IR 002: Lecture 22

Question 1

When was the ozone hole created over the Antarctic?

Answer 1

1970s

Question 2

What are the consequences of the ozone hole?

Answer 2

• Skin cancer
• Eye cataracts
• Impairment of immune systems
• Degradation of Crops

Question 3

What is the current state of the ozone hole?

Answer 3

It has been shrinking for the past 10 years

Question 4

Approximately how many oil tanker accidents occurred between 1970 - 2008?

Answer 4

1700 spills releasing ~5.7 million tons of oil

Question 5

How many hectares of forest have been depleted since 1990?

Answer 5

~80 million hectares

Question 6

What are the consequences of deforestation?

Answer 6

• Less biodiversity
• Acceleration of global warming

Question 7

What is the main consequence of global warming?

Answer 7

• Higher average temperatures (less suitable farm land and high possibility of extinction for many species)

Question 8

What represents 80% of global carbon dioxide?

Answer 8

Fossil fules

Question 9

What are the security consequences of global warming?

Answer 9

• 400000 deaths yearly
• Air pollution
• Food/water scarcity
• Rising sea levels
• Heat and droughts (leads to famine)
• Spread of disease
• Increased frequency of natural disasters
• Climate refugees

Question 10

What are some the reasons for growing conflicts among states due to global warming?

Answer 10

Competition for:
- Land
- Resources
- Access/passage
- Water

Question 11

What past events have informed our current understanding of global warming and fought against it?

Answer 11

• Late 1960s: Industrial production processes
• 1987 Bruntland report: Concept of sustainable development
• 1933 Rio Summit: Linked human activities to climate change
• 1997 Kyoto Protocol: Pledge to reduce greenhouse gases but no obligation
• 2015 Paris Agreement: Keep the rise of global temperatures below 2°C (196 signatures but no enforcement)

Question 12

Why should we be optimistic about the future of global warming?

Answer 12

• Transition to green energy is close
• We can mitigate the worst aspects of climate change
• We may soon be able to do geoengineering (scientific techniques to change weather patterns)

Question 13

Why should we be pessimistic about the future of global warming?

Answer 13

• The situation is worsening fast
• Obstacles to global mobilization remain significant
• China is the worst polluter and the main green energy investor
• Climate change mitigation will stir conflicts