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Global warming actions can be controlled by people\'s participation
2005-05-30 08:15:35
By Gontardo Matavika
Today, action is occurring at every level to reduce, to avoid, and to better understand the risks associated with climate change.
Many cities and states across the world have prepared greenhouse gas investories, and many are actively pursuing programs and policies that will result in greenhouse gas emission reductions.
At the national level, the U.S. Global Change Research Program co-ordinates the world’s most extensive research effort on climate change.
In addition, EPA and other federal agencies are actively engaging the private sector, states, and localities in partnerships based on a win-win philosophy and aimed at addressing the challenge of global warming while, at the same time, strengthening the economy.
At the global level, countries around the world have expressed a firm commitment to strengthening international responses to the risks of climate change.
The United States is working to strengthen international action and broaden participation under the auspices of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Climate change is a global problem requiring action from the entire international community.
Countries from around the world are working together to share technologies, experience, resources and talent to lower net greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global climate change.
The United States participates in and supports several international efforts designed to help countries to address climate change.
One important strategy for reducing global greenhouse gas emission is developing and sharing climate friendly technologies, commonly referred to as Technology Cooperation.
These efforts can occur between nations, private entities, and organizations around the world.
The United States participates in various bilateral and multilateral technology cooperation initiatives that aim to encourage the use of technologies that will reduce greenhouse gases.
Through the U.S. Initiative on Joint Implementation, organizations in the United States and other countries have been encouraged to implement projects that reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas emissions.
In the past, the U.S. Countries Studies Program provided developing countries and countries with economies in transition with funding and technical assistance to support greenhouse gas inventories, mitigation assessments, vulnerability and adaptation assessments and national action plans for addressing climate change.
Finally, international efforts establish guidelines for land use, land use change, and forestry practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sinks.
As countries continue to grow and develop, international cooperation will become increasingly important as the global community searches for ways to meet the climate change challenge efficiently and effectively.
The key to successful cooperation is finding activities that will help all countries achieve their economic, environmental, and developmental goals in a climate-friendly manner.
Action at the state level is a key component of the U.S. response to the potential impacts posed by climate change.
This section (State Actions) focuses on state level activities, programs, technologies and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the nation.
Many of these actions were initiated and/or have received assistance from the U.S. EPA\'s State and Local Climate Change Program, a capacity-building program that provides technical and financial assistance to state and local officials and organizations that support state functions.
As of November 1999, over 34 states and Puerto Rico had become partners in the Program.
State partners are involved in a variety of activities including the preparation of state greenhouse gas emission inventories, action plans, demonstration projects, and informational and educational programs.
The goal of the State Actions section of the Global Warming website is to share results that state climate program developers may find useful in the adoption and transfer of innovative technologies and policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It has now been ratified by more than 155 nations.
The U.S. was the fourth nation overall, and the first industrialized nation, to ratify this landmark accord.
Under this treaty, the world’s industrialized nations pledged to establish policies and measures that reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that are changing the Earth’s climate.
The United States is strongly committed to addressing the challenge of climate change with cost-effective policies that are good for the environment and the economy.
The approach has three pillars. First, to contribute to a necessary foundation in science, the U.S. maintains the most extensive research effort on climate change of any nation in the world.
Second, U.S. policies are based on win-win partnership with the private sector, states, localities, and non-governmental organizations.
Finally, the U.S. is committed to strengthening international responses to the risks of climate change – global warming will require global solutions.
Cities and towns across the U.S are on the front lines of climate change and feel the effects of changes such as in precipitation, temperature, sea-level rise, and air quality.
Cities and towns are also in the position to take a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy actions that can have multiple benefits including saving money, creating jobs, promoting sustainable growth, and reducing criteria pollutants.
'Smart Savings: Climate Solutions for Cities' identifies twenty actions that local officials can take to save money, save energy, clean the air, reduce congestion, curb sprawl, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The actions range from building improvements to transportation, waste management and urban design.
While the list of actions is not comprehensive, it provides good examples of actions that cities in the U.S. have voluntarily taken and that make a contribution to improving our environment.
It provides a one-stop source for the outreach material that state and local leaders need to inform the public about global warming.
The kit focuses on voluntary greenhouse gas reduction strategies that help states and communities save money, improve air quality, and lower risks to human health.
EPA's heat island reduction initiative provides communities with information resources and technical assistance to address the impacts of increasing urban temperatures, which can be up to 10 degrees F hotter than rural surroundings.
Not to be confused with global warming, the urban heat island effect results from a high concentration of construction materials that absorb, rather than reflect, the sun’s heat.
By planting trees, and installing reflective roofs and pavements, communities can achieve the benefits of lower ambient air temperatures, improved air quality and energy savings.
Industry can take a leading role in focusing serious attention on global warming by developing a portfolio of actions that save money, improve productivity, and protect the environment.
Companies pursuing energy efficiency and pollution prevention project stand to gain a competitive edge over firms that fail to make these changes.
Business representatives can educate themselves, their customers, and their suppliers on the risks associated with climate change and the opportunities available to address those risks.
Additional and active information sharing will expand the base of ideas, opportunities, and solutions for everyone.
Lowering energy use not only reduces dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, it also may reduce energy bills and total manufacturing costs.
Establishing a strong corporate energy management program to identify opportunities and manage for continuous improvement is a key for realizing the benefits of increased energy efficiency.
EPA\'s ENERGY STAR program currently works with Industry to identify the best in energy management.
For steps you can take now to improve the efficiency of your manufacturing plant.
Purchasing or investing in clean energy technologies (wind, solar, biomass, small hydro and co-generation) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide job opportunities for individuals entering this growing field.
Some companies have installed solar panels on their roofs and constructed with farms to meet their electricity needs.
As these alternative energy sources become more popular, they can address both the environmental and economic concerns of any business entity.
Various businesses and corporations are highly regarded whether it is for their product quality, ethics, or standing in the community.
These leaders can provide a powerful example promoting greenhouse gas reduction strategies through corporate incentives such as financial assistance for employees who use public transportation, car-pooling and even telecommuting.
Other 'green' practices such as recycling and purchasing recycled materials also contribute to overall greenhouse gas reductions.
Corporate policies involving employees and day to day operations will have a positive impact on the climate in and outside the office.
The Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies are helping many U.S. industries find creative ways to improve their competitiveness while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In 1993, the Climate Change Action Plan was launched at the national level to facilitate partnerships between government agencies and the private sector.
What difference can I make? When faced with this question, individuals should recognize that collectively they can make a difference.
Think back to the days before recycling became popular when everyone threw everything out in the trash.
In less than 20 years, most households have gone from recycling little to nothing to recycling newspapers, plastics, glass and metal.
Many businesses recycle paper and buy recycled products and many industries practice source reduction in their packaging efforts.
An entire mindset has changed in one generation! Taking action on global warming or climate change is similar.
In some cases, it only takes a little change in lifestyle and behaviour to make some big changes in greenhouse gas reductions.
For other types of actions, the changes are more significant.
When that action is multiplied by the 270 million people in the U.S. or the 6 billion people worldwide, the savings are significant.Individuals can make a difference.
Identifies actions that many households can take that reduce greenhouse gas emission in addition to other benefits, including saving your money!
The actions range from changes in the house, in the yard, in the car, and in the store.
Everyone’s contribution counts, so why not do your share to secure the world?
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