Embedded Files
- International
- National
- Regional
INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Organizations
Organizations
IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change): The UN's source of scientific data to be used in policymaking
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the international body for assessing the science related to climate change. The IPCC was set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.
UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme): The leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
http://www.unep.org/about/who-we-are/overview
Green Climate Fund: an initiative developed by the UN to invest in low-emission, climate-resilient development
The Green Climate Fund was established by 194 countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010. It is designed as an operating entity of the Convention’s financial mechanism and is headquartered in the Republic of Korea. It is governed by a 24 Board member Board, representing countries, and receives guidance from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP).
http://www.greenclimate.fund/home
Legal Response Initiative: a pro bono organization that provides legal advising for the least developed/most vulnerable countries in the UN
The Green Climate Fund was established by 194 countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2010. It is designed as an operating entity of the Convention’s financial mechanism and is headquartered in the Republic of Korea. It is governed by a 24 Board member Board, representing countries, and receives guidance from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP).
http://legalresponseinitiative.org/
The Climate Group: an international non-profit focusing on collaborative programs with corporate and government partners that deliver impact on a global scale
The Climate Group stimulates action by businesses, states and regions, bringing them together to develop and implement the policies that make change happen. We also communicate their achievements to secure global public acceptance of, and even greater ambition for, a prosperous, net-zero future for all.
https://www.theclimategroup.org/
Agreements
Agreements
UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change): A treaty that holds countries accountable for cooperating towards climate action
In 1992, countries joined an international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change by limiting average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change, and coping with impacts that were, by then, inevitable.
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/items/6031.php
COP 21 (21st Conference of Parties): A meeting of the UNFCC that made a legally binding agreement for countries to limit the global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees celsius
In 1992, countries joined an international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change by limiting average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change, and coping with impacts that were, by then, inevitable.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cop21/
Kyoto Protocol: A UNFCC agreement to limit the amount of emissions globally, holding countries with more emissions responsible for proportional reduction*
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.
http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php
United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals: Part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, #13 is to "take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts"
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of anew sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change-2/
NATIONAL
NATIONAL
Important Events
Important Events
(2001) Protocol: Bush opposes Kyoto Pact on Global Warming
On September 25th 2015, countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of anew sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
(2009) RGGI: The first mandatory market based program in the U.S to reduce GHG emissions
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory market-based program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RGGI is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector.
(2009) Waxman-Markey: Passed HR but didn't pass Senate. Creates a renewable energy electricity standard
You keep hearing about the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill — aka the American Clean Energy and Security Act, ACES, H.R. 2454 — but what’s actually in it?
http://grist.org/article/2009-06-03-waxman-markey-bill-breakdown/
(2009) Waxman-Markey pt.II: Who voted FOR and AGAINST this bill?
... more info about this bill @ the bottom! (file attached)
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/111-2009/h477
(2014) EPA on CO2 regulations: The EPA is free to regulate CO2 in the atmosphere
The Supreme Court ruled in a 7-to-2 decision that the Obama administration’s Environmental Protection Agency was free to regulate carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as long as the source of emissions in question is a traditional polluter, like a factory or a power plant, rather than a school or a shopping mall. The decision was largely written by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.
http://billmoyers.com/2014/06/24/supreme-court-the-epa-can-and-will-regulate-co2/
(2015) Keystone XL: Barack Obama vetoed the bill that would ferry oil through a pipeline from the U.S to Canada
Organizations
Organizations
USCAN
USCAN is a vital network for 160+ organizations active on climate change.
Source: http://www.usclimatenetwork.org/who-we-are
350
350 uses online campaigns, grassroots organizing, and mass public actions to oppose new coal, oil and gas projects, take money out of the companies that are heating up the planet, and build 100% clean energy solutions that work for all. 350's network extends to 188 countries.
Source: https://350.org/
RGGI - intergovernmental organization
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory market-based program in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. RGGI is a cooperative effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector.
Source: https://www.rggi.org/
Media
Media
Al Gore - An Inconvenient Truth
At TED2009, Al Gore presents updated slides from around the globe to make the case that worrying climate trends are even worse than scientists predicted, and to make clear his stance on "clean coal."
https://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_warns_on_latest_climate_trends?language=en
NYTimes: Dear Conservatives, You Can Go Green Again
NOT long ago there was an essay written on how to talk about environmental issues with conservatives. Talk persuasively, that is, not confrontationally. A conservative promptly told the writer that he was afflicted with “fundamental ignorance,” and possibly worse. The gist of it was that conservatives are already environmentalists, and the rest of us are just too stupid to recognize it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/dear-conservatives-you-can-go-green-again.html
NYTimes: Rift Between Labor and Environmentalists Threatens Democratic Turnout Plan
Two of the Democratic Party's most loyal constituencies, labor and environmentalists, are clashing over an effort to raise tens of millions of dollars for an ambitious voter turnout operation aimed at defeating Donald J. Trump in the November election.
How artists and environmental activists both do better together
Art has long been a catalyst for social change, from the anti-war efforts of the Dadists during World War I to the music of Nina Simone during the 1960’s civil rights movement. Today, cause-related groups are exploring using culture to broaden their reach and impact beyond what is possible with conventional advocacy methods.
http://creativz.us/2016/02/17/how-artists-and-environmental-activists-both-do-better-together/
Additional Information on the Waxman-Markey Bill
Additional Information on the Waxman-Markey Bill
Proposed but Failed!
The bill was passed June 26th, 2009 by the House of Representatives. The majority of “aye” voters were democrats, although about 10 republicans voted “aye”, including rep. Mark Kirk from Illinois. It did not, however, make it past the Senate. Therefore, this bill withered away.
Source: http://grist.org/article/2009-06-03-waxman-markey-bill-breakdown/
This bill creates a renewable electricity standard that requires large utilities in each state (ei.
Exelon Corporation) to produce an increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources.
This standard also required 6% of electricity to come from renewables by 2012 and 20% by 2020.
-The bill puts a cap on emissions of planet-warming GHGs.
-High-emitting industries must reduce their output to specific targets starting in 2009.
-The bill covers 85% of the nation’s economy.
-Plan to reduce 42% of emissions by 2030.
Either way, this bill never became a law because of Senators. *crowd boos*
Source: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/111-2009/h477
*the United States are one of the few remaining countries to have neither signed nor ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
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