CH17: International Climate Policy

FIGURE 17.1 Policymakers and the public around the world recognize that the United States has been the greatest source of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Growth in emissions from China means that China has now passed the U.S. as the number one annual emitter of greenhouse gases, so moving forward, the U.S. and China will play central roles in determining climate change solutions. Source: Figure courtesy Santa Barbara Independent.

FIGURE 17.2 Global greenhouse gas emitters. Global greenhouse gas emissions by country are shown in this proportional diagram, with the area of each country corresponding to its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Figure courtesy of Worldmapper.

FIGURE 17.3 Map of existing, emerging, and potential emissions trading schemes. Global emissions trading schemes are represented by their status of implementation (colored circles) and type (arrows). Source: World Bank (2013). Figure courtesy of the World Bank Group.

FIGURE 17.4 Global volume of emissions traded. The global volume of emissions reductions traded is compared for the EU emissions trading scheme, other Clean Development Mechanism trading and voluntary markets.

FIGURE 17.5 Deforestation and cattle and soybeam production in Brazil. Deforestation has fallen off dramatically in Brazil since 2004, even while productive agriculture (soybeans and cattle) have increased. Much of the reduction in deforestation has been in the Amazon, while some of the increase in soy has been at the expense of dry forests. Source: USDA.

FIGURE 17.6 Adaptation innovation. A woman tends a floating garden in Bangladesh. Floating gardens rise and fall with storm surges and rainfall, making them immune to destruction from flooding. This simple innovation protects from changes in rainfall, runoff and sea level due to climate change. Adaptation that pays immediate benefits as well as long-term climate adaptation benefits is more likely to be adopted. Source: From https://www.flickr.com/ photos/practicalaction/sets/72157624796596782/