Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change

      I am glad that I get to do so much of this classes on a country that is so involved in combating global warming and keeping the environment clean. Unfortunately, even Sweden knows that the likelihood of effects of global warming are true and they have taken measures to face these realities with a plan. In 2009 Sweden passed the Climate and Energy Bill that had different steps to face the threats of global warming. The one I found the most interesting and practical is the threats the country faces on the rise in sea levels. They have taken comprehensive steps to deal with excess flooding to keep roads and railways open during storms. To combat the likelihood of more intense windstorms the forest service has started at country wide project placing over-head power lines with buried cables for electricity. 

     However, climate change affects not just Sweden but the entire continent of Europe (and the entire globe as well). Data from the IPCC shows that countries, such as Sweden, and other northern countries adaption skills are much higher then more southern countries due to different socio-economic systems. The main adaptational goal of the European society is through national, regional and local sustainable development strategies and plans. This will be key in keeping carbon emissions down and the sea levels with it. 

This photo was taken from:http://ajorbahman.blogspot.com/2011/05/sea-levels-set-to-rise-by-up-to-metre.html

      Sweden has also been a player in the combatting of global warming by ratifying the Kyoto protocol which is a treaty signed to vow to lower their carbon emissions. 

      Sweden is doing a great part in mitigating the earth's largest current crisis of global warming. Since 1990 when Sweden first made a concerned effect to address this problem they have lowered their carbon output by 9%. Not only have they lowered their carbon output, they have also showed and growth in economic growth showing that carbon increase and economic increase are not always related. Sweden also has some very high targets for climate and energy policy by the year 2020 such as:   a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, at least 50% renewable energy, and 20% more efficient energy use. 

     I think it is great that Sweden is doing everything they can to help combat climate change and their carbon footprint. their is no need for the IPCC or any other factor to make Sweden any new environmentally strict laws since they have been proactive and a good example to other countries. 

Impacts of Climate Change

     Studies done by the IPCC (International Panel of Climate Change) of Europe have shown that the annual mean temperatures are on the rise. The northern parts of Europe are expected to see a rise in temperature in the winter along with an increase in precipitation, while the southern Mediterranean part of Europe is due to see a rise of temperature in the summer along with a drop in precipitation. This is a cause for concern in both regions. With an increase in temp and precipitation in the northern region comes a great risk of flash floods and a rising in sea level; while in the southern region an increase in summer temperature along with a loss in precipitation could lead to severe drought.

     A 2007 study done by the IPCC has shown that Europe is already experiencing the effects of global warming such as: shift in species, longer growing seasons, and a retreat in glaciers. A major concern would be how the countries handle their new needs of natural resources to combat global warming. In northern countries such a Sweden and Denmark global warming can actually bring a good change to their climate helping with heating costs and bringing longer and stronger growing seasons. While this may seem like a good thing it will only be beneficial in the short term.

     There are many threats for Europe that global warming brings. For the first time there are actual effects of global warming showing up in the cryosphere and local ecosystems. The threat of costal flooding is 1.6 million additional people, bringing drought and the probability of more severe summer forest fires. Perhaps the most real threat to Europe is water availability. The 2007 IPCC study shows that by the year 2070 the people experience a water shortage may jump from 19% to 35%. That could mean 44 million people in Europe could face a water shortage in the next 60 years. Another threat comes with melting of glaciers causing sea levels to rise. With the rise in sea levels coastal wetlands could see a 20% loss in turn causing reduction in wildlife habitat.
   
     A large problem with the rise in the earth's annual temperature is mountain runoff and how if effects the areas that depend on rivers for their water supply. In northern Europe there is expected to be 5% to 15% increase in runoff by 2020, with the possibility of 9 to 22% by 2070. While in southern Europe a 0 to23% decrease in water runoff is predicted by 2020. Any change in the earth's water cycle can cause horrible effects. It is certain the northern Europe with experience more flooding while the southern region is fated for drought. Water is the most essential part of life on earth, and it is also a very touchy substance. Too much can be harmful while too little can e deadly. Below is a graph taken from the IPCC website that shows the annual runoff of Europe with a few future projections.

Change in annual river runoff 1961-1990 and two future time slices (2020 and 2070).

*All data is gathered from the International Panel of Climate Change's 2007 study.

Sweden's contribution to climate change

Word Cited: http://rowdy.mscd.edu/~kschuene/mtr1600/summer/Keeling.xlsx

Work Cited:  http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/swe.html

     I am glad to note that my country of Sweden has a very low output of carbon into the earth's atmosphere. It was virtually untracked until the beginning of the 20th century alongside the Industrial Revolution. However low the carbon emissions of Sweden are, the country did see a large spike in the 1950's mostly due to the rise in automobile for transit.

     Sweden ranks 73rd on the worlds per capita CO2 emissions list with 1.45 metric tons of carbon when compared to the United States is only .2959% of our emissions. Here in the US we rank 12th in the world in metric tons of carbon per capita at 4.9 metric tons. I feel Sweden has done a fantastic job in keeping their carbon output to a minimum. In 1975 oil accounted for 75% of Sweden's energy, but by the year 2010 oil only amassed 32% of the countries total energy consumption while renewable energies accounted for 45%.

     Compared to the five other countries on graph #2 Sweden has the second lowest emissions beside Kenya. This is most likely due to Kenya being a third world nation with little automobile use and no need of heating homes by use of natural gas. China seems to be the biggest problem as their emissions is spiking along the y-axis. Sadly I feel India will be right behind them in the coming years.

     Although China seems to be emitting the most carbon they are actually better per capita then The United States. China has over a billion people more than the US and are only slightly emitting more CO2. China is also a communist country so citizens have little to no say on the concept of air quality.

     Here is a list of the countries from the fossil fuel emissions chart ranked in order of total cumulative emissions (in metric tons):

1. The United States: 91,229,888
2. China: 31,793,558
3. India: 9,151,461
4. Italy: 5,364,817
5: Sweden: 1,160,322
6: Kenya 80,124

     When we take these statistics into account we can see that China actually emits much less carbon then the US, nearly 35% less actually. India is also much less when you take into account their population as well with each Indian emitting 10% as much carbon as the average American. These numbers seems astronomical as an American. I feel we are ahead of the game with education on the subject of global warming, but it looks like we dug ourselves a pretty big hole to get out of.

Resources Provided By:

http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Society/Sustainability/Facts/Energy/

http://cdiac.ornl.gov/trends/emis/top2008.cap

http://rowdy.mscd.edu/~kschuene/mtr1600/summer/Keeling.xlsx

http://www.skepticalscience.com/CO2-emissions-correlation-with-CO2-concentration.htm>