Clean Energy Chpt 1 & 2

8/2/2019 Clean Energy Chpt 1 & 2

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/clean-energy-chpt-1-2 1/13

Clean Energy,Clean Energy,

Common SenseCommon SenseChapter 1 & 2Chapter 1 & 2



ForwardForward

yy ´After decades of study and observation´After decades of study and observationworldwide, the evidence before us isworldwide, the evidence before us is

overwhelming. Temperatures are rising. Iceoverwhelming. Temperatures are rising. Icecaps are melting. Deserts are spreading.caps are melting. Deserts are spreading.Majestic landscapes from Montana·s glaciersMajestic landscapes from Montana·s glaciersto Utah·s Red Rocksto Utah·s Red Rocks ²² places I used to viewplaces I used to viewas enduring symbols of American gritas enduring symbols of American grit ²² areare

in decline.µin decline.µRobert Redford QuoteRobert Redford QuoteHarmonyHarmony ²² Prince CharlesPrince Charles



IntroductionIntroduction

Overarching themeOverarching theme ²² act nowact now ²² time is running out.time is running out.

yy

Arctic ice affects currents and weatherArctic ice affects currents and weatheryy Widening deserts spread thirst and diseaseWidening deserts spread thirst and disease

yy Crops fail, people go hungryCrops fail, people go hungry

yy Climate shifts cause epic storms and disastersClimate shifts cause epic storms and disasters

yy Wildfires ravage our landsWildfires ravage our lands




Reasons people don·t take action on climate changeReasons people don·t take action on climate change

yy

A priority but not a problemA priority but not a problemyy Worry about taking action and impacting economyWorry about taking action and impacting economy

yy Politicians might somehow get it wrongPoliticians might somehow get it wrong

Are YOU takingAre YOU taking ACTIONACTION NOW?NOW?




yy WaxmanWaxman--Markey climate and energy billMarkey climate and energy bill ---- aka the Americanaka the AmericanClean Energy and Security Act, ACES, H.R. 2454Clean Energy and Security Act, ACES, H.R. 2454

yy Renewable energy standardRenewable energy standard

yy Emissions cuts and permitsEmissions cuts and permits

yy Investments in energy technologyInvestments in energy technology

yy OffsetsOffsets

yy CoalCoal--fired plantsfired plants

yy Energy efficiency standardsEnergy efficiency standards

yy Worker transition Smarter cars andWorker transition Smarter cars and gridsgrids




yy Global climate change is the single greatestGlobal climate change is the single greatestenvironmental challenge of our generationenvironmental challenge of our generation

1.1. Humanitarian challengeHumanitarian challenge

2.2. Economic challengeEconomic challenge

3.3. National security challengeNational security challenge

4.4. Moral challengeMoral challenge



Chapter 1:Chapter 1:

A Clear and Present DangerA Clear and Present DangerEvidence is in and the verdict is clearEvidence is in and the verdict is clear

yy

Choose five specific examples of evidence thatChoose five specific examples of evidence thatconcerns you mostconcerns you most

yy ´The human impact of climate change is happening´The human impact of climate change is happeningright now.right now.µ former U.N. Secretaryµ former U.N. Secretary--GeneralGeneral LofiLofi AnnanAnnan

yy In Sept. 2009, the CIA launched The Center onIn Sept. 2009, the CIA launched The Center onClimate Change and National SecurityClimate Change and National Security




A Clear and Present DangerA Clear and Present Dangeryy U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009)U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009)

yy

´Observations show that warming of the climate is´Observations show that warming of the climate isunequivocal. The global warming observed overunequivocal. The global warming observed overthe past 50 years is due primarily to humanthe past 50 years is due primarily to human--inducedinducedemissions of heatemissions of heat--trapping gases. These emissionstrapping gases. These emissionscome mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal,come mainly from the burning of fossil fuels (coal,

oil, and gas), with important contributions from theoil, and gas), with important contributions from theclearing of forests, agricultural practices and otherclearing of forests, agricultural practices and otheractivities.µactivities.µ




A Clear and Present DangerA Clear and Present Dangeryy ´The science has become more irrevocable than´The science has become more irrevocable than

ever: climate change is happening. The evidence isever: climate change is happening. The evidence is

all around,µ United Nations Secretaryall around,µ United Nations Secretary--General BanGeneral BanKiKi--Moon wrote in the report on climate change thatMoon wrote in the report on climate change thatthe U.N. Environment Program releasedthe U.N. Environment Program releasedSeptemeberSeptemeber 24, 2009. ´The time for hesitation is24, 2009. ´The time for hesitation isover. The time to act is now.µover. The time to act is now.µ



Chapter 2: Fire and IceChapter 2: Fire and Ice

yy ´Arctic sea ice is a kind of speedometer showing´Arctic sea ice is a kind of speedometer showinghow fast global warming is changing our world.how fast global warming is changing our world.

We·re traveling a breakneck speed.µWe·re traveling a breakneck speed.µ

yy What choices will you make this week that willWhat choices will you make this week that willcontribute to the melting of the Arctic?contribute to the melting of the Arctic?

WhatWhat ACTIONACTION are you willing to take?are you willing to take?




yy ´We·re in for additional warming of between 6.3´We·re in for additional warming of between 6.3and 8.1 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of thisand 8.1 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this

century, concludes a September 2009 report by thecentury, concludes a September 2009 report by theU.N. Environment Program. That·s more thanU.N. Environment Program. That·s more thandouble the level scientist agree could lead todouble the level scientist agree could lead toenvironmental disaster.µenvironmental disaster.µ

yy How do polar bearsHow do polar bears explainexplain climate change?climate change?




yy 19801980 ²² 3 million square miles of Arctic ice3 million square miles of Arctic ice

yy 20092009 ²² 1.9 square miles of Arctic ice1.9 square miles of Arctic ice

yy ´After 2,000 years of little change, sea level rose by´After 2,000 years of little change, sea level rose byroughly 8 inches over the past century,µ the U.S.roughly 8 inches over the past century,µ the U.S.Global Change Research Program reports.Global Change Research Program reports.

yy ´The effects of climate change will continue to result´The effects of climate change will continue to resultin greater probability of longer and biggerin greater probability of longer and bigger firefireseasons in more regions of the nation,µ the QFRseasons in more regions of the nation,µ the QFRreports.µreports.µ




yy 70% of70% of whitebark pineswhitebark pines are already dead in parts ofare already dead in parts ofMontana, Wyoming, and Idaho.Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.

yy ´Human disruption of the climate poses the greatest´Human disruption of the climate poses the greatestthreat our national parks have ever faced.µ Nationalthreat our national parks have ever faced.µ NationalResources Defense CouncilResources Defense Council

yy

Can we protect our national parks for futureCan we protect our national parks for futuregenerations?generations?

yy 83% favor stricter laws and regulations to protect83% favor stricter laws and regulations to protectour environment.our environment.

Clean Energy Chpt 1 & 2

Documents

Transcript of Clean Energy Chpt 1 & 2