Responses to global warming

International
Kyoto Protocol aimed to reduce emissions

1. International agreement form in 1997 between 90 countries with the aim to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
2. The agreement divided the countries into two groups, developed and developing
3. The developed countries agreed to cut emissions by 5 between 2008 and 2012
4. Developing countries didn't have to cut emissions but they had to monitor and report their emissions
5. There was the introduction of carbon credits, if they use less they can sell credits if the use more they have to buy credits

 Problems:

• Four countries with high emissions USA, Australia, China and India didn't join the agreement 
• Australia, India and China have now joined the agreement but USA still haven't
• Countries have failed to meet their targets

This ended in 2012 and in 2009 they agreed the Copenhagen accord, which allows each country to set it's own targets with no penalties given.

National 
Changing the energy mix of a country

• The energy mix is the mix of energy 
• Replacing fossil fuels with nuclear power and renewable energy will reduce greenhouse gases and could reduce climate change
• In UK by 2020, 40% of emission reductions will be achieved by changing the energy mix
• More offshore wind farms are being built
• UK government is encouraging small scale renewable energy projects

but..

• There needs to be more investment in nuclear power and renewable energy before these sources can reach all our energy needs
• Environmental problems with nuclear power

Using new techniques to cut emissions from Power stations

• Carbon capture and storage is a new technology that aims to reduce emissions from power stations
• CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide and transporting it to places where it can be stored safely e.g. in deep geological formations
• CCS has the potential to reduce emissions from power stations by 90%

but..

• The technology is still at developmental stage
• CCS uses fuel and increases the cost of energy 
• Risk of carbon dioxide leaking

Encouraging energy conservation at home 

• This will reduce domestic fuel consumption
• In UK around 15% of emissions reductions by 2020 will be achieved by making homes more energy efficient 
• Government strategies in UK will be providing energy efficiency grants  
• Financial incentives for people who generate their own electricity
• Homes being sold need a energy performance certificate that shows how energy efficient the home is and how efficient it can be 

but..

• Energy saving improvements can have a high initial cost
• Difficult to work out energy efficient some houses are
• Regulations restricting the improvements that can be made to listed buildings

Reducing emissions for transport

• In UK 20% of emission reductions by 2020 by reducing emissions from transport 
• Strategies include encouraging people to buy lower emissions vehicles 
• Financial incentives are offered to encourage people to buy electric and hybrid cars

but..

• There are still lots of older cars with higher emissions on the roads
• Producing hybrid and electric cars use lots of complex technologies, which use lots of energy and produce emissions 

Local
Recycling waste

• Recycling waste helps reduce climate changes because it usually requires less energy
• Reduces landfill waste
• Recycling prevents the release of 10-15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year 

but..

• Transporting products can create transport emissions

Using cars less 

• Reduces transport emissions 
• Average car produces 2.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year in the UK

but..

• People prefer using cars as they feel safer, and it's faster and more convenient

Buying local 

• Reduces transport emissions 
• Eating seasonal products reduces the need for heated greenhouses

but..

• Many people like having a variety of foods all year round 

Choose energy efficient appliances 

• Reduces fuel consumption 
• Many new appliances are 50% more efficient than older models 

but..

• Throwing away old appliances create lots of waste
• Making new appliances uses energy
• People may be reluctant to spend money on new appliances