There was clear evidence that temperatures around the globe had risen and expectations that this would shift weather patterns and make some events more extreme in the future. But no clear accounting had been done on whether those effects were discernible in the weather happening to us today.

 

There is still no straightforward answer for this or other storms. Partly this is because the question itself is flawed, belying the complexity of these weather events and their relationship to the climate. But scientists have found other ways to probe the role of warming, by asking, for example, how sea level rise has made flooding worse or how warming has influenced entire hurricane seasons.

I feel that climate change does cause more natural disasters to happen. Research has shown that as the global temperatures rise, natural disasters are more prone to happen. Although climate change isn't the ultimate cause of natural disasters, they still play a major role in the occurrences of theses disasters.

 

Scientist now are still unable to come up with a straightforward answer for the storms and its link to global warming. However, they have found ways to probe the role of global warming by looking at how sea level rise has made flooding worse or how warming has influenced entire hurricane seasons. 

 

we feel that nature disasters are not affected by climate change but are worsened by climate change instead. For example: Global warming could affect storm formation by decreasing the temperature difference between the poles and the equator. That temperature difference fuels the mid-latitude storms affect the Earth’s most populated regions. Thus, we feel that with the increasing rate of global warming, can affect the increasing number for natural disasters.

Helped participating countries take conscious effort to stop climate change

Increase awareness of global warming 

Decrease the rate at which GHGs were being emitted. 

 

Brought together a group of important political figures to discuss the measures to address the issue of climate change effectively

Copenhagen Accord was drawn up

Targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions set

 

Another impact would be the social impact. There were an estimated of 1,200 people killed. The family members of the deceased might suffer post traumatic disorder due to the loss and this can cause them to fall into depression, affecting their lives. Furthermore, the loss in infrastructure (many people lose their houses) and low level supply of clean water and food affect their lives and make them more vulnerable to diseases too. This can cause the overall standard of living of the country to decrease and affect the lives of the people living there.

 

present:  there is still no straightforward answer for this or other storms because of the complexity of these weather events and their relationship to the climate. But scientists have found other ways to probe the role of warming, by asking, for example, how sea level rise has made flooding worse or how warming has influenced entire hurricane seasons.

stand: I feel that climate change is to be blamed for natural disaster as it lead to rising sea level which results in flooding, destruction of lands etc.

 

One of the main achievements of the UNFCC has been to establish a reporting framework which provides information on greenhouse gases emissions and removals using common categorization and definitions. This framework encourages reporting of data from most of the countries that are party to the convention. By having this framework, it will allow the countries to keep a look out of their carbon emissions and also find ways to decrease the carbon emissions in the country. 

3b: One example would by the Kyoto Protocol whereby the countries tried to decrease emissions by 5% but ended up increasing by 5%. Furthermore, two of the biggest countries, USA and China were not part or had no obligations to meet the protocols target. It also did not help to decrease emissions because developed countries could trade their credits and outsource to other countries.

 

Another example would be the Copenhagen Conference. There was no agreement on how to carry out reduction of emissions and thus, it was difficult for countries to take action. Furthermore, many countries refused to sign the accord and the countries did not keep up to the targets, which were only guidelines and not conditions).

 

Own example:

One strategy that the scientist are trying to reduce carbon emissions are afforestation, would irrigate deserts, such as those in Australia and North Africa, to promote the growth of vegetation  that can absorb carbon dioxide. However, this vegetation would absorb sunlight the deserts currently reflect back into space, thus actually contributing to global warming. 

Did not really help to decrease emissions because developed countries could trade their credits and outsource to other countries. 

USA, the world’s largest culprit of GHG emissions, is not a member of the Protocol. 

China signed the agreement, but however, they had no obligations to meet their emission targets.
Copenhagen
Failures:

No agreement on how to carry out reductions thus, difficult for countries to take action

Many countries refused to sign the Accord

Many countries did not keep to the targets. (The targets were guidelines, not conditions)

Paris agreement
Failure: The targets set by nations will not be binding

It also caused deaths and injuries, as at least 286 people were killed either directly or indirectly (147 direct deaths). Furthermore, n the USA of the 87 indirect deaths from Sandy, at least 50 were attributable to either falls by the elderly, carbon monoxide poisoning from inadequately ventilated generators and cooking equipment, or hypothermia as a cold snap followed Sandy and extended power outages left people without heating.
It also caused other impacts:

❖Added an extra 20 to 50 cm to the high water mark.

❖Homeowners whose homes were flooded or damaged in the region also continue to struggle with repairs after lengthy delays in disaster relief money disbursements.

> More than 18,000 flights were cancelled

- Raised more awareness on climate change around the world >> Motivate more people to take action and play a part in saving the environment.

- For more information, click here -> http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/smsn/igo/054.pdf

 

(b) What are some of the efforts taken to aid climate change but were ineffective? Factual and personal opinions are encouraged. 

- Various conferences around the world >> Countries are ultimately still concerned over their own benefits >> E.g. Reducing carbon emissions means spending more money on better machines in the manufacturing industry and etc. 

- Did not really help to decrease emissions because developed countries could trade their credits and outsource to other countries. 

- USA, the world’s largest culprit of GHG emissions, is not a member of the Protocol. 

- China signed the agreement, but however, they had no obligations to meet their emission targets. 

Copenhagen:

 - No agreement on how to carry out reductions thus, difficult for countries to take action

- Many countries refused to sign the Accord

- Many countries did not keep to the targets. (The targets were guidelines, not conditions)