Reducing climate change
Scientists work hard to find ways to mitigateTo make less severe or unpleasant. climate change. Individuals and governments must balance benefits and risks to people and the environment when deciding what action to take.
Some actions can be made by the introduction of public regulation (new rules and laws).
However, the scale of the climate change situation is very large, and international strategies and agreements are needed to make an impact.
Ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
| Action | Methods |
| Increasing carbon sinks (a system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases). | Rainforests act as carbon sinks due to photosynthesis. Preserve large areas of rainforest or re-forest areas already destroyed. |
| Decreasing emissions from cars and other vehicles. | Increase taxes to discourage car use, improve efficiency of car engines, make public transport more affordable. |
| Decreasing emissions from fossil fuel power stations. | Reduce electricity use, develop alternative methods of electricity generation (nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric or tidal), use carbon capture (prevent escape of carbon dioxide so it can be stored). |
| Action | Increasing carbon sinks (a system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases). |
|---|---|
| Methods | Rainforests act as carbon sinks due to photosynthesis. Preserve large areas of rainforest or re-forest areas already destroyed. |
| Action | Decreasing emissions from cars and other vehicles. |
|---|---|
| Methods | Increase taxes to discourage car use, improve efficiency of car engines, make public transport more affordable. |
| Action | Decreasing emissions from fossil fuel power stations. |
|---|---|
| Methods | Reduce electricity use, develop alternative methods of electricity generation (nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric or tidal), use carbon capture (prevent escape of carbon dioxide so it can be stored). |
Ways to reduce methane emissions
| Action | Methods |
| Decreasing emissions from landfill from the decomposition of biodegradable materials | Encourage composting or incineration (reduces the amount of biodegradable material going to landfill). Capture the methane produced and use it as fuel or to generate electricity when burnt. |
| Decreasing emissions from farming (from the digestive systems of sheep and cattle) | Reduce the number of farm animals (for example, by encouraging people to eat less meat). Alter the diet of farm animals. |
| Decreasing emissions from farming (from stored manure) | Spread manure onto fields where it does not release methane. Capture and use the methane produced by storing it in an anaerobic digester. |
| Action | Decreasing emissions from landfill from the decomposition of biodegradable materials |
|---|---|
| Methods | Encourage composting or incineration (reduces the amount of biodegradable material going to landfill). Capture the methane produced and use it as fuel or to generate electricity when burnt. |
| Action | Decreasing emissions from farming (from the digestive systems of sheep and cattle) |
|---|---|
| Methods | Reduce the number of farm animals (for example, by encouraging people to eat less meat). Alter the diet of farm animals. |
| Action | Decreasing emissions from farming (from stored manure) |
|---|---|
| Methods | Spread manure onto fields where it does not release methane. Capture and use the methane produced by storing it in an anaerobic digester. |