query: However, studies have determined that current technology is sufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions the necessary amount, and that we can do so without significant impact on the economy.

positive: Carbon tax A carbon tax is a tax levied on the carbon content of fuels . It is a form of carbon pricing . Carbon is present in every hydrocarbon fuel ( coal , petroleum , and natural gas ) and converted to carbon dioxide and other products when combusted . In contrast , non-combustion energy sources -- wind , sunlight , geothermal , hydropower , and nuclear -- do not convert hydrocarbons to . is a heat-trapping `` greenhouse '' gas which represents a negative externality on the climate system ( see scientific opinion on global warming ) . Since GHG emissions caused by the combustion of fossil fuels are closely related to the carbon content of the respective fuels , a tax on these emissions can be levied by taxing the carbon content of fossil fuels at any point in the product cycle of the fuel .   Carbon tax offers social and economic benefits . It is a tax that increases revenue without significantly altering the economy while simultaneously promoting objectives of climate change policy . The objective of a carbon tax is to reduce the harmful and unfavorable levels of carbon dioxide emissions , thereby decelerating climate change and its negative effects on the environment and human health .   Carbon taxes offer a potentially cost-effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions . From an economic perspective , carbon taxes are a type of Pigovian tax . They help to address the problem of emitters of greenhouse gases not facing the full social cost of their actions . Carbon taxes can be a regressive tax , in that they may directly or indirectly affect low-income groups disproportionately . The regressive impact of carbon taxes could be addressed by using tax revenues to favour low-income groups .   A number of countries have implemented carbon taxes or energy taxes that are related to carbon content . Most environmentally related taxes with implications for greenhouse gas emissions in OECD countries are levied on energy products and motor vehicles , rather than on emissions directly .   Opposition to increased environmental regulation such as carbon taxes often centers on concerns that firms might relocate and/or people might lose their jobs . It has been argued , however , that carbon taxes are more efficient than direct regulation and may even lead to higher employment ( see footnotes ) . Many large users of carbon resources in electricity generation , such as the United States , Russia , and China , are resisting carbon taxation .

positive: Climate change mitigation Climate change mitigation consists of actions to limit the magnitude or rate of long-term climate change . Climate change mitigation generally involves reductions in human ( anthropogenic ) emissions of greenhouse gases ( GHGs ) . Mitigation may also be achieved by increasing the capacity of carbon sinks , e.g. , through reforestation . Mitigation policies can substantially reduce the risks associated with human-induced global warming .   According to the IPCC 's 2014 assessment report , `` Mitigation is a public good ; climate change is a case of the ` tragedy of the commons . Effective climate change mitigation will not be achieved if each agent ( individual , institution or country ) acts independently in its own selfish interest ( see international cooperation and emissions trading ) , suggesting the need for collective action . Some adaptation actions , on the other hand , have characteristics of a private good as benefits of actions may accrue more directly to the individuals , regions , or countries that undertake them , at least in the short term . Nevertheless , financing such adaptive activities remains an issue , particularly for poor individuals and countries . ''   Examples of mitigation include phasing out fossil fuels by switching to low-carbon energy sources , such as renewable and nuclear energy , and expanding forests and other `` sinks '' to remove greater amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere . Energy efficiency may also play a role , for example , through improving the insulation of buildings . Another approach to climate change mitigation is climate engineering .   Most countries are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) . The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of GHGs at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference of the climate system . Scientific analysis can provide information on the impacts of climate change , but deciding which impacts are dangerous requires value judgments .   In 2010 , Parties to the UNFCCC agreed that future global warming should be limited to below 2.0 ° C ( 3.6 ° F ) relative to the pre-industrial level . With the Paris Agreement of 2015 this was confirmed , but was revised with a new target laying down `` parties will do the best '' to achieve warming below 1.5 ° C . The current trajectory of global greenhouse gas emissions does not appear to be consistent with limiting global warming to below 1.5 or 2 ° C . Other mitigation policies have been proposed , some of which are more stringent or modest than the 2 ° C limit .

positive: Scientific consensus on climate change There is currently a strong scientific consensus that the Earth is warming and that this warming is mainly caused by human activities. This consensus is supported by various studies of scientists' opinions and by position statements of scientific organizations, many of which explicitly agree with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis reports.  Nearly all actively publishing climate scientists (97–98%) support the consensus on anthropogenic climate change, and the remaining 2% of contrarian studies either cannot be replicated or contain errors.

negative: Fugitive emissions Fugitive emissions are emissions of gases or vapors from pressurized equipment due to leaks and other unintended or irregular releases of gases , mostly from industrial activities . As well as the economic cost of lost commodities , fugitive emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change . A detailed inventory of greenhouse gas emissions from upstream oil and gas activities in Canada for the year 2000 estimated that fugitive equipment leaks had a global warming potential equivalent to the release of 17 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide , or 12 per cent of all greenhouse gases emitted by the sector . Venting of natural gas , flaring , accidental releases and storage losses accounted for an additional 38 per cent .   Fugitive emissions present other risks and hazards . Emissions of volatile organic compounds such as benzene from oil refineries and chemical plants pose a long term health risk to workers and local communities . In situations where large amounts of flammable liquids and gases are contained under pressure , leaks also increase the risk of fire and explosion .   Leaks from pressurized process equipment generally occur through valves , pipe connections , mechanical seals , or related equipment . Fugitive emissions also occur at evaporative sources such as waste water treatment ponds and storage tanks . Because of the huge number of potential leak sources at large industrial facilities and the difficulties in detecting and repairing some leaks , fugitive emissions can be a significant proportion of total emissions . Though the quantities of leaked gases may be small , gases that have serious health or environmental impacts can cause a significant problem .   To minimize and control leaks at process facilities operators carry out regular leak detection and repair activities . Routine inspections of process equipment with gas detectors can be used to identify leaks and estimate the leak rate in order to decide on appropriate corrective action . Proper routine maintenance of equipment reduces the likelihood of leaks .   Because of the technical difficulties and costs of detecting and quantifying actual fugitive emissions at a site or facility , and the variability and intermittent nature of emission flow rates , bottom-up estimates based on standard emission factors are generally used for annual reporting purposes .   New technologies are under development that could revolutionize the detection and monitoring of fugitive emissions . One technology , known as differential absorption lidar ( DIAL ) , can be used to remotely measure concentration profiles of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere up to several hundred meters from a facility . DIAL has been used for refinery surveys in Europe for over 15 years . A pilot study carried out in 2005 using DIAL found that actual emissions at a refinery were fifteen times higher than those previously reported using the emission factor approach . The fugitive emissions were equivalent to 0.17 % of the refinery throughput .   Portable gas leak imaging cameras are also a new technology that can be used to improve leak detection and repair , leading to reduced fugitive emissions . The cameras use infrared imaging technology to produce video images in which invisible gases escaping from leak sources can be clearly identified .

negative: Environmental impact of transport The environmental impact of transport is significant because it is a major user of energy , and burns most of the world 's petroleum . This creates air pollution , including nitrous oxides and particulates , and is a significant contributor to global warming through emission of carbon dioxide , for sector . By subsector , road transport is the largest contributor to global warming .   Environmental regulations in developed countries have reduced the individual vehicle 's emission ; however , this has been offset by an increase in the number of vehicles , and more use of each vehicle . Some pathways to reduce the carbon emissions of road vehicles considerably have been studied . Energy use and emissions vary largely between modes , causing environmentalists to call for a transition from air and road to rail and human-powered transport , and increase transport electrification and energy efficiency .   The transportation sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions ( GHGs ) in the United States . An estimated 30 percent of national GHGs are directly attributable to transportation -- and in some regions , the proportion is even higher . Transportation methods are the greatest contributing source of GHGs in the U.S. , accounting for 47 percent of the net increase in total U.S. emissions since 1990 .   Other environmental impacts of transport systems include traffic congestion and automobile-oriented urban sprawl , which can consume natural habitat and agricultural lands . By reducing transportation emissions globally , it is predicted that there will be significant positive effects on Earth 's air quality , acid rain , smog and climate change .   The health impact of transport emissions is also of concern . A recent survey of the studies on the effect of traffic emissions on pregnancy outcomes has linked exposure to emissions to adverse effects on gestational duration and possibly also intrauterine growth .   As listed above direct impacts such as noise and carbon monoxide emissions create direct and harmful effects on the environment , along with indirect impacts . The indirect impacts are often of higher consequence which leads to the misconception that it 's the opposite since it is frequently understood that initial effects cause the most damage . For example , particulates which are the outcome of incomplete combustion done by an internal combustion engine , are not linked with respiratory and cardiovascular problems since they contribute to other factors not only to that specific condition . Even though the environmental impacts are usually listed individually there are also cumulative impacts . The synergetic consequences of transport activities . They take into account of the varied effects of direct and indirect impacts on an ecosystem . Climate change is the sum total impact of several natural and human-made factors . 15 % of global CO2 emissions are attributed to the transport sector .

negative: Orbital Corporation Orbital Corporation Limited , formerly Orbital Engine Corporation Limited pioneered by Ralph Sarich , is an Australian company based at Balcatta , Western Australia , that aims to provide clean engine technologies and alternative fuel systems with reduced environmental impact from gas emissions and improved fuel economy .

negative: Enteric fermentation Enteric fermentation is a digestive process by which carbohydrates are broken down by microorganisms into simple molecules for absorption into the bloodstream of an animal .   It is one of the factors in increased methane emissions .   Ruminant animals are those that have a rumen . A rumen is a multichambered stomach found almost exclusively among some artiodactyl mammals , such cattle , deer , and camels , enabling them to eat cellulose-enhanced tough plants and grains that monogastric ( i.e. , `` single-chambered stomached '' ) animals , such as humans , dogs , and cats , can not digest .   Enteric fermentation occurs when methane ( CH4 ) is produced in the rumen as microbial fermentation takes place . Over 200 species of microorganisms are present in the rumen , although only about 10 % of these play an important role in digestion . Most of the CH4 byproduct is belched by the animal , however , a small percentage of CH4 is also produced in the large intestine and passed out as flatulence .   Methane emissions are an important contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions . The IPCC reports that methane is more than twenty times as effective as CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere - though note that it is produced in substantially smaller amounts . Methane represents also a significant energy loss to the animal ranging from 2 to 12 % of gross energy intake . So , decreasing the production of enteric CH4 from ruminants without altering animal production is desirable both as a strategy to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and as a means of improving feed conversion efficiency . In Australia ruminant animals account for over half of their green house gas contribution from methane . Australia has implemented a voluntary immunization program for cattle in order to help reduce flatulence-produced CH4 .   However , in Australia there are ruminant species of the kangaroos that are able to produce 80 % less methane than cows . This is because the gut microbiota of Macropodids , rumen and others parts of their digestive system , is dominated by bacteria of the family Succinivibrionaceae . These bacteria are able to produce succinate as a final product of the lignocelluloses degradation , producing small amounts of methane as end product . Its special metabolic route allows to utilize others proton acceptors avoiding the formation of methane .   Enteric fermentation is the second largest anthropogenic source of methane emissions in the United States from 2000 through 2009 . In 2007 , methane emissions from enteric fermentation were 2.5 % of net greenhouse gases produced in the United States at 139 teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalents ( Tg CO2 ) out of a total net emission of 5618 Tg CO2 .   For this reason , scientists believe that , with the aid of microbial engineering , the use of microbioma to modify natural or anthropogenic processes , we could change the microbiota composition of the rumen of strong methane producers , emulating the Macropodidae microbiota . Recent studies claim that this technique is possible to perform . In one of these studies scientists analyze the changes of human microbiota by different alimentary changes . In other study , researchers introduce a human microbiota in gnotobiotic mice in order to compare the different changes for developing new ways to manipulate the properties of the microbiota so as to prevent or treat various diseases .

negative: List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per capita This is a list of countries ranked by greenhouse-gas emissions per capita in 2000 . It is based on data for carbon dioxide , methane , nitrous oxide , perfluorocarbon , hydrofluorocarbon and sulfur hexafluoride emissions compiled by the World Resources Institute ( WRI ) from a variety of sources , including CDIAC and the US Environmental Protection Agency . Bunker-fuel emissions are not included .   Two sets of per capita emissions are given , one with an estimate of the effects of land-use change ( for example , cutting down forests ) and one without . The former is based on regional estimates in Houghton ( 2003 ) . Difficulties with determining rates of deforestation and the magnitude of carbon stocks held by the remaining forests and with distributing regional carbon fluxes among individual countries mean that the land-use change components have a large margin of error , perhaps as large as + / -150 % in some cases .   They are included here because , although difficult to quantify accurately at a country level , land-use change is a significant contributor to global warming . The WRI estimates that it accounted for almost a fifth of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2000 . For 2005 the data for a large number of countries only includes emissions ( see note 12 . )

negative: Cool School Challenge The Cool School Challenge is a program part of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency , designed to spread climate education and engage students and teachers in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of their schools . The program also aims to encourage student leadership and empowerment in the process . Most of the schools that have taken on the program are located in the Puget Sound area , however there are various schools from around the United States ( and one international school , the American School of Dubai ) that have done so as well . The program has reports on their website to have reduced a total of over 2.2 million pounds of carbon .

negative: Committee on Climate Change The Committee on Climate Change is an independent non-departmental public body , formed under the Climate Change Act ( 2008 ) to advise the UK and devolved Governments and Parliaments on tackling and preparing for climate change . The Committee provides advice on setting carbon budgets ( for the UK Government carbon budgets are designed to place a limit or ceiling on the level of economy-wide emissions that can be emitted in a five-year period ) , and reports regularly to the Parliaments and Assemblies on the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions .

negative: Margo T. Oge Margo T. Oge ( born 1949 ) is an American engineer and environmental regulator who served as the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency 's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air from 1990 to 1994 and Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality from 1994 to 2012 . Beginning in 2009 , Oge lead the EPA team that authored the 2010-2016 and the 2017-2025 Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards . By 2025 , these rules require automakers to half the greenhouse gas emissions of cars and light duty trucks while doubling fuel economy . These rules were the US federal government 's first regulatory actions to reduce greenhouse gases .

negative: European Union Emission Trading Scheme The European Union Emissions Trading System ( EU ETS ) , also known as the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme , was the first large greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme in the world , and remains the biggest . It was launched in 2005 to fight Global warming and is a major pillar of EU climate policy . As of 2013 , the EU ETS covers more than 11,000 factories , power stations , and other installations with a net heat excess of 20 MW in 31 countries -- all 28 EU member states plus Iceland , Norway , and Liechtenstein . In 2008 , the installations regulated by the EU ETS were collectively responsible for close to half of the EU 's anthropogenic emissions of CO2 and 40 % of its total greenhouse gas emissions .   Under the ` cap and trade ' principle , a maximum ( cap ) is set on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted by all participating installations . ` Allowances ' for emissions are then auctioned off or allocated for free , and can subsequently be traded . Installations must monitor and report their CO2 emissions , ensuring they hand in enough allowances to the authorities to cover their emissions . If emission exceeds what is permitted by its allowances , an installation must purchase allowances from others . Conversely , if an installation has performed well at reducing its emissions , it can sell its leftover credits . This allows the system to find the most cost-effective ways of reducing emissions without significant government intervention .   The scheme has been divided into a number of `` trading periods '' . The first ETS trading period lasted three years , from January 2005 to December 2007 . The second trading period ran from January 2008 until December 2012 , coinciding with the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol . The third trading period began in January 2013 and will span until December 2020 . Compared to 2005 , when the EU ETS was first implemented , the proposed caps for 2020 represents a 21 % reduction of greenhouse gases . This target has been reached 6 years early as emissions in the ETS fell to 1812 mln tonnes in 2014 .   The EU ETS has seen a number of significant changes , with the first trading period described as a ` learning by doing ' phase .  Phase III sees a turn to auctioning a majority of permits rather than allocating freely ; harmonisation of rules for the remaining allocations ; and the inclusion of other greenhouse gases , such as nitrous oxide and perfluorocarbons . In 2012 , the EU ETS was also extended to the airline industry , though this has been paused for one year given the possibility of a global system for these emissions . The price of EU ETS carbon credits has been lower than intended , with a large surplus of allowances , in part because of the impact of the recent economic crisis on demand . In 2012 , the Commission said it would delay the auctioning of some allowances . Currently legislation is under way which would introduce a Market Stability Reserve to the EU ETS that adjusts the annual supply of CO2 permits based on the CO2 permits in circulation .   Overall , since its conception , the EU ETS has been characterized by relatively high levels of policy uncertainty . This uncertainty has been both technical , in terms of its detailed rules and procedures , and political , in terms of its public , industry , and governmental support . As a result , the scheme has resulted in a rather informal and tepid response by regulated organizations .

negative: Eco-sufficiency Eco-sufficiency requires a reduction of the level of production/consumption in those parts of the world with the highest standards of living beyond reducing the use of natural resources as well as waste and emissions per unit of production/consumption ( = decoupling/delinking ) . Given a very loose relation in rich countries between material wealth , GDP and human well-being , this might be possible even without reducing the latter , while , for example , increasing leisure and non-material activities for well-being .   There are potentials to reduce substantially the use of natural resources without compromising human wealth . However , many studies show that economic growth `` eats up '' these gains at least partially : if the economy grows by 2 % per annum we need an increasing resource productivity by 4 % in order to achieve a 2 % reduction of the absolute resource use . While eco-efficiency aims to improve the effectiveness of material , energy , and land use , eco-sufficiency aims at reducing negative environmental consequences through a reduction of the demand for consumer goods .   Eco-sufficiency is closely related to issues of quality of life and work-life balance . It can to some extent be achieved on the individual level , e.g. through energy savings , reduction of transport and change in diets ( less meat ) . However , it also requires a change in social frameworks , provided on the national or European level , including measures such as environmental taxes , environmental planning and new concepts of labour .   Eco-sufficiency is largely associated with the idea of altruism -- the sober lifestyle adopted by its advocates is a manifestation of their concern for the well-being of future generations -- and thus to date is endorsed by only a small minority of members of industrialised societies . A wide spread of eco-sufficiency will only occur , if people find the new lifestyles sufficiently attractive . It needs to be shown that less material wealth can bring increased well-being or happiness to individuals and societies . For example , it has been shown that downsizing or relocating consumers can be motivated by purely selfish reasons such as improving one 's health , avoiding stress , the nostalgia for a `` good old time '' and so on .   An important aspect here is related to the so-called work-and-spend cycle . If leisure and forms of work other than employment ( incl . self-employment ) , such as caring , do it yourself and community work gain relevance , income - and therefore consumption - would be reduced .

negative: Landfill gas utilization Landfill gas utilization is a process of gathering , processing , and treating the methane gas emitted from decomposing garbage to produce electricity , heat , fuels , and various chemical compounds . The number of landfill gas projects , which convert the gas into power , went from 399 in 2005 to 519 in 2009 in the United Kingdom , according to the Environment Agency . These projects are popular because they control energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions . These projects collect the methane gas and treat it , so it can be used for electricity or upgraded to pipeline-grade gas . These projects power homes , buildings , and vehicles .

negative: Aluminium smelting Aluminium smelting is the process of extracting aluminium from its oxide , alumina , generally by the Hall-Héroult process . Alumina is extracted from the ore bauxite by means of the Bayer process at an alumina refinery . Aluminium smelting is the 2nd most important metallurgical industry in India .   This is an electrolytic process , so an aluminium smelter uses prodigious amounts of electricity ; they tend to be located very close to large power stations , often hydro-electric ones , and near ports since almost all of them use imported alumina . A large amount of carbon is also used in this process , resulting in significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions .

negative: Environmental impact of the oil shale industry Environmental impact of the oil shale industry includes the consideration of issues such as land use , waste management , and water and air pollution caused by the extraction and processing of oil shale . Surface mining of oil shale deposits causes the usual environmental impacts of open-pit mining . In addition , the combustion and thermal processing generate waste material , which must be disposed of , and harmful atmospheric emissions , including carbon dioxide , a major greenhouse gas . Experimental in-situ conversion processes and carbon capture and storage technologies may reduce some of these concerns in future , but may raise others , such as the pollution of groundwater .

negative: Ethics of belief The ethics of belief refers to a cluster of related issues that focus on standards of rational belief , intellectual excellence , and conscientious belief-formation . Among the questions addressed in the field are :   Are there standards of some sort ( `` epistemic norms '' ) that ought to guide how we form beliefs and pursue intellectual aims , such as the pursuit of truth or the quest for understanding ?  If so , what kind of norms ? Moral ? Purely intellectual ? Prudential ?  If there are such norms , how strong are they ? Are they categorical ( i.e. , binding regardless of our desires and commitments ) or merely hypothetical ( applicable only if we have certain desires and goals ? ) Do they bind absolutely or only conditionally ?  Are beliefs within our voluntary control , or do we more or less automatically believe whatever we think is best supported by the evidence ?  What aims should we have as believers ? Achieving significant truth ? Avoiding significant error ? Achieving knowledge ? Pleasure ? Peace of mind ? Understanding ? Wisdom ?  Must one always have sufficient evidence for one 's beliefs ( a view philosophers call `` evidentialism '' ) , or is it sometimes permissible to believe without sufficient evidence -- or perhaps without any evidence at all ?  What sorts of `` intellectual virtues '' ( admirable mental traits , skills , and habits ) are necessary for intellectual excellence and high-quality critical thinking ?

negative: Waste hierarchy The evaluation of processes that protect the environment alongside resource and energy consumption to most favourable to least favourable actions . The hierarchy establishes preferred program priorities based on sustainability . To be sustainable , waste management can not be solved only with technical end-of-pipe solutions and an integrated approach is necessary .   The waste management hierarchy indicates an order of preference for action to reduce and manage waste , and is usually presented diagrammatically in the form of a pyramid . The hierarchy captures the progression of a material or product through successive stages of waste management , and represents the latter part of the life-cycle for each product .   The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of waste . The proper application of the waste hierarchy can have several benefits . It can help prevent emissions of greenhouse gases , reduces pollutants , save energy , conserves resources , create jobs and stimulate the development of green technologies .

negative: Zero-energy building A zero-energy building , also known as a zero net energy ( ZNE ) building , net-zero energy building ( NZEB ) , or net zero building , is a building with zero net energy consumption , meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site , or in other definitions by renewable energy sources elsewhere . These buildings consequently contribute less overall greenhouse gas to the atmosphere than similar non-ZNE buildings . They do at times consume non-renewable energy and produce greenhouse gases , but at other times reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas production elsewhere by the same amount . A similar concept approved and implemented by the European Union and other agreeing countries is nearly Zero Energy Building ( nZEB ) , with the goal of having all buildings in the region under nZEB standards by 2020 .   Most zero net energy buildings get half or more of their energy from the grid , and return the same amount at other times . Buildings that produce a surplus of energy over the year may be called `` energy-plus buildings '' and buildings that consume slightly more energy than they produce are called `` near-zero energy buildings '' or `` ultra-low energy houses '' .   Traditional buildings consume 40 % of the total fossil fuel energy in the US and European Union and are significant contributors of greenhouse gases . The zero net energy consumption principle is viewed as a means to reduce carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and although zero-energy buildings remain uncommon even in developed countries , they are gaining importance and popularity .   Most zero-energy buildings use the electrical grid for energy storage but some are independent of the grid . Energy is usually harvested on-site through energy producing technologies like solar and wind , while reducing the overall use of energy with highly efficient HVAC and lighting technologies . The zero-energy goal is becoming more practical as the costs of alternative energy technologies decrease and the costs of traditional fossil fuels increase .   The development of modern zero-energy buildings became possible not only through the progress made in new energy and construction technologies and techniques , but it has also been significantly improved by academic research , which collects precise energy performance data on traditional and experimental buildings and provides performance parameters for advanced computer models to predict the efficacy of engineering designs . Zero-energy buildings can be part of a smart grid . Some advantages of these buildings are as follows :  Integration of renewable energy resources  Integration of plug-in electric vehicles  Implementation of zero-energy concepts   The net zero concept is applicable to a wide range of resources due to the many options for producing and conserving resources in buildings ( e.g. energy , water , waste ) . Energy is the first resource to be targeted because it is highly managed , expected to continually become more efficient , and the ability to distribute and allocate it will improve disaster resiliency .

negative: Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation , sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries ( REDD + ) was first negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ) since 2005 , with the objective of mitigating climate change through reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases through enhanced forest management in developing countries . Most of the key REDD + decisions were completed by 2013 , with the final pieces of the rulebook finished in 2015 .   In the last two decades , various studies estimate that land use change , including deforestation and forest degradation , accounts for 12-29 % of global greenhouse gas emissions . For this reason the inclusion of reducing emissions from land use change is considered essential to achieve the objectives of the UNFCCC .   During the negotiations for the Kyoto Protocol , and then in particular its Clean Development Mechanism ( CDM ) , the inclusion of tropical forest management was debated but eventually dropped due to anticipated methodological difficulties in establishing -- in particular -- additionality and leakage ( detrimental effects outside of the project area attributable to project activities ) . What remained on forestry was `` Afforestation and Reforestation '' , sectoral scope 14 of the CDM . Under this sectoral scope areas of land that had no forest cover since 1990 could be replanted with commercial or indigenous tree species . In its first eight years of operation 52 projects had been registered under the `` Afforestation and Reforestation '' scope of the CDM . The cumbersome administrative procedures and corresponding high transaction costs are often blamed for this slow uptake . Beyond the CDM , all developed countries that were parties to the Kyoto Protocol also committed to measuring and reporting on efforts to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions from forests . The United States also measures and reports on the net greenhouse gas sequestration in its forests .   In response to what many perceived to be a failure to address a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions , the Coalition for Rainforest Nations ( CfRN ) was established and in 2005 they proposed to the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC policy approaches and positive incentives for the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases stemming from tropical deforestation and forest degradation as a climate change mitigation measure .

negative: Carbon offset A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere .   Carbon offsets are measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent ( CO2e ) and may represent six primary categories of greenhouse gases : carbon dioxide , methane ( CH4 ) , nitrous oxide ( N2O ) , perfluorocarbons ( PFCs ) , hydrofluorocarbons ( HFCs ) , and sulfur hexafluoride ( SF6 ) . One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases .   There are two markets for carbon offsets . In the larger , compliance market , companies , governments , or other entities buy carbon offsets in order to comply with caps on the total amount of carbon dioxide they are allowed to emit . This market exists in order to achieve compliance with obligations of Annex 1 Parties under the Kyoto Protocol , and of liable entities under the EU Emission Trading Scheme . In 2006 , about $ 5.5 billion of carbon offsets were purchased in the compliance market , representing about 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2e reductions .   In the much smaller , voluntary market , individuals , companies , or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation , electricity use , and other sources . For example , an individual might purchase carbon offsets to compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions caused by personal air travel . Many companies ( see list ) offer carbon offsets as an up-sell during the sales process so that customers can mitigate the emissions related with their product or service purchase ( such as offsetting emissions related to a vacation flight , car rental , hotel stay , consumer good , etc. ) . In 2008 , about $ 705 million of carbon offsets were purchased in the voluntary market , representing about 123.4 million metric tons of CO2e reductions . Some fuel suppliers in the UK offer fuel which has been carbon offset such as Fuel dyes .   Offsets are typically achieved through financial support of projects that reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the short - or long-term . The most common project type is renewable energy , such as wind farms , biomass energy , or hydroelectric dams . Others include energy efficiency projects , the destruction of industrial pollutants or agricultural byproducts , destruction of landfill methane , and forestry projects . Some of the most popular carbon offset projects from a corporate perspective are energy efficiency and wind turbine projects .   Carbon offsetting has gained some appeal and momentum mainly among consumers in western countries who have become aware and concerned about the potentially negative environmental effects of energy-intensive lifestyles and economies . The Kyoto Protocol has sanctioned offsets as a way for governments and private companies to earn carbon credits that can be traded on a marketplace . The protocol established the Clean Development Mechanism ( CDM ) , which validates and measures projects to ensure they produce authentic benefits and are genuinely `` additional '' activities that would not otherwise have been undertaken . Organizations that are unable to meet their emissions quota can offset their emissions by buying CDM-approved Certified Emissions Reductions . Emissions from burning fuel , such as red diesel , has pushed one UK fuel supplier to create a carbon offset fuel named Carbon Offset Red Diesel .   Offsets may be cheaper or more convenient alternatives to reducing one 's own fossil-fuel consumption . However , some critics object to carbon offsets , and question the benefits of certain types of offsets .  Due diligence is recommended to help businesses in the assessment and identification of `` good quality '' offsets to ensure offsetting provides the desired additional environmental benefits , and to avoid reputational risk associated with poor quality offsets .   Offsets are viewed as an important policy tool to maintain stable economies and to improve sustainability . One of the hidden dangers of climate change policy is unequal prices of carbon in the economy , which can cause economic collateral damage if production flows to regions or industries that have a lower price of carbon -- unless carbon can be purchased from that area , which offsets effectively permit , equalizing the price .

negative: Air pollution in Germany Air pollution in Germany has significantly decreased over the past decade . Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the Earth 's atmosphere . These pollutants are released through human activity and natural sources . Germany took interest in reducing its greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions by switching to renewable energy sources . Renewable energy use rose from 6.3 % in 2000 to 34 % in 2016 . Through the transition to renewable energy sources , Germany has become the climate change policy leader and renewable energy leader in the European Union ( EU ) and in the world with ambitious climate change programs . The current goal of the German government was approved on 14 November 2016 in the German Climate Action Plan 2050 , which outlines measures by which Germany can meet its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 . By 2050 , Germany wants to reduce their GHGs by 80 to 95 % and by 2030 they want to reduce it by 55 % , compared to the EU target of 40 % .   In order to achieve these goals , a variety of strategies and policies are used rather than legislation . The four strategies the German government bases air pollution control on are laying down environmental quality standards , emission reduction requirements according to the best available technology , production regulations , and laying down emission ceilings . Through these strategies , policy instruments have been put in place that have contributed to the success of the significant air pollution reduction in Germany . These instruments include the Federal Emission Control Act and Implementing Ordinances , Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control ( TA Luft ) , Amendment to Ordinance on Small Firing Installations , Implementation of the directive on industrial emissions , and Transboundary air pollution control policy . The German Feed-in-Tariff policy introduced in 2000 led to the significant increase in renewable energy use and decreasing air pollution . They have been introduced in Germany to increase the use of renewables , such as wind power , biomass , hydropower , geothermal power , and photovoltaics , thereby reducing GHG emissions causing air pollution and combating climate change .   The German government has been an agenda setter in international climate policy negotiations since the late 1980s . However , national and global climate policies have become a top priority since the conservative-social democratic government came into power in 2005 , pushing both European and international climate negotiations . Positive path dependency in Germany 's climate and energy policies has occurred over the past 20 years . There are three main triggers that put Germany on this positive path dependency and what led them to becoming a climate change policy leader . The first being the widespread damages to health , due to smog , and to nature , due to acid rain , caused by air pollution . The second being the shock of the two oil price crises , in 1973 and 1979 , that highlighted the problem of the German economy 's strong dependence on unsure foreign sources . The third being the growing opposition to the country 's growing reliance on nuclear energy . Air pollution began to be seen as a problem in Germany due to these three triggers , causing Germany to put policies into place to control air pollution . This has now developed from controlling air pollution to being a leader in climate change politics .   __ TOC __

negative: Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change See Also : climate change mitigation , emissions trading .   The Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate ( MEF ) was launched on March 28 , 2009 . The MEF is intended to facilitate a candid dialogue among major developed and developing economies , help generate the political leadership necessary to achieve a successful outcome at the December UN climate change conference in Copenhagen , and advance the exploration of concrete initiatives and joint ventures that increase the supply of clean energy while cutting greenhouse gas emissions .   The 17 major economies are : Australia , Brazil , Canada , China , the European Union , France , Germany , India , Indonesia , Italy , Japan , South Korea , Mexico , Russia , South Africa , the United Kingdom , and the United States . Denmark , in its capacity as the President of the December 2009 Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change , and the United Nations have also participated in this dialogue along with Observers .

negative: One-Tonne Challenge The One-Tonne Challenge was a challenge presented by the Government of Canada in March 2004 for Canadians to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne each year . The figure represented 20 % of total greenhouse gas output by Canadians at the time and aimed to help the country reach its Kyoto Protocol emission reduction targets . The Liberal Government under Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin approved over $ 45 million to fund the program from 2003 to 2006 .   To promote this program , the government placed television and print ads featuring comedian Rick Mercer . In one commercial , he described Canadians as wanting to take the challenge . `` C'mon ... we 're Canadian ... we 're up for a challenge ! ''   The government urged Canadians to do such things as :   Take public transit more often .  Idle vehicles less .  Use programmable thermostats .  Seal windows with caulking and weather-stripping .  Compost organic kitchen waste .  Support green energy .  Water and energy conservation .  Purchase electronics that are labelled with Energy Star logo .  Recycling .   The program received a lukewarm reception from the public , and has been criticized as ineffective and wasteful .   This program was started by the Liberal Party of Canada . However , with the election of Stephen Harper 's Conservative Government in 2006 , the One Tonne Challenge was scrapped .

negative: Alternate wetting and drying ` Alternate wetting and drying ' ( AWD ) is a water management technique , practiced to cultivate irrigated lowland rice with much less water than the usual system of maintaining continuous standing water in the crop field . It is a method of controlled and intermittent irrigation . A periodic drying and re-flooding irrigation scheduling approach is followed in which the fields are allowed to dry for few days before re-irrigation , without stressing the plants . This method reduces water demand for irrigation and greenhouse gas emissions without reducing crop yields .

negative: German response to Kyoto Protocol Germany is Europe 's largest and the world 's 6th greatest single emitter of CO2 . In July 2007 , Germany had the largest European population , with 82.4 million people . Germany imports most of its materials and energy sources , and in 2004 imported 2.135 million barrels of oil and 85.02 billion m ³ ( 2003 ) of natural gas a day . In 2004 , Germany emitted 886 million metric tonnes of CO2 . In 2004 , there were approximately 45 million registered cars in Germany .   Between March 1998 and March 1999 , 84 countries including Germany signed the Kyoto Protocol . In March 2002 , the Bundestag unanimously ratified Kyoto . In May 2002 , the European Union submitted the articles of ratification for all 15 of its then member states .   As an Annex II nation , Germany 's commitment to the UNFCCC with respect to Kyoto was to reduce emissions as well as to provide an economic crutch to developing nations via Clean Development Mechanisms .   In November 2006 , Germany 's planned annual quota was 482 million metric tonnes of CO2 . German Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduced by 17.2 % from 1990 to 2004 , according to UNFCCC . Germany actively promotes government carbon funds and supports multilateral carbon funds that are intent on purchasing Carbon Credits from non-Annex I parties . Government organizations work closely with major utility , energy , oil and gas , and chemicals conglomerates to try to acquire as many Greenhouse Gas Certificates as cheaply as possible .   Since signing and ratifying the protocol , Germany has committed to reducing its emissions to 21 % below 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012 . In November 2008 , a study found that Germany had already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 22.4 % , which means it already reached its Kyoto Emissions Commitments .

negative: M864 The M864 is an US made 155 mm artillery shell . It carries a dual-purpose ICM submunition warhead and incorporates Base bleed technology to increase its range . The projectile is capable of delivering 24 M46 and 48 M42 dual-purpose anti-materiel/anti-personnel sub-munitions at ranges out to 29 kilometers . Base bleed technology was developed to reduce the amount of base drag on a projectile , thereby increasing the achieved range . The drag is reduced by a gas generator located on the base of the projectile . Once ignited , the gas generator bleeds hot gas into the projectiles wake which causes the flow of air at the base to be less turbulent . The decrease in turbulence , reduces base drag , which typically accounts for 50 percent of total drag . The amount of thrust produced by the base burner unit is negligible and does not serve the same function as the rocket motor on a rocket assisted projectile ( RAP ) .   The M864 projectile is not ballistically matched to any projectile currently in the inventory , but because of the similarity of the trajectories , firing data for the M864 can be determined from the M549A1 firing data .

negative: Houseplant care Houseplant care is the act of growth houseplants and ensuring they have the necessary conditions for survival and continuing growth . This includes providing soil with sufficient nutrients , correct lighting conditions , air circulation and adding the right amount of water .   Watering houseplants on a regular basis is necessary for the plant to remain healthy and thrive . They should not , however , be watered on a scheduled basis , because different plant species need different amounts of water and sunlight so it is important to know the specifics for the particular plants that are being grown .   Houseplants sometimes also need to be cleaned of dust and greasy films that collect on the leaves when they are indoors . Dusty , grimy leaves can inhibit growth .

negative: Western Climate Initiative The Western Climate Initiative , or WCI , was started in February 2007 by the governors of five western U.S. states ( AZ , CA , NM , OR , and WA ) with the goal of developing a multi-sector , market-based program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions .

negative: Recycled Energy Development Recycled Energy Development , LLC ( RED ) aims to profitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and recycling waste energy , especially through cogeneration and waste heat recovery .

negative: EGTS EGTS is an electric taxiing system which allows aircraft to taxi and pushback without requiring the use of aircraft engines , and is designed to reduce fuel volumes used by aircraft and reduce greenhouse gas emissions during ground operations . It was developed by EGTS International , a joint venture between Honeywell Aerospace and Safran . The joint venture was announced at the 2011 Paris Air Show .   EGTS technology was invented in 2003 by Delos Aerospace and since 2007 many electric taxiing systems have been explored based on the pioneering patents of Delos Aerospace . www.Delos.Aero   EGTS technology enables aircraft to avoid using their main engines during taxiing and instead taxi autonomously under their own electrical power , using the Auxiliary Power Unit ( APU ) generator . The system is designed for single-aisle aircraft , such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737 .

negative: Karen Beauchemin Karen Beauchemin , Ph.D. , is a federal scientist in Canada who is recognized internationally for her research in ruminant nutrition .  She is developing nutritional knowledge and technologies that help improve the efficiency of producing meat and milk , while reducing the environmental impacts of livestock production .   Her main interests are :   mitigation of enteric methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from ruminants  improvement of rumen ecology and fiber utilization using feed additives and enzymes  reduction of ruminal acidosis ( a nutritional disorder ) in dairy cows and feedlot cattle  optimization of feed digestion and utilization .   Due to the work of Beauchemin and her colleagues , Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is recognized as a world leader in measuring greenhouse gases and in developing strategies to reduce emissions from agricultural activities including the cultivation of livestock .  Beauchemin has been recognized with awards from the Canadian Society of Animal Science ( 1994 , 2009 , 2014 ) , American Dairy Science Association ( 2005 , 2010 ) , the Chinese Academy of Science ( 2011 -- 13 ) , and the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry in Stockholm , Sweden ( 2011 Bertebos Prize ) .

negative: Archer Point Wind Farm The Archer Point Wind Farm , alternatively Jalunji Wind Park or Cooktown Wind Farm , is a proposed wind farm to be located at Archer Point , about 15 km south of Cooktown , Queensland . It is expected to cost A$ 250 million to construct .   The wind farm is envisioned to have 60 wind turbines in Stage 1 . The total generation capacity for Stage 1 would be 138 MW . This would be enough electricity generation to power the entire Cape York Peninsula while supplementing the electricity needs of Port Douglas and Cairns . Archer Point is recognised as one of the windiest places in Queensland .   The project would generate about 400,000 MW-hr of electricity - enough electricity to power over 75,000 average Queensland homes . In addition , the wind farm would make a very significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland - reducing electricity emissions by over 370,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually . This would be equivalent to taking 85,000 cars off the road . Once constructed , the wind farm would have twice the capacity of the largest renewable energy generation facility in Queensland . Towers are expected to be 80 m high .   In May 2011 , it was announced that a lease agreement between the traditional land owners and National Power has been reached .

negative: Innovation, Development and Employment Alliance The Innovation , Development and Employment Alliance is a business coalition launched in May 2009 , aimed at securing intellectual property rights in a number of areas , including environmentally sound technology , healthcare and renewable energy . It is supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce ; members include General Electric , Microsoft and Sunrise Solar . It was created in response to developments at the United Nations post -- Kyoto Protocol negotiations on greenhouse gas emissions , where developing countries such as Brazil , India and China want the ability to compulsory licence green technology , as they are currently able to do with key drugs , notably for AIDS treatment .

negative: Individual action on climate change Making various personal choices has been advocated as a means of fighting climate change .   A carbon diet is an effective way to understand the amount of impact on the environment and how to make meaningful changes .  A low carbon diet is a way of reducing impact by choosing food that causes much less pollution .  Trees : Protecting forests and planting new trees contributes to the absorption of carbon dioxide from the air . There are many opportunities to plant trees in the yard , along roads , in parks , and in public gardens . In addition , some charities plant fast-growing trees -- for as little as $ US0 .10 per tree -- to help people in tropical developing countries restore the productivity of their lands . Conversely , clearing old-growth forests adds to the carbon in the atmosphere , so buying non-old-growth paper is good for the climate as well as the forest .  Labels : The Energy Star label can be seen on many household appliances , home electronics , office equipment , heating and cooling equipment , windows , residential light fixtures , and other products . Energy Star products use less energy .  Travel :  In the United States , perception towards climate change influenced people to change their travel lifestyle . More than a third of Americans have changed their travel habits in 2008 , versus only 14 % in 2007 .  Cars : Purchasing a vehicle which gets high gas mileage helps to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide .  Flying : Avoiding air travel and particularly frequent flyer programs has a high benefit because the convenience makes frequent , long distance travel easy , and high-altitude emissions are more potent for the climate than the same emissions made at ground level .  Walking and running are among the least environmentally harmful modes of transportation , followed by the bicycle .  Many energy suppliers in various countries worldwide have options to purchase part or pure `` green energy . '' The wind energy produced in Denmark , for example , provides about 20 percent of the country 's total electricity needs . These methods of energy production emit no greenhouse gases once they are up and running .  Carbon offsets : The principle of carbon offset is thus : one decides that they do n't want to be responsible for accelerating climate change , and they 've already made efforts to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions , so they decide to pay someone else to further reduce their net emissions by planting trees or by taking up low-carbon technologies . Every unit of carbon that is absorbed by trees -- or not emitted due to your funding of renewable energy deployment -- offsets the emissions from their fossil fuel use . In many cases , funding of renewable energy , energy efficiency , or tree planting -- particularly in developing nations -- can be a relatively cheap way of making an individual `` carbon neutral '' . Carbon offset providers -- some as inexpensive as US$ 0.11 per metric ton ( USD 0.10 per US ton ) of carbon dioxide -- are referenced below under Lifestyle Action .