The dynamic programming model was then translated into a simulation user interface, which can be controlled by individual agents, the dynamic climate change simulator with stochastic and irreversible climate change (DCCS-SICC). It was built on the DCCS climate change simulation of Dutt and Gonzalez (2012) and was based on previous work by Gonzalez and Dutt (2011) and Moxnes and Saysel (2009). The user interface presents a single state variable (CO2 concentration in the atmosphere), two sliders for controlling the levels of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel and from deforestation, and a graph depicting the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere over time. This simple climate change model was calibrated between years 2000 and 2100 with projections given by two different and extreme emission scenarios from the 2001 IPCC report. Furthermore, the Integrated Science Assessment Model (ISAM) was employed to predict CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere under two emission scenarios. The model calibration parameters are derived from Dutt and Gonzalez (2012). The participants’ aim is to maintain the CO2 concentration within the range of 923-953 GtC, which appear on the screen. Participants are asked to achieve the minimum value of the range at the shortest time possible and maintain the CO2 concentration level within the range for the longest time possible. The model was calibrated using two emission scenarios: the “optimistic” and “pessimistic” scenario based on the 2001 IPCC report
“In the absence of concerted action by the world’s governments, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions will cause global temperatures to increase between 3 and 8 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century” (Ranson 2). Gradually, this rise in temperature causes changing precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and a decrease in snow cover that enables a broad range of climatic shifts to take place. Considering such sudden environmental decay, there is a very limited time frame to gather scientific data that shape public and foreign policy. Therefore, when monetarily analyzing climate change it is important to
The rapidly increasing amount of carbon dioxide may be one of the factors that cause climate change. As Hillman states, “Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are increasing, and have done so since the Industrial Revolution.” An atmospheric CO2 concentration, research shows that there is a dramatic increase from 280 parts per million (ppm) in 1750 to 373 ppm in 2002, a rise of the third. Furthermore, the linear chart demonstrated the trend of annual global CO2
The UNFCCC is working with the various governments around the world to stabilize the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere to keep the planet from warming more than 2ºC above pre-industrial temperatures (Watts, 2015). The most noted of the work is the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings that began with COP1 in Berlin back in 1995. The COP3 adopted the Kyoto Protocol, even though it wasn’t fully accepted by all member nations. The COP21 was an effort to legally bind members to their submitted plans of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), defining what level of greenhouse gas production each nation would commit to not exceeding from 2025-2030. Prior to the INDCs, a bleak outlook was forecast in 2009-2010 of global temperature rising between 4-5ºC. That figure was restated by the UNFCCC prior to the COP21 in Paris, to below 3ºC, due to the commitments of the INDCs (Watts, 2015).
The results of the simulation availed to compare the effect of burning fossil fuels on the amount of atmospheric carbon versus deforestation. Carbon is engendered more by fossil fuels that deforestation. This is because deforestation is a natural occurring process whereas burning fossil fuels is a negative type of carbon cycling. Fossil fuels are negative due to the air pollution and it has a circumscribed
Global warming is the environmental and social changes caused by emissions of greenhouse gases. Human activities have been the primary cause of this significant change, resulting with extreme weather conditions, increasing sea levels, and climate changes. In this paper I will compare and contrast natural versus anthropogenic climate changes of global warming, mitigation strategies, mitigation effectiveness, policy implications, costs, and address some policy changes to help stabilize global climate.
Global warming and climate change attributed to increased emission of greenhouse gases have continued to be pressing issues in today’s society since they threaten the stability of the climate, population, and economy of the world (“Meeting the Energy Challenge”, 2007). The challenges associated with global warming and climate change is attributed to the fact that 75 percent of world’s carbon dioxide
Over the last several decades, climate change has evolved from a polarizing discussion to what will likely be the largest collaborative research project of our generation. While many aspects of climate change are still misunderstood, there is little debate that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising at an alarming rate. This rise is considered the main cause behind an increase in global temperature, which has set in motion a chain reaction of climatic events.
It is becoming increasingly certain that climate change will have severe adverse effects on the environment in years to come. Addressing this issue poses a serious challenge for policy makers. How we choose to respond to the threat of global warming is not simply a political issue. It is also an economic issue and an ethical one. Responsible, effective climate change policy requires consideration of a number of complex factors, including weighing the costs of implementing climate change policies against the benefits of more environmentally sustainable practices. Furthermore, this analysis must take place amidst serious gaps in the existing research and technology concerning the developing climatic condition.
Climate change, specifically in reference to C02 Emissions released by human use of fossil fuels and their consequential effects on the environment, is perhaps one of the most pressing issues we, not just as Americans, but as human beings face in our lifetimes. Though it may sound like a sensationalist statement the facts are hard to deny. In May of 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Global warming has been a controversial topic for years and some have even denied its existence; however, as more studies are being published every day in regards to our changing climate, it is hard to ignore this growing issue and how humans contribute to it. The term greenhouse gases refers to the group of gases that are primarily responsible for global warming and chief among these gases is carbon dioxide. Rising carbon dioxide levels can be attributed to a combination of burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum as well as deforestation in general ( Source A). To slow the effects of global warming, it is important for leaders in our society to consider their greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, and make
It is widely held that climate change is real and happening now Case (2006) as global average temperature has warmed about 0.8°C within the past century. Coupled with this, the past three decades has witness a global average warming of 0.6°C (Hansen et al., 2006). This is largely to due to human induced factors (IPCC, 2001). A recent report produced by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences confirms that the last few decades of the 20th century were in fact the warmest in the past 400 years (National Research Council, 2006). The IPCC also projects that if greenhouse gas emissions, the leading cause of climate change, continue to rise, the mean global temperatures will increase 1.4 – 5.8°C by the end of the 21st century (IPCC, 2001). In a similar
At this time, emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, is warming the earth significantly faster than anticipated. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), greenhouse gas emissions will cause the average world temperature to increase from 1.8°C to 4°C (Merson, Black, & Mills, 2012). While a relatively low increase, the impact on our environment is significant. Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other gases have caused variable weather patterns, heat waves, heavy precipitation, flooding, droughts, more intense storms, rising sea levels, and air pollution, all of which is a cause of climate
The world continuously faces a variety of threats every day, from natural disasters to terrorist, but one threat that society predominately contributes to all on their own, is climate change. There are many feasible explanations for the global threat of climate change. These explanations include but are not limited to, the act of deforestation to the rainforest and other trees, green house gas emissions, and sulfate aerosol, which cause poor air quality.
Estimating future emissions is difficult, because it depends on demographic, economic, technological, policy, and institutional developments. Several emissions scenarios have been developed based on differing projections of these underlying factors. For example, by 2100, in the absence of emissions control policies, carbon dioxide concentrations are projected to be
In 1988, the United Nation reported that carbon dioxide levels are nearing a dangerous level of interference with the climate system so they have established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (ProQuest). Greenhouse gas concentrations such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are continuing to rise during 2014 and it is reaching historic values (International). A variety of independent datasets shows