Activity: Climate Change Mitigation Action

Climate change mitigation are things which are being done to limit the causes of climate change. These things tend to focus on efforts to curb carbon emissions, especially in the developed world.

Investigate and explore the following sources.  Pick one sector of the economy, agriculture, transportation, construction, etc., and investigate current and proposed various strategies of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Read actual climate mitigation strategies written by the governments and organizations which are creating and implementing them.

http://www.unep.org/climatechange/mitigation/Home/tabid/104335/Default.aspx

http://www.thegef.org/gef/CC_mitigation_strategy

http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_wg3_report_mitigation_of_climate_change.htm

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/consultations/climate-change-mitigation-and-energy-strategy

http://unfccc.int/focus/mitigation/items/7169.php

Read this website on the Kyoto Protocol and review the function of the agreement in terms of climate change mitigation.  Pick one of the three mitigation mechanisms (International Emissions Trading, Clean Development Mechanism or Joint implementation) and review how the mechanism works.  Research articles which are in favor of that particular mechanism and summarize the reasons the article states for being in favor of it.  Research articles which disagree with that particular mechanism and summarize the reasoning behind the article.

Now, form your own opinion.  Journal answers to the following questions.  Overall, do you think that mechanism is positive and useful? Can you see some of its shortcomings and faults?  Do you think that the mechanism is within the purview of the UN to create?  What are the ethical dilemmas at play?