Chattanooga International Summit
Environment Session
Proposed Topic: Global Climate Change
Speaker (confirmed): Dr. Dawn Richards
Facilitator (confirmed): Melissa Taylor, Regional Planning Agency
Background:
Climate change is considered by many scientists to be the most serious threat facing the world today. Global temperatures are expected to continue to rise as human activities add more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Reports indicate that global warming will trigger a number of changes around the world such as sea level rise, greater extremes of heat and drought, and more severe storms.
The United States released over 6,000 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2005 - greater than Great Britain, Canada, Russia, India, Brazil & South Korea combined. To improve international relations, it is imperative that the United States take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In February 2002, the United States announced a comprehensive strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the American economy by 18 percent over the 10-year period from 2002 to 2012. Greenhouse gas intensity is a measurement of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity.
Meeting this commitment will require action by local communities. Local governments across the U.S. are taking a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy actions that can have multiple benefits including saving money, creating jobs, promoting sustainable growth and reducing greenhouse gases.
Businesses can take a lead role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by implementing actions that save money, improve productivity, protect the environment and increase the nation's energy security. Thousands of companies are profiting from energy efficiency improvements in their facilities and operations.
Goals:
In this session, Chattanoogans will
- Learn about climate change and potential impacts here and abroad
- Brainstorm ways to address climate change, thereby improving international relations
- Identify and expand resources and partnerships
- Build a network of citizens interested in addressing climate change
- Propose action plans to be presented to community leaders in academia, government, and business
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