Global Climate Change
Should our democracy adopt a cap-and-trade system to limit greenhouse gas emissions?
A 2003 U.S. Department of Defense report warned how climate changes could lead to unrest—even war—because of food shortages, the loss of fresh water, interruptions of energy supplies, and the migration of millions of desperate people. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said that global climate change poses a threat to humanity and the planet that is as grave as war (Osborne, 2007). Most nations now agree that something must be done soon to avert a catastrophe. Countries are particularly interested in reducing the harmful effects of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). Cap-and-trade policies offer one way to do so.
Lessons
Podcast
Resources
Articles and Papers
- Drum, Kevin. "10 Ways to Trade Up" Mother Jones March/April 2009
- Environmental Defense. “Global Warming: Undo It” (New York: Environmental Defense Action Fund, 2005)
- “Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” (Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations and World Meteorological Organization, 2005)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.), “Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions” (Asheville, NC: NOAA, National Climatic Data Center, 2005)
- “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” (Bonn, Germany: Secretariat of the UNFCCC, 2005)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Climate Change and Global Warming” (Washington, DC: USEPA, 2008)
Activities and Websites
- Marian Koshland Science Museum, “Global Warming Facts and Our Future” (Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences, 2005)
- www.breathingearth.net - Map of the earth's countries with CO2 Emission rates and other facts
- Footprint Network Ecological Footprint Calculator
Audio Articles
- "Europe's Carbon Trading Market Sees Brisk Business" National Public Radio (June 5, 2007)
- "Japan Struggles to Meet Its CO2 Emissions Limits" National Public Radio (October 16, 2007)
- "New Climate Solutions Sought as CO2 Levels Rise" National Public Radio (November 2, 2007)
- "Senate Bill Targets Coal-Power Greenhouse Gases" National Public Radio (November 3, 2007)
- "The Climate Race: The planet will survive, but will we?" National Public Radio (Ocotber 28, 2009)
