Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities have caused the Earth's incoming and outgoing energy to become unbalanced. As a consequence, the global average temperature is rising, with substantial and long-term impacts on the physical and biological environment. Climate change is generally addressed in the context of reducing GHG emissions. Current policies developed worldwide make reference to total equivalent CO2 emissions, with contributions from both industrial activities and biological sources. Recent studies point out the importance of considering cumulative equivalent CO2 emissions as the relevant quantity for addressing global temperature rise and setting up appropriate targets. This paper discusses the issues related to cumulative equivalent CO2 emissions with reference to recent literature papers and documents, highlighting the need for setting effective targets for climate change mitigation.

Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions and climate policy / Stephenson, P. M.; Chicco, Gianfranco. - In: GLOBAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. - ISSN 2248-9630. - Vol. 2:No.10(2012), pp. 1-11.

Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions and climate policy

CHICCO, GIANFRANCO
2012

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities have caused the Earth's incoming and outgoing energy to become unbalanced. As a consequence, the global average temperature is rising, with substantial and long-term impacts on the physical and biological environment. Climate change is generally addressed in the context of reducing GHG emissions. Current policies developed worldwide make reference to total equivalent CO2 emissions, with contributions from both industrial activities and biological sources. Recent studies point out the importance of considering cumulative equivalent CO2 emissions as the relevant quantity for addressing global temperature rise and setting up appropriate targets. This paper discusses the issues related to cumulative equivalent CO2 emissions with reference to recent literature papers and documents, highlighting the need for setting effective targets for climate change mitigation.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11583/2484601
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