ISSUE ON GLOBAL CLIMATE AND GREENHOUSE
EFFECT
SHOULD THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD COMMIT TO SPECIFIC GOALS FOR THE REDUCTION
OF GREENHOUSE GASES?
C. Ophardt, Professor of Chemistry, Elmhurst College; Elmhurst,
IL. Copyright 1997
Issue 1 Introduction
Debate Question
Internet Resource Sites
GLOBAL CLIMATE WARMING DEBATE
The final part of this exercise is the "Global Warming Debate
", where you will use the information and concepts from all the sources
to engage other students in a general debate. The instructor will divide
the class into groups for the debate. The groups should eventually reach
a consensus on one of the the options listed below.
The "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" was
adopted by a large number of nations at the 1992 "Earth Summit"
in Rio de Janeiro.
General reference:
Click on Climate Change or go directly to
Beginners Guide
to The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
For more information to be used in the debate check out some of the
Internet Resources lower on this page.
At this time firm targets and timetables were established in 1997, in a
new effort in Koyto, Japan. A
summary of the Koyto Agreement.
2. ...endorse the Second Assessment Report of the IPCC as currently the
most comprehensive and authoritative assessment of the science of climate
change, its impacts and response options now available. ....should provide
a scientific basis for urgently strengthening action at the global, regional
and national levels, ... to limit and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases,
and for all Parties to support the development of a Protocol; and note the
findings of the IPCC, in particular the following:
- The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global
climate. Without specific policies to mitigate climate change, the global
average surface temperature relative to 1990 is projected to increase by
about 2 C (between 1 C and 3.5 C) by 2100; average sea level is projected
to rise by about 50 centimeters (between 15 and 95 centimeters) above present
levels by 2100. Stabilization of atmospheric concentrations at twice preindustrial
levels will eventually require global emissions to be less than 50 per cent
of current levels;
- The projected changes in climate will result in significant, often adverse,
impacts on many ecological systems and socioeconomic sectors, including
food supply and water resources, and on human health. In some cases, the
impacts are potentially irreversible; developing countries and small island
countries are typically more vulnerable to climate change;
- Significant reductions in net greenhouse gas emissions are technically
possible and economically feasible by utilizing an array of technology policy
measures that accelerate technology development, diffusion and transfer;
and significant no regrets opportunities are available in most countries
to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions;
8. Instruct their representatives to accelerate negotiations on the text
of a legally-binding protocol or another legal instrument to be completed
in due time ...regarding:
* policies and measures including, as appropriate, regarding energy, transport,
industry, agriculture, forestry, waste management, economic instruments,
institutions and mechanisms;
*quantified legally-binding objectives for emission limitations and significant
overall reductions within specified timeframes, such as 2005, 2010, 2020,
with respect to their anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by
sinks of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol;"
DEBATE QUESTION: Should the U.S. Senate ratify
the Koyto Treaty and agree to quantified legally-binding objectives for
greenhouse gas emission limitations and significant overall reductions within
specified timeframes?
MON. LAB |
TUES. LAB |
| Option # 1 Yes: Students A-L | Option # 1 Yes: Students A- P |
| Option # 2 No: Students M-W | Option # 2 No: Students R-S |
On-Line
Discussion Response
INTERNET RESOURCES:
Climate
Change Information Kit- the Climate Change Convention - contains quuite
a few links.
Greenhouse
Effect Australia
This is a very brief article and includes a few graphics and glossary of
terms.
Global Climate Change
Information Programme - comprehensive series of short essays and fact
sheets.
Global Warming:
Myth vs. Facts, Envrironmental Defense Fund Pro side
GLOBAL WARMING HOT
AIR: SOME POPULAR MYTHS DISPELLED -pro
Myths of Global Warming National Center for Policy Analysis -Brief Analysis more on the pro side
Global Warming Alert:
A Primer on the Issue
Climate Models:
How Reliable are their Predictions? A comprehensive look at how models
are constructed, used, and an evaluation of the predictions made from these
models.
Examination of Climate
Model Predictions vs. Actual Facts - Reputable source - more of a NO
slant. Contains a Greenhouse Scored Card about half way down the article.
Kyoto
Compromise - the latest agreements reached in December of 1997. Look
also at some of the Newspaper articles on the bottom of the page as they
give some pros and cons.
Sites that have more of a NO side slant:
Global Climate - contains some skeptics links - more toward the bottom of the pages.
Still Waiting for Greenhouse A Lukewarm View of Global Warming by - John L. Daly
World Climate Report gives contrary views on global warming. Look at the Current Features section to get a long list of articles from past issues. Might be slow in loading.
Greenhouse Warming:
Fact, Hypothesis, or Myth? Careful examination of data from a scientific
skeptic.
The Kyoto Protocol--Bad
for the Environment?
Global Warming Information Page
DEBATE QUESTION: Should the U.S. Senate ratify the
Koyto Treaty and agree to quantified legally-binding objectives for greenhouse
gas emission limitations and significant overall reductions within specified
timeframes?
On-Line Discussion Response