2016/1/29KMCHAN1 Prof. Chan King Ming Associate Professor Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science Program Chinese University 2016/1/29KMCHAN2 CONTENTS : 1.Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect 2.The Impacts of Global Warming 3. Kyoto Protocol 4. What can we do to help? 2016/1/29KMCHAN31_3_1.htm Q1 What factors have contributed to surface temperatures of planets? ?? 2016/1/29KMCHAN4 Atmospheric CO 2 Sinks (Carbon Fixation) : 1.Photosynthesis 2.Uptake by ocean Sources: 1.Burning of fossil fuels and organic matters 2.Respiration Other forms of carbon deposits, e.g. coral, cellulose. 1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect 1. 2. 1. 2. 2016/1/29KMCHAN5 1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect 2016/1/29KMCHAN6 Major sources of greenhouse gases: burning of fossil fuels, e.g. vehicle and power plant emissions. 2016/1/29KMCHAN7 21 1- 2 2- 6 20 0.6 4 8 surge 2016/1/29KMCHAN 8 1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect Global Warming Potentials, GWP, & (stability in atmosphere) Carbon Dioxide = 1 (?) Methane = 21 (12 year) Nitrous Oxide = 310 (120 years) CFC-11 = 4,600 (45 years) CFC-12 = 10,600 (100 years)Q What contributed to the heat energy absorption in molecules in the atmosphere? 2016/1/29KMCHAN9 2. The Impacts of global Warming Arctic 1979 Arctic 2003 Arctic perennial sea ice has been diminishing at a rate of 9% per decade. The ice of frozen freshwater on Greenland melts to dilute and lower the salinity of the arctic ocean. This would have significant effects (slower or stop) on the ocean conveyor. Ice from land could raise sea level Reduced ice from ocean changes currents 2016/1/29KMCHAN10 How would the climate change if the Gulf Stream shut down? A shut down of the Gulf Stream would suddenly decrease the amount of heat in the North Atlantic, leading to much colder temperatures in Europe and North America. 2016/1/29KMCHAN11 The Impacts of global Warming Reduction of biodiversity Losing Habitats due to temperature rises Reduction of freshwater supply trapped in mountains Extreme weathers : more storms, floods, droughts More diseases Endemic diseases increasing health risks Unpredictable climate change Buffering power of planet earth is lowered, leading to unforeseeable climate change leading to fluctuating economy, e.g. Hurricanes in Mexico Bay are threatening oil prices to surge, drought lead to depletion of resources supply, etc 2. The Impacts of global Warming 2016/1/29KMCHAN12 Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, In 2003, the World Conservation Union's Red List said more than 12,000 species (out of 40,000 assessed) faced some extinction risk, including one bird in eight, 13% of the world's flowering plants, a quarter of all mammals. 1/8 1/4 2. The Impacts of global Warming 2016/1/29KMCHAN13 Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, todays atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the highest in 650,000 years. Antarctic climate and concentrations of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH 4 ) were tightly coupled. CO 2 seemed to be confined between bounds of about 180 ppmv (parts per million by volume) in glacial periods and 280 ppmv in inter-glacials; Today is 380 ppmy and is rising. 180 ppm 280 ppmv 380 ppmv 2. The Impacts of global Warming 2016/1/29KMCHAN14 Took effect in February, Obligates countries to observe target figures for green house gas reduction. ( 2/05 ) Advanced nations should reduce emissions of 6 gases by an average of 6-8% (relative to 1990 levels) over the five year period from 2008 to ( 90 6-8% ) Kyoto Mechanisms : Scheme for Trading Green House Gas Emissions Rights and encourage international co-operations to achieve carbon neutral ( ) 3. Kyoto Protocol 3. Kyoto Protocol 2016/1/29KMCHAN United States4,9895,787 5,692 (5,800 in 2006) Canada Mexico United Kingdom France Germany Italy Netherlands Japan9871,1381,158 Australia/New Zealand Russia2,4051,5701,614 China2,2622,861 3,050 (6,200 in 2006) India South Korea Turkey Brazil Total World21,56323,53623,899 World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Region, (Million Metric Tons Carbon Dioxide) 3. Kyoto Protocol 2016/1/29KMCHAN16 3. Kyoto Protocol History: Emission Trading Clean Development Mechanism 3. Kyoto Protocol 2016/1/29KMCHAN18 CountryTarget (1990** /2012) EU-15*, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia,Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland -8% US***-7% Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland-6% Croatia-5% New Zealand, Russian Federation, Ukraine 0 Norway+1% Australia+8% Iceland+10% 3. Kyoto Protocol History: Emission Trading 3. Kyoto Protocol Kyoto Mechanisms : 1.Joint Implementation (JI) 2.Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) 3.Emission Trading (ET) 2016/1/29KMCHAN20 3. Kyoto Protocol Carbon Market for Carbon dioxide emission trading : 3. Kyoto Protocol The global carbon market 3. Kyoto Protocol 2016/1/29 KMCHAN 23 A question for you Leung et al., Climate Change in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Observatory Technical Note No.107. HKSAR Government. 41 p. Hong Kong is hotter than global trend in recent years! 2016/1/29KMCHAN24 4. What can we do to help?files/GHG_Emission_Trend_1990_2007.pdf HK Electric Plants in Lamma Island: mainly coal. CLP Plants in Castle Peak. Gas-fired Plants under construction Gas-fired Plants planned 1/29/ Our Electricity comes from: ~20% Nuclear Power ~60% Coal ~20%Natural gas KMCHAN 4. What can we do to help? 2016/1/29KMCHAN26 USE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NUCLEAR POWER 4. What can we do to help? 2016/1/29KMCHAN What can we do to help? Wedge Strategies: Nuclear energy Renewables (e.g. solar, wind, hydrogen) Biostorage (e.g. forest and soil storage) Efficiency (reduced miles traveled, increased building and electricity efficiency) Conservation (reduced transport) Fossil-Fuel-Based (fuel switching, carbon capture) 2016/1/29KMCHAN28 4. What can we do to help? 2016/1/29KMCHAN29 WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ?? REDUCE CITY HEAT: Use public transports, build less road and urban area, etc, to reduc e heat island effect. LOW CARBON LIVING: Live a low-carbon life and practice carbon neutral. Set targets for e mission reduction to cut energy consumpti on (e.g. Stop using tungsten light bulb, etc). Practice LOHAS (life-style of health and sustainability), e.g. 3 R. PLANT MORE TREES: Conserve rural area a nd Plant more trees. 2016/1/29KMCHAN30 Summary Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal range and is rising, together with global temperature ( ) Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal range and is rising, together with global temperature ( ) The impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and the situation is getting worse ( ) The impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and the situation is getting worse ( ) We are causing global warming and we have to act on saving our planet earth! We are causing global warming and we have to act on saving our planet earth! ( ) ( ) 2016/1/29KMCHAN31 Further Readings : 1.http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/climate_change/resource s.html http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/climate_change/resource s.html 2.Christianson, Gale (1999) Greenhouse: The 200- Year Story of Global Warming. Walker & Company, New York. Penguin Books, 305p. . ( ) 200 2006 3.Flannery, Tim (2006) We Are The Weather Makers, The Story Of Global Warming. Text Publishing Co., 272p. (2007) ( ) 271 4.Gore, Al (2006) An Inconvenient Truth. Rodale, Inc., New York, NY., 327p. 5.Houghton, John (2004) Global Warming. Third Ed., Cambridge University Press, 351p. Discussion: 1.Whats Carbon neutral? ? 2.What can we do to achieve Carbon neutral or carbon compensation? ? 3.Practicing edge strategies (auditing) and low carbon living in your school/firm/organization/ at home! ? 4.Is carbon tax better than carbon trading? ? 2016/1/29KMCHAN32