Better or Worse??
Have CO2 levels gone up or down in the last 50 years?
Up!
CO2 levels have more than doubled since the 1970, according to Our world in Data.
What is the #1 human contribution to climate change?
Burning fossil fuels!
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021 Report)- "It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land." (Epa.gov)
What trend in 2023 showed progress in renewable energy?
About 86% of energy came from renewable sources.
The International Renewable Energy Agency says that Solar and wind are finally beating fossil fuels in new power plants.
What simple thing can people do to cut energy use?
Use solar, insulate homes, etc.
"Small changes can save money and cut emissions at the same time." - U.S. Department of Energy
Which sector in the U.S. makes the most greenhouse gas- cars, power, or industry?
Cars/Transportation (27%)
The EPA says that the cars and trucks of the U.S. are the biggest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
In the last 10 years, have global emissions slowed or kept rising at a higher rate?
Kept rising!
According to Globalcarbonproject.org emissions still rise almost every year, even know renewable energy has also been growing.
What activity gets rid of trees but adds CO2 to the atmosphere?
Deforestation!
Trees absorb CO2, so cutting them down means that there will be more carbon in our atmosphere. (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2020)
What is one big nonprofit group helping with climate change?
Citizens' Climate Lobby
The Citizens' Climate Lobby "empowers people everyday to work together on climate policy."
What kind of cars help cut CO2 emissions?
Electric cars!
The IEA Global EV outlook study says that electric cars reduce tailpipe pollution, but still need to be fueled by clean electricity.
What type of energy is the biggest single global source of CO2.
Coal!
The International Energy Agency reports that coal plants release more carbon than almost anything else.
Did U.S emissions get higher or lower from 1990 to 2022?
Lower (by approx. 2%).
The EPA states that while overall emissions are very high, the U.S has been able to make slight progress.
What gas do cows and livestock produce?
Methane!
The EPA highlights the impacts of methane in our atmosphere, "Methane is more than 28 times as potent at carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere."
By 2050, how much property damage could U.S. Costal areas face?
$106 billion!
The NOAA Office for Coastal Management tells us that by 2050, up to $106b worth of costal property will likely be below sea level.
What is one personal action that helps out climate change?
Eating less meat, driving electric car, solar panels, ect.
What's one reason companies are slow to change?
Profits!
It is cheaper for companies to continue using fossil fuels in the short term.
Since 2020, have U.S. emissions gone up or down?
Up! (about 5-6%)
According to the EPA, after the COVID shutdowns were lifted, emissions quickly bounced back to their previous rates.
Who is the bigger polluter? big corporations vs. everyone else
Big corporations!
100 big companies alone make up 71% of emissions according to the 2017 Carbon Majors Report published by the CDP in collaboration with the Climate Accountability Institute.
What did Sweden do to try and cut pollution in 1991?
A carbon tax.
The World Bank Group shows that Sweden made it more expensive for people to pollute, so emissions went down.
What fashion trend worsens climate change by selling poor quality clothing at cheap prices?
Fast fashion clothing (Temu, Shein, Zara, H&M, Forever 21)
The UN Environment Programme says that Plastic fibres are polluting the oceans, the freshwater, toxic dyes, and (fast fashion) is taking advantage of the exploitation of underpaid workers.
What's one way governments can push companies to act?
Laws or carbon taxes.
Policies make polluting more expensive, so companies would want to save profits by going cleaner.
Is the world hotter now compared to pre-industrial times?
Yes, about 2.3 F hotter
This increase may seem small but causes extreme weather according to NASA.
Do individuals also make an impact?
Of Course!
Recreation activities like boating, driving cars, eating excess amounts of meat, and wasting energy adds up across billions of people according to NASA.
What global agreement tries to limit warming below 2 C?
The Paris Agreement!
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, adopted by 195 parties at the UN Climate Change Conference.
What farming practice can help store more carbon?
Planting cover crops/trees.
U.S. Department of Agriculture says that Soil and plants can trap carbon if managed right.
Would solutions be easy to spread worldwide?
NO!
Costs, politics, and unequal resources make it hard to spread solutions worldwide.