Weather and climate (responses to climate change)

Question 1

international responses

Answer 1

—-> Kyoto protocol

Question 2

Kyoto Protocol response

Answer 2

what:
—-> agreement linked to united nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC)

goal:
- —> reduce greenhouse gases

where, when

• —> first drawn up in Kyoto, Japan
• —> came into force in 2005
• —> targets set to reduce greenhouse gases
• —> countries involved required to reduce greenhouse gas by at least 5% below their 1990 levels
• —> additional responsibilities: helping LDC reduce greenhouse gas emissions by providing funds

Question 3

Kyoto protocol successes

Answer 3

• —> many countries met/exceeded targets
• —> Finland, Ireland, Greece
• —> successful in encouraging sustainable development

Requirements

• —> monitor & report emissions
• —> carry out emission reduction projects in LDCs
• —> Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) gave Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits to LDCs which carried out emission reduction projects
• —> one credit: one tonne of CO2

Question 4

kyoto protocol limitations

Answer 4

• —> countries did not meet target
• —> Spain, Austria, Denmark
• —> not compulsory for countries with low greenhouse gas emissions to provide support to other countries
• —> low greenhouse gas countries do not need to provide energy-efficient technology to other countries
• —> countries that did not sign the Kyoto protocol contributed significantly to global emissions
• —> global emissions increased by 35%
• —> China, India, USA

Question 5

national responses

Answer 5

• —> Singapore green plan

- —> Plant A tree program

Question 6

Singapore green plan

Answer 6

Who:
—-> launched by the Ministry Of the Environment

When:
—-> 2002

Aims:

• —> generate 60% of SG’s energy needs using natural gas by 2012
• —> natural gas cleaner energy compared to coal
• —> does not produce smoke

Question 7

Sg green plan successes

Answer 7

• —> 2010
• —> 79% electricity generated from natural gas
• —> exceeded target ahead of schedule

Question 8

SG green plan limitations

Answer 8

natural gas requires

• —> complex treatment plants to process
• —> pipelines to transport
• —> high maintenance costs
• —> laid underground
• —> checked regularly for leakage

Question 9

plant a tree

Answer 9

who:
—-> garden city fund and SG environmental council

when:
—-> 1971

aims:
—-> maintain SG’s status as a garden city by planting trees

what:

• —> residents encouraged to donate money to buy a tree
• —> take part in tree planting events

Question 10

plant a tree successes

Answer 10

• —> 60000 trees planted yearly throughout SG by NParks

- —> trees remove CO2

Question 11

green mark scheme successes

Answer 11

Green buildings:

• —> Plaza by the Park
• —> Standard Chartered@changi
• —> NLB
• —> reported energy savings of 15% to 35%

—-> this cuts down greenhouse emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity

Question 12

plant a tree limitations

Answer 12

• —> trees take many years to mature

- —> angsanas, raintrees took 25 years to reach their fullest height