"The politics of climate change results from different perspectives on how to respond to climate change. Global warming is driven largely by the emissions of greenhouse gases due to human economic activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, certain industries like cement and steel production, and land use for agriculture and forestry."
Energy and climate change policies and laws are designed to promote the development and use of renewable and alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydro power, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Energy sources: The various sources of energy, including fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear power, etc.
Global warming: The phenomenon of rising temperatures over the earth's surface, the causes, and consequences of global warming.
Climate change: The impacts of climate change, the role of greenhouse gases, and the mitigative measures to curb climate change.
Environmental law: The different environmental laws and policies that govern energy and climate change at the local, state, and federal level.
Sustainability: The concept of sustainability and its application in energy and climate change.
Energy efficiency and conservation: Techniques and measures to reduce energy consumption while maintaining productivity and efficiency.
Clean energy technologies: The developments in clean energy technologies like solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy.
Environmental impacts: The environmental impacts of energy production, transportation and consumption- air pollution, water usage, soil degradation, among others.
Energy security: The assurance of energy access, affordability, and stability for all.
Policy design and implementation: The design, implementation, and evaluation of energy and climate policy and legislative efforts.
Economic impacts: The economic impacts of energy systems and methods to mitigate energy poverty and achieve sustainable and equitable economic development.
Community empowerment: The role of communities in reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to clean energy, and building resilient economies.
Public engagement: Utilizing public engagement for effective energy and climate advocacy and inter-disciplinary collaboration.
Environmental justice: Addressing social and environmental inequalities in energy and climate policies.
Legal and regulatory frameworks: The role and importance of legal and regulatory frameworks in addressing climate change and energy issues at different levels.
Fossil Fuels: This energy source includes coal, oil, and natural gas. These are non-renewable resources that have carbon emissions as byproducts, causing environmental pollution and climate change.
Renewable Energy: This energy source includes solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. These are clean energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases or carbon dioxide.
Carbon Credits: Carbon credits are a policy approach to address climate change that involves trading carbon emissions between countries or companies. This allows countries or companies to meet their carbon reduction targets by purchasing carbon credits from other countries or companies that have already reduced their carbon emissions.
Climate Adaptation: Climate adaptation refers to strategies or policies that help communities, businesses, and governments adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as sea-level rise, floods, and droughts.
Carbon Footprint: Carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by a person or organization, which contributes to climate change. It can be reduced by changing energy consumption patterns or adopting cleaner technologies.
Emissions Trading: Emissions trading is a market-based approach to reduce carbon emissions by creating a market for carbon permits. Companies can buy and sell these permits to comply with carbon reduction targets.
Paris Climate Agreement: The Paris Climate Agreement is an international agreement signed by 195 countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to below 2°C.
Clean Development Mechanism: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a policy approach that allows developing countries to earn carbon credits for reducing their emissions by adopting clean technologies.
Carbon Sequestration: Carbon sequestration refers to the process of storing carbon in vegetation, soils, or underground reservoirs, to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
Electric Vehicles: Electric vehicles (EVs) are an alternative to traditional gas-powered cars, which emit carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change. EVs are powered by batteries and renewable energy sources and emit zero emissions during operation.
"Climate change first emerged as a political issue in the 1970s."
"Efforts to mitigate climate change have been prominent on the international political agenda since the 1990s."
"Yet the impact of global warming varies widely depending on how vulnerable a location or economy is to its effects."
"Different responsibilities, benefits, and climate-related threats faced by the world's nations..."
"...early climate change conferences producing little beyond general statements of intent to address the problem, and non-binding commitments from the developed countries to reduce emissions."
"...increased attention to mechanisms like climate finance in order for vulnerable nations to adapt to climate change."
"Yet local reductions in GHG emission that such policies achieve will not slow global warming unless the overall volume of GHG emission declines across the planet."
"Since entering the 2020s, the feasibility of replacing energy from fossil fuel with renewable energy sources significantly increased."
"Public awareness of the climate change threat has risen, in larger part due to social movement led by youth and visibility of the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and flooding caused by sea level rise."
"The COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession lead to widespread calls for a 'green recovery', with some political contexts like the European Union successfully integrating climate action into policy change."
"Outright climate change denial had become a much less influential force by 2019."
"Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels have provided the main source of energy for economic and technological development."
"Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contribute to global warming across the world, regardless of where the emissions originate."
"Yet local reductions in GHG emission that such policies achieve will not slow global warming unless the overall volume of GHG emission declines across the planet."
"Public awareness of the climate change threat has risen, in larger part due to social movement led by youth and visibility of the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and flooding caused by sea level rise."
"Many surveys show a growing proportion of voters support tackling climate change as a high priority, making it easier for politicians to commit to policies that include climate action."
"Outright climate change denial had become a much less influential force by 2019, where opposition has pivoted to strategies of encouraging delay or inaction."
"Some countries now generate almost all their electricity from renewables."
"Global warming is driven largely by the emissions of greenhouse gases due to human economic activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, certain industries like cement and steel production, and land use for agriculture and forestry."