United Kingdoms response to the Threat of climate change - Essay Example

UNITED KINGDOM'S RESPONSE TO THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE Background Propelled by human activities, the distraction of the global climate has surfaced as a primary matter of anxiety and panic. Clearly, the effects of a changing climate are substantial and extensive. Simultaneously, it is extremely obvious that dealing with the issue of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere is a colossal responsibility. Since it has been identified that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel combustion essentially contribute to this problem, people, especially in the industrialized nations, see the expected growth of fossil-fuel use in many developing countries' energy segments with serious apprehension. Some nations like the United States, have refused to plunge into binding commitments to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions in the absence of action by developing nations. Together, it is viewed that the developing countries' growth of demand for energy is a considerable driver of increasing strain on the global energy markets. Climate change: Why all the fuss We now see the glaring and the very intense effects of climate change (IPCC, 2001). Accumulated from many weather stations world wide, measurements back up the scenario of a warming planet. On an average of 0.7C, the planet has warmed since 1900 (Figure 1.1), and all of the ten warmest years recorded took place since 1994. Notably, 20th century's tempo and magnitude of global warming has been unparalleled in the past 1,000 years (International Ad Hoc Detention Group, 2005, pp. 129-1314). The speed in the rise of sea level has been picking up, doubling to 2 mm annually over the past one hundred fifty years (Miller, Kominz, Browning et al, 2005, pp.1293-1298). Showing sources of all greenhouse gases in 2000 - CO2 equivalent. Portions without label are industrial processes (World Resources Institute) Drivers of climate change Greenhouse gas emissions have been considered as the major cause for climate change in the past fifty years. Likewise, the discharge of carbon dioxide from burning fossils fuel has increased from 6 Gt in 1950 to 24 Gt in 2004 (World Resources Institute, 2005). Overall worldwide secretions which include all greenhouse gases, agriculture and land use change are nearing 45 Gt CO2-equivalent every year. Most of these discharges are generated by burning fossil fuels for energy in power and heat generation and transport, and by changes in land use, specifically deforestation, and from agriculture. In like manner, discharges from burning fossil fuels for the power and transport segments have risen with a substantial upturn in the 1950s. These are major pursuits in the economy and as it is energy use has a propensity to escalate together with economic activity. Threat of Negative Effects from Climate Change Increase with its Magnitude Source: Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability IPCC, Summary for Policy Makers Impact on People and Livelihood Climate change have severe regional and worldwide effects that are constantly expected from most climate models which correspondingly have intense effects on people's lives and their sources of income. For instance, climate change is most likely to trigger major water shortages for hundreds of millions of inhabitants in Asia and South America whose dry season supplies originate from liquefied snow and glaciers (Barnett, Adam & Lettenmaier, 2005, pp. 303-309). In several parts of the world, glaciers thaw out at an exceptional rate. In Peru, glacial coverage fell by 25% in the past 30 years while in China, practically all glaciers have displayed significant thawing out, with implications for nearly one quarter of the nation's populace that depend on melted glaciers for water supply. Such hastened thawing out of glaciers could lead to flooding during the spring time then water shortages ensue in the summer from a used up reserve. There are also anticipated changes in the Indian monsoon which certainly will have massive impact on the lives of people in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Presently, a variation of just 10% in either direction is known to trigger either famine or excessive torrents. For instance, a weak summer monsoon can pave the way for pitiable agricultural yield and food scarcity among the rural folks, that is, two thirds of India which is 1.1 billion people. Extreme monsoon downpours can likewise have overwhelming and very destructive costs as proven in the Mumbai flooding where more than 500 people died. Climate change will especially affect those in the underdeveloped countries who are least able to acclimatize to the changes or for whom the human toll of adaptation is great. Africa will be greatly and severely affected. Approximations show possible falls of agriculture yields in this country of up to 12% by the year 2080, probably increasing the quantity of inhabitants in danger of hunger by tens of millions (Rosenzweig, Iglesias, et al., 1999, pp. 51-67). In 2000, hammering rainfall caused the worst flooding which affected Mozambique and killing 800 people while displacing 1.5 million inhabitants. In UK, greater coastal flooding, water shortage and heat waves will be experienced specifically in the South East (UK Climate Impacts Programme, 2004). Temperatures experienced in the 2003 European heat wave would be an ordinary occurrence by the middle of the century and will become abnormally cold by the end of the century (Hadley Centre, 2004). Climate Change and the United Kingdom in the 21st Century Policy Framework Six years ago, the UK Climate Change Programme (CCP) was published which puts together a set of policies to assist the nation in securing and accomplishing its Kyoto targets and move the country towards its national 2010 objective. These guidelines embraced measures to foster energy effectiveness in businesses and in the homes, launch industry to the gains of emissions trading, increase the share of electricity produced by renewable resources, promote the use of less polluting vehicles and persuade people and communities to start thinking on ways of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Climate Change Levy (CCL) This tax launched in 2001 was charged on the business use of energy which provided an incentive to cut down usage. In like manner, climate change agreements were also instigated. In these settlements, the energy intensive segments of society covered by the tax scheme (e.g. steel manufacturing) were provided the chance to sign up 10-year negotiated contracts covering energy use and emission reductions, in return an 80% discount was given. At present, there are 44 sectors with more than 10,000 sites covered by such agreements. Today, considerable carbon savings have already been made and some of them have already obtained their 2010 objectives. In the 2004 Budget, the government made it known that these arrangements would be extended to those segments that pass an energy intensity threshold and can demonstrate the existence of international competition issues. UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) January 2005, UKETS was instigated which served as a major element in EU's effort to minimize emissions of greenhouse gases. This system was designed with the goal of providing cost-effective emissions reduction and to give the country's business organizations an advantage in emissions trading before future global trading mechanisms begin to be enforced. This scheme likewise aimed to balance the gains of the country's environmental objectives with the need for a fixed supply of energy and the need to guarantee the viability of industry in the global market. It is strongly believed that the scheme will become the focal point in UK's future emission reduction policy. The country has showed its commitment to the system by setting a cap on allowances in its initial stage (2005-2007) that took the country beyond its Kyoto emissions target. The second phase of the scheme will run in 2008 until 2012 to concur with the Kyoto commitment period. The UK government is currently is its early stages of developing its approach to Phase II but at the same time is aware that business is sure about its methods and plans of implementation. Climate Change Communications Initiative (CCCI) The CCC initiative has been drafted to tackle public consciousness, attitudes and perceptions towards climate change. Major attitudes include recognition that climate change is a "here and now" concern, that action must start from the individual and that inaction will spell disaster, that climate change symbolizes both a threat and an opportunity, and that it is advisable to enhance people's understanding of the causes and effects of climate change. This scheme is geared to complement the behavior-change campaigns like the ones on energy efficiency instigated by the Energy Saving and Carbon Trusts. As part of Community Action 2020 (Together We Can), this effort will stress on communicating at a local and regional levels where evidence infers that it can be most effective. Carbon Trust Created in 2002, the Carbon Trust will help implement energy efficiency in the public and business sectors at the same time promote the development of a low carbon sector in the UK. It works on UK's main information, advice and research program for organizations in the public and private sectors. The program embraces the Carbon Management Program to back up UK organizations as they start to make the risks and opportunities provided by climate change as part of their main activities. Likewise, it supervises and promotes the Energy Technology List of energy proficient technologies qualified for the 100% first year capital allowances under the Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme. In the following years, the government will put up at least 192 million in the Carbon Trust's program to meet and respond to the increasing demand for their services and develop existing programs. Powering Future Vehicles (PFV) Strategy Introduced in July 2002, this strategy gives a structure for shifting the UK vehicle market to clean, low-carbon vehicles and fuels. Its execution includes granting of incentives for cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles support for the introduction of low-carbon fuels research funding, development/demonstrations to foster efficient vehicles and low-carbon fuel technologies Low-Carbon Vehicle Partnership As part of the PFV set-up, this strategy was helpful in developing a voluntary-color-coded energy efficiency label for new cars to provide car users and other consumers with vivid and understandable information regarding climate change effects of various vehicles' make and models. This strategy was brought out in February of 2005. Code for Sustainable Buildings This code's aim is to stretch voluntary standards for resource efficacy on major concerns like energy, water, waste and materials which collectively can provide for considerable carbon savings. It will likewise motivate builders to go beyond the letter of the regulations and reduce resource use from the start and will be updated as technology progresses. This code is being developed to be applicable to all new building structures with the concentration on new housing stock. When the proper time comes, the government's goal is to apply the code to primary renovations of existing house stock. Decent Homes Program This program is dedicated to ensure that all social houses, for instance those owned by local authorities or housing associations) have effective insulation and heating systems by 2010. It also promotes and encourages landlords to execute further energy efficacy guidelines when working on their respective properties. In the private sector, the new Landlord's Energy Saving Allowance, brought out in the 2004 Budget will definitely motivate private landlords to invest in insulating their properties. England Rural Development Program (ERDP) This deals with climate change directly through schemes like the Energy Crops Scheme, and indirectly through the agro-environment schemes. Environmental Stewardship, introduced in March of 2005 also encourages activities that assist in emissions reduction. The UK government believes that the future EU rural development policy should and must center on major EU environmental priorities which should include the contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The new EU RDR is at present being discussed and negotiated for the 2007-2013 period. Non-food crops can be good substitutes for petrochemicals in reducing emissions. These crops be an excellent alternative for transport fuels and biomass from these crops can serve to produce heat and electricity. Further, these non-food crops are viable replacements for other petrochemical-based products like plastics. Support for planting non-food crops is readily available through the Energy Crops Scheme while the Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme provides assistance for the supply chain development throughout the UK. Farm Woodland Premium Scheme Forestry methods can give excellent contribution to the problem of climate change by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions through the practice of increasing the amount of carbon removed from the atmosphere by the national forest estate, burning wood for fuel and by utilizing wood as an alternative for energy-intensive materials like concrete and steel. Basically, this scheme encourages tree planting on land presently utilized in productive agriculture. References / Readings Barnett, T.P., Adam, J.C. & Lettenmaier, D.P. (2005). Potential impacts of a warming climate on water availability in snow-dominated regions. Nature, 438, 303-309 International Ad Hoc Detection Group. (2005). Detecting and attributing external influences on the climate system: A review of recent advances. Journal of Climate, 18, 1291-1314 Hadley Centre (2005). Stabilizing climate to avoid dangerous climate change. Available at http://www.metoffice.com/research/hadleycentre/pubs/brochures/2005/CLIMATE_CHANGE_JOURNAL_150 ______________ (2004). Uncertainty, risk and dangerous climate change. Available at http://www.metoffice.com/research/hadleycentre/pubs/brochures/B2004/global.pdf 13 Miller, K.G., Kominz, M.A., Browning, J.V. et al (2005). The phanerozoic record of global sea-level change. Science, 310, 1293 - 1298 Parry, M. Rosenzweig, C., Iglesias, A. et al. (1999). Climate change and world food security: A new assessment. Global Environmental Change, 9, S51 - S67 Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. (2002). "Climate Change Scenarios for the United Kingdom: The UKCIP02 Briefing Report." Available at http://www.ukcip.org.uk Ambuj, D., Sagar, H. Oliver, H. & Chikkatur, A.P. (2005-2006). A symposium on "Climate Change, Energy, and Developing Countries." Printed in the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, 7 UK Climate Impacts Programme. (2004). Climate change scenarios for the United Kingdom. Available at http://www.ukcip.org.uk/scenarios World Resources Institute. (2005). "Navigating the numbers." Available at http://climate.wri.org/navigatingnumbers-pub-4093.html IPCC. (2001). "Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability' Summary for Policy Makers." Read More