Core 2

Global Climate

I. Causes of Global Climate Change

The atmospheric system, including the natural greenhouse effect and energy balance (incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation)
Changes in the global energy balance, and the role of feedback loops, resulting from:
- solar radiation variations, including global dimming due to volcanic eruptions
- terrestrial albedo changes and feedback loops
- methane gas release and feedback loops
The enhanced greenhouse effect and international variations in greenhouse gas sources and emissions, in relation to economic development, globalization and trade

II. Consequences of global climate change

Climate change and the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, including:
- water stored in ice and oceans, and changing sea levels
- carbon stored in ice, oceans and the biosphere
- incidence and severity of extreme weather events, including drought
- spatial changes in biomes, habitats and animal migration patterns
- changes to agriculture, including crop yields, limits of cultivation, soil erosion
Impacts of climate change on people and places, including health hazards, migration and ocean transport routes

Budget earmarks $500m to mitigate Great Barrier Reef climate changeThe money will help try to save the reef from crown-of-thorns starfish and reduce pollution, Malcolm Turnbull to announce

Climate Change Is Messing With Your DinnerThe future of food looks like lots of lobsters, Polish chardonnay and California coffee.

Ireland could face ‘far colder winters and warmer summers’Climate change scientists base findings on what happened to Scotland’s last glaciers

III. Responding to global climate change

Disparities in exposure to climate change risk and vulnerability, including variations in people’s location, wealth, social differences (age, gender, education), risk perception
Government-led adaptation and mitigation strategies for global climate change:
- global geopolitical efforts, recognizing that the source/s of greenhouse gas emissions may be spatially distant from the countries most impacted
- carbon emissions offsetting and trading
- technology, including geo-engineering
Civil society and corporate strategies to address global climate change

World: Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2015Map from Maplecroft, published 29 Oct 2014

Which Cities Are Most Vulnerable to Climate Change Conflict?As food and water sources become threatened by changing weather patterns, experts say these are the areas most susceptible to instability and bloodshed.

Success Of Paris Climate Accord Depends On Local ActionYale Environment 360 and Environment America are working to expand the amount of renewable energy in America and support the Paris climate accords at the local level.

Sweden: Decoupling GDP growth from CO2 emissions is possibleBy Magdalena Andersson, Minister for Finance, Sweden and Isabella Lövin, Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden Sweden is proud to join forces with Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), convening in New York this week. Energy is one of the most decisive issues of our age. Without secure access to energy, we won’t achieve real and lasting poverty reduction. Without the expansion of clean energy, we won’t be able to stop climate change. With business as usual and no significant carbon emission cuts, we have only 15 years left before we have emitted enough CO2 to make this planet more than 2 degrees warmer. Then we will see a dramatic increase in droughts, floods, storms and species extinction – and we will have changed the conditions for every generation to come. And we know that it is the poorest who will be hit the hardest by the effects of climate change. This is not a political statement but a scientific one. Fifteen years left. So we must start changing our energy systems, going from fossil to renewable, now.

Commonwealth leaders express 'grave concern' about climate change impactsWithout urgent action, global warming could push 100 million people into poverty by 2030, warns coalition of developed and vulnerable countries

Corporations Move to Curb Global WarmingCEOs and investors hail the Paris Agreement as the start of a new era to combat climate change

Bloomberg donates $4.5m for climate dealNew York City's ex-mayor pledges $4.5m to help cover the lapsed US contribution to the Paris accord.

Sweden just committed to having zero carbon emissions, and perfectly trolled Trump at the same timeSweden has committed to completely phase out greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 and called for all countries - including the US - to “step up and fulfil the Paris Agreement”.

Forget the snowy winters of your childhoodDon’t be fooled by the near-blizzards we’ve endured in recent weeks. The vast, white fields of snow that blanket Canada each winter are shrinking, particularly in Quebec, due to climate change.

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