Governance: global agreements, mitigation and adaptation strategies, case studies

1️⃣ Global Agreements 📜

Think of the world as a giant classroom. When the teacher (UN) says, “We must keep the room cool,” everyone must agree on how to do it. The main agreements are:

• Kyoto Protocol (1997) – First global pledge to cut greenhouse gases.
• Paris Agreement (2015) – Everyone commits to limit global warming to < 2 °C (ideally < 1.5 °C).
• UNFCCC (1992) – The framework that hosts all climate talks.

Agreement	Year	Key Targets	Major Parties
Kyoto Protocol	1997	Reduce emissions by 5 % vs 1990 levels (2008‑2012)	EU, USA, Japan, Canada
Paris Agreement	2015	Limit warming to < 2 °C, aim for < 1.5 °C	All UN member states (195)

Exam Tip: Remember the “global vs national” distinction. Global agreements set the rules; national plans show how each country follows them. Use the table above as a quick reference.

2️⃣ Mitigation Strategies 🔧

Mitigation is like turning down the stove to stop the soup from boiling over.

1. Reducing Emissions – Switch to renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro). Example: Germany’s Energiewende.
2. Carbon Pricing – Put a price on $CO_2$ emissions (carbon tax or cap‑and‑trade). This makes polluting more expensive.
3. Energy Efficiency – Better insulation, LED lights, efficient appliances.
4. Afforestation & Reforestation – Plant trees to absorb $CO_2$ (e.g., China’s “Great Green Wall”).

Exam Tip: When asked to explain mitigation, list at least three strategies and give a real‑world example for each. Use the analogy of a stove to illustrate why reducing emissions is crucial.

3️⃣ Adaptation Strategies 📈

Adaptation is like adding a splash of water to keep the soup from drying out.

• Coastal Defences – Sea walls, mangrove restoration (Bangladesh).
• Water Management – Dams, rain‑water harvesting, efficient irrigation.
• Urban Planning – Green roofs, permeable pavements to reduce heat islands.
• Agricultural Adaptation – Drought‑resistant crops, changing planting dates.

Exam Tip: Distinguish adaptation from mitigation: mitigation prevents climate change, adaptation responds to its effects. Provide one example for each.

4️⃣ Case Studies 🌱

1. Bangladesh – Sea‑Level Rise
   • Problem: Sea‑level rise + cyclones → 3 million people at risk.
   • Adaptation: River dykes, floating gardens, early warning systems.
2. Iceland – Renewable Energy
   • Problem: High energy demand.
   • Mitigation: Geothermal + hydroelectric power → 100 % renewable electricity.
3. Kenya – Afforestation
   • Problem: Deforestation & soil erosion.
   • Mitigation: Tree planting campaigns (e.g., “Tree for the Future” program).

Exam Tip: Use case studies to illustrate how theory works in practice. Pick one strategy from mitigation or adaptation and explain its impact in the chosen country.

5️⃣ Quick Review Checklist ??

• Can you name the two main global agreements?
• List three mitigation strategies with examples.
• Explain the difference between mitigation and adaptation.
• Describe one adaptation measure in Bangladesh.
• Give an example of a country leading in renewable energy.