Climate Crusaders

• Individuals and groups that keep climate in the news. E.g. Coldplay, Al Gore, Bono

Key Players in climate change

Scales of Mitigation...

Local National

Global

What is Agenda 21?

• Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable development and was an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment.

Local Agenda 21

• Local action is critical in tackling climate change. Local Agenda 21 emerged from the 1992 Earth Summit. It calls on Governments to implement sustainable strategies to improve the environment and reduce carbon emissions. Without local action it is hard for people on an individual basis to do their bit!

Calculating your carbon footprint

• http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

How can YOU reduce your carbon footprint?

CONTRACTION AND CONVERGENCE

Contraction and convergence allows poorer countries to increase their emissions whilst developed countries, with their resources and technology, reduce theirs. Long term, it is envisaged that the poorer countries would convert to “greener” forms of energy and consumption as their development allowed.

What are the advantages of this approach?

Case Study

• LONDON: “Action today to protect Tomorrow” (launched in 2007 by the Mayor of London)The plan commits the city to reducing its carbon dioxide levels to 30% of 1990 levels by 2025.

Further information can be found at:http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment

How it hopes to achieve this:• The Green Homes programme – subsidised or free insulation in

existing council homes;• Setting and enforcing new building standards for energy efficiency

(BEDZEDS);• Encouraging “waste to energy” schemes as an alternative to

landfill;• Investing in local; small scale-renewable energy schemes such as

solar and wind power;• Providing clean, efficient public transport (converting all 8000

London buses to diesel electric hybrids), raising the congestion charge to £25 for heavy polluting vehicles and encouraging cycling.

• Promoting the purchase of low-carbon goods and services by council offices and other bodies.

Homework

• Read through the information on BEDZEDS and visit the London website and ensure that you have a solid and detailed case study from which to regurgitate in the exam!