DGWP papers
- Define DGWP and please give two examples that illustrate the significance of this concept. DGWP refers to ‘Direct global warming potential’ and it used to measure gas and how powerful of a greenhouse gas it is; the more powerful, the greater the radiative forcing effect it will have on the climate. One direct use of this concept is as stated; it is used to measure the effectivity of a gas on the environment which can determine which gases are posing a threat upon the ozone layer. The second is related to how human activity is affecting the environment; this is useful in concepts of Anthropocene.
- Naomi Klein argues that climate change presents us with a historical opportunity. Explain what she means. Do you agree? Why or why not? Klein Historical Opportunity- change the economic infrastructure for more equality/distribution of assets; ability to act collectively to change the economy to combat CC; less exploitative economy where ind. Are all recognized; creation of new jobs; a better more just world. I agree with Klein for capitalism creates inequality and the gap is continuing to grow; if we do not change our economy that is reliant on production of commodities the world will suffer and many ppl will die
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. 7. What is the Anthropocene, and are we in it? Why or why not? In your response make reference to changes in how societies have related to nature. (By “society” here, we’re referring to hunter–gatherer society, etc…) The Anthropocene refers to the current geological age, the period in which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. Throughout thousands of years, we conformed from a mere “primitive” (even though quite complex) state; being hunters and gatherers, to becoming settled agricultural societies, and then to an industrial society. With the increase of technology in each state and with production becoming more of a market, we find that the impact it has had on the land has projected to new heights. This involves exploitation of the environment, more so than what the land can recover from. With urbanization, population has increased, which directly correlates with the increase in demand of commodities. More and more demand has increased extraction from the land of minerals and fossil fuels. The extraction itself is not what is causing global climate change, but it is the pace of change in the last few hundred years that is the issue of concern. The impact of these greenhouse gases is the increase in heat being trapped in the atmosphere, affecting global temperatures. The rate of increase in greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide give a clear hint that we’re headed towards an Anthropocene, meaning that we’re heading to a new age of mankind, where impact on the land is becoming irreversible and mankind is having a direct impact on the global climate change. All the other greenhouse gases presented along with Carbon Dioxide showcases that we are in the Anthropocene, which is defined as a geological era where human activities play a major role in climate change. With the increasing amounts of greenhouse gases from human activities after the industrial revolution emitting higher quantity of gases with 40% increase in Carbon dioxide and 150% increase in methane as compared to the natural process prior to the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution has also been the top contributors of world greenhouse gases emissions with 73.5% of Carbon Dioxide and 19% Methane. Another key factor of climate change through human activities is the increases of deforestation which is relative to greenhouse gases considering during photosynthesis plants absorb Carbon Dioxide and with increases of urbanization and wood production. The quantity of Carbon Dioxide has substantially increased and is on the incline in future years with no visible effects presented for the masses to see of their negative impacts of human activities as gases are invisible matter, hence no repercussions are presented to the public. 8. Where do we go from here and why? Recognizing the Problems are Real -> Recognizing the Challenges are Real -> Fossil fuel society – kicking our fossil fuel addiction in a Society based on mass consumption u Burden sharing u Who should be responsible for addressing the problem? u Begin to target sectors/practices rather than countries u Questions of justice & equity, including who has the right to our global carbon sink and to a healthy life. Voices Need to Be Loud & They Need to be Heard u We need to both imagine and demand solutions … and do so now u Doing nothing is not an option – we’ll have to address these problems now or in the future. “Easy” Practical Possibilities, Solutions u technology transfer (eg. alternative energy) is a key means of preventing newly industrialized countries for making the same mistakes as already industrialized countries u generating support for taxes (to internalize externalities) on international shipping and air travel (to reduce them & provide funds for adaptation & mitigation). Longer Term Solutions & Goals u Phasing out fossil fuels u Current FF reserves are almost 5x more than we can safely burn u Costs of adaptation are only going up. What else to do? u Vote for, support, and demand bold new solutions, some of which might hurt in the short term u Hold your government to high standards – insist they show leadership u Examine your own lifestyle; don’t use energy or emit emissions when you don’t need to u Be prepared to address CC & GEC The problems are real, but there are real, attainable solutions u We need the personal and political will to get there u Let’s take the challenge head on and tackle it together u We’ve solved huge, seemingly intractable problems before u It’s a daunting but exciting journey!