Climate - Government-led adaptation and mitigation strategies for global climate change)

Question 1

What simple methods are there for individuals to reduce their emissions?

Answer 1

• Turn lights off
• Don’t keep the AC on
• Ride your bike → no driving
• Reduce water use
• Public transport

Question 2

What impact does insulation of homes have on energy consumtion?

Answer 2

Average energy bills would be $1500/year in a poor-insulated home and $100/year in a well-insulated home

Question 3

What effect does using an efficient light-bulb have on energy consumption?

Answer 3

Using a 12-watt LED light bulb uses 75-80% less energy than a 60-watt traditional light bulb

Question 4

How does Stratospheric Aerosol Injection work? (solar geo-engineering)

Answer 4

Spraying sulfur dioxide or other particles into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight

Question 5

How does Marine Cloud Brightening work? (solar geo-engineering)

Answer 5

Spraying seawater into the atmosphere to increase cloud reflectivity.

Question 6

How do Space-Based Reflectors (Sunshields) work? (solar geo-engineering)

Answer 6

Placing mirrors or shields in orbit to block a small percentage of solar radiation.

Question 7

How does Surface Albedo Modification work? (solar geo-engineering)

Answer 7

Increasing the reflectivity of land surfaces, e.g., painting roofs white or planting reflective crops.

Question 8

How does Cirrus Cloud Thinning work? (solar geo-engineering)

Answer 8

Reducing high-altitude cirrus clouds that trap heat, to let more heat escape into space.

Question 9

How does Reflective Leaves in Plants work? (Bio-Albedo Engineering)

Answer 9

Breeding or genetically modifying plants—especially crops—to have more reflective (higher albedo) leaves, such as:
* Lighter-colored leaves
* Waxy or hairy surfaces that reflect more sunlight
* Varieties with higher leaf reflectivity, like some barley or wheat strains

Question 10

How does Afforestation and Reforestation work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 10

Planting trees to absorb CO₂ via photosynthesis.

Question 11

How does Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 11

Growing biomass for fuel, burning it for energy, and capturing/storing the CO₂.

Question 12

How does Direct Air Capture (DAC) work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 12

Machines that extract CO₂ directly from the air.

Question 13

How does Ocean Fertilization work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 13

Adding nutrients (like iron) to oceans to stimulate plankton growth, which absorbs CO₂.

Question 14

How does Enhanced Weathering work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 14

Spreading minerals (e.g. olivine) on land or in oceans to chemically bind CO₂.

Question 15

How does Soil Carbon Sequestration work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 15

Improving land management practices to increase carbon storage in soil.

Question 16

How does Biochar work? (Carbon Dioxide Removal)

Answer 16

Charring organic matter and burying it to lock carbon into the ground.

Question 17

Technocentric view

Answer 17

Belief that technology and innovation can solve environmental problems. These solutions often involve engineering, geoengineering, and human intervention (e.g., carbon capture, solar shields).

Question 18

Ecocentric

Answer 18

Nature-centered approach, prioritizing minimal human impact and working within ecological limits. Solutions often involve conservation, biodiversity protection, and behavioral change (e.g., reforestation, reducing consumption).

Question 19

What are the pros of carbon dioxide removal as a form of geo-engineering?

Answer 19

• Addresses root cause of climate change (excess CO₂).
• Some methods (e.g. reforestation, soil carbon sequestration) offer co-benefits like biodiversity and soil health.
• Long-term impact – carbon stays out of the atmosphere for centuries if stored properly.

Question 20

What are the cons of carbon dioxide removal as a form of geo-engineering?

Answer 20

• Often slow and expensive to scale.
• Land-intensive (e.g. BECCS and afforestation may compete with food production).
• Uncertain effectiveness – especially for ocean-based methods or enhanced weathering.

Question 21

What are the pros of solar radiation management as a form of geo-engineering?

Answer 21

• Fast-acting – could reduce global temperatures within months.
• Cost-effective compared to CDR and mitigation (in theory).
• Could buy time while emissions are being reduced.

Question 22

What are the cons of solar radiation management as a form of geo-engineering?

Answer 22

• Doesn’t address CO₂ – ocean acidification continues.
• Regional climate disruption (e.g. monsoon patterns, rainfall changes).
• Moral hazard – could reduce urgency for emission cuts.
• Sudden stop = “termination shock” – if halted, climate could rebound quickly.
• Governance issues – who decides when, where, and how to deploy?

Question 23

What are the pros of geo-engineering generally?

Answer 23

• Offers additional tools in the fight against climate change.
• Potential for emergency intervention (climate “Plan B”).
• Can complement emissions reductions.

Question 24

What are the cons of geo-engineering generally?

Answer 24

• High uncertainty – scientific, political, ethical.
• Environmental risks – unintended ecological consequences.
• May divert funding and attention from proven solutions like renewables

Question 25

What is Carbon Engineering? (fossil fuel alternatives)

Answer 25

Carbon Engineering is a Canadian company that captures CO₂ directly from the air and combines it with hydrogen (from water) to create synthetic liquid fuel. How it works * Air is pulled into a machine using fans. * CO₂ is chemically extracted and stored. * Hydrogen is made through electrolysis (splitting water using electricity). * CO₂ and hydrogen are combined to create a carbon-neutral fuel. Why it matters * The fuel can be used in cars or planes without changing engines. * It removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, not just avoids emissions.

Question 26

What is Green Hydrogen? (fossil fuel alternatives)

Answer 26

A clean fuel made by using renewable energy (like wind or solar) to split water (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. How it works * Electrolysis separates water into hydrogen (used as fuel) and oxygen (released). * No carbon emissions if the electricity used is renewable. Why it matters * Can replace coal or natural gas in industries like steel. * Already powers homes, cars, and buses in some countries (like Japan). * Only byproduct when used is water vapor.

Question 27

What is Solar and Wind Energy? (fossil fuel alternatives)

Answer 27

What they are * Solar energy captures sunlight using panels and converts it into electricity. * Wind energy uses turbines to generate electricity from moving air. Why they matter * Already provide a large share of global electricity (10–11%). * Solar is now often cheaper than fossil fuels. * No emissions once installed. * Rapidly expanding – e.g., China installs 50+ GW of solar per year.

Question 28

What is Fusion Energy? (fossil fuel alternatives)

Answer 28

What it is: A process that mimics how the sun produces energy — fusing two hydrogen atoms into one helium atom, which releases a massive amount of energy. How it works: * Hydrogen atoms are smashed together at high speed/temperature. * The atoms fuse and release energy as they form helium. * Needs extreme conditions, like those created in particle accelerators or tokamaks. Why it matters: * No CO₂ emissions. * Produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel. * Safe (no meltdown risk) and abundant fuel (hydrogen from water). * Not commercially ready yet, but being heavily researched.

Question 29

What is Elephant Grass Biofuel (Miscanthus)? (fossil fuel alternatives)

Answer 29

What it is: A tall, fast-growing plant (up to 4 meters in 100 days) used to make solid fuel briquettes. How it works: * The grass grows quickly and captures large amounts of CO₂. * It's harvested and compacted into fuel bricks. * These are burned to generate energy (like coal, but cleaner). * The carbon it emits is less than what it absorbed while growing. Why it matters: * Carbon-negative – removes more CO₂ than it emits. * Grows on marginal land that isn't used for food crops. * Low-cost, renewable, and fast-growing.

Question 30

How much of a reduction in CO2 emissions would switching to clean energy result in

Answer 30

Reduce up to 70–80% of current emissions if done at global scale.

Question 31

How much potential does Green hydrogen have?

Answer 31

Green hydrogen could provide 20% of global energy by 2050 [Green hydrogen is made using renewable electricity (like solar or wind) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If scaled up globally, hydrogen could meet 18–20% of the world’s energy needs by 2050.]

Question 32

What happened in Switzerland in June 2021?

Answer 32

Swiss voters rejected efforts to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Question 33

What change did Switzerland make in Dec 2021?

Answer 33

Removes fuel tax and shifts to economic incentives = policy shift

Question 34

What is a measure of Switzerland unsatisfactory contrbution an "emissions-free planet"?

Answer 34

If the world lived like Switerland, global temperatures would rise by 4C by the end of the century

Question 35

What was Switzerland's emissions goal for 2020? What percent below the 1990-level? What was the reality?

Answer 35

Goal was a 20% reduction Actual outcome was 14%

Question 36

What measures did Switzerland take?

Answer 36

Subsidies for * Energy conservation in buildings * Development of renewable energy sources * Reducing intensive agriculture Taxes on gasoline * cost of gasoline icnreased by 50-60% Promotion of hydropower (& nuclear energy) and public transport