Model Based Policy Analysis (Fach) / 2. Introduction (Lektion)
In dieser Lektion befinden sich 5 Karteikarten
General information on climate change and its impact on economies
Diese Lektion wurde von Moadscha erstellt.
- Give a short explanation of the Greenhouse effect. - Distinction between natural and enhanced greenhouse effect - Natural greenhouse effect o Natural warming effect o Natural occurring CO2 and other gases adsorb the reflexed heat and re-emit the heat towards the earth’s surface - Enhanced greenhouse effect o Increasing the amount of greenhouse gases e.g. use of fossil fuels o These additional greenhouse gases intensify the re-emittment of heat towards the surface and less heat escapes into the space o This effect started mainly after the industrial revolution Since 1800 increase in GHGs since 1950 exponential increase of GHGs
- What does IPCC stand for? And which 4 scenarios did the IPCC model concerning future GHG emissions? - IPCC= Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - 4 scenarios on future development of annual GHG emissions - Named after the particular radiative forcing values in the year 2100 1. RCP 2.6: CO2 eq concentration in 2100 of 430-480 ppm (parts per million) CO2 eq o Decrease of actual (2010) annual emissions by 78-118% o Only scenario that reaches the 2°C target 2. RCP 4.5: CO2 eq concentration in 2100 of 580-720 ppm CO2 eq o Decrease of actual (2010) annual emissions by max. 21-54% in 2100 3. RCP 6.0: CO2 eq concentration in 2100 of 720-1000 ppm CO2 eq o Increase of actual (2010) annual emissions by up to 70% 4. RCP 8.5: CO2 eq concentration in 2100 of >1000 ppm CO2 eq o Increase of actual (2010) annual emissions by up to 178%
- What are possible impacts of climate change? Rising sea level: caused by melting glaciers and "thermal expansion" of the oceans; threat for low lying countries Melting polar ice: causes sea level rise; intensifies global warming Worldwide loss of mountain glacier and snow pack stronger hurricanes More droughts and flooding: increased precipitation in winter and declines in summer Effects on human health: directly --> heat affects human health, indirectly --> spread of infectious deseases; thread to food and water quality Effets on ecosystems: Coral reefs (due to higher acdicity) and polar bears
- Point out important asymmetries between DC and IC concerning climate change. Developing Countries less means for adaptation and mitigation need growth to increase welfare (standard of living) responsible for most future emissions low per capita emissions high energy/carbon intesity of GDP and thus cheap abatement potential suffer most from climate change Industrialized countries richer --> more means for adaptation and mmitigation responsible for most past emissions high per capita emissions better technologies, lower energy intensity of GDP
- What is the role of economics in climate policy? 1. defining the optimal amount of emissions 2. finding second best: show how targets can be reached at lowest costs 3. Show choices and interdependencies 4. Point out to neglected and important issues (e.g. intertemporal questions, role of uncertainty, technology etc.) 5. Design policy intruments 6. Evaluate current policies