youtube/watch?v=TGf8XyE7dYc

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGf8XyE7dYc

2. CLIMATE CHANGE Kelly Thomas, Jessica Gajda, Hilary Bullis

3. THESIS The United States federal government, in comparison to the European Union, has taken less initiative to combat climate change, rather the responsibility has fallen into the hands of non-state actors to coordinate state and city efforts.

4. http://www.npr.org/news/specials/climate/video How will this effect YOU? • Reduced productivity of resources • Damage to human-built environments • Risk to health and life • Damage to “less managed resources” ex: wilderness & biodiversity /

5. This is a GPG issue, not just TRANSnational! • Climate Change is the exemplary Global Public Good (GPG) • Each country’s emissions of greenhouse gases contribute cumulatively to the increase of the overall concentration, and each country’s abatements entail higher cost than benefit, unless effective concerted collective action take place • Unfortunately there are weak political & economic instruments for entering a climate agreement and for attaining & maintaining its goals • The ongoing best known -and highly questioned- attempt to address climate change in the Kyoto Protocol…

6. Kyoto Protocol Overview • Is an amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change agreed in Dec. 1997 • Entered into force in 2005, 170 countries have ratified it as of 2007. • Requires 35 developed , Annex I,countries to reduce GHG emissions specified for them. • As of January 2008, and running through 2012, Annex I countries have to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by a collective average of 5% below their 1990 levels.

7. Details of the Agreement • Common but differentiated responsibility • Developed vs. developing countries • Financial Commitments • Carbon Emissions Trading • Enforcement of the Protocol • Non-compliance: Countries need to make up the difference plus 30%, Suspension from Trading Markets

8. United States position on Kyoto • Signed the protocol, but has not ratified nor has withdrawn from it. • Why President G.W. Bush will not Ratify: • Exemption of China and India. • Unrealistic Expectations. • Economic Reasons • Uncertainty of the Long Term Effects

9. Kyoto Continued Support & Success • 175 parties, countries and political entities (EU) have ratified the treaties. • Allowed for the Emergence of Carbon Markets • Elimination of Coal and emergence of Alternative Energy sources. • Set a precedent for action on climate change on National and International levels. Opposition & Failures • Largest emitter of GHG, the US, has not ratified. • Other large emitters do not fall under the Annex I category. • China, India are exempt • Short time frame doesn’t allow for much long term effects.

10. Post-Kyoto: What happens next? • February 2007 Washington Conference • Agreement in principle to a global cap-and-trade system for industrialized nations AND developing countries. • August 2007 Vienna Talks • 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference

11. European response to Kyoto • May, 2000: Launch of the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) • Phase I: 2000-2001 • Phase II: 2002-2003 • ECCP II: 2005-present

12. The Carbon Market • European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) • commenced Jan. 1, 2005 (entered into force Oct. 23, 2003) • 1st mandatory int’l trading system for GHG emissions • http://youtube.com/watch?v=y7veRksc_Yk • Jan. 2008: proposed changes to scheme by EC • Centralized allocation of shares • Include other GHGs: nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons

13. EU Emissions trading 2005-2012

14. Post 2012 • Integrated Climate Action and Renewable Energy Package • Jan. 2008 • 20-20 by 2020 • Increase to 30% if other industrialized and developing countries take similar action • “You Control Climate Change” Campaign, 2006 • http://youtube.com/watch?v=R5CeQCALESw

15. UNITED STATES Climate Action • The US Federal Government does not currently regulate CO2 domestically and the EPA has not promulgated emission limits for CO2

16. Congressional Activity • The US Congress plays a key role in determining how the US responds to the challenge of global climate change • Legislation enacted by Congress will be necessary to reduce US GHG emissions substantially • In Congress, 2003, the U.S. Senate for the first time voted on legislation that would cap US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions • Energy Policy Act • Renewable energy & energy efficiency • Power plant emissions • Automotive fuel efficiency • Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-trade

17. At the STATE level • Governments are enacting mandatory carbon controls and other programs that reduce GHG emissions • In the business community, where governments are enacting mandatory carbon controls and other programs that reduce GHG emissions • Plans, Targets, and Standards

18. NGO’s and the United States • What they are doing: • Lobbying governments • Working with local government • Promoting efficiency and renewable energy • Energy access for the poor • Adaptation to climate change • NGOs are well-experienced in basic approaches • events, market stalls, community meetings and exhibitions • Examples: WWF, Greenpeace, USCAN, Campaign Earth, Global Green, US Climate Network, Sierra Club

19. Applicable IR theories:

20. So what can YOU do? GO GREEN! • At home: Change lights to ENERGY STAR and you will help the environment while saving money. Heat & cool smartly. Seal and insulate your home. Use Green Power environmentally friendly electricity. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Use water efficiently.  Spread the world. • On the Road: Buy Smart-EPA?s Fuel Economy Guide & Green Vehicle Guide. Drive Smart. Tune your ride-grade of oil, air filter, maintenance. Check your Tires. Give your car a break-public transportation, carpool, walk or bike. Use Renewable Fuels. • At the Office: manage office equipment energy use better. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products for the Office. Use less energy for your commute. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. • At School: Get involved on campus-reduce energy used in dorm rooms, work with administrators to increase energy efficiency, use Green Power, create a campus climate action plan, and develop an inventory of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions.

21. Works Cited: • European Union Website • http://ec.europa.eu/environment/climat/home_en.htm • Climate Action Network- Europe • http://www.climnet.org/euenergy/ET/072007NGO_EUETSreview_submission.pdf • Climate change: The Global Public Good • http://dipeco.economia.unimib.it/pdf/pubblicazioni/wp75_04.pdf • “President Bush Discusses Climate Change” Whitehouse Press. • http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/06/20010611-2.html\ • UNFCCC – Kyoto Protocol • http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php “WE CAN DO IT” THIS EARTH DAY! Tuesday April 22, 2008!