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L I V E R T D E C O U V E RT E
The Challenge for the Earth
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Let soon, every bit counts!
SKIING AT IONRECONNUED 'UTILIT PUBLIQUED É É É E DI TO THE EDUC AT ION TO THE EN
VIRONMENT
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
The climate on the basis of life
The Earth is the only known planet where life exists. Located not too close or t
oo far from the Sun, its climate is more or less favorable to the development of
living beings.
The atmosphere is the layer of air surrounding the Earth. Its existence conditio
ns of life on Earth: it contains the oxygen we breathe, protects us from meteori
tes, filter the sun's ultraviolet rays very harmful
DID YOU KNOW?
living things, absorbs heat and stabilizes at an average temperature of 15 ° C.
This machine is the complex functioning of a fragile balance. It is the changing
composition of the gaseous envelope that generates Earth current climate change
, rapid and brutal. The oceans cover seven tenths of the surface of the Earth. T
he exchange of heat and water between the ocean and the atmosphere largely gover
n the climate of the planet. The ocean moderates the temperature variations (day
/ night, seasons), transports heat from the equator to the poles by ocean curre
nts and contributes to the cycle of water by evaporation.
Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
The growth rings in trees and corals can trace the evolution of temperatures.
When the snow turns to ice, it traps the gases under the effect of pressure. I
ce cores taken from the poles provide information on temperatures, precipitation
and atmospheric composition. They help to reconstruct the history of climate as
far back as 700,000 years.
2
WA R I N G A M A H A I AT i t a d ...
"Peace on earth depends on our ability to protect our living environment. "
The exchanges between living systems and physical environments
DO NOT CONFUSE CLIMATE AND WEATHER
The climate of a geographic area is defined by the average temperatures, sunsh
ine, rain, humidity, air and wind measured over longer periods. It also depends
on the proximity of the oceans, terrain and altitude. All these conditions deter
mine the number and variety of species able to live there. For example, under th
e equatorial climate (hot and humid), life grows more easily than in the deserts
. The Earth's climate has experienced a succession of cold periods and warm peri
ods. The last ice age ended 12,000 years ago. The analysis of developments in th
e past allows climatologists to develop climate models for the future. Meteoro
logy is the study of weather and forecasting of weather. Thanks to satellites, r
adiosondes and radar, meteorologists observe the atmosphere 24 hours on 24 and m
ake reliable forecasts to five days for a limited area.
AMAZING BUT TRUE!
If our planet were the size of an orange, the thickness of the atmosphere woul
d be equivalent to a sheet of paper. Without atmosphere, it would be 100 ° C d
uring the day and - 150 ° C at night to the surface of the Earth!
3
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
Why climate change?
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon amplified by man. Since the late n
ineteenth century, scientists have noted a warming trend.
DO NOT CONFUSE AND OZONE LAYER OZONE
Ozone is present in the atmosphere between 20 and 40 km altitude (stratosphere).
It forms a thin protective layer that stops the ultraviolet rays harmful to liv
ing beings. Human activities have caused a "hole" in the ozone layer. In the low
er layer of the atmosphere (troposphere, less than 12 km) is the ozone that we b
reathe and which is harmful to health. From pollution, it also enhances the gree
nhouse effect.
AMAZING BUT TRUE!
50% of CO2 emissions in France result of our lifestyle and our daily activities.
The other half comes from emissions from the manufacture and transportation of
products and services.
Under the effect of solar radiation, the atmosphere that surrounds our planet, a
cts like a blanket: it warms the Earth. It is this natural greenhouse effect whi
ch limits variations in temperature at the surface of the Earth. Without it, the
average temperature would be within + 15 ° C, but - 18 ° C! A portion of the su
nlight coming through the atmosphere and warm the soil and oceans.€The Earth ret
urns a portion of these rays in the atmosphere, but also makes itself: plants, l
iving creatures, volcanoes ... are so many sources of heat, which itself dates b
ack to the atmosphere. Certain gases in the atmosphere prevents heat from escapi
ng into space. They are called "greenhouse gases" (GHGs). They are,
Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
4
AT C H E I N B R I A N D d i t ...
"The forest above the people, the wilderness below. "
DID YOU KNOW?
How man increases the greenhouse effect
One study suggests that a warming of 1.8 to 2 ° C between 1990 and 2050 could le
ad to the removal of one quarter of all living species compared to today.
heating power: water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and other
gases (nitrous oxide (N20), ozone (O3) and fluorinated gases ). All these gases
do not stop the heat in different ways and have different lifetimes in the atmos
phere. Human activities induce emissions of these gases and thus accentuate the
natural greenhouse effect. As a result, there has been 30 years an accelerated w
arming of the planet that is responsible for recent climate change.
THE CO 2 GAS WHICH PARTICIPATES IN GREENHOUSE
Among greenhouse gases, some naturally emitted (water vapor, CO2 ...), others ar
e man-made (fluorinated gases). The Earth (volcanoes, forest fires ...) and livi
ng things (respiration and decomposition) produce CO2. But his presence in the a
tmosphere is amplified by human burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil)
and forests for its activities. Thus, since 1850, the beginning of the industri
al revolution, the CO2 has increased by 30%, amplifying the natural greenhouse e
ffect.
5
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
Why climate change?
The natural carbon cycle refers to the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere
, oceans, continents and living things are composed. He is disturbed by human ac
tivities.
DID YOU KNOW?
CO2 is not the only gas involved in climate change. Methane (CH4) from a share o
f the decomposition of living organisms and organic waste and also produced by h
uman activities (landfills, agriculture and livestock), is the second greenhouse
gas emissions. It has a warming potential 21 times greater than CO2.
Since the beginning of the industrial era (1850), the burning of fossil fuels (o
il, coal, gas), deforestation and agricultural practices have increased producti
on of CO2. It adds to the CO2 emitted naturally by respiration and decomposition
of living, volcanic eruptions or forest fires, etc..
A portion of atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by aquatic and terrestrial plants (phot
osynthesis), another is picked up by the ocean. But because of human activities,
the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere are increasing too quickly for oceans and f
orests, "well" natural carbon, may regulate this development. The greenhouse eff
ect and may be accentuated even more if these "carbon sinks" are coming to an ov
erflow collection. It is urgent to reduce our CO2 emissions!
AMAZING BUT TRUE!
In the atmosphere, the lifetime of some greenhouse gases may reach several thous
ands of years. They accumulate and amplify their effects.
6
Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
C H E F E S T L AT E d i t ...
"This is not the man who wove the web of life: there is only one thread. Whateve
r he does to the web, he does to himself. "
Natural carbon cycle and human impact
Exchange due to the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation (1990s)
CARBON SINKS
Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation
Carbon is present in the composition of solids (eg coal, living, etc..), Liquids
(eg oil) and gas (eg CO2 or methane). Man seeks to reduce the amount of carbon
that passes through the cycle by imprisoning. The CO2 absorbed by the ocean is t
ransformed or dissolved in its waters. This power absorption is reduced when the
water warms. If this phenomenon is growing, the power capture will diminish or
even reverse to become an issuer of an additional share of CO2. Trees sequester
carbon as they grow, by making their organic matter. The fate of this carbon wil
l depend on the use of forests. The tree burned immediately reject CO2, whereas
one which will be used in construction will do to the disappearance of the build
ings.€It was only 40-1 000 years that the carbon in the tree that died naturally
returns to the atmosphere. The trees that are "carbon sinks" temporary. Scienti
sts seek to understand better the role of forests and oceans as "carbon sinks".
7
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
Indicators of climate change
The 0.6 ° C of global average temperature since 1900 affects biodiversity and po
ses the question of its adaptability to rapid change and abrupt climate.
The climate is the main factor of species distribution, drives his modified anim
als and plants to move to feed and reproduce. Some invade new areas, while other
s disappear. Various changes in the twentieth century exceeds the natural variab
ility of the climate system such as: • In Europe, the chickadees to lack
DID YOU KNOW? AMAZING BUT TRUE!
food, the larva of a moth (moth foggy), they're big, hatched earlier because the
springs are softer. But the leaves of oak favored by these insects have not yet
grown. The caterpillars are starving and exhausted tits foraging for food; • Th
e vine is a Mediterranean plant whose farm boundary moves north, already, it pro
duces wine in the Netherlands and could produce champagne in the south of Englan
d • Rising sea level of 10-20 cm, which is an average annual rate of 1 to 2 mm;
• The increase of 5 to 10% of continental precipitation in the northern hemisphe
re and reduced rainfall in the subtropics (10 ° N to 30 ° N) already naturally d
ry; • The regression of 40% of the thickness and 10% of the area of Arctic sea i
ce since 1950. Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
5 ° C only separate us from an ice age. 1 ° C increase in our room does not comp
are with a similar increase in the average temperature at Earth's surface.
Coral reefs are found in tropical and subtropical waters. A sudden increase of a
few degrees of water temperature prevents their growth and results in addition
to the disruption of the association algae-animal cells that forms the coral. Th
is bleaching and coral death.
8
Seneca said ...
"It's a soul that needs to change, not climate. "
Climate change and its interactions with other global issues
ESTIMATES AND RISK
The predicted climate change poses to humans many threats including: massive d
isplacement of populations due to the increase in 9-88 cm of sea level with the
risk of flooding or submergence, Bangladesh, the atolls in the Pacific or the Ca
margue; health risk with the development of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes
and parasites (malaria, yellow fever, etc..) due to a change in their breeding;
reduction of security of supply water with increased drought and the changing
water cycle; accentuate the greenhouse effect with the thawing of permanently
frozen ground in cold regions causing the emission of methane reduction snow
cover in mid-mountain resorts and the need for economic transformation. Confront
ing natural hazards exacerbated by human pressure, but the best way for local pe
ople is to preserve ecosystems: forests prevent landslides during heavy rains an
d flooding wetlands limit ...
9
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
A collective mobilization: some benchmarks
Following the alarm raised in the 1970s by the scientific community, all countri
es of the world has accepted the principle of an international response.
THE SCALE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND FRANCE
DID YOU KNOW?
A European emits 20 times more CO2 than African and an inhabitant of the Unite
d States, 40 times more. To ensure a stable climate and the emergence of devel
oping countries, it would divide the world's CO2 emissions by 2 and those of ind
ustrialized countries in four by 2050 (see diagram). According to the Internat
ional Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for energy will increase 60% by 2030 if
the emergency is not transformed into action.
Emissions of CO2 per capita
(Tonnes)
June 2000: adoption by the European Union's European Climate Change Programme
(ECCP), which aims at a reduction of 8% of GHG emissions between the base year (
1990) 2008-2012. This program is based on guidelines, especially in the areas of
energy, industry, transport and buildings. The France aims to stabilize in 20
08-2012 GHG emissions to 1990 levels. In January 2000, it adopted the National P
rogramme to Fight against climate change (PNLCC) based on hundreds of measures o
n all emitting sectors. His Climate Plan (2004) provides a division by 4 of the
GHG emissions for 2050.
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Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
J O N E C E C U LY RT I L i s t ...
"We are destroying destroying the planet, we realize and respect it. "
It was set up in 1988 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes (IPCC) and
is its first report in 1990 which mobilized active states in the world. • At the
Earth Summit in Rio (1992), is adopted the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) signed by 188 States. It recognizes two principles: t
hat of stabilizing the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere and that of a dif
ferentiated responsibility between developed and developing countries. • In 1997
, 158 States adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which provides 5% of overall GHG reduct
ion compared to 1990, 2008-2012, establishes the obligations of numerical result
s for industrialized countries and create for them the principle of exchange of
tons CO2 equivalent. Since the ratification of this Protocol by Russia in 2004,
has reached the threshold of the signatory States, which has allowed its entry i
nto force 16 February 2005 although a few countries, including the United States
, China and Australia, still refuse to sign.
26
19
GHG emitting activities in France in 2004
AMAZING BUT TRUE!
The International Air Transport responsible each year for 600 million tonnes of
CO2 is not included in the Kyoto agreement, not knowing who his charge programmi
ng: the country of departure? that finish line? or countries overflown?
11
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
The need to act now
The extent of climate change is such that we must reduce our consumption of ener
gy, at once, together, wherever we are and what is our business.
THE ROAD TO KYOTO ...
Between 1990 and 1998, overall emissions from vehicles were up 20%. This reflect
s the fact that 78% of French people use their car every day and only 4 out of 1
0 trips are less than 2 km. In addition, the increase in the number of cars and
traffic cancels profits by technological advances that make cleaner vehicles.
Sources and share of CO2 emissions in 2002 of French households (15.5 tons / hou
sehold)
12
Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
T-NS ANTOINEDESAIN EXUP RY adit ...
"The future is not enough to predict, but to make it possible. "
n 2002, a French emitted an average of 6 tons of CO2 per year. To ensure that th
e climate is more upsetting, it is necessary to divide by 4 our CO2 emissions by
2050. At the individual level, a gesture toward the environment is not absurd,
since it will be multiplied by hundreds, thousands ... What do first? On energy
because its use is nearly half of our emissions of greenhouse gas emissions. How
to act? By combining three tracks: reducing waste, consumption and the rational
use of renewable energy. Where to act? At home, at school, at work, in business
, leisure or commerce. In what areas? Mainly transportation, heating, procuremen
t and waste. What specifically? Sorting the waste, use public transportation, or
ganic produce and consume, save water, electricity, promote renewable energy, sh
opping are all reflective of actions to move towards sustainable development. En
ergy not consumed need not be produced and saved energy is a contribution to red
ucing greenhouse gas emissions.
E
DID YOU KNOW?
In France, household energy consumption has almost tripled between 1960 and 20
00! The manufacture of a flat screen computer requires 350 kg carbon equivalen
t, or even 5 000-6 000 kWh of energy (not just electric), equivalent to 600 lite
rs of oil.€ GHG emissions in grams carbon equivalent per kg diet: fruits and ve
getables = 150; chicken = 850; calf = 11 120. Examples of recycling: 27 plasti
c bottles = 1 fleece pullover and 670 aluminum cans = 1 bicycle.
AMAZING BUT TRUE!
A fruit, imported out of season, for transportation consumes 10-20 times more
oil than the same fruit produced locally and purchased in season. The share of
GHG emissions related to food, from production to our plates, amounts to 30.5%
of French emissions in 2001. 15 billion plastic bags from petrochemicals are d
istributed each year in France, 500 per second!
13
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
Let soon, every little bit counts
Since its inception in 1990, the Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Humanity
's mission is to change individual and collective behavior to preserve our plane
t in a sustainable development perspective. Encourage everyone to commit to redu
cing its environmental impact by performing simple and practical in everyday lif
e, such is the vocation of his new campaign: "Earth Challenge".
AND COMMITMENT TO MEETING THE CHALLENGE FOR THE EARTH
Get involved on everyday gestures Calculate your impact on the Earth Learn
about climate change Sign Pact to Explore Earth Ambassadors Challenge
Nicolas Hulot Foundation is an apolitical and non religious NGO. Elle participe
à la diffusion des connaissances sur l’état écologique de notre planète et met e
n œuvre tous les moyens à sa disposition pour convaincre le plus grand nombre de
la nécessité de passer à l’acte afin de freiner l’impact des activités humaines
. Only French foundation of public utility dedicated to environmental education,
it aims to train youth and adults to respect for nature and environmental citiz
ens gestures. The Foundation supports local initiatives for the environment. Its
activities revolve around three major themes: water, biodiversity and eco-citiz
enship.
Fondation Nicolas Hulot for Nature and Man
L
www.defipourlaterre.org
Encourage your family to engage
14
Gandhi said ...
"Be yourself the change you want in the world. "
MOBILIZATION FOR THE NATIONAL LAND
Fondation Nicolas Hulot and ADEME (Agency for Environment and Energy Management)
join forces to launch an operation in May 2005 as a national mobilization, the
"Earth Challenge", to rally the French for the protection of the planet. This Ch
allenge encourages all French to engage individually or collectively, to reduce
its environmental impact by performing simple and concrete everyday. The challen
ge is to mobilize the largest number so that all these commitments add up and em
body a collective scale. The call to action must come from civil society as a wh
ole. Around Nicolas Hulot, many celebrities have worked as ambassadors of the "C
hallenge Earth.
10 THE FIRST GESTURE FOR THE EARTH
I sort my waste and avoid unnecessary packaging I prefer environmentally friendl
y products (eco-labels, écorecharges ...) and I avoid disposable products switch
off electrical appliances instead of leaving them on standby I select devices e
nergy efficient (low consumption lamps, appliances Class A) I prefer a quick sho
wer bath I do not overheat my home and I isolated the best I install a solar wat
er heater or wood heating at home I uses the least drive to work, I do short tri
ps on foot and I drive slower smoothly μ For my travels, I prefer to take the tr
ain
LEARN MORE: WWW.DEFIPOURLATERRE.ORG
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Fax: 01 41 22 October 1999 • fnh@fnh.org
© GEORGES BOSIO / 107 STUDIOS
Let soon, every bit counts!
"
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Earth has gone wrong. The man has a growing influence on the conditions of life
and its own evolution. The future of humanity is compromised. It is high time th
at awareness translates into action, individual and collective. Together, we mus
t build a society reconcile the demands of today and the needs of tomorrow. This
is an unprecedented challenge, a unique opportunity to restore meaning to progr
ess while developing new forms of solidarity,€with future generations and all li
ving beings.
What we eat, the means of transportation we use, how we really are ... all these
are pressures on the environment depend on each of us. Know and take into accou
nt mean more respect for others, more health for all, a nature more beautiful. I
n the environmental field, no individual action is ridiculous. Every bit counts.
Multiplied across a country, they help reduce the impacts of human activities o
n the planet. Adopt the right thing and join us to meet all the Earth Challenge!
Nicolas Hulot
Partner Program
© FNH
2006 / 5638 REF