Climate Transparency Interview
I am in charge and coordinator of the
Chapter's climate governance integrity project. Part of my work includes both
local and international activities. For example, domestically, I am
collaborating with youth and adults on programs and activities related to
climate change integrity and transparency issues. I help organize transparency
clubs at high schools and provide advice to their leaders and members. I am
currently monitoring and engaging with civil society organizations active on
Samcheok Blue Power coal-fired plant construction.
Globally, I am working with other TI
chapters and TI Secretariat on climate governance. We hold monthly online
meetings to share our local experiences and lessons learned about climate and
environmental issues. In addition, I am monitoring and observing the Green
Climate Fund, which is located in Songdo, South Korea. The Green Climate Fund
(or the GCF or the Fund) is the designated institution by the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to fund and support projects
for adaptation and mitigation in most developing countries. Such projects
include reducing greenhouse gases and protecting communities from the impacts
of climate change (for example, floods, typhoons, extreme weather conditions,
etc.). For example, Bangladesh has projects against seawater level rise, etc.
Q. 2: What are the current global greenhouse gas emissions and the global impact of greenhouse gases.
The current global carbon emissions from
fossil fuels have increased since 1900. In 1970, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
from fossil fuels had increased by about 90%. These emissions are from fossil
fuel combustion and industrial processes, contributing to around 78% of the
total greenhouse gas emissions from 1970 to 2011. Aside from fossil fuels,
agriculture, deforestation, and other land-use changes are the second most
significant contributors to gas emissions.
Gases: CO2, Methane (CH2), Nitrous Oxide
(N20), Fluorinated Gases (F-gases: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons
(PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data
Global Impacts of GHG
The Earth's air, water, and land are linked
together to the climate. Therefore, any increase in global average temperature
over an extended period can trigger a chain reaction globally in terms of
climatic change.
Lesser rain can cause drought, and too much rain can cause flooding. More hot days can dry down crops, affect farmers, plants, and animals.
The impacts on a global scale due to
temperature increase directly affects water sustainability, food supplies,
ecosystems, coastal stability, and public health.
For example, the melting glaciers cause the
sea level rise and floods to Bangladesh and other low-lying land territories.
It means people have to move from one place to higher ground or build walls or
higher houses.
The world temperatures could go up by between 0.3 and 4.8 degrees Celsius this century (2021), According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5). In Southeast Asia: the temperature forecast rise is between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. The expected global sea levels rise is between 0.26 m and 0.98 m.
The World Meteorological Organization
reports that 2020 was one of the three warmest years on record, despite the
cooling La Nina event. WMO's State of the Global Climate 2020 report includes
climate indicators such as GHG concentrations, increasing land and ocean
temperatures, sea-level rise, melting ice and glacier retreat, and extreme
weather. It includes impacts on socio-economic development, migration and
displacement, food security, and land and marine ecosystems.
In 2020: the
global average temperature was about 1.2 degrees Celsius above the
pre-industrial level (1850-1900).
Since 2015:
the six years have been the warmest on the record
2011-2020
was the warmest decade on record
https://www.nccs.gov.sg/about-climate-change/global-impact-of-climate-change/
Q: 3. What is the relationship between temperature and melting of glaciers
Since the 1900s, glaciers globally have
been melting. Before (thousands of years ago), climate change was natural, but
climate change today is due to human activities (anthropogenic). This has
started in the industrial revolution emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases, increasing the Earth's temperature.
The temperature is even higher in the poles
causing the rapid melting of glaciers and calving off into the sea. Even if we
reduce emissions that cause a temperature rise in the coming decades, 1/3 (one-third)
of the world's glaciers will meltdown before 2100. The increasing
temperature causes the glaciers to melt and increase the seawater level.
Importance of Glaciers
Glaciers are protective covers of the Earth
and oceans. They are many thousands of years old, and they function by reflecting
back excess heat into space and keep the Earth cooler. Today only about 10% of the
land area on Earth is covered with glaciers. About 90% of glaciers are in
Antarctica, and 10% in the Greenland ice cap. If unchecked, the Arctic
could be ice-free in the summer of 2040 as the ocean, and air temperatures
increase rapidly.
3-2. Relationship between temperature and seawater thermal expansion
More than 90% of the heat trapped by
greenhouse gases is absorbed by the oceans/seas. When the heat is absorbed, the
temperatures of the ocean increase, and water expands. This seawater thermal
expansion contributes to the increasing seawater level globally (NASA).
What happens to sea life when the ocean is
heated? Many changes can occur, including sea acidification, coral bleaching,
death of sea animals, and migration of fishes to other cooler regions.
Q. 4: What are the annual contributions raised and the purpose and use of such contributions?
For example, since the Green Climate Fund
started operations in 2015, it has allocated USD5 billion to 102 projects and
programs, including clean energy, coastal protection, flood management, and
resilient livelihoods for vulnerable countries and communities.
The Paris Agreement for climate change
(established in France, 2015) affirms a commitment by developed countries to
support USD100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020 through the GCF.
In 2014, contributor governments pledged a
total of USD 10.3 billion to the GCF as the 'Initial Resource Mobilization. 23
developed countries contributed most of the pledged amount, while some
developing countries also contributed voluntarily. However, it is not even
close to the amount.
4-1. What is the expected value of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with contributions raised?
Very low. It could not reduce the GHG or
prevent global warming. That's because the contributions to climate actions are
not being met recently. Basing on the present global actions, the temperatures
will continue to rise. The governments who agreed to support the Green Climate Fund and pledged to raise USD100 billion annually starting in 2020 failed to
We were 1.2 degrees warming in 2020. The
current policies of countries would bring the temperatures from 2.1 to 2.9 or
3.9 degrees Centigrade. Also, the pledges and targets would bring the
temperatures from 1.9 to 2.4 or worse, 3.0 degrees. Even the optimistic targets
would bring the temperatures from 1.6 to 2.0 and 2.6 degrees Celsius, according
to climatetracker.org.
4-2. How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
There are hundreds of ways to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions. The top answer: Reduce fossil fuels use. Then the following…
Food:
l Eat low on the food chain – less meat but more fruits and veggies
l Choose local and organic food – transporting uses fossil fuels
l Buy foodstuffs in bulk with a reusable container
l Reduce food waste
l Compost – don't throw waste but bury it
Clothing:
l Don't buy fast fashion
l Buy vintage or recycled clothing
l Wash clothes in cold water
Shopping:
l Buy less stuff – buy recycled or used items
l Bring your own reusable bag when shopping
l Less packaging items
l Use a laptop instead of desktop
l Electronics: look for Energy Star products – certified energy-efficient
ones
Home:
l Do an audit on energy use at home
l Change the incandescent lights to LED
l Switch lights off when not using; unplug electronics when not in use
l Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees F.
l Use a low-flow showerhead to reduce water use
l Lower your thermostat in winter and raise it in summer; less aircon;
use fans
Transportation:
l Drive less; walk, take public transport, carpool, rideshare, bike
l Avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration
l Take care of your car – inflate properly; remove extra weight
l Use less aircon when driving
l Purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle
Air Travel:
l Avoid flying if possible; driving may emit less greenhouse gas
l Fly nonstop
l Buy economy class (business class is 3x emissions; 1st
class is 9x emissions
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2018/12/27/35-ways-reduce-carbon-footprint/
4-3. What is the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions reduction and global warming progress?
There is enough evidence that GHG emissions
(mainly carbon dioxide) are causing air temperature increases resulting in
climate change. It is predicted that it is unlikely that a stable atmospheric
gas concentration will be achieved before 2050 (file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/3.1.pdf
3.1. Greenhouse gases and climate change - European
...https://www.eea.europa.eu › FBCEJGDHIR)
We need to reduce 50-70% now in global CO2 emissions to stabilize global carbon concentrations at the 1990 level by 2100. So, if we stop using fossil fuels now, everyone, especially the industrial countries, we can achieve it soon.
Q. 5: What do you want to convey
We encourage all citizens of the Earth to
do whatever they can to prevent the acceleration of the climate crisis through
various means.
All nations should act together now to
prevent the worst scenario from happening. Particularly a transition from
fossil fuel use to renewable energy use.
This can happen by sincere collaboration
among various sectors in society, especially business and government. New
policies and laws must be established, implemented, and practiced.
It means that governments should take bold
and ambitious climate actions now. It is late to act but better do it soon.
Also, all people or members of society
should act, vote, and more participative in climate actions. Besides, people
should monitor the actions and transparency of the government, business,
private sectors, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the climate action
to reduce gas emissions, adaptation, and mitigation activities.
As there is much money flowing into climate
projects, we should be vigilant so that the money will not be lost to
corruption and other illegal means.
Prepared by:
Abraham Sumalinog
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