991-2010 is attributable directl yto global warming caused by human-produced GHGs.

Question 16

what 5 pieces of evidence are against the idea of humans warming our climate?

Answer 16

1. in 2010 Cliamte Depot released a report featuring more than 1000 scientists, several of them former UN IPCC scientists, who disagreed that humans are primarily responsible for global climate change. changes in solar and volcanic activity are often cited as being contributors
2. earth’s climate has always warmed and cooled, and the 20th century rise in global temperature is w/in the bounds of natural temp fluctuations over the past 3000 yrs
3. CO2 is already saturated in earth’s atmosphere, and more CO2, manamde or natural, will have little impact on climate
4. the IPCC predicted that Himalayan glaciers would likely melt away by 2035, a prediction they disavowed in 2010. in 2014 a study of 2181 himalayan glaciers from 2000-2011 showed that 86.6% of the glaciers were not receeding
5. increased hurrican activity and other extreme weather events are a result of natural weather patterns, not human caused climate change.

Question 17

how did the Climate Depot suggest that climate change is natural?

Answer 17

• in 2010 Cliamte Depot released a report featuring more than 1000 scientists, several of them former UN IPCC scientists, who disagreed that humans are primarily responsible for global climate change.
• changes in solar and volcanic activity are often cited as being contributors

Question 18

how does the earth’s climate suggest that climate change is natural?

Answer 18

earth’s climate has always warmed and cooled, and the 20th century rise in global temperature is w/in the bounds of natural temp fluctuations over the past 3000 yrs

Question 19

how does CO2 saturation suggest that climate change is natural?

Answer 19

CO2 is already saturated in earth’s atmosphere, and more CO2, manamde or natural, will have little impact on climate

Question 20

how do the IPCC suggest that climate change is natural?

Answer 20

the IPCC predicted that Himalayan glaciers would likely melt away by 2035, a prediction they disavowed in 2010. in 2014 a study of 2181 himalayan glaciers from 2000-2011 showed that 86.6% of the glaciers were not receeding

Question 21

how does extreme weather suggest that climate change is natural?

Answer 21

increased hurrican activity and other extreme weather events are a result of natural weather patterns, not human caused climate change.

Question 22

how is the UN a part of the climate change debate?

Answer 22

• the UN is an international organisation set up in 1945 and made up of 193 member states with the key aim of promoting international cooperation
• the UN has created a Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• initially this met in RIo de Janeiro in 1992 then Kyoto in 1997

Question 23

how is the kyoto protocol important?

Answer 23

• the kyoto protocol is especially important as it set legally binding targets for countries to reduce their emissions
• there were 92 initially party to the Kyoto protocol
• although Australia and the USA didn’t ratify the treaty

Question 24

what did the Kyoto protocol involve?

Answer 24

• during Kyoto protocol legally binding targets were set for 37 industrialised countries and the EU member states to reduce emissions of GHG by an average of 5% below their 1990 levels by 2012
• this first phase entered into force (after much discussion) in 2005
• during a second commitment period (2013-2020), parties committed to reduce GHG emissions by at least 18% below 1990 levels in the 8yr period
• however the composition of parties in the second committment period is different from the first, with Canada, Japan and Russia pulling out

Question 25

what are the 3 main mechanisms set during the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 25

1. international emissions trading (carbon credits)
2. clean development mechanisms - projects in developing nations
3. joint implementation - covers projects in mostly NICs

Question 26

what was actually agreed at COP26 - kyoto protocol

Answer 26

• the legally binding protocol demands an avgd 5% cut in GHG emissions from the industrialised world as a whole by 2012
• each country has been set its own individual targets based on its pollution levels
• growing/developing countries are outside the framework
• even for countries that agreed to sign up, meeting the goals could be difficult
• canada has no clear plan for reaching targets (its emissions have increased by 20% since 1990)

Question 27

why was it so crucial for Russia to join the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 27

• russia ratified the treaty in 2004
• its entry was vital because the protocol had to be ratified by countries accounting for at least 55% of global GHG emissions to be valid.
• the target was only met after russia joined

Question 28

how is the EU a part of the climate change debate?

Answer 28

• the EU is leading the way in tackling climate change and has put together a comprehensive package of measures to reduce GHG emissions
• the most well known/successful is the Emissions Trading System (ETS)

Question 29

what is the ETS?

Answer 29

• the Emissions Trading System (ETS) is a cap and trade scheme limiting emissions from 11,000 high polluting industries across 27 EU countries
• which works by giving incentives for a reduction in carbon emissions and penalising heavy polluting industries and sectors
• it covers 45% of total EU emissions including power stations and industries such as steel works
• it is targeting a 21% reduction in emissions
• member states also have targets for expanding the contribution of reneweables to national energy production and for improvements in energy efficiency

Question 30

what do National Emissions Reduction targets cover?

Answer 30

• National Emissions Reduction targets cover the remaining 55% of GHG emissions after the ETS, mainly from agriculture, housing, waste and transport

Question 31

what are the 4 aspects of the UK govt climate change strategy?

Answer 31

• set carbon budgets
• low carbon technologies
• carbon taxes
• reduced demand for energy

Question 32

how are SETTING CARBON BUDGETS a part of the UK climate change strategy?

Answer 32

• five year periods
• as stepping stones towards the 2050 target
• for ex, the reduction targets for the period 2013-2017 and 2018-22 are 29% and 35% respectively

Question 33

how are LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES a part of the UK climate change strategy?

Answer 33

• investing in LCT such as carbon capture and storage
• and encouraging the growth of renewables (e.g. wind, solar, biomass) by offering subsidies and reducing GHG emissions from power stations

Question 34

how are CARBON TAXES a part of the UK climate change strategy?

Answer 34

• to switch electricity generation from coal to greener fuels
• in 2014, there were just 10 coal fired power stations in the UK but they were responsible for 1/5 of UK carbon emissions
• introduced in 2013, taxed carbon emissions started at £16/tonne, with a planned rise to £70/t in 2030
• in 2015 the tax was frozen at £18/t amind concers about electricity cost to consumers
• 3 of the UK’s remaining coal fired stations closed 2015/16 due in part to carbon tax and low global energy prices
• carbon taxes have been levied on vehicle CO2 emissions since 2002

Question 35

how is REDUCING DEMAND FOR ENERGY a part of the UK climate change strategy?

Answer 35

• using domestic smart meters
• promoting energy efficiency (e.g. insulation in buildings) and decreasing GHG emissions from transport to agriculutre

Question 36

why didn’t india ratify the Kyoto protocol?

Answer 36

• like other EDCs/LIDCs, the indian govt argued that rich countries should shoulder the costs of decreasing carbon emissions
• they said its per capita energy consumption (1.7tonnes) was well below global avg of 5 tonnes
• prioritising alleviating poverty and expanding electricity access
• current high concs. of CO2 in atmosphere were largely the result of economic growth and industrialisation in ACs over last 150yrs

Question 37

how did India not ratifying the Kyoto protocol impact on the success of it?

Answer 37

• this view prevented the USA ( the world’s biggest emitter at the time) from supporting Kyoto
• the US govt believed that w/o the participation of India and China the Kyoto protocol would be meaningless

Question 38

whilst india will not consider reducing its emissions for at least 30yrs, what are they doing to combat climate change?

Answer 38

• has its own national action plan on climate change (NAPCC)
• so far its only decided to decrease its GHG emissions as a ration of its GDP
• using this measure it targets a 20-25% decrease in emissions (based on 2005 levels) by 2020
• voluntary commitment. will do little to stem the country’s huge absolute rise in GHGs
• aims to improve energy efficiency and develop renewables, esp solar.

Question 39

by how much are India’s GHG emissions predicted to rise from 2010-2030?

Answer 39

• given its current policies GHG emissions are expected to be in the range 4.0-7.3 bill tonnes by 2030
• this compares w/ 2.43bill tonnes in 2010

Question 40

how would left leaning newspapers report on climate change?

Answer 40

• e.g. the guardian. political parties Labour/Green Party
• usually more progressive in nature - look to the future and aim to support those who can’t support themselves
• agenda to inform public of danger of human activity in regards to climate change
• cares about society

Question 41

how would right leaning newspapers report on climate change?

Answer 41

• e.g. the Times/Sunday Telegraph. Political parties Conservative/UKIP
• value tradition and believe in economic freedom
• right leaning newspapers are more likely to report sceptical opinions of climate change
• this makes the climate change issue appear more open to question than it really is

Question 42

what is false balance?

Answer 42

• by giving disproportionate coverage to contrarians and sceptics, they suggest that climate change is far more controversial than experts believe
• instead of balance, climate experts argue that reporting should reflect the huge weight of scientific research in favour of climate change.
• all of this has tended to confuse the public and add doubt to the credibility of climate change and its causes.

Question 43

who are pressure groups and what do they do?

Answer 43

• groups that seek to influence govt. legislation and policies.
• they don’t have candidates for elections, nor are they seeking to gain power for themselves; they merely seek to influence those in power
• they challenge leaders and people to consider the problems they are addressing through protests, interviews, social media etc.
• often emotive in language, as they are urging people to join
• they are mainly run off donations, which limits them
• they can be local, national, international and permanent/temporary

Question 44

what are the agenda’s of pressure groups?

Answer 44

• seek to influence or change government legislation and policies
• practical achievability, resources, relation to govt and public receptivity are factors in the success of a pressure group
• utilise lobbying, influencing political parties, endorsement, electioneering to achieve their aims

Question 45

how are pressure groups involved in the climate change debate?

Answer 45

• pressure groups in the climate change debate are environmentalist meaning that they are a person who is concerned about or advocates protecting the environment
• they want attention to be able to spread their message and in doing so they can challenge media, TNCs and govts.
• their agenda is about gaining power to push their ideas, they focus on the long-term problems

Question 46

what is an example of a pressure group?

Answer 46

GREENPEACE
- one of the more successful pressure groups, they are more peaceful with their demonstrations and challenge perspectives, they are able to gather followers to further aid their cause
JUST STOP OIL
- more extremist, often using irritation techniques to become noticed by media and public figures, they have been ineffective and people are unwilling to back them due to their often illegal but also invasive style of pressure. it seems more about attention
- incredibly vague, scare tactics.

Question 47

what are some examples of Greenpeace’s agendas?

Answer 47

• spearheading a global campaign to make polluting fossil fuel companies pay for the damage they cause
• championing big climate solutions from home insulation to offshore wind, so the UK becomes a model for climate action globally
• demanding governments protect 30% of our oceans by 2030 safeguarding wildlife, coastal communities and our climate

Question 48

how are pressure groups usually recieved?

Answer 48

• pressure groups are often not recieved well because of their techniques, grassroots activies causing annoyances in order to get attention for their cause - probably hurts their effectiveness.

Question 49

how do pressure groups shape the argument?

Answer 49

• by influencing people, they are able to present arguments and therefore challenge media, TNCs and govts
• their power comes with the number of people they have to be able to create petitions, or boycotting which has become a popular technique recently.
• they present arguments and demands to those in power, so do have in a sense some power BUT it is limited as its reliant on the media, TNC’s and govts listening and following through on promises.

Question 50

what is the significance of pressure groups?

Answer 50

• they have the potential to spark change at every level of the debate
• however, they are reliant on donations, followers and being listened to in the first place
• their demands often cause issues for TNCs and govt
• they often provide demands but not solutions and so its more difficult for change to happen, esp since TNCs and govts are mainly focused on economic health

Question 51

who are governments?

Answer 51

• a government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state.
• governments usually consist of legislature, executive and judiciary

Question 52

who makes up the UK govt?

Answer 52

• in the UK, the prime minister leads the govt with the support of the cabinet and ministers
• 1 prime minister, 23 cabinet ministers, 101 other ministers
• departments and their agencies are responsible for putting government policy into practice

Question 53

who makes up the US government?

Answer 53

• the president is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by congress
• currently Joe Biden is president

Question 54

what is the difference between the democratic party and the republican party?

Answer 54

• the modern democratic party emphasises social equality and equal opportunity
• democrats support voting rights and minority rights, including LGBTQ+ rights
• the republicans advocate reduced taxes as a means of stimulating the economy and advancing individual economic freedom

Question 55

what is the agenda of governments?

Answer 55

• the stance of global climate change will differ between governments/countires
• for example, the UK stance on reducing global climate change emissions will differ to that of CHina.
• emergence of the secondary industry in China = driving the economy. China has pulled out of certain climate agreements e.g. Kyoto so they can maximise their industry w/o the need to keep under emission caps

Question 56

what is the climate change act?

Answer 56

• the climate change act of 2008 commits the UK govt BY LAW to reducing GHG emissions by at least 100% of 1990 levels by 2050
• the UK was the first country in the world to create a legally binding national commitment to cut GHG emissions
• the act created a climate change committee which is responsible for putting forward carbon emissions budgets to the government

Question 57

how does the UK government shape the debate?

Answer 57

• funding, regulating and directly providing public services
• committed to reaching net zero by 2050.
• this means that the total GHG emissions would be equal to the emissions removed from the atmosphere, with the aim of limiting global warming and resultant climate change

Question 58

how does the US government shape the debate?

Answer 58

• after rejoining the Paris agreement, president biden created the national climate task force working on
• reducing US GHG emissions by 50% below 2005 levels in 2030
• reaching 100% carbon pollution free electricity by 2035
• achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050
• delivering 40% of the benefits from federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities

Question 59

evaluation of governments in shaping the climate change debate

Answer 59

• the UK’s climate change act 2008 is legally binding, so its a good example of a country actually doing something
• trump, OTOH, didnt sign the Paris agreement because he wanted to prioritise america’s economy.
• SHORT TERMIST
• goal of re-election. can divide the country based on their political opinions.

Question 60

what are supranational institutions?

Answer 60

• multinational unions
• where member states share in decision making on matters that will affect each country’s citizens

Question 61

what was the kyoto protocol?

Answer 61

• the main goal was to control emissions of the main human emitted GHGs
• the protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan in 1997, when GHGs rapidly threatened the climate/planet.
• it was replaced by the paris agreements which came into effect in 2016
• countires that agreed to Kyoto were assigned max carbon emission levels for specific periods and participated in carbon credit trading.

Question 62

what is the significance of supranational institutions in the climate change debate?

Answer 62

• strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
• integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
• improve education and awareness raising.
• promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change planning and management in least developed countries and SIDS, including focusing on women, youth and marginalized communities

Question 63

what is media?

Answer 63

• social media
• newspapers - the guardian, sun, BBC
• TV news

Question 64

what is the media’s agenda?

Answer 64

• to get people to buy their newspapers
• different news platforms have different agendas
• the guardian = left wing, so cares about society and aims to inform public of danger of human activity
• GB News = right wing - might prioritise economic factors.

Question 65

how significant is media in shaping the debate?

Answer 65

• prime source of info for general public
• public more inclined to listen to media rather than politicians (esp young gen)
• influence public opinions, highlights diff perspectives
• choice of language uses, and emphasis of certain aspects can impact how people percieve and understand climate change issues.
• social media/short form content oversimplifies the sheer scale of it