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Challenges for the Planet

Challenges for the Planet. Climate Change. Changes in earth’s orbital geometry called Milankovitch mechanism. (eath wobbles on it’s axis) Changes in solar output (sun’s heat output changes) Catastrophic events e.g. Laki volcanic eruption in 1783

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Challenges for the Planet

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  1. Challenges for the Planet

  2. Climate Change • Changes in earth’s orbital geometry called Milankovitch mechanism. (eath wobbles on it’s axis) • Changes in solar output (sun’s heat output changes) • Catastrophic events e.g. Laki volcanic eruption in 1783 • Killed vegetation which led to animals and humans dying • Western Europe had a bad harvest

  3. Causes of Climate Change • Increase of greenhouse gases from… • Methane: increased due to rise in live stock (15-20%) • Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels e.g. oil (due to increase car ownership)

  4. Negative effects of Climate Change • Decrease in food production: climate change may reduce harvest and prices increasing. • Sea level: rising temperatures will melt ice caps and increase sea levels. Many areas will be under water. • Example, Bangladesh has more cyclones. In 2007 Super Cyclone Sidr was 223 km/hr, killed 3000+ people, and affected 7 million in total

  5. Response to Climate Change • Individual action • Case Study: Live Sustainably • Use local farmers • Use a bike • Recycle • International action • Case Study: Live Sustainably • 1997 Kyoto protocol agreed (178 countries sign a treaty to reduce green house gases) • 2007 Bali Conference (all nations agreed to tackle climate change)

  6. Sustainable Development UN definition Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs BP definition A responsible business.. We run our business to achieve profitable, consistent and sustainable performance Nestle definition Creation of long-term sustainable value for our consumers, customers, employees and society

  7. Case Study for sustainable corporation: Interface Inc Largest manufacturer of commercial carpets in USA • Sustainable because… • Eliminate waste • Use renewable energy sources e.g. solar • Use resource efficient transport

  8. Case Study for transport: Congestion Charge • Impact of Congestion Charge in Central London • In 2006 70,000 fewer vehicles in the congestion charge zone • Greenhouse gas emissions in zone reduced by 20% • Pollutants that affect air quality dropped by 12%

  9. Problems caused by resource extraction from the tropical rainforests • Rainforest cut down because… • Making roads • For farming (growing crops and grazing animals) • For fuel and wood • Deforestation • Biodiversity loss (loss of plants and animals) • Local conflict (local people do not gain)

  10. Rainforest Resource Extraction Case Studies Ecuador Texaco agreed to pay $40 million to cover its share for cleanup of, amongst other things, some 160 of the 600 waste pits created. But the chief of the local Secoya tribe stated that $6 billion was needed to do the job properly. Maxus energy extract oil from Yasuni National Park built underground pipeline (less of an environmental impact). Provided schools for the local Huaorani and Quichua tribes & invested $60 million in environmental protection. Madagascar In 2001 Givaudan, a Swiss company sent a team to Madagascar to survey for new fragrances. It developed 40 aromas that were then sold. The company shared the profits with local communities through conservation and development initiatives.

  11. Sustainable Management of Tropical Rainforest • Management of tropical rainforests, such as: • 􀁸 selective logging rather than clear cutting which is • damaging to whole ecosystem and unsustainable • 􀁸 protection for some hardwoods like mahogany • 􀁸 only licensing the companies that buy from sustainable • forestry projects • 􀁸 ecotourism: tourist who come in small number and have limited impact on the environment • 􀁸Case Study examples • Amazon forest…91 areas have been designated for protection • The Living Rainforest Foundation promotes conservation in the Ecopark outside Manaus.

  12. Task for today.... Produce a spider diagram with the following legs... Tropical Rainforests Sustainable development Causes of Climate Change Challenges for the Planet Responses the climate change Negative effects of climate change

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