Earth 2

Thursday, April 8, 1999
Announcements: A 3-point homework assignment was passed out today in class. It is due next Thursday.

Lecture notes:

Summary of Global Warming Responses

6% say DO NOTHING

42% say ADAPT

42% say MITIGATION

7% say BOTH ADAPTATION & MITIGATION

**ADAPTATION IS MOST REALISTIC--IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO GET EVERYONE TO AGREE**

Kyoto, Japan Meeting (1989)

This meeting proposed an agreement in which all countries will limit CO2 emissions into the air

Clinton & Gore want the US to commit to limiting emissions

US Senate says they will never ratify a treaty that didn't include developing countires b/c they feel that the US shouldn't give up things will other countries don't

• Kyoto Treaty does not include developing countries

Industries are head-over-heels into having the US not commit to the Kyoto Treaty. They encourage this saying that the models are uncertain and any changes may hault economic growth

EXCEPTION: Insurance Companies want the US to commit to the Kyoto Treaty, saying that the US will go bankrupt if global warming gets too out of control

NGO (Non-Government Organizations...like environmental groups) say we must do something about global warming or the effects will be disastrous

Winner's & Loser's when deciding about Global Warming

The US are short-term loser's

China is also a loser

The Soviet Union is a winner