April 17, 2008

 

Map to the event

 

 

 

Climate Change:

Putting the Economy to Work

Michael J. Walsh, Ph.D.

  Executive Vice President, Chicago Climate Exchange

April 17, 2008
Activity Center,
Bowling and Billiards Center
6:30 pm - Presentation
See map>>>

Free and open to the public. Use Bone Student Center parking.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential - but it won't be easy. How can we improve energy efficiency, discover alternative energy sources, and save the world's forests without crippling our economy? Many business and environmental leaders are supporting "carbon trading" as the most promising path toward climate stability by tapping into the innovation and efficiency of the marketplace. ISU alumnus, Michael Walsh, will explain this creative approach and role the Chicago Climate Exchange is playing.

The Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) is North America's only and the world's first global marketplace for integrating voluntary legally binding emissions reductions with emissions trading and offsets for all six greenhouse gases. CCX is a financial institution whose objectives are to apply financial innovation and incentives to advance social, environmental and economic goals.
 

Learn more below...

"We see a global system of emissions trading as inevitable."

     Steve Lennon
       International Chamber of Commerce
       Financial Times, 6/10/2005

"NRDC supports legislation to establish an economy-wide cap-and-trade program..."

     Frances G. Beinecke, President
       Natural Resources Defense Council
       Testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
       March 19, 2007

"Global markets for beef and coffee have been driving deforestation. [Carbon credits] offer an opportunity to compete head to head with the money a country can make elsewhere - while protecting forests. We absolutely must do this if we are serious about climate stability."

     Kevin Conrad
       Ambassador of Environment and Climate Change
       Papua New Guinea
       Executive Director, Coalition for Rainforest Nations.
       ForestsNow Press Release, 9/12/2007
 
Carbon Trading Basics
The essence of carbon trading is that once a limit on national or global greenhouse gas emissions has been established (a "cap"), emitters are allowed to negotiate, through the marketplace, who will control and how much in order to reach the limit. (Carbon trading is sometimes referred to as "cap and trade," "emissions trading," and "carbon credits"). Try these popular sources for explanations of carbon trading basics.
Benefits
Opposition
Why do some environmental groups oppose carbon trading? Do there arguments suggest that we should take a cautious approach, or that we should abandon the effort? What do you think?
Offsets
Offsets allow greenhouse gas emitters to "offset" their emissions by paying others who reduce emissions or sustain CO2 removal mechanisms ("sequestration") such as forests. Most people use the term "offset" to mean carbon sequestration activities. For example, some people offset the emissions of their air travel by paying to have trees planted somewhere in the world. Some argue that offsets allow emitters to avoid their responsibility, or that offsets are impossible to police. Others argue it is the only way to save the world's forests. What do you think?

Global Warming Basics

Learn more about Michael J. Walsh, Ph.D.

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Learn more about the Chicago Climate Exchange

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    Earth Day is sponsored by the Student Environmental Health Association. Contact: Tom Bierma, SEHA Faculty Advisor, 309/438-7121, tbierma@ilstu.edu.