Mitigation of Climate Change

Lubna Malik 3/17/2011

Mitigation of Global Climate Change

White Paper

Compiled by

Lubna Malik

March, 2011

Lubna Malik 3/17/2011

Table of Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2. Potential Effects of Green house gases on Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

3. Reduction of Carbon Footprint/ Capturing CO2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

4. Strategies for managing carbon Footprints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

5. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

6. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Lubna Malik Page 1 3/17/2011

Abstract

Strategies that mitigate climate change resulting from increasing concentration of greenhouse

gas emissions while promoting sustainable and equitable development are needed to be taken

rapidly and immediately by countries world-wide.. They will need to be continuously adapted

so as to overcome the numerous barriers and threats that remain in implementing actions to

mitigate for climate change. To ensure sustainable development for the vast majority in the

world, local management of resources is crucial.

Introduction

Carbon is a common element that is a basic and essential building block of all life on Earth.

Carbon dioxide, along with methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons and ozone is a green

house gas (GHG). This means that CO2 interacts with infra-red radiation in a way that raises, to

some extent, the temperature of the earth. The earth will remain at a constant temperature

only if there is enough balance between the amount of energy arriving and amount of energy

leaving. Simultaneously, we have experienced increased fuel efficiency reducing earth's

capacity to sequester (hold) carbon. The net result is that the increasing levels of carbon dioxide

and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are causing more heat to be captured, raising

temperatures on Earth.

The ultimate goal of this white paper is to identify most effective and efficient policy option for

reduction of carbon footprint. This paper identifies the additional problems such as the

potential effects of green house gas emissions on climate, descriptions of strategies for

managing carbon footprint and voluntary programs that EWS-WWF can engage and initiate

awareness for reduction of carbon footprint and thereby mitigation of climatic change

Potential Effects of Green house gases on Climate

Strengthening of the greenhouse effect through human activities is known as the enhanced (or

anthropogenic) greenhouse effect. This increase in radiative forcing from human activity is

attributable mainly to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Because it is a greenhouse

gas, elevated CO2 levels contribute to additional absorption and emission of thermal infrared in

the atmosphere, which produce net warming.

One of the most significant sources of water degradation results from an increase in water

temperature. The increase in water temperatures can lead to a bloom