CLIMATE CHANGE

CLIMATE CHANGE

Experts in climatology and other scientists are becoming extremely concerned about

the changes to our climate which are taking place. Admittedly, climate changes have

occurred on our planet before. For example, there have been several ice ages or

glacial periods.

These climatic changes, however, were different from the modem ones in that they

occurred gradually and, as far as we know, naturally. The changes currently being

monitored are said to be the result not of natural causes, but of human activity.

Furthermore, the rate of change is becoming alarmingly rapid.

The major problem is that the planet appears to be warming up. According to some

experts, this warming process, known as global warming, is occurring at a rate

unprecedented in the last 10,000 years. The implications for the planet are very

serious. Rising global temperatures could give rise to such ecological disasters as

extremely high increases in the incidence of flooding and of droughts. These in turn

could have a harmful effect on agriculture.

It is thought that this unusual warming of the Earth has been caused by so-called

greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, being emitted into the atmosphere by car

engines and modem industrial processes, for example. Such gases not only add to the

pollution of the atmosphere, but also create a greenhouse effect, by which the heat

of the sun is trapped. This leads to the warming up of the planet.

Politicians are also concerned about climate change and there are now regular

summits on the subject, attended by representatives from around 180 of the world's

industrialized countries. Of these summits, the most important took place in Kyoto

in Japan in 1997. There it was agreed that the most industrialized countries would

try to reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions and were given targets for this

reduction of emissions.

It was also suggested that more forests should be planted to create so-called sinks

to absorb greenhouse gases. At least part of the problem of rapid climate change has

been caused by too drastic deforestation.

Sadly, the targets are not being met. Even more sadly, global warnings about climate

changes are often still being regarded as scaremongering.



CLIMATE CHANGE

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GLOBAL WARMING: A WAY OUT

GLOBAL WARMING: A WAY OUT

We have the technology and ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming today.

Solutions are already available that will stimulate the American economy by creating

jobs, saving consumers money, and protecting our national security. By investing in

renewable energy and energy efficiency, and increasing the efficiency of the cars we

drive, we can take essential steps toward reducing our dependence on oil and other

fossil fuels that cause global warming.

Using energy more efficiently and moving to renewable energy (wind, solar,

geothermal, and bioenergy) would significantly reduce our emissions of heat-trapping

gases. The United States currently produces 70 percent of its electricity from

fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, but only two percent from renewable

sources. Since the burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide—

the leading cause of global warming—but renewable energy does not, increasing the

share of our electricity generated from renewable resources is one of the most

effective ways to reduce global warming emissions.

Cars and trucks are another significant source (25 percent) of U.S. carbon dioxide

emissions. A serious effort to address global warming must therefore reduce

emissions from cars and trucks. American consumers would save billions of dollars on

gasoline, and we would reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

By putting energy efficiency, renewable energy, and vehicle technology solutions in

place at the international level, we can reduce our contribution to global warming

while creating a stronger, healthier, and more secure world.

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EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

The predicted effects of global warming on the environment and for human life are

numerous and varied. It is generally difficult to attribute specific natural

phenomena to long-term causes, but some effects of recent climate change may already

be occurring. Rising sea levels, glacier retreat, Arctic shrinkage, and altered

patterns of agriculture are cited as direct consequences, but predictions for

secondary and regional effects include extreme weather events, an expansion of

tropical diseases, changes in the timing of seasonal patterns in ecosystems, and

drastic economic impact. Concerns have led to political activism advocating

proposals to diminish, eliminate, or adapt to it.

The probability of one or more of these changes occurring is likely to increase with

the rate, magnitude, and duration of climate change. Additionally, the United States

National Academy of Sciences has warned, "greenhouse warming and other human

alterations of the earth system may increase the possibility of large, abrupt, and

unwelcome regional or global climatic events. Future abrupt changes cannot be

predicted with confidence, and climate surprises are to be expected."

The USNAS finds that the effects of global warming will be mixed across regions. For

smaller values of warming (1 to 3 °C), changes are expected to produce net benefits

in some regions and for some activities, and net costs for others. Greater warming

is very likely to produce net costs (or to reduce the benefits from smaller warming)

in all regions. Developing countries are expected to be especially vulnerable to

reduced economic growth as a result of warming.

Most of the consequences of global warming would result from one of three physical

changes: sea level rise, higher local temperatures, and changes in rainfall

patterns. Sea level is generally expected to rise 18 to 59 cm (7.1 to 23.2 inches)

by the end of the century.

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CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

The greenhouse effect was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824. It is the process by

which absorption and emission of infrared radiation by atmospheric gases warm the

planet's surface.

Existence of the greenhouse effect as such is not disputed. Naturally occurring

greenhouse gases have a mean warming effect of about 33 °C (59 °F), without which

Earth would be uninhabitable. Rather, the issue is how the strength of the

greenhouse effect changes when human activity increases the atmospheric

concentrations of some greenhouse gases.

On Earth, the major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of

the greenhouse effect (not including clouds); carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 9–

26%; methane (CH4), which causes 4–9%; and ozone, which causes 3–7%. Molecule for

molecule, methane is a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, in

addition to nitrous oxide (N2O), which is increasing in concentration owing to human

activity such as agriculture.

From less direct geological evidence it is believed that CO2 values this high were

last attained 20 million years ago. Fossil fuel burning has produced about three-

quarters of the increase in CO2 from human activity over the past 20 years. Most of

the rest is due to land-use change, in particular deforestation.

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FOR A GREEN MOROCCO

FOR A GREEN MOROCCO

Sustainable development aims to satisfy the present’s needs without compromising

those of the future. It conciliates environment preservation, economical

development, and social well-being. Beyond the definitions, it designates a new

humanism; the only possible path for humanity to keep its unique collective good :

the planet and its resources. Striving to link between all these big sectors.

Sustainable development deals with each line of business, each territory and each

local community. Maintainable over time, sustainable in its practices interdependent

in its generality. This new human development is now the path on which we can walk

together.

Nowadays we live the beginning of an ecological and worldwide environmental

crisis, basically affecting developing countries like Morocco. Respect of nature,

sustainable development and environmental protection are the essential

measurements to abide by in order to preserve our earth for the coming generations.

Actually, Morocco is facing a major ecological emergency; air and water pollution ,

deforestation , desertification , an alarming water scarcity , horrific control of

trash , threatened biodiversity , and soils impoverishment.

The speed and extent of these deteriorations incite global awareness and

implementation of concrete actions. Accordingly; we have to help our country by

urging on a strong eco-citizen feeling so as to encourage and push forwards all

the efforts and projects are coming in this field.

Besides its geographic location , Morocco is a symbol of transition , a bridge

between modernism and traditionalism as well as between north and south. This

tremendous international characteristic provides Morocco with all the essential

resources to be among the leading nations to blend ecology and sustainable

development policies.

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NATIONAL CHARTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

NATIONAL CHARTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

On April 22, 2010, during the celebration of Earth Day’s 40th anniversary, Morocco

announced an unprecedented National Charter for Environment and Sustainable

Development. This is the first environmental charter of its kind. It will form the

framework for national environmental laws as well as for future environmental policy.

The aim of this environmental charter is to govern water and solid waste management

in all public and private sectors, while preserving natural resources and spaces.

In addition, the charter will aim to ensure that all projects adhere to

environmentally-friendly specifications, providing proof of Morocco’s will to sign

up for a progressive policy to reconcile the imperatives of socio-economic

development with the preservation of the environment and sustainable development.

Another aim of this charter is to make up lost ground in water management by

recycling waste water from homes and factories The treated water will be used to

irrigate green spaces and farms.

With the National Charter which was launched on July 30, 2009 by King Mohammed VI,

all Moroccans share the responsibility for the protection and preservation of the

environment as well as for sustainable development. Furthermore, the local

government shall take measures and concerted decisions that ensure the protection

and preservation of the environment in their respective territories. They are also

required to develop and implement integrated programs that are able to ensure the

sustainability of natural and cultural resources. The civil society, mainly non-

governmental organizations are called upon to socially take into account sustainable

development and the protection and preservation of the environment.

Morocco is also dedicated to integrating renewable energy policies as part of an

overall Moroccan energy security plan to reduce Morocco’s reliance on foreign energy

sources. Morocco will build five solar energy stations. The project aims at creating

a capacity of 2,000 MW by 2020, which will equal 38% of its installed power

generation by 2020. By that time, if everything goes according to plan, solar energy

could meet 10% of Morocco’s demand for electricity and will reduce the emissions of

carbon dioxide by 3.7 million tons per year.

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