1. Mitigation Strategies What and Why?

2. What is mitigation? To decrease force or intensity. To lower risk. Earthquake mitigation – Build earthquake safer homes Flood mitigation – Build ??? Climate change mitigation – What can we do?

3. This is what we know about CO 2 concentrations over the past 50 years Image created by Robert A. Rohde / Global Warming Art

4. Connect CO 2 to Climate and Carbon Emissions The increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is from human activities that release carbon dioxide. – Burning fuel (wood, gas, coal) With more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the atmosphere is getting hotter and that is changing the climate. To mitigate (reduce the risk), carbon emissions need to be reduced.

5. How? Why? What can we do? We can’t just stop emitting CO 2 immediately We actually need to bring emissions significantly lower than current levels in order to stabilize concentrations of CO 2. Towards Stabilizing CO 2

7. What is a way to decrease carbon emissions? Replace fossil fuel burning power plants… …with lower or carbon free alternatives, like solar, wind, or nuclear energy. TRADE OFFS?

8. About 99% of the total warming potential for all new emissions comes from 3 main gases: Carbon Dioxide Methane Nitrous Oxide Image created by Robert A. Rohde / Global Warming Art