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A closer look at climate change

A closer look at climate change. Neranda C. Maurice Climate Change Unit Ministry of Economic Affairs, Economic Planning, Investment National Development , GOSL. The Science of Climate Change. The Cause.

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A closer look at climate change

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  1. A closer look at climate change Neranda C. Maurice Climate Change Unit Ministry of Economic Affairs, Economic Planning, Investment National Development , GOSL

  2. The Science of Climate Change

  3. The Cause Emissions of “greenhouse gases” (GHGs) into the atmosphere as a result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. GHGs include: • Carbon dioxide (cars, wood fires, etc) • Methane (landfills, agriculture, livestock) • Nitrous Oxide (Industry) • CFCs (Refrigeration)

  4. What is climate change? • A change of climate • attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that • alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is • addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.” UNFCCC.

  5. The greenhouse effect

  6. Evidence 12 hottest year on record have occurred within the last 14 years. • 1998, 2005(tied) • Earth warmed 0.6 degrees C in the last 100 years

  7. Snowmelt in 2005

  8. Oceans and heat

  9. All those of a contrary opinion say: NAY! • Doubt whether much or any of the warming can be linked to increases in CO2 • Weather stations close to towns reflect heat associated with the growth of those towns or cities • Real warming discounted for bias falls within variability • Flawed model simulations, faulty computers

  10. Pillars of Sustainable Development SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Links Between All Sectors (Goals, Complimentarily and Conflicts)

  11. Impacts • Sea Level Rise and sea surface temperature increase • Changes in local and regional temperature regimes • Changes in rainfall patterns • Increased frequency and severity of weather events such as droughts, rainstorms and hurricanes

  12. Implications • Coastal Zone and Fisheries Healthy vs. bleached coral Loss of pelagic

  13. Implications • Human health and settlements

  14. Implications • Tourism

  15. Implications • Forestry and terrestrial resources:- • Overlap of breeding seasons for birds, biodiversity, what they use to start nesting, those to end breeding continues, clashes • Financial sector: financial services, loans real estate, coastal properties • Government allocation

  16. Implications • Agriculture and livestock:- heat and water stresses, disease affecting crops, reduction in yields.

  17. Water resources- • Changes in rainfall pattern,

  18. Mitigation of Climate Change effectsHOW? • Mitigation to Climate change is cross- sectoral and the approach is through the reduction of emissions via: • Agriculture, forestry and rural development • Urban planning and development including transportation • Energy efficiency including industry and residential and commercial end use. • Power generation including clean fossil fuels and renewable energy

  19. International response • The convention:- • United Nations Framework on the Convention for Climate Change • Conference of parties meet every year, decision making body, Saint Lucia as well as all countries who have signed on have an opportunity to participate and have their concerns addressed.

  20. International response • The Protocol • Kyoto Protocol which was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, regulates six major GHG’s including carbon dioxoide(CO2), methane(CH4) nitrous oxide (N2O) perflorocarbons (PFCs) , hexaflorocarbons (HFCs) and sulfur hexafloride (SF6) into force in 2005.

  21. International Response • KP contributes to combating CC by assigning amount or limits on the quantity of emissions that a country is allowed. • Reduction to 5.2% below 1990 emission levels for Annex B countries. • First commitment period 2008-2012

  22. Regional response • MACC:- integrate climate change adaptation issues in the national agendas of member states. Five components:- • Training for surveyors and engineers, and met officers to monitor sea level rise • SPAC:- • Pilot project in St. Lucia US$200,000 to retrofit building to make them resistant to category three hurricanes. Eight sites have been selected to be short listed to 3. Not just roofs and hurricane straps but incorporating green architecture issues. • Looking at the water resource availability in Vieux Fort. What is the current state? What can we do to augment water supply in VFort. • Looking at coastal marine resources, how they stand to be impacted. Response. Bridging land activities and their marine impacts.

  23. Local response • Communications:- reports on what has been done to address CC issues. Objectives:- to fulfill reporting requirements to the convention and to enhance our capacity to plan for adaptation and mitigation and mainstreaming CC in national development planning. • Elements: • GHG inventory • V& A (vulnerability and adaptation assessment) • National circumstances, determines our capacity to adapt and mitigate CC. Economy, geography • Mitigation :- • Gaps & Challenges • Other relevant country info in meeting objectives • Initial communication to UNFCCC, 2003 • Currently Second national communication 2006-2009

  24. Local response • Policy documents • Capacity building • KAP • Video • Teachers toolkit • Brochures, climate change calenders • Addressing various audiences • Radio programs, Creole and English • Future:- national symposium for policy makers

  25. Mitigation of Climate Change effects • The energy link

  26. What have we done? • 1999 COP 5 declaration:- That Saint Lucia would be come a sustainable energy demonstration country by 2010. • 1999-Cabinet conclusion, incentives for renewable energy technologies for the benefit of private citizens and ESCO. • 2000- Energy Plan and Policy process begins • 2001- SEP developed • 2003- SEP endorsed

  27. What have we done? • 2004-Signing of UNEC TOR and GEA, GeoCariabes • 2004-Wind Farm sight feasibility-CREDP/GTZ • 2004- Energy Audits of hotels • 2004/05-Solar financing through UNIDO (ongoing) • 2005/05 Climate care bulbs(5000) • 2005-2006 – Consultations for NEP (ongoing) • 2007- Cuban bulb project (250,000) • 2007-greenhouse gas inventory and training for all sectors

  28. Where are we now? • Geothermal:- • No drilling no real progress since 2004 • Wind:- • None of the sites identified have actually been acquired, Bordelais, hotel development, final site, yet to be determined • Solar:- • tax rebate for solar water heaters • Low interest loan for low to middle income households

  29. Where are we now? • Hydro:- • Potential of dam was assessed by CREDP/GTZ (2006) • Talks with WASCO to determine next steps (2007)

  30. Where are we headed? • Becoming a sustainable energy demonstration country, • Fulfilling our common but differentiated responsibility under KP

  31. Mitigation of Climate Change effectsHOW? • Mitigation to Climate change is cross- sectoral and the approach is through the reduction of emissions via: • Agriculture, forestry and rural development • Urban planning and development including transportation • Energy efficiency including industry and residential and commercial end use. • Power generation including clean fossil fuels and renewable energy

  32. Mitigation of Climate Change effects • The energy link

  33. What have we done? • 1999 COP 5 declaration:- That Saint Lucia would be come a sustainable energy demonstration country by 2010. • 1999-Cabinet conclusion, incentives for renewable energy technologies for the benefit of private citizens and ESCO. • 2000- Energy Plan and Policy process begins • 2001- SEP developed • 2003- SEP endorsed

  34. What have we done? • 2004-Signing of UNEC TOR and GEA, GeoCariabes • 2004-Wind Farm sight feasibility-CREDP/GTZ • 2004- Energy Audits of hotels • 2004/05-Solar financing through UNIDO (ongoing) • 2005/05 Climate care bulbs(5000) • 2005-2006 – Consultations for NEP (ongoing) • 2007- Cuban bulb project (250,000) • 2007-greenhouse gas inventory and training for all sectors

  35. Where are we now? • Geothermal:- • No drilling no real progress since 2004 • Wind:- • None of the sites identified have actually been acquired, Bordelais, hotel development, final site, yet to be determined • Solar:- • tax rebate for solar water heaters • Low interest loan for low to middle income households

  36. Where are we now? • Other:- A number of proposals for other renewable energy sources • Hydro:- • Potential of dam was assessed by CREDP/GTZ in?? No other work done since

  37. Where are we headed? • Becoming a sustainable energy demonstration country, • Fulfilling our common but differentiated responsibility under KP

  38. Your response • Building:- green architecture, building codes • Clear land systematically • Water conservation • Helping to reduce fossil fuel imports, • Staying informed:- local SDE offices

  39. Thank You • OUR WORLD IN OUR HANDS!

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