SUSTAINABILITY: MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION-THE PRAIRIES

Mandy Guinn, Kerry Hartman, Jen Janecek-Hartman

What is sustainability?

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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?

 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 Water Agriculture Human health Tourism Adaptation option/strategy Underlying policy framework Key constraints and opportunities to implementation (Normal font = constraints; italics = opportunities)

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

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

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

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 other sectors); financial incentives, e.g. subsidies and tax credits Appeal/marketing of new attractions; financial and logistical challenges; potential adverse impact on other sectors (e.g. artificial snow-making may increase energy use);

revenues from ‘new’ attractions; involvement of wider group of stakeholders

Transport Energy

Ralignment/relocation; design standards and planning for roads, rail and other infrastructure to cope with warming and drainage Integrating climate change considerations into national transport policy; investment in R&D for special situations, e.g. permafrost areas Financial and technological barriers; availability of less vulnerable routes;

improved technologies and integration with key sectors (e.g. 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 Access to viable alternatives; financial and technological barriers; acceptance of new technologies;

stimulation of new technologies; use of local resources

Pew Center Environmental Impacts series focuses on implications of climate change for the United States.

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

 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

   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

  Students may choose from the following list:         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