© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit 7.5How can we ease the problem? the problem?

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What can be done to ease the problem of global warming? 1 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 2 Engage in large-scale afforestation 3 Develop in a sustainable way What has been done by the Hong Kong SAR Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? Individual efforts by a small number of countries will not create the desired effect. The problem of global warming can be controlled only through the cooperation of the entire international community.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What has been done by the international community? The Kyoto Protocol has entered into force in February The committed more developed countries will reduce their collective emissions by 5% from 1990 levels by The less developed countries do not have to follow the tight emission controls set. There is a ‘trading system’. For example, a country which helps a less developed country to cut emissions can claim a ‘credit’ for the reduction.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What is the result so far? After the enforcement of the Kyoto Protocol, some developed countries have met the emission targets. Countries that had met emission targets in 2005 Source: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What is the result so far? However, some of the developed countries still have not met the targets. Countries that had not met emission targets in 2005 Source: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What have hindered international cooperation? The USA The USA is ( reluctant / willing ) to cooperate in combating the problem of global warming. Why? The less developed countries are not required to take any responsibility, so it is unfair to the more developed countries. The rate of greenhouse gas emissions of the less developed countries has increased significantly. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions incurred extra costs. Our living standards and the economic growth are affected.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What have hindered international cooperation? The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is mainly caused by the industrialized countries. It is unfair to force us to reduce our emissions while the developed countries are enjoying the benefits of economic development. This exploits our rights to develop our economy. China and India have high emission levels. However, their per capita emission levels are still lower than the more developed countries. More developed countries have the technology and money to combat the problem. Less developed countries The less developed countries like China and India agree they have the responsibilities to reduce their emissions. However, more developed countries should bare greater responsibilities.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit How can these measures be achieved? What have hindered international cooperation? The difficulties in getting all the nations to work together are centred around the costs incurred. Cutting down greenhouse gas emissions inevitably involves extra costs. It is natural that leaders of any one country would hope others would take up the responsibility.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What is the whole world working towards? Representatives of over 180 countries agreed to launch a roadmap in 2009 to deal with global warming Long-term cooperative action is necessary to tackle the problem of global warming. ( Less developed countries / More developed countries ) are responsible for achieving this goal. In light of the differences in capability, the level of responsibility to be taken up by the less developed and more developed countries may vary. (Credit: UNFCC)

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What can individuals do? As we all live in the global village, we should be responsible to alleviate the problem of global warming. The carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting directly or indirectly from an individual’s lifestyle. The bigger the carbon footprint, the ( less / more ) greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. CO 2

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What can individuals do? Here are some ways to reduce the size of your carbon footprint. How many of them do you practise? At home Take shorter showers Change tungsten light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs Switch off electronic appliances rather than leave on standby Grow more plants Set the air conditioning temperature at 25°C or higher

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What can individuals do? Shopping Bring your own bag Choose energy- efficient products Buy recyclable products Reduce the amount of packaging

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What can individuals do? Transport and travel Use mass transit systems Take fewer flights Others Take stairs instead of elevators Eat less meat Consume locally produced and seasonal food

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit 1Reduce greenhouse gas emissions In what ways can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A Replacing fossil fuels with renewable power resources B Improving energy efficiency C Improving transport systems D Recycling waste E Raising public awareness through education

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit 2Engage in large-scale afforestation Large-scale afforestation could absorb excess ______________ in the atmosphere. carbon dioxide In the past decade, large- scale afforestation has been carried out in China. Afforestation along the Chang Jiang How can afforestation alleviate the problem of global warming? (Credit: Liu Zhaoming/FOTOE)

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit 3Develop in a sustainable way More and more people aware that sustainable development helps ease global warming. Farming in a sustainable way Reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers Reduce the demand for fossil fuels Control population growth Develop environmentally-friendly technologies Use renewable power resources in an economic way Develop our cities in a way that the emission of greenhouse gases can be kept as low as possible

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit AReplacing fossil fuels with renewable power resources Which of the following power resources have little or no greenhouse gas emissions? Solar power Hydroelectricity Wind power Oil These renewable power resources are ( exhaustible / inexhaustible ) and do not involve burning. Geothermal power, tidal and wave power are also renewable power resources.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit AReplacing fossil fuels with renewable power resources In the USA, corn produces about 4% more ethanol than other crops The use of biofuels has become common in recent years. Biofuels are fuels refined from plants such as corn, sugar cane and soybeans. Carbon dioxide released from the burning of biofuels can be captured by the growth of the plants they are made from. (Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images) However, there are arguments against this idea, such as energy is required in the growing of fuel crops and this emits greenhouse gases.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit BImproving energy efficiency Chemical energy in coal100 units Heat lost in gases from chimneys 10 units Heat lost in cooling water 50 units Electrical transmission losses 3 units Total losses63 units Electrical energy delivered (100-63) units = 37 units Energy efficiency of the plant 37% Energy efficiency in a typical coal-fired power plant The energy efficiency in thermal power plants is ( low / high ). Improving energy efficiency can reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed. This reduces the emission of carbon dioxide.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit CImproving transport systems Most transport is powered by ____________. fossil fuels Transport alone generates around a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. Improvements in vehicle design can improve energy efficiency and thus reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. A magnetically levitated train in Shanghai It only consumes one-tenth of the energy used in conventional trains. (Credit: REX/SINOPIX)

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit CImproving transport systems Develop mass transit systems Encourage the use of public transport These measures can help discourage the use of private cars. Fewer private cars means lower carbon emission.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit DRecycling waste What are the advantages of recycling waste? Reduce _________ emissions from landfills and greenhouse gas emissions from incinerators methane Save energy How can recycling save energy? Producing goods from recycling materials requires less energy. When less energy is used, less carbon dioxide is emitted.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit ERaising public awareness through education Everyone of us has contributed to the greenhouse gas emissions. It is essential to educate the public about the disastrous effects of global warming and adopting an environmentally- friendly lifestyle.

© Oxford University Press 2009 Part 7 Global warming─Are humans responsible? Quit What has been done by the Hong Kong SAR Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Promoting energy efficiency and conservation Using cleaner fuels Promoting the use of renewable power resources Educating the public (Credit: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department) (Credit: Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited) (Credit: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department)