What can we do about it? [iat ste ee cr donb activities or habits may affect the size of carbon footprint. ARES What is your carbon footprint? Tommy has calculated his carbon footprint in a website. Figure 1 shows the result. Figure 2 shows his lifestyle. ‘My father drives me to school EH The global average carbon footprint per capita is about 4 tonnes/year. lke my laptop to be switched on even ifm ‘not using it at the time. local food. Figure 2 1 What do you think about the size of Tommy's carbon footprint? Give evidence to support your answer. His carbon footprint is large as it is more than double the world average. 2 Refer to Figure 2. How can Tommy reduce his carbon footprint? He can go to school by public transport, eat less meat and consume locally-produced food, and switch off the laptop when itis not in use. 3 Do you think individual's actions are important to help ease climate change? Why? Open answer [Note to teachers: Encourage students to voice their opinions.) PPPIPP LAPP PIPPI PP PED PPP PPP PPFD PII DP II PDIP carbon footprint me2A 51TI changing cimae changing envicnments 52 Instead of listing all the solutions and ask students to recite them, it is more efficient for students to understand the rationale behind through a framework approach. This approach is applicable to ‘solve other problems. It is ‘worthwhile for students to understand and memorize this framework. How can we ease climate change? A ‘carbon footprint’ is a good indicator to show the amount of greenhouse gases produced by an individual or society. We can reduce our carbon footprints to help ease climate change. There are two approaches that we can try (Figure 3). @ Removing greenhouse gases [il from the air. a. Reduce energy consumption Carry out waste separation Today, fossil fuels are still the main source and recycling of energy. When we reduce energy + This reduces the amount consumption, we burn fewer fossil fuels. of waste treated in landfills and incinerators. Thus, fewer greenhouse gases, such as methane, are emitted. + We can make new products from recycled materials, This saves energy. + We can use recycled paper and cut fewer trees. b_ Develop renewable energy resources ‘Stop using products Renewable energy resources such as solar that contain man-made and wind power are clean. They do not greenhouse gases release carbon dioxide. For example, we can use refrigerants and sprays which are CFC-free. Figure 3. Two major approaches to help manage the problem of climate change spray 81‘a Plant more trees Trees can absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Planting more trees can cut down the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Whaccan wedoaboucie? 11,5 | b Keep the ocean clean Plant plankton in the ocean also absorb carbon dioxide. If the ocean is clean, there will be more plant plankton to help remove carbon dioxide from the air. pee CD Nias cemany. have introduced a method called the Carbon ope Sn Storage (605) combat global warming ‘Tus method could help retoce carbon emitons tothe amosphere oo capri ed Storing carbon deep deg Towers hi noid is unmiable a the fens that encourages ees Soe a sua Besides, crvmmneannat ote that there na sof Teakng Te hy compressed carbon Alongs undcrgoued may tho force contaminants in drinking water To learn more about the role of plant plankton in oceans, refer to Part 8 ‘Oceans in trouble! (elective rapic), Unit 8.1 p. 7. What should we do to deal with climate change? In order to deal with climate change, individuals, different governments aud the intetativnal community should take action. 1 At the individual level As a global citizen, you can help combat climate change by leading, a green lifestyle. + Use less air conditioning + Save energy, eg, turn offall lights, computers, TVs when leaving the room ‘The measures suggested here ‘may not be easy to accomplish in reality. The crux of the problem is to change our lifestyle and habits. The most effective ‘way of achieving the goals of environmental [rotaetion ie ta laad a green and simple life. 1f every one of us is willing to ny, it will be a great e step to success. Eat more vegetables than meat + Grow some green plants + Carty out the 3Rs ~ reduce, reuse and recycle + Use products without CFCs plant plankton S299 53TL. changing cmace changing environments + Walk or ride a bike if the travelling distance is short + Use public transport such as buses or trains When shopping + Bring your own shopping bag + Buy ess + Buy local and seasonal food + Avoid products with excess packaging, List FIVE things that you have done in your daily life chat help ease climate change. (Open answer {Note to teachers: Encourage 8 links students to voice their opinions.) Oxfam's booklet Climate A-Z (in Chinese only) provides some major concepts and events related to climate change, and euggestions on what we can do to deal with climate change. |heep://www.oxfam.orghk/content/99/content_4800en.pdf & 2 At the national level Many counties have aleady taken actions (y deal with climate change. Figure 4 on p. 55 shows some examples 54Encourage cycling in dhe county, eg by building networks of cycling routes in major cities. 4 Finland Pass laws co increase the energy efficiency of new buildings. For example, buildings have to use insulation materials install double-glazed windows, ete Increase the share of renewable energy (about 30% at present) in producing electricity What can we de abourie? 11,5 Practise waste separation, oe Require businesses that emit over a certain amount of greenhouse gases per yeat Lo buy Conduct campaigns to encourage people to save energy, eg. casual dressing in workplaces to reduce air conditioning South Korea Figure 4 Measures taken by some countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions Insulation (#8 —_double-glazed window SERA 8 55TL changing ciate changing environments 56 ‘One of the ways for China to cut carbon dioxide emissions is to use ‘more nuclear power. This may bea way out as nuclear power does not emit greenhouse guror during electricity generation and is energy- efficient. However, its impact fon the environment could be disastrous if there is any leakage. For details, refer to Part 2 ‘Scramble for energy’, pp. 49-51, Actions taken in China China plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60-65% below the 2005 level by 2030. Table 1 shows some of the measures being undertaken to achieve this. Table 1 Some measures taken by China to ease climate change © Slowing down the «1 of greentiuuse gases into the alr Close factories and power plants that are energy inefficient, For example, China closed more than 1,500 factories and plants in 2013 + Change tax laws to favour less-polluting industries. For example, provide lower tax rates to high-tech and green industries in the ZDR + Pass laws to increase the energy efficiency of new buildings | + Develop renewable energy, eg, HEP int Ue Changjiang Basin, wind farms in Nei ‘Mongol and offshore of Jiangsu, and solar power in Qinghai and Xizang + Develop high-speed railway systems, eg. the central government will invest 800 billion RMB in such rail projects in the period of 2016-2020 A solar power plant in Delingha in High-speed trains are highly energy- Qinghai ficient _ Removing greenhouse gases from the + Carry out large-scale afforestation, eg, in northern China + Convert farmland back to woodland or grassland cathy Afforestation in Nei Mongol Nei Mongol MBA — iangsu STE Qinghai HIF Delingha #Sus afforestation 14KAsk students to give more examples of the ‘measures taken in Hong Kong to combat climate change. (For instance, introduction of energy ‘efficiency labelling scheme ‘and educating the public about energy-saving methods and conservation, such as keeping air-conditioned temperature at 25.5°C to reduce energy consumption.) Gi Here are some games related to energy-saving ‘measures in Hong Kong, Have funl hetp:l/www.energy land.emsdgov.hk/en/ funzone/grown_ups. hem! QB ‘hatcan wedoabouie 11,5 ETA titleist What has Hong Kong done to combat climate change? Compared with the world average (about 4 tonnes/person/year), the carbon footprint of the people in Hong Kong Is large (about 6 tonnes/ person/year). In order to reduce emissions. Hong Kong has adopted some measures (Figure 5). Energy and transport Buildings: Introsuce a district ‘ooling system Urban design at the Kei Tak Development Area toreduce the use of ar conditioning Waste and cludge treatment Note Sludge is thick mudt-tike by-product of sewage treatment Figure 5 Some actions taken in Hang Kang to camat climate change vertical greening S8H#Mt sludge 75: 57T1 changing ciate changing environments ‘Through this data interpretation activity, students may be aware of the fact that ceven if we are dealing with the same pool of data, dffeveuit ways of interpretation (in this case, whether you take the total amount or the per capita amount) will have different outcomes, Therefore. we should be careful when interpreting data eet ucmiea = rere be Vii so sees ae Is it easy for countries to cooperate in order to combat ate change? Table 2 shows the major emitters of carbon dioxide in the world and the amount of their per capita emissions. Figure 6 on p. 59 shows an international conference on climate change. There are disputes hetween some MNCs and TNCs over the problem of responsibility. Table 2 Top six emitters of carbon dioxide due to consumption of fossil fuels Carbon dioxide emission ne a : Sp ce oo aa (2015 2000. 2015 | Total | Per capita China 3800 10720 29 77 1 USA 5900 5,180 206 161 J L ind “100 2470 10 19 1 * | Russia 1,700 1760 13 23 t | t Japan 41300 1260 101 99 J L | Germany 900 780. 103 96 4 L World 25,600 36250 40 42 t t Note: According to country classification of the UN, Russa is classified as economies in transition. tis not @ developed or developing country. Source: POL Netherlands Enviouneitl Assessment Agency. Tends in Glabal CO; Emisions 2016 Report 1. Refer to Table 2. a Which country was the largest world emitter in terms of i ii bi total emissions in 2015? China per capita emissions in 2015? USA Refer to the total and per capita emissions of each country between 2000 and 2015. Mark ‘T” if the amount has increased, ‘Lif it has decreased and ‘—~ if there was no change, in the last column. Refer to Table 2 for answers What do you notice? On the whole, both total and per capita emissions of the world have decreased ) in the said period. Tor MDCs, both euissivus have (increased Kecreased); while for LDCs, both emissions have decreased ).wraccanwe doabourir T15 | wa eo ne sar You must issulfering from fever! frorn LDCs have creat increased inrecent years pet from the MDCs are ‘My country suffers great er rene Most greenhouse gases fl We have no ‘accumulated inthe ait J money and litle hhave been caused by technology to deal MOCS in the past with this problem, Figure 6 2. What are the arguments of these MDCs and LDCs in combating climate change? Complete the tollowing table with reference to Table 2 (on p. 58) and Figure 6, Country e Se Warne e | MDCs AT Cutting emission incurs excra costs: This wil slow down the growth of the eRe ‘ nn climate change. This is because: in terms of tatal emissions of carbon dioxide,__tW0_out of the top three emitters are LDCs, while _WGhiN@ees___ is theJargest.one.in the world. ~ in general, both the cotal and per capita emissions from many MOGshave __eeropped. | over the past decade, while emissions from the LDCs have _Increased [ LDCs, + LCs have! ‘and lit: wtieshmelegy __to deal with the problem cid + The problem of climate change is created by MDCS. This is because: = interms of pencapia emissions, the amounts ofall the\MDGs ar Wighigethanthose ofthe \DGa, while the USA is the highest in the world. — MOCs starredhintuseiatizetionrearliemearbBGs, Most greenhouse gases accumulated in jr have been caused by MDGs in the past. itvori Co, 59T changing cimate changing environments 60 Years and details of the events in Figure 7 are not important. Students are only required to get acquainted with the names of the major agreements. ‘Teachers may ask students {in which countries these ‘meetings were held. Teachers may make use of Google Maps to show the locations of the relevant cities. Due to economic and other concers, the USA withdrew from the Paris ‘Agreement under the Trump administration. Since the USA is one ofthe largest emitters, of greenhouse gases in the ‘world, its withdrawal might ‘ause the global emperature to increase by 3.6°C by 2100 (the world target is 15°C) However, many state governments in the USA refuse to follow the decision of the federal government. They have reiterated that they would keep the targets set in the Agreement. ited Tinea Get a complete sec of Integrated exercises for this part at hetp,//eresources. oupchina.comhk/ jungeo2e/ielie_index. hem ee Refer to p. 64 for the ‘answers to Integrated ‘exercises for this part. 3. At the international level From the activity above, we can see that getting every country to work together is not an easy task. This is because different countries have different viewpoints over the responsibility. However, the atmosphere does not have political boundaries, like countries do. Efforts by a few countries alone cannot solve this global problem. International cooperation is needed. Since the 1980s, many countries have been trying to work together to deal with the problem. Intergovernmental Panel ‘IRTP FERED Copenhagen Accord ‘on Climate Change (IPCC) Set the limits of greenhouse ‘The USA, China and ulter Experi from all over the ‘as emissions for MDGs; malor LOGS agreed for the ‘world started conducting [LDCs could cut emissions on first timo to eul greenhouse research on climate change voluntary basis ‘gas emissions Unltd Natons Framework Durb Platorm aragreomenk Convention on Climate: + Accept legally-binding * All countries agreed to work: ‘Ghange (UNFCCC) trsason cut for both together to loep to in Rent eeeetesdh MDGs and LOGS in geal enoortue bon 6 ‘wth fe aecon of cutng 2020 Sbove pre dust ‘greenhouse gas emissions, Set up the Green + Al counties are required to But without seting any Imits Climate Fund to help Tevse thai emisaion tarets and po curios tmaasures every ive yours Figure 7 Major efforts of international cooperation to deal with climate change After several conferences, all countries have agreed to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clearer and more specific targets have been set. Funds have also been set up to help those countries in need. However, according to the Paris Agreement (2015), countries will not be penalized if they fail to meet targets. In order tu deal with climate change effectively, more efforts are needed to encourage countries to agree on legally-binding emussion cuts, Learn these words carbon footprint REE ED 51 vertical greening SEEE: 7 afforestation fitHt ss Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (PCO) BUS RIRIRE(CHAS 8 & United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) RA RISE UREME HEN 285 kyoto Protocol Sanaa