Dr. Eban Goodstein, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon

Global Warming Solutions for America

Presentation materials supplemented by Jennifer Edmonds, PhD

The “Carbon Blanket”: Getting Thicker Every Year

Pre-industrial: 280 PPM ≈ 1950

Today: 384 PPM

2050: ??

Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is

collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket,

trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm

up. (URL)

FAQ 1.2, Figure 1

FAQ 1.3, Figure 1

FAQ 1.1, Figure 1

The “Carbon Blanket”: Getting Thicker Every Year

Pre-industrial: 280 PPM ≈ 1950

Today: 384 PPM

2050: ??

Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is

collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket,

trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm

up. (URL)

Coal-burning power plants are

the largest U.S. source of

carbon dioxide pollution --

they produce 2.5 billion tons

every year..

Automobiles, the

second largest

source, create

nearly 1.5 billion

tons of CO2

annually.

Today’s

level

384pm

Clear Impacts: 1º F degree warming

Pasterze Glacier, Austria - 1875 Pasterze Glacier, Austria – 2004

Is the earth really getting hotter?

Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last

two decades were the hottest in 400 years…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Instrumental_Temperature_Record.png

Is the earth really getting hotter?

Yes. Although local temperatures fluctuate naturally, over the past 50 years the average global temperature has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. The 20th century's last

two decades were the hottest in 400 years…

http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp

Average temperatures have

climbed 1.4º F (0.8º C)

around the world since 1880,

much of this in recent

decades (according to NASA's Goddard Institute

for Space Studies)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1206_041206_global_warming.html

Temperate glacier retreat is global

Portage Glacier, Alaska - 1914 Portage Glacier, Alaska – 2004

Portland, Oregon

1984 2002

Are warmer temperatures causing bad things to happen?

http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp

Global warming is already causing damage in many parts of the World.

In 2002, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon endured their worst wildfire seasons ever.

The same year, drought created severe dust storms in Montana, Colorado and Kansas, and floods caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in Texas, Montana and North Dakota.

Since the early 1950s, snow accumulation has declined 60 percent and winter seasons have shortened in some areas of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington.

In 2003, extreme heat waves caused more than 20,000 deaths in Europe and more than 1,500 deaths in India.

Global Impacts

The BAD: (worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack loss

Global Impacts

The BAD: (worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack loss

Increased floods and droughts

Global Impacts

The BAD:(worse as it warms more) Water shortages from snowpack

loss Increased floods and droughts Extinction of many species & eco

systems…

Global Impacts

The BAD: (worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack loss

Increased floods and droughts Extinction of many species &

ecosystems… More heat related illnesses and

deaths…

Global Impacts

The BAD: (worse as it warms more)

Water shortages from snowpack loss

Increased floods and droughts Extinction of many species &

ecosystems… More heat related illnesses and

deaths… More intense hurricanes and

typhoons

Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential collapse of marine foodchains

Dire warming scenarios for world’s reefs

Experts predict ’crumbling frameworks’ if CO2 emissions continue to grow

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

These images published with a coral acidification study in the journal Science reflect scenarios of carbon dioxide's impact on reef ecosystems. The left image represents an intact system at current CO2 levels; the center image shows coral decay with increased CO2; and the right image shows a devastated system with even higher CO2 emissions.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22185971/

Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of Amazon: accelerated warming

Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of Amazon: accelerated warming

Methane release from tundra: accelerated warming

Global Impacts

The SCARY

Ocean acidification: potential collapse of marine foodchains

Fire-driven deforestation of Amazon: accelerated warming

Methane release from tundra: accelerated warming

Continental Ice Sheet Collapse: sea level rise of 35-40 feet, 2

www.focusthenation.org

What can be done?

WHY SHOULD I DO

ANYTHING?

GO GREEN!

WHAT? Consumers

What is ‘going

green?’

GO GREEN!

WHAT? Consumers Businesses

What is ‘going

green?’

For a small company, going green might mean using recycled paper products, installing solar panels and using organically grown materials.

For a large company, it might mean investing millions of dollars in renewable energy research, slashing carbon dioxide emissions and drastically reducing energy consumption.

GO GREEN!

WHAT? WHY go green?

Consumers

WHY go

green?

GO GREEN!

WHAT? WHY go green?

Consumers Businesses

WHY go

green?

…companies are increasingly learning that green initiatives are not just good P.R., they're good business.

“They're not just doing this to try to save the planet…They're seeing the huge economic potential. Instead of simply growing the bottom line by reducing costs, they're growing the top line by increasing revenue. This is creating new products and new markets and in some cases new companies.”

GO GREEN!

WHAT? WHY WHO’s going green?

WHY go

green?

Entertainment

Restaurants

Auto Industry

Careers Education

Real

Estate

Entertainment/Communication Industries go GREEN

Movies/Documentaries

A 1997 PBS documentary about

consumerism, emphasising how

much of the world’s fossil fuel

supply is consumed by the United

States.

Explains why America’s transit system is the worst in

the industrialised world. Two generations ago,

Americans depended on thriving privately owned

streetcar lines across the nation, but then the auto and oil

industry, led by General Motors, bought and dismantled

the streetcar lines. The private auto stopped being a

luxury and became a necessity. Connects asthma and

other respiratory

diseases with air

pollution and

suburban sprawl

Shows that global

warming is already

hurting the Pacific

Islands

Entertainment/Communication Industries go GREEN

Movies Music

Live Earth was a series of worldwide concerts held on July 7, 2007, that initiated a three-year campaign to combat climate change. The concerts brought together more than 150 musical acts in eleven locations around the world and were broadcast to a mass global audience through televisions, radio, and streamed via the Internet

Artists clearly appear to be backing green

innovations. For instance, [a] new album

… was issued in a recycled-paper Digipak;

the carbon dioxide used to make and ship

the disc is being offset with contributions

to renewable energy projects Virgin Entertainment Group

North America VP of

marketing … revealed at

NARM that the chain is

converting all its shopping bags

and point-of-purchase material

to recycled stock

Warner Music Group, which has

launched a companywide initiative to

reduce or offset greenhouse gas

emissions, reported at NARM that it has

also been using ecologically enhanced

paper for the last month

Universal Music Group has

reissued its Millennium greatest-

hits series in eco-friendly packages

that replace the CD booklet with a

single card, featuring only the

cover of the album on the front

Entertainment/Communication Industries go GREEN

Movies Music Consumer Electronics

How to GREEN your electronics

Consumer electronics aren't exactly

easy on the environment -- they

consume electricity that contributes to

global warming, and toxins leach out

of them when they end up in landfills.

…smart power adapters

that don't waste as much

electricity, batteries that

are easier to recycle,

and components made

from plants

…a laptop with a plastic

case made from corn rather

than petroleum products …the EPA will be announcing a

campaign to provide consumers with

more places to turn in cell phones for

recycling.

Auto Industry

Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/

…high prices at the gas pump, concerns

about global warming and an increase in

production sent hybrid car sales soaring

from around 9,000 in 2002 to above 200,000

in 2005, according to Hybridcars.com

Hybrid cars are projected to make up 5

percent of the U.S. market by 2013,

according to J.D. Power and Associates, a

market research firm, up from 1.2 percent in

2005

Auto Industry

Hybrids - http://hybridcars.com/ New Efficiency Standards

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building [could] include: modular

gas-fired boilers, water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency Waste Handling

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building will recycle

much of the solid waste it generates

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency Waste Handling Solar Power

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building will recycle

much of the solid waste it generates

Photovoltaic (solar energy producing

cells) awnings shade the office

windows on the outside and

reduce glare and heat gain, thus

reducing the amount of cooling

needed.

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency Waste Handling Solar Power Indoor Air Quality

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building will recycle

much of the solid waste it generates

Photovoltaic (solar energy producing

cells) awnings shade the office

windows on the outside and

reduce glare and heat gain, thus

reducing the amount of cooling

needed.

A healthy indoor environment is

a critical safety concern in a

laboratory setting.

Measures taken to ensure indoor air

quality at the lab included:

volatile organic compound (VOC),

strict control of formaldehyde

construction materials; off-gassing

materials before installation,

cleaning of all duct work;

replace filters before occupancy,

use of environmentally preferable

cleaning materials.

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency Waste Handling Solar Power Indoor Air Quality Green Power

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building will recycle

much of the solid waste it generates

Photovoltaic (solar energy producing

cells) awnings shade the office

windows on the outside and

reduce glare and heat gain, thus

reducing the amount of cooling

needed.

A healthy indoor environment is

a critical safety concern in a

laboratory setting.

Measures taken to ensure indoor air

quality at the lab included:

volatile organic compound (VOC),

strict control of formaldehyde

construction materials; off-gassing

materials before installation,

cleaning of all duct work;

replace filters before occupancy,

use of environmentally preferable

cleaning materials.

generate or purchase wind-powered

electricity which matches the

electrical consumption

...achieve environmental benefits

by reducing greenhouse gases

that would have been emitted from

conventional power sources

The building and it’s components

have been designed to minimize

energy consumption.

The energy efficient systems in

the building include: six modular

gas-fired boilers, two water-cooled

chillers, daylight dimmers, occupancy

sensors, skylights, energy-efficient

lights, high-efficiency motors and

variable flow pumping systems,

variable air volume heating and

cooling systems with night and low

occupancy system setbacks,

insulated windows, highly rated

insulation, and automated

building management and

monitoring systems.

Real Estate goes GREEN

Green Building Features Energy Efficiency Landscape Design Water Efficiency Waste Handling Solar Power Indoor Air Quality Green Power Environmentally

Preferable Materials

Natural landscaping incorporates

many environmental factors into

the property’s design, including

soil type, use of native plants,

minimal turf area, minimal need

for irrigation, mulches, and

appropriate maintenance schedules.

By using native plants that require

little watering, are well-suited to

the climate and resist pests, we

reduce the need for irrigation

and pesticides

Water in the building will be

conserved with the use of electronic

sensors on plumbing fixtures

in restrooms.

Outside, native

trees and shrubs requiring

little water have been planted

The building will recycle

much of the solid waste it generates

Photovoltaic (solar energy producing

cells) awnings shade the office

windows on the outside and

reduce glare and heat gain, thus

reducing the amount of cooling

needed.

A healthy indoor environment is

a critical safety concern in a

laboratory setting.

Measures taken to ensure indoor air

quality at the lab included:

volatile organic compound (VOC),

strict control of formaldehyde

construction materials; off-gassing

materials before installation,

cleaning of all duct work;

replace filters before occupancy,

use of environmentally preferable

cleaning materials.

generate or purchase wind-powered

electricity which matches the

electrical consumption

...achieve environmental benefits

by reducing greenhouse gases

that would have been emitted from

conventional power sources

…avoid generating unnecessary debris

and to minimize site demolition.

Reuse of materials avoided disposal

costs and was sufficient to complete

the landscaping and fill work

Materials used in construction

contained the highest recycled

content available.

GREEN Careers

http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/ http://jobs.treehugger.com/

"Green" careers are no longer just the realm of environmental biologists and

conservationists. Many new green jobs are built around investment in clean

technologies and the business community's focus on environmental sustainability.

Why? Money.

Corporations want to cut costs and find new income streams. The green

revolution has put new twists on existing careers (like architecture), but jobs in

engineering, design and corporate social responsibility are booming.

"Green" careers are no longer just the realm of environmental biologists and

conservationists. Many new green jobs are built around investment in clean

technologies and the business community's focus on environmental sustainability.

Why? Money.

Corporations want to cut costs and find new income streams. The green

revolution has put new twists on existing careers (like architecture), but jobs in

engineering, design and corporate social responsibility are booming.

Emissions Trader

In a market economy, brokers can trade just about

anything on an exchange, including greenhouse gas

emissions. Companies have been able to voluntarily

trade emissions credits on the Chicago Climate

Exchange since 2003. If the U.S. ever adopts a

mandatory emissions credit trading system (like

Europe's) expect this field to pop.

Environmental Architect

With new building codes promoting energy efficiency,

"green" architecture is booming. In 1994, the U.S. Green

Building Council developed a set of standards for

environmentally sustainable construction. In the decade that

followed, many architects and developers sought

accreditation.

Sustainability Analyst

Just as corporations are hiring managers to ensure that

they are engaging in sustainable business practices,

many financial firms are examining sustainability

industry-wide. Even Dow Jones has gotten in on the

game: In 1999, they launched several indexes to track

the performances of companies with a focus here.

Lobbyist

As business faces increased environmental legislation in

Washington, corporations will seek help from lawmakers

in the form of tax breaks and grants to pursue clean

technology investments. Expect a greater presence on

Capitol Hill from lobbyists working in the energy and

environmental fields.

Renewable Fuels Engineer/Biologist

The financial rewards associated with the development of renewable fuels are

driving much of the business community's investment in the environment. As long

as this money keeps coming in, there will be a need for engineers who can develop

more efficient wind turbines and solar panels, and biologists who can develop

cleaner--and cheaper--biofuels

Climate Risk Analyst

The insurance industry stands to be greatly affected by

climate change, and many companies are now offering

policies to promote energy efficiency and help reduce

global warming. Climate analysts provide the industry

with information to determine the risks associated with

extreme flooding, storms or temperature changes.

Sustainability Coordinator

Dozens of multinational corporations have pledged to

help the environment through their business practices.

For example, Coca-Cola asked the World Wildlife Fund

to help them conserve water. More companies are

looking for a single manager to oversee these efforts

Ecological Economist

Who puts a price tag on the ecosystem? Economists, of

course. They determine, for example, what a ton of carbon

dioxide pollution costs, or the economic value of keeping a

rainforest intact. Outside of academia, non-governmental

organizations and the federal government are major

employers of ecological economists

GREEN Careers

http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/ http://jobs.treehugger.com/

Restaurants go GREEN

Cooking Oils …certified GREEN Restaurants

Organic food sales jumped

from $3.59 billion eight

years ago to $13.8 billion in

2005.

Founded in 1980, Whole

Foods has grown to 180

stores in the U.S., Canada

and Britain.

Education goes GREEN

EPA

Education goes GREEN

EPA Colleges & Universities

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/bachelors_degre.php http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_1797.cfm

GREEN Legislation

Paper vs. Plastic