How are
people changing
the climate?

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3. How can we hinder
man-made climate change? -
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Worksheet 1

1. Question to be answered individually or in groups

Emissions of greenhouse gases are closely related to the number of people on Earth. Why?

Would a reduction in the population necessarily lead to reduced emission of greenhouse gases?

2. Search for information on Kyoto

Has your country ratified the Kyoto protocol? If so, what are your country's obligations to the protocol?  Are these obligations likely to have an impact on your everyday life?

3. Group work

Work together in groups and discuss whether there should be a special tax on petrol in order to reduce fossil fuel combustion. Make a table with at least three arguments for and three arguments against such a tax.

4. How would you vote?

Greenhouse gas emissions per person per year are typically 10 to 20 tonnes for industrialised countries and just a few tonnes per person per year for people in developing countries. Some experts suggest that the rate of emissions should be no higher than about 1 tonne per person per year to prevent man-made climate change. 

Imagine yourself taking part in a world conference which is trying to decide how we should reduce global warming.  Five suggestions have been put forward for the industrialised countries and five for the developing countries.

a) Which suggestions for the industrialised countries will you vote for?

Industrialised countries should:
A. Cut down their emissions drastically to about 1 tonne per person per year
B. Cut down their emissions quite drastically to a few tonnes per person per year
C. Cut down their emissions a little
D. Keep to their present emission level
E. Be allowed to emit as much as they want

b) Which suggestions for the developing countries will you vote for?

Developing countries should:
A. Not be allowed to emit more than about 1 tonne per person per year
B. Be allowed to emit a few tonnes per person per year, but not more
C. Be allowed to emit a number of tonnes per person per year, but not as much as the industrialised countries do
D. Be allowed to emit as much per person per year as the industrialised countries do
E. Be allowed to emit as much as they want

c) If you voted for emission reductions in a) and/or b), how many years should be allowed to pass before the reduction is fully in effect?

d) Write a text (100-300 words) where you discuss the consequences of your votes.

e) Discuss the consequences from d) in a group.

(Source: Björn Andersson, Sweeden)

About this page:

Authors: Ellen K. Henriksen and Camilla Schreiner - University of Oslo - Norway.
Scientific reviewer: Andreas Tjernshaugen - CICERO (Center for International Climate and Environmental Research - Oslo) - Norway - 2004-01-20 
Educational reviewer: Nina Arnesen - Marienlyst school in Oslo - Norway - 2004-03-10. 
Last update: 2004-03-27.