Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the name of the report published by the Brundtland Commission in 1987?
What is the name of the report published by the Brundtland Commission in 1987?
Our Common Future
The Montreal Protocol focused on addressing climate change.
The Montreal Protocol focused on addressing climate change.
False
What is the abbreviation for the annual climate change conference held by the United Nations?
What is the abbreviation for the annual climate change conference held by the United Nations?
COP
What are the three pillars of sustainable development?
What are the three pillars of sustainable development?
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The Kyoto Protocol set binding targets for all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol set binding targets for all countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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What does NDC stand for in the context of climate change?
What does NDC stand for in the context of climate change?
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Which country did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol?
Which country did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol?
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The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below 1.5°C
The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below 1.5°C
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The COP27 agreement included a commitment to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
The COP27 agreement included a commitment to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
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COP26 (Glasgow) was the largest meeting of countries ever in terms of participation.
COP26 (Glasgow) was the largest meeting of countries ever in terms of participation.
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Which country was the host of COP28?
Which country was the host of COP28?
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Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of climate change negotiations:
Match the following terms with their definitions in the context of climate change negotiations:
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The Global Environment is facing challenges due to the increasing pressure of a growing global population.
The Global Environment is facing challenges due to the increasing pressure of a growing global population.
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The world's top 10 CO2 emitters in the late 1800s were all located in developed countries.
The world's top 10 CO2 emitters in the late 1800s were all located in developed countries.
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The 2020 global average temperature was 1-1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels.
The 2020 global average temperature was 1-1.3 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels.
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China's approach to investing in green technology can be described as a state-directed approach.
China's approach to investing in green technology can be described as a state-directed approach.
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What is the name of the major climate-related investment in American history that was passed during the Biden administration?
What is the name of the major climate-related investment in American history that was passed during the Biden administration?
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Study Notes
Daily Global Sea Surface Temperatures
- Data from 1981 to 2024 displays global sea surface temperature fluctuations.
- Data visualized as a graph with a line for 2024, and multiple thinner lines representing all other years since 1981.
- The 2024 line generally follows a trend of higher than average temperatures over the period.
- The data source is the Climate Reanalyzer, Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, and NOAA's Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST).
- Data is updated regularly
- Data source URL: https://climatereanalyzer.org/clim/sst_daily/?dm_id=world2
NASA Climate Data Resources
- NASA provides data related to global climate.
- URLs for NASA data are included.
- These include:
- Global Temperature Anomalies (1880-2023)
- Zonal Climate Anomalies (1880-2023)
- Access to historical global temperature data (visualizations)
Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
- EPI Score data visualized on a world map.
- Color-coded scores for each country show the level of a country's environmental performance.
- The scoring system is based on a specific range of values.
- Data source URL: https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/
EPI Score vs. GDP per Capita
- A scatter plot shows the relationship between Environmental Performance Index (EPI) scores and GDP per capita.
- The data suggests a correlation between a country's economic strength or GDP and its environmental performance (according to their EPI score).
Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Development (SD) is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- SD involves three pillars: economic viability, environmental protection, and social equity.
- The UN World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) is credited with coining the term.
The Global Environment Puzzle
- People generally value the environment.
- However international cooperation on environmental protections is hard to achieve.
The Relative Success of the Ozone Depletion Treaties
- The Montreal Protocol (1987) aimed to reduce ozone-depleting substances.
- Subsequent agreements built on the precedent of the Montreal Protocol, leading to a significant reduction in the use of ozone-depleting substances.
Why "Ozone" Treaty was successful?
- Small group of producers and a readily available alternative technology.
- Alternative ozone-friendly chemicals and technologies were produced by the same companies involved with the previous technologies.
The Continuing Failure: Climate Change
- The UN Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 1992 as an effort to mitigate climate change.
- Subsequent conferences (COPs) were held with the goal of creating international agreements to limit greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).
- The Kyoto Protocol (COP3) set targets for GHG emission reductions, though it lacked adequate commitment enforcement.
- The United States was the only major developed country that did not ratify it.
- The Paris Climate Conference (COP21) led to a more global effort (with different principles) attempting to limit climate change and emission reduction.
COP21 (Paris Climate Conference 2016)
- 196 countries participated in the Paris Climate Conference in 2016.
- Each country determined its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to mitigate global warming.
- NDCs were reviewed and reassessed (ratcheted-up) every 5 years.
- The agreement's primary aim was to limit global warming.
Evidence of Rapid Climate Change
- Global temperature is rising.
- Oceans are warming.
- Ice sheets are shrinking.
- Glaciers are melting.
- Snow cover is declining.
- Sea levels are rising.
- Arctic Sea Ice is decreasing in size.
- Extreme weather events are increasing in frequency.
- Ocean acidification is rising.
Annual CO2 Emissions
- Global CO2 emissions have significantly increased; largely attributed to industrial activities over time.
- Major emitting countries are highlighted.
Historical CO2 Emissions
- Historical data shows that several countries have significantly contributed to historical CO2 emissions.
- Data (as of 2021) are presented in a bar graph for several countries to highlight their CO2 contribution.
COP26 (Glasgow 2021)
- COP26 focused on accelerating action to limit climate change.
- Accelerating the updating of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- Commitments to phase down unabated coal power.
- Pledging more funding for the developing nations.
Impacts of Paris and Glasgow Commitments
- Current global average temperature is 1.1-1.3°C higher than pre-industrial levels, and rising.
- Climate Models project 2.7°C of warming by 2100.
- Agreements at COP26 aiming to mitigate climate change led to better projected estimations, however, these mitigation efforts will still take years to be fully implemented.
A Long Way to Go: Global Emission Reduction
- A gap exists between the pledges made to reduce emissions and what is needed for a specific temperature goal.
- Historical emissions and pledges for the future, along with the emission gap for a target temperature were visualized.
COP27 (Sharm el-Sheikh 2022)
- COP27 addressed clean energy transition and climate mitigation during the Ukraine War energy crisis.
- Developed countries were agreed upon to set up funds for mitigation and adaptation to help developing countries.
- Commitment from earlier agreements from developed countries to help developing countries with mitigation and adaptation were solidified.
COP28 (Dubai 2023)
- A conference for global environmental agreements held in a major oil-producing country (Dubai).
- The first time a conference agreement explicitly states a need to phase out fossil fuels.
- However, it lacked clear commitments for action.
COP29 (Baku 2023)
- COP29 held in an oil-producing nation, focusing on global climate sustainability.
- The conference's attempts to mention the need to phase out fossil fuels were met with resistance by some countries.
Who Should Bear the Costs of Climate Change?
- Different perceptions about historical emissions and responsibility.
- Historically the South sees the North as responsible for current climate change.
- The North views the South as the dominant contributor to current emissions.
Will Technology Save Us?
- Potential technologies for reducing GHG emissions include carbon capture, solar power, nuclear power, fusion, and clean hydrogen power.
Apocalyptic Optimism?
- The discussion aims to recognize the difficulty of the climate crisis.
- This acknowledges the need for innovation and collaborative global efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects.
US v China in Climate Action
- China is seen as a potential champion in the fight against climate change.
- The US made a significant commitment in 2022 with the Inflation Reduction Act, but questions remain regarding the extent of future commitment by the US or other global leaders.
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Description
Explore the fluctuations in global sea surface temperatures from 1981 to 2024. This quiz delves into data visualizations showing trends, particularly the increase in temperatures for 2024 compared to previous years. Understand the implications of these trends using data from reputable sources like the Climate Reanalyzer and NOAA.
