11.4 global climate change

• melting ice caps • expansion of warmer oceans

• flooding of low-lying land • increased coastal erosion • islands could disappear

• rising sea levels • increasingly common extreme weather events, such as more frequent and severe storms • changes in temperature and the amount, timing and distribution of rainfall • changes to the distribution of wildlife species

• impacts on the food producing capacity of different regions • dry areas will get drier • monsoons in Asia will get heavier

rapid changes in global climate

• species becoming extinct • ecosystems around the world will be put under stress

the carbon footprint of a product, service or event is the total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced over its full life cycle

• carbon capture and storage • pump the carbon dioxide produced in fossil fuel power stations deep underground to be absorbed into porous rocks • could be done in old oil fields

it is estimated that it would increase the cost of electricity by 10%

• if there was less demand for beef • plant-based diets offer a more efficient use of land • farmers using their fields to grow crops and vegetables rather than feed animals

• taxing fossil fuels and cars that burn a lot of petrol or diesel (carbon taxes) • funding research into alternative forms of energy • support the use of biofuels • improve home insulation to conserve energy • companies that produce co2 in their processing of materials can offset carbon taxes on their emissions by planting trees • whenever trees are felled, new ones are planted

• made from plant material • absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis • return this to the atmosphere when they are burned • can be considered ‘carbon neutral’

• scientific disagreements –> incomplete international cooperation • reductions will have cost implications • poorer countries not included in negotiations • restrictions could hinder their developing industries

people must start to believe that their small contributions will help