HagaMUN – 6,7 and 8 March 2020€¦ · Web viewThe process of global warming explained To begin with, Earth constantly receives enormous amounts of radiation from the sun. This

Gymnasium Haganum Model United Nations Empowering the Sustainability Revolution

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeAddressing the impact of climate change on the continent of Africa

6th, 7th and 8th of March 2020Gymnasium Haganum, The Hague

HagaMUN 2020 | 6th, 7th and 8th of March 2020Empowering the Sustainability Revolution

Forum: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeIssue: Addressing the impact of climate change on the continent > of AfricaStudent Officer: Julia Twardzisz & Letty KimPosition: Student Officers

IntroductionThe effects of climate change can be felt by people from all over the world. From mass

floods and droughts to fires burning through thousands of square kilometers, our Earth as we know it is environmentally degrading. With an overwhelming agreement from the science community of climate change being predominantly caused by human activity, we are on the right path to combatting this issue. But since this is mostly our fault, it is us who will need to make some changes. To quote Jim Skea, co-chair of the IPCC “Limiting warming to 1.5° C is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics, but doing so would require unprecedented changes”.

Record level greenhouse gas emissions are the main reasons for the deterioration of habitats. These habitats are not only the home of humans but also those of thousands of species of animals as well as that of flora. In Africa specifically, even raising the temperatures by 2° C instead of 1.5° C will bring along disastrous results such as heatwaves, droughts, and thus potential crop failures. This is especially dangerous because many areas of Africa are largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture. That, in turn, is bound to influence the economic situations of those regions. This is why those areas will especially be susceptible to the escalation of conflicts and other political threats.

Welcome LetterDearest delegates,

It is our utmost pleasure to welcome you all to The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at HagaMUN 2020. Both the Secretariat and the Chairboard have put in so much work and effort to make this conference memorable for all participants. UN Women is a demanding committee but we hope that your extensive knowledge upon these matters and perseverance during the committee work will end with the creation of a satisfactory resolution.

Our committee faces an enormously pressing task, as the topic of our debates concerns climate change. Those are issues that have been addressed by the UN time and time again, however they still to this day remain unsolved. Only total engagement and cooperation between delegates will allow for multiple solutions to be found to these complex issues. Therefore, we hope that any differences in countries’ policies will not become an unnecessary obstacle for fruitful cooperation, but will contribute to reaching an immensely valuable consensus taking the needs and capabilities of all UN members into consideration.

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We highly encourage you to read this guide thoroughly, since it is the perfect base for both developing a deeper understanding of the topic and writing a solution-oriented position paper. However, please keep in mind that the essential part of participating in MUN conferences is conducting your own extensive research, especially regarding your country’s stance on the matter at hand.

Together with the Secretariat, we hope that this conference will create an opportunity for you to expand your knowledge on international politics and diplomatic ways of solving global issues, as well as enhance your public speaking and teamwork skills. We truly hope that the debates held both in our committee and the ones held during the General Assembly will turn out to be an unforgettable experience for all of you.

As chairs, we would also like to assure you that we will do whatever it takes to help, so if you have any inquiries, especially if you are a first-timer, do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail, MyMun or Facebook.

See you in March!

Definition of Key TermsIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

Climate change

A change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., by using statistical

tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties and that persists

for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due to

natural internal processes or external forcings, or to persistent anthropogenic changes

in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.

Nonlinearity

A process is called nonlinear when there is no simple proportional relation between

cause and effect. The climate system contains many such nonlinear processes,

resulting in a system with a potentially very complex behavior. Such complexity may

lead to abrupt climate change.

Greenhouse gas

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Greenhouse gases are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both

natural and anthropogenic, which absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths

within the spectrum of thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, by

the atmosphere itself, and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect.

Water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and

ozone (O3) are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. Moreover,

there are a number of entirely human-made greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such

as the halocarbons and other chlorine- and bromine- containing substances, dealt with

under the Montreal Protocol. Besides CO2, N2O, and CH4, the Kyoto Protocol deals

with the greenhouse gases sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and

perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A naturally occurring gas fixed by photosynthesis into organic matter. A byproduct of

fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning, it is also emitted from land use changes

and other industrial processes. It is the principal anthropogenic greenhouse gas that

affects the Earth’s radiative balance. It is the reference gas against which other

greenhouse gases are measured, thus having a Global Warming Potential of 1.

For more definitions be sure to check out the IPCC’s glossary of terms listed in the appendix

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Background InformationThe Earth’s climate is not completely stable. There have been multiple instances in its

history where it has changed for a wide range of reasons. But this is the first time in history when human activity is directly linked to the negative processes that have impacted the climate. The mere fact that we are responsible for the disastrous changes impacting our Earth should be enough of an incentive to encourage us to make a change.

The process of global warming explained

To begin with, Earth constantly receives enormous amounts of radiation from the sun. This solar radiation strikes the Earth's atmosphere in the form of visible light, plus ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and other types of radiation that are invisible to the human eye. According to NASA, about 30 percent of the radiation striking Earth's atmosphere is immediately reflected out to space by clouds, ice, snow, sand, and other reflective surfaces. The remaining 70 percent of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by the oceans, the land, and the atmosphere. As they heat, the oceans, land and atmosphere release heat in the form of IR thermal radiation, which passes out of the atmosphere and into space. It's this equilibrium of incoming and outgoing radiation that makes the Earth habitable, with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.

The problem starts with the exchange of incoming and outgoing radiation that warms the Earth, called the greenhouse effects. Its name relates to the mechanisms that occur similarly to those in actual greenhouses. Gases in the atmosphere that can absorb thermal infrared radiation („trap heat energy”) or reflect energy are the greenhouse gases. By doing so, greenhouse gases prevent IR radiation from escaping into outer space causing gradual heating of the Earth's atmosphere and surface. This general process is referred to as global warming.

Objective of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)

As mentioned beforehand, the main objective of the United Nations Framework on Climate is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Therefore debates during committee sessions should address this issue as some countries withdrew from the pacts and ceased to take some action.

Although it has to be stressed first that the framework sets non-binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains no enforcement mechanisms. Other key issues include the climate change that is an effect of greenhouse gas emission as well as member states' relations with GHG correlating with their HDI levels and bases of their national economies.

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Major Countries and Organizations InvolvedNigeria

Nigeria, and especially its former capital Lagos, will be one of the places which will be most impacted by climate change. The durations and intensities of rainfall have increased, producing large runoffs and flooding in many places in Nigeria. Rainfall variation is projected to continue to increase. Precipitation in southern areas is expected to rise and rising sea levels are expected to exacerbate flooding and submersion of coastal lands.The combination of rising heat and less rain will negatively impact The Northeast and the Northwest. Hastened desert encroachment, with loss of the wetlands, and fast reduction in the amount of surface water, flora and fauna resources on land are just some of the consequences to possibly threaten that area

Since Lagos, a megacity is one of the most heavily populated cities in the world the effects on this specific area will be especially dangerous. When the population if Lagos started increasing rapidly this resulted in increased pollution, congestion and wear on infrastructure. And although efforts have been made to revitalize the city in terms of a cleaner and greener environment, big challenges remain. This city still has far too many slums and squatter settlements, it lacks proper traffic management, functioning public transportation system, efficient waste disposal, sanitation, adequate potable water supply, and routine road maintenance, just to name a few.

Photo of Lagos financial district, source: Financial TimesLagos’ rapid population growth is one of the main reasons for the hazardous situation

that it is facing, however, its political and economic situations are also to blame. Lagos’ economic engine is not lifting large numbers out of poverty but is concentrating ever more extreme wealth in the hands of a tiny minority. This results in the majority of their population struggling to make ends meet and is a core cause of the state in which the city currently is. The amount of slums and shanty towns is directly correlated to the negative economic situation of the citizens and the politicians aren’t doing much to change this.

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Kenya

It can be easily observed that there is a correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and economic development. The biggest emissions are in majority highly developed countries with their economy being rather a service and industrial based. There are plenty of case studies that display how countries in the middle section of development that are economically agriculture-based, produce far fewer greenhouse gases.

An example of this case study may be "Case study: Kenya’s emissions" from 2018 By Matt Burdett. Kanya ranks low with its 0.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita [year] as it can be observed on the table.

Though it has to be observed that with growing Kenyan GDP grows GHG emission. It is a common phenomenon of countries stabilizing their economy and its citizens becoming more financially stable. Society then follows a pattern of increased consumption, hence increasing the production levels. This is relevant as big companies make for biggest emissioners in every country.

In such a situation a question forms how to tie sustainable development and stimulating the economy with GHG and environment protection.

Relevant UN Treaties and Events

● Declaration on the Critical Economic Situation in Africa, 3 December 1984 (A/RES/39/29)

● The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 9 May 1992

● IPCC Climate Report, 2018

Previous Attempts to solve the Issue

Especially over the past few years, debates and deliberations concerning climate change have been prevalent among UN bodies and other international organizations. Events listed above such as the UNFCCC and IPP or even annual events such as the COP conference are evidence that this is a very current issue that needs to be tackled. Small changes are being made but that is not nearly fast enough to stop the disastrous pace at which our planet is

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deteriorating. That is why this is up to us to propose solutions to make the world a better place.

Possible SolutionsIn order to evaluate any possible solutions listed below are a few questions to

consider, both helpful for writing your Position Papers and prompts for debates during the committee work.

● Should there be a limit on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries?● Should the committee be concerned about other environmental pressing issues?● What other measures can be taken to protect the environment?● Should all member states declare an environmental emergency?● Should there be educational programmes implemented in the member states?

Please consider these questions while remaining committed to your individual country's policies.

BibliographyI. https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2018-march-2019/global-

warming-severe-consequences-africaII. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/

5dcd7a1aed915d0719bf4542/675_Climate_Change_in_Nigeria.pdfIII. https://www.ipcc.ch/about/ IV. https://archive.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/srex/SREX-Annex_Glossary.pdf V. https://www.ft.com/content/8b24d40a-c064-11e1-982d-00144feabdc0

VI. https://time.com/5687470/cities-countries-most-affected-by-climate-change/ VII. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lagos-inside-the-ultimate-mega-

city-1945246.htmlVIII. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/lagos-inside-the-ultimate-mega-

city-1945246.htmlIX. https://www.climatelinks.org/countries/kenya

Appendix or AppendicesI. https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2018-march-2019/global-

warming-severe-consequences-africaII. https://www.maplecroft.com/insights/analysis/84-of-worlds-fastest-growing-cities-

face-extreme-climate-change-risks/

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III. https://germanwatch.org/files/Global%20Climate%20Risk%20Index %202019_2.pdf

IV. https://archive.ipcc.ch/pdf/special-reports/srex/SREX-Annex_Glossary.pdf V. https://www.ipcc.ch/about/

VI. https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/climate-change/how-did-we-get-here VII. https://qz.com/africa/1722706/how-lagos-became-africas-largest-megacity/

VIII. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases IX. https://climate.nasa.gov/ X. http://astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro202/Mitchell_GRL89.pdf

XI. https://web.archive.org/web/20060330013311/http://www.atmo.arizona.edu/ students/courselinks/spring04/atmo451b/pdf/RadiationBudget.pdf

XII. https://research.un.org/en/docs/environment/treaties XIII. Wood, R.W. "Note on the Theory of the Greenhouse" (1909)

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HagaMUN – 6,7 and 8 March 2020€¦ · Web viewThe process of global warming explained To begin with, Earth constantly receives enormous amounts of radiation from the sun. This