Global Warming Policy

Presentation by:Aubrey Eggertsen

Gary IhfeLaura Kerr

Ben RosenbergKate Wheller

What is Global Warming•Due to an increase of GHG’s in the atmosphere, incoming solar energy that can easily penetrate through the atmosphere, heating the Earth. But the resulting thermal radiation cannot escape the atmosphere, resulting in an increase in global temperature.

•Other human activity such as increased levels of deforestation add to the problem

•Other consequences of the greenhouse effect include a rise in sea levels due to melting of glaciers and thermal expansion, decrease in biodiversity, increase in temperatures worldwide, and more

Top 5 Greenhouse Gases

•Carbon Dioxide: 57%

•Methane: 17%

•Nitrous Oxide: 5%

•CFC’s: 5%

•Ozone

Main Sources of GHG’s

•Burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal for energy, transportation, etc.

•Use of CFC containing materials such as Freon (in the process of being phased out in the US and other countries)

What Renewable Technologies or policies

appear most promising in the reduction of global warming

or of the impact of global warming?

A Two-Part Answer

Alternative Energy Sources

Efficiency through Technology

to Global Warming

Alternative Energy SourcesSOLAR-

Relatively efficient means for energy• Most often used on a private basis

(homes, companies, etc.)Dependant on weather patterns• Up North, it is most needed when least

available

Alternative Energy SourcesWIND-

Not efficient• Uses less than 50% of total usable energy• Most often used on a private basis

(homes, companies, etc.)A different type of seasonalLess than .3% of US energy

Alternative Energy Sources

HYDRO- Popular around the world• Norway-99%, Nepal 95%, Brazil 93%• US-7% or less

Limited lifetime on dams b/c of silt Negative effects-• Loss of wild rivers• Risk of flooding

Alternative Energy SourcesNUCLEAR-

No harmful gasses emittedVery efficient energy sourceApx. 20% of US PowerDisposal ProblemsFears- no new plants in 20+years

Alternative Energy SourcesBiomass-

Gasohol and the likeVery inefficient energy source

Alternative Energy Sources?

OCEANS- Large potential of energy from tides or from underwater currents. (aren’t these currents important)Nothing feasible has been planned Very efficient energy source

SUPER SOLARSpace stations with mirrorsConcentrating the Sun’s energy towards the Earth

Alternative Energy Sources?Reduction of Fossil fuel industry-

Large part of US economy is in the fossil fuel industry. Kyoto Protocol- No Alternatives for the fossil fuel companies, like there were for the Montreal ProtocolCan the Gov’t tell these private industries they must shut down? Or should people have a choice to pollute the planet?

(Arguing time begins)

Efficiency through TechnologyProduction

Combined Cycle Natural Gas• Uses Natural gas and the exhaust heat• 30% more efficient

Biomass at coal plants

                                                       

             

Efficiency through TechnologyConsumption

Energy StarFlourescant bulbsTransportation• Fuel Cells• Hybrids• Public transportation

Steps the US should take to reduce global warming and its effects

StatsUS is by far the largest consumer of fossil fuels and also the largest emmiter of carbon dioxide and other GHGThe average American alone emitts about 20 tons of CO2 a year- far more than an individual in any other country

Energy alternatives

SolarWindHydroNuclearbiomass

Technological conservations

Combined cycle natural gasBiomass at coal plantsFuel cells and hybrid carsFlourescent bulbs

Things everyone as individuals can do to help with the global warming problemInvest in more fuel efficient or

hybrid/zero emission vehiclesCarpool or use public transportationRecyclePlant treesInstall more efficient lighting and appliances

Things the nation should do to reduce the impacts of global warmingSupport and promote the research and

use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and nuclear powerPass and enforce stricter emissions laws for industries and individualsCooperate at an international level to find ways of addressing this global issue

Reducing emissionsTraditional methods of reducing emissions focus on adoption of emission standardsNow move towards market based mechanisms

Market methods

Carbon tax- regressive and un-equal economic impactsTradable permits- complex to administer but greater potential for achieving set emission reductionsBest bet would be tradable permits with incentives aimed at the point of fuel consumption

Some unique ideasBinding CO2 with magnesium hydroxide to form silica, magnesium carbonate and iron oxides (all are “benign to the environment”)Climate challenge program: 5-step program involving use of less polluting fossil fuels, and improving efficiency of electric generation

What Incentives are needed to encourage US Industries to

reduce emission of Greenhouse Gasses?

Incentives

•Environmental Incentives for companies and industries to comply with regulations and to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases are offered on local, state, and national levels.

Clean Michigan Initiative

•Industries who demonstrate outstanding environmental stewardship and ethics can be nominated to be considered a “Clean Corporate Citizen”.

•“Clean Corporate Citizens” receive public recognition and regulatory benefits such as expedited permits.

                                      

National Environmental Performance Track System

•Provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency

•Open to facilities of all types, sizes, and complexity, public or private, manufacturing or service-oriented.

•Designed to recognize facilities that consistently meet their legal requirements and have implemented high-quality environmental management systems.

•Program lasts for three years, as long as they continue to meet the program criteria. After three years they may reapply.

•Facilities applying to Performance Track must have:•Environmental Management System in place

•History of sustained compliance

•Commitment to continuous environmental improvement

•Community outreach program

Benefits of Performance Track•Recognition

•Low priority for Routine inspections

•Networking

•Streamlined Reporting

•Joint Incentives with States

Recognition• Members who are accepted to the Track program are rewarded with

recognition on many levels.

• National: Members are listed on the EPA Performance Track website and in a directory that's published every year. Also, EPA holds an Annual Event where the accomplishments of Track members are recognized.

• Local: Press releases announce new members. Upon request letters are sent to local elected officials indicating a facility's selection/participation in the program.

• Peer Recognition: EPA strategically places articles in trade journals, newspapers, and electronic press highlighting Performance Track member accomplishments and commitments.

Low Priority for Routine Inspections

•Performance Track facilities are given a low priority for routine inspections.

•As a low inspection priority, member facilities save the resources and time regularly spent preparing for and responding to inspection requests.

Networking

• Networking is a key component of the Performance Track program. It offers members the opportunity to learn from a community of leaders and to communicate their needs to the EPA.

• Networking often results in the sharing of innovative techniques that help members save money and improve environmental outcomes at their facilities. In addition, networking fosters cooperative, innovative relationships between the agency and member facilities.

Streamlined Reporting•Ease regulatory requirements

•EPA is making changes in its regulations that will reduce paperwork and regulatory requirements for members.

•These changes are designed to enable them to achieve better environmental results at less cost.

Joint Incentives with States• Coordination with the states to create joint incentives for

members. This is done by signing Memoranda of Agreements (MOAs) with several states and we are diligently working on plans to institute methods to ease the burdens of top environmental performers.

• A MOA is to provides a structure to develop state-specific incentives that apply to members of state environmental performance programs (e.g.,Clean Michigan Incentive) and Performance Track members.

• State Sponsored Incentives

State Environmental IncentivesCalifornia: Energy Technologies Advancement Program (ETAP)--Grants and loans for advanced energy technologies such as renewable energy resources.

Connecticut: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program--Rebates of up to 50% to vehicle owners who convert their vehicles to cleaner burning alternative fuels, or to the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle.

Colorado: Environmental Leadership ProgramAdministered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, this program rewards those companies that go beyond compliance with environmental regulations by practicing pollution prevention or making changes to reduce impacts to the environment. Benefits include permit fee waivers, reduced inspections, and access to low-interest revolving loans to help fund various environmental activities.

State Incentives (Continued)Nevada: Solar Energy Producers Property Tax Exemption--Provides a 75% property tax exemption to any business that includes as a primary component an active system to utilize solar energy, or a facility that produces electrical energy from recycled materials (waste and biomass).

Ohio: Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP)Loan program financed by the sale of state bonds to promote small scale, local energy projects in a range of renewable resource areas such as active solar water and space heat, wind, biomass, hydro, alternative fuels, geothermal and waste.

Virginia: Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Incentive Grant Program--Administered jointly by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, this program pays an incentive of up to 75 cents per watt for solar photovoltaic panels sold in a calendar year, depending upon the technology used to manufacture the solar panels.

What relationship is there, if any, between Global warming

policy and Sustainable Development?

What is Sustainable Development?

A Corollary RelationshipThe same processes that cause Global Warming upset the balance of Sustainable DevelopmentThe course of action that will impede Global Warming can also insure resources for future generations

Alternative Energy SourcesBy utilizing other energy options, less energy will be needed from fossil fuelsThe Kyoto Protocol would have made it necessary to further pursue alternative energy source

More Efficient Use of EnergyBy making the most of the energy we have to use, we lower carbon emissions and extend the supply of these energies for further generations

Trees By lowering deforestation rates, more carbon can be absorbed from the atmosphere by existing trees By planting trees in place of those we must cut down, future generations will have forests for their needs.

What role should the U.S. take in transferring to developing countries technologies that will help reduce Global Warming?

Since the United States is a world leader it is its responsibility to convey new technologies to developing countries to fight Global Warming. How Much is it the U.S.’s Responsibility?????????

Government Programs helping to better technology in developing countries.

EPA – Environmental Protection AgencyEms – Environmental management SystemsClimate Change Research Initiative

Government analysis shows that developing countries that require a stern focus on CO2 emissions are those who have superceded their baseline emissions. Those at or under baseline emissions don’t really require help.

How is the Kyoto involved in this aspect of policy?

If developing Countries involved in the Kyoto Protocol have lowered their emissions and are passing baseline emissions, then they are doing what they can to fight excessive global warming.

President Bush –

In 2001 president bush gave $25 million to the u.s. government in order to promote developing technologies to reduce global warming in developing countries.

Possible Technologies for developing countries –

Filters for small factories and plants.Overall improvement of co2 producing machines etc.Alternative energy sources for developing countries.Conservation plans…

What can be done ?So much of the responsibility for such technological programs is on the U.S’s shoulders because we produce so much co2 ourselves. The u.s. Has to be heavily involved with these other countries.

It’s not just the technology – Overall Reduction in co2 emissions will decrease need for such technologiesThis can really only be done through planning and education