ENVIRONMENT

The world’s leading body of climate scientists has released a major report on the impacts of climate change, with the goal of spurring world leaders to act more decisively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (National Geographic News)

Use our resources to better understand how climate change can be addressed by government, industry, communities, and individuals.

Discussion Ideas

• One of the most pressing concerns about global climate change is the management of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. Watch our hosted video “The New Empire of Cleantech.” How is China working to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions?
  • China has invested more money in renewable energy than any other nation on Earth. The Chinese government has invested in wind, solar, and nuclear power technologies.
  • China is pursuing “clean coal” technology, including carbon sequestration and gasification.
  • China is sharing its “cleantech” innovation with American companies, so that the U.S. can have options to reduce its emissions.

• Read through our article “Working with Nature to Slow Global Warming.” How is the company in the article, a private industry, working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
  • The companies in the article are using a biomimicry process called Mineralization via Aqueous Precipitation, or MAP, to produce high-quality Portland cement. (MAP is associated with biomimicry because it mimics the natural process corals use to build their sturdy calcium carbonate structures.) MAP reduces the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere during the cement-production process.

• Sea level rise is another impact of climate change. Read through our article “Shore Thing.” How are communities in the Chesapeake Bay addressing sea level rise in their communities?
  • Many Chesapeake Bay communities are creating “living shorelines” to reduce the impact of sea level rise on the coast. A living shoreline is, in essence, a restructured wetland, integrating plants, stone, sand, and other materials. Living shorelines are much more likely than barriers or seawalls to withstand storm surges and adapt to sea level rise.

• Watch our hosted video “Young Voices for the Planet,” and follow the links to related websites. What are some ways kids and young adults working to address climate change? See if your school or workplace has the “power to change”!
  • using cloth grocery bags
  • bicycling, carpooling, and using public transportation
  • composting
  • planting trees
  • eating locally grown foods
  • refusing to use plastic water bottles
  • not leaving electronic devices on when not in use
  • using LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • advocating and lobbying government for change