The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put out an updated report in August 2021. This report indicated that global warming is taking place faster than models had earlier predicted,

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put out an updated report in August 2021. This report indicated that global warming is taking place faster than models had earlier predicted,
Part 1: IPCC Updated Report 2021
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put out an updated report in August 2021. This report indicated that global warming is taking place faster than models had earlier predicted, and removed the last small bit of doubt that warming is human-caused (Well, as much as a scientist can remove… We know that science is never 100%, but it can be 99.99% sure). Here are 3 statements from this report, which you can find linked here: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/ (Links to an external site.)
“It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.
The scale of recent changes across the climate system as a whole and the present state of many aspects of the climate system are unprecedented over many centuries to many thousands of years.
Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Evidence of observed changes in extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones, and, in particular, their attribution to human influence, has strengthened since the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5).”
In the region where you are from/live, what impacts of climate change and warming are you observing? (2 points)
How is this impacting your life? (3 points)
Part 2: Meeting current and future energy demands
Those of us fortunate enough to live in a “developed” nation have access to reliable energy. We can heat and cool our homes, power our cars and cook meals without breathing in harmful emissions. But this certainly is not the case for everyone across the world.
In terms of social justice, don’t all people deserve access to reliable energy? However, we must find a way to provide this energy while also reducing carbon emissions, if we want to keep react appropriately to current climate change challenges. Watch this video and answer the questions that follow.
How many people (globally) do not have access to reliable electricty? How many people (globally) do not have access to clean cooking and heating fuels? (2 points)
If all countries abide by the Paris Climate Treaty, will CO2 emissions increase or decrease in the next 30 years? Which countries will increase? (2 points)
What is the largest source of energy that China and India rely on to increase their energy output in the coming years? How many new power plants/facilities of this type are they planning to build? Is this a CO2 emitting energy source, or not? (3 points)
What hazard kills more people in China each year – indoor or outdoor air pollution? (2 points)
What energy source does Mr. Lassiter suggest that we help China and India scale up in the future instead? Why? (4 points)
Part 3: Why not renewables alone?
Can renewable energy be used to power the world? Watch the following TedX videos before responding to the discussion questions below.
Describe one environmental impact of solar and wind energy discussed by Mr. Shellenberger (describe = more than one complete sentence). (5 points)
Mr. Shellenberger makes a case for nuclear power as the best way to combat climate change. Do you feel that he made a convincing argument? In other words, would you be more willing to support nuclear power as an alternative to fossil fuels? Why or why not?
Back up your ideas with at least 2 specific examples from the video OR at least 2 facts from a cited source if you choose to refute his arguments. (7 points)
OPTIONAL:
If you’re interested in how to utilize wind power while decreasing the impact on bird populations, read this article: Save the birbs: Bird deaths down by 70 percent after painting wind turbine blades (Links to an external site.).
If you liked the video by Michael Shellenberger, you may like the following one too. But it’s not part of our discussion and is completely optional!