Transcript Introduction to the Prairies

SUSTAINABILITY: MITIGATION
AND ADAPTATION-THE
PRAIRIES
Mandy Guinn, Kerry Hartman, Jen Janecek-Hartman
What is sustainability?

Sustainable developments are those which fulfill
present and future needs (WECD, 1987) while
[only] using and not harming renewable
resources and unique human-environmental
systems of a site: [air], water, land, energy, and
human ecology and/or those of other [off-site]
sustainable systems (Rosenbaum 1993 and
Vieria 1993).
Sustainability
What is adaptation?
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Adaptation is responding to change.
 It
can be done at an ecosystem or individual level.
 In climate change terms how will species, populations
and communities of flora and fauna adjust to climate
changes such as increasing or decreasing temperature
or precipitation?
Examples of Adaptation at Societal
Level
Sector
Adaptation option/strategy
Underlying policy framework
Key constraints and opportunities to implementation
(Normal font = constraints; italics = opportunities)
Water
Expanded rainwater harvesting; water storage and
conservation techniques; water re-use; desalination;
water-use and irrigation efficiency
National water policies and integrated water resources
management; water-related hazards management
Financial, human resources and physical barriers;
integrated water resources management; synergies with
other sectors
Agriculture
Adjustment of planting dates and crop variety; crop
relocation; improved land management, e.g. erosion
control and soil protection through tree planting
R&D policies; institutional reform; land tenure and land
reform; training; capacity building; crop insurance;
financial incentives, e.g. subsidies and tax credits
Technological and financial constraints; access to new
varieties; markets; longer growing season in higher
latitudes; revenues from ‘new’ products
Human health
Heat-health action plans; emergency medical services;
improved climate-sensitive disease surveillance and
control; safe water and improved sanitation
Public health policies that recognise climate risk;
strengthened health services; regional and international
cooperation
Limits to human tolerance (vulnerable groups);
knowledge limitations; financial capacity; upgraded
health services; improved quality of life
Tourism
Diversification of tourism attractions and revenues;
shifting ski slopes to higher altitudes and glaciers;
artificial snow-making
Integrated planning (e.g. carrying capacity; linkages with Appeal/marketing of new attractions; financial and
other sectors); financial incentives, e.g. subsidies and tax logistical challenges; potential adverse impact on other
credits
sectors (e.g. artificial snow-making may increase energy
use); revenues from ‘new’ attractions; involvement of
wider group of stakeholders
Transport
Ralignment/relocation; design standards and planning for Integrating climate change considerations into national
Financial and technological barriers; availability of less
roads, rail and other infrastructure to cope with warming
transport policy; investment in R&D for special situations, vulnerable routes; improved technologies and integration
and drainage
e.g. permafrost areas
with key sectors (e.g. energy)
Energy
Strengthening of overhead transmission and distribution
infrastructure; underground cabling for utilities; energy
efficiency; use of renewable sources; reduced
dependence on single sources of energy
National energy policies, regulations, and fiscal and
financial incentives to encourage use of alternative
sources; incorporating climate change in design
standards
Pew Center Environmental Impacts series focuses on implications of climate change for the United States.
Access to viable alternatives; financial and technological
barriers; acceptance of new technologies; stimulation of
new technologies; use of local resources
What is mitigation?

Mitigation as it refers to climate change basically
means reducing GHG emissions.
 Usually
means using less energy or reducing “your
carbon footprint”
 Can
be accomplished at global, societal, or individual levels
by consuming less energy produced by fossil fuels
Examples of Mitigation at Global Level

Global efforts have revolved around the KYOTO
protocol due the fact that adaptation at a global
level is unrealistic.
 Kyoto
Protocol is an international agreement linked to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change. (Which was never ratified by USA)
 Major
feature of the Kyoto Protocol is that it sets binding
targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European
community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
 These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990
levels over the five-year period 2008-2012.
(http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php)
Examples of Societal Mitigation
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Use energy more wisely
Use alternative energy-wind, solar, geothermal
Conserve energy
Recycling
Respecting traditional environmental knowledge
Rebates on energy efficient appliances and housing
materials
Population control-female empowerment
Examples of Personal Mitigation

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Reduce, reuse, recycle
Minimize carbon footprint
Don’t drive as much
 Turn thermostat down
 Don’t buy “Lunchables”-pack own lunch
 Don’t buy bottled water-get re-useable water bottle
 Complete the Calculate Your Carbon Footprint Activity:


http://www.ie.unc.edu/erp/resources/Calculating_Your_Carbon_
Footprint.pdf (use website below to complete activity)


http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
What other ideas do you have?
Resources for you to check out


Check out the Department of Energy website
http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/Adaptati
on.pdf
Activities
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Students may choose from the following list:
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Prepare a short presentation or report where you share traditional ecological knowledge
regarding sustainability or adaptation in your area
Prepare a short presentation or report on the Tribal Nations of the Great Plains and how
they have adapted to changes in climate over the centuries
Prepare a short presentation or report on the KYOTO Protocol.
Prepare a short presentation or report on your own state’s, reservation, or energy
company’s plans to promote energy conservation
Prepare a short presentation or report on renewable and/or energy efforts in your area
with special emphasis on applications in your area and how your Tribe could implement
these into housing and waste management departments
Prepare a short presentation or report on recycling efforts in your area and how your
Tribe is supporting and implementing these efforts
Interview a Tribal official on what your Tribe is doing to promote energy conservation,
renewable energy and sustainable development
Complete a review on a scientific article regarding climate sustainability, mitigation or
adaptation
Presentations and reports will be evaluated using included rubric