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Prof. Chan King MingProf. Chan King MingAssociate ProfessorAssociate Professor

Dept. of Biochemistry and Dept. of Biochemistry and Environmental Science ProgramEnvironmental Science Program

Chinese UniversityChinese Universityemail: email: kingchan@cuhk.edu.hkkingchan@cuhk.edu.hk

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CONTENTS:CONTENTS:

1.1. Carbon Cycle and Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect

2.2. The Impacts of Global The Impacts of Global WarmingWarming

3. Kyoto Protocol3. Kyoto Protocol

4. What can we do to help?4. What can we do to help?

2

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http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_3_1.htm

1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

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Atmospheric CO2

Sinks (Carbon Sinks (Carbon Fixation) :Fixation) :

1.1. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis

2.2. Uptake by oceanUptake by ocean

Sources:Sources:

1.1. Burning of fossil Burning of fossil fuels and fuels and

organic mattersorganic matters

2.2. RespirationRespiration

Other forms of carbon deposits, e.g. coral, cellulose.

1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

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1. Carb

on

Cycle an

d G

reenh

ou

se E

ffect碳的貯存和轉移碳的貯存和轉移

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Major sources of greenhouse gases: burning of fossil fuels, e.g. vehicle and power plant emissions.

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Carbon Dioxide Surge was created by human activities since industrial revolution

1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

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1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

Caused by global carbon dioxide surge. Caused by global carbon dioxide surge.

Global Warming =

Rapid Increase of Global Surface Air Temperature

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4 ℃℃ – 8 ℃℃ surge

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1. Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Effect

Global Warming Potentials, GWP, stability in atmosphere:

Carbon Dioxide = 1 (?)

Methane = 21 (12 year)

Nitrous Oxide = 310 (120 years)

CFC-11 = 4,600 (45 years)

CFC-12 = 10,600 (100 years)http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html

Q What contributed to the heat energy absorption in molecules

in the atmosphere?

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2. The Impacts of global Warming2. The Impacts of global Warming

Arctic 1979

Arctic 2003

Arctic perennial sea ice has been diminishing at a rate of 9% per decade. The ice of frozen freshwater on Greenland melts to dilute and lower the salinity of the arctic ocean. This would have significant effects (slower or stop) on the ocean conveyor.

Ice from land could raise sea level

Reduced ice from ocean changes currents

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How would the climate change if the Gulf Stream shut down? A shut down of the Gulf Stream would suddenly decrease the amount of heat in the North

Atlantic, leading to much colder temperatures in Europe and North America.

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Resting & & MigrationReduction of sea ice has impact on populations of

marine mammals, they use ice floes for resting, molting and giving birth.

Even if not killed…

Bearded SealWalrusWalrus

2. The Impacts of global Warming2. The Impacts of global Warming

Poor Cod

Sardine

Anchovy

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Flowering & Feeding Predators follow their prey Temporal mismatch of prey and predator = “phenological disjunction” non-migratory Great Tit (Parus major) and migratory Pied Flycatcher

(Ficedula hypoleuca) Reproductive success ↓ due to changing availability of caterpillar food

supplies. Also affected by phenological changes of forest due to climate change and

air pollution

Parus majorFicedula hypoleuca

2. The Impacts of global Warming2. The Impacts of global Warming

71% of UK butterfly species are reported to be declining

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Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, 2006.

In 2003, the World Conservation Union's Red List said more than 12,000 species (out of 40,000 assessed) faced some extinction risk, including one bird in eight, 13% of the world's flowering plants, a quarter of all mammals.

2. The Impacts of global Warming2. The Impacts of global Warming

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The Impacts of global WarmingThe Impacts of global Warming

1. Reduction of biodiversity:• Losing Habitats due to temperature rises• Reduction of freshwater supply trapped in mountains

2. Extreme weathers: more storms, floods, droughts…3. More diseases

• Endemic diseases increasing health risks4. Unpredictable climate change

• Buffering power of planet earth is lowered, leading to unforeseeable climate change

• leading to fluctuating economy, e.g. Hurricanes in Mexico Bay are threatening oil prices to surge, drought lead to depletion of resources supply, etc………

2. The Impacts of global Warming2. The Impacts of global Warming

Effects of global warming

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Abstract from the 17th Global Warming Conference, April, 2006.

.. today‘s atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the highest in 650,000 years. 

Antarctic climate and concentrations of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were tightly coupled.

… CO2 seemed to be confined between bounds of about 180 ppmv (parts per million by volume) in glacial periods and 280 ppmv in inter-glacials; …… Today is 380 ppmy and is rising….

3. Kyoto Protocol

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京都協定 The Kyoto Protocol, 1997

1. Took effect in February, 2005. Obligates countries to observe target figures for green house gas reduction.

2. Advanced nations should reduce emissions of 6 gases by an average of 6-8% (relative to 1990 levels) over the five year period from 2008 to 2012.

3. Kyoto Mechanisms : Scheme for Trading Green House Gas Emissions Rights and encourage international co-operations to achieve carbon neutral

3. Kyoto Protocol

History: Emission Trading

Clean Clean Development Development MechanismMechanism

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Country Target (1990** - 2008/2012)

EU-15*, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Monaco, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland

-8%

US*** -7%

Canada, Hungary, Japan, Poland -6%

Croatia -5%

New Zealand, Russian Federation, Ukraine

0

Norway +1%

Australia +8%

Iceland +10%

3. Kyoto Protocol

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　 1990 2000 2001

    United States 4,989 5,7875,692 (5,800 in 2006)

    Canada 473 581 569

    Mexico 308 364 352

    United Kingdom 600 553 563

    France 374 401 396

    Germany 995 828 819

    Italy 415 443 445

    Netherlands 211 228 248

    Japan 987 1,138 1,158

    Australia/New Zealand 294 387 398

    Russia 2,405 1,570 1,614

    China 2,262 2,8613,050 (6,200 in 2006)

    India 561 914 917

    South Korea 234 425 443

    Turkey 129 184 184

    Brazil 250 343 347

Total World 21,563 23,536 23,899

World Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Region, 1990-2001(Million Metric Tons Carbon Dioxide) 3. Kyoto Protocol

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3. Kyoto Protocol

History: Emission Trading

The global carbon market

Carbon dioxide emission trading

1. Since carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, people speak simply of trading in carbon.

2. Carbon is now tracked and traded like any other commodity. This is known as the "carbon market."

3. Each country and company must set its own targets (set ceiling)

Kyoto Mechanisms:

1. Joint Implementation (JI)

2. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

3. Emission Trading

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112/04/20 KMCHAN 28http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7120952.stm

2007 UN Climate Change Conference Result (Kyoto II): Road Map by 2009 for all countries?

Obama VS Bush?

3. Kyoto Protocol

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http://www.ctenergyeducation.com/images/Wedges_Concept_Game_Materials_July05.pdf

http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/resources/stabwedge.htm

http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/resources/CMI_Resources_new_files/CMI_Wedge_Game_Jan_2007.pdf

Wedge Strategies:

Nuclear energyRenewables (e.g.

solar, wind, hydrogen)Biostorage (e.g.

forest and soil storage)

Efficiency (reduced miles traveled, increased building and electricity efficiency)

Conservation (reduced transport)

Fossil-Fuel-Based (fuel switching, carbon capture)

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http://www.princeton.edu/~cmi/resources/CMI_Resources_new_files/CMI_Wedge_Game_Jan_2007.pdf

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A question for you

Leung et al., 2004. Climate Change in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Observatory Technical Note No.107. HKSAR Government. 41 p.

Hong Kong is hotter than global trend

in recent years!

Why?

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4. What can we do to help?

http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/files/GHG_trend_1990_2005.pdf

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http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/files/GHG_signifacnce_1990_2005.pdf

4. What can we do to help?

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Our Power Plants are using coal or Natural gas as their major fossil fuel to generate electricity!

HK Electric Plants in Lamma Island.

CLP Plants in Castle Peak.

4. What can we do to help?

Gas-fired Plants under construction

Gas-fired Plants planned

Scheme of Control Agreement

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Table of Progress in Achieving the 2010 Targets

1997Emission(tonnes)

2005Emission(tonnes)

Changes1997-2005

2010Targets

SO2 64 500 84 600 +31% -40%

NOX 110 000 93 800 -15% -20%

RSP 11 200 7 200 -36% -55%

VOC 54 400 40 200 -26% -55%

http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/misc/ehk07/english/air/index.htm#2

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4. What can we do to help?USE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND NUCLEAR POWER

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WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ??Carbon audit

Low carbon Living

Conserve rural area, plant more trees.

Practice life-style of health and sustainability (LOHAS), e.g. 3R, use MTR, stop using tungsten light-bulbs, save water, etc.

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Summary

Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal Carbon dioxide emission exceeds the normal range and is rising, together with global range and is rising, together with global temperaturetemperature

The impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and The impacts are visible, cannot be stopped and the situation is getting worsethe situation is getting worse

We are causing global warming and we have to We are causing global warming and we have to act on saving our planet earth!act on saving our planet earth!

Discussion:

1. What’s Carbon neutral? What can we do to achieve Carbon neutral or carbon compensation?

2. Practicing wedge strategies: audit and plan for low carbon living in your school/firm/ organization/and at home!

3. Is carbon tax more useful (fair?) than trading?

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Further Readings

1. Christianson, Gale (1999) Greenhouse: The 200- Year Story of Global Warming. Walker & Company, New York. Penguin Books, 305p.

2. Flannery, Tim (2006) We Are The Weather Makers, The Story Of Global Warming. Text Publishing Co., 272p.

3. Gore, Al (2006) An Inconvenient Truth. Rodale, Inc., New York, NY., 327p.

4. Houghton, John (2004) Global Warming. Third Ed., Cambridge University Press, 351p.