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The Wedge Game . Developed by: Rob Socolow and Steve Pacala Carbon Mitigation Initiative Princeton University www.princeton.edu/~cmi. Billions of Tonnes of Carbon Emitted per Year. 14. Historical emissions. 7. 1.9 . 0. 2105. 1955. 2005. 2055. Historical emissions profile.
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The Wedge Game Developed by: Rob Socolow and Steve Pacala Carbon Mitigation Initiative Princeton University www.princeton.edu/~cmi
Billions of Tonnes of Carbon Emitted per Year 14 Historical emissions 7 1.9 0 2105 1955 2005 2055 Historical emissions profile • Science, Vol 305, Issue 5686, 968-972, 13 Aug. 2004 • Scientific American, Special Issue,pp. 50-57, Sept. 2006
The stabilization triangle Billions of Tonnes of Carbon Emitted per Year 14 Currently projected path Stabilization Triangle Interim Goal 500 - 550ppm in 50 years. Steep decline beyond Flatpath O Historical emissions 7 0 2105 1955 2005 2055
Billion of Tonnes of Carbon Emitted per Year 14 14 BtC/y Currently projected path Seven “wedges” O Historical emissions 7 Flatpath 0 2105 1955 2005 2055 Wedges 7 BtC/y
What is a wedge? An activity that reduces emissions to the atmosphere that starts at zero today and increases linearly until it accounts for 1 BtC/yr of reduced carbon emissions in 2055 1 BtC/yr Total = 25B tonnes of carbon 50 years
What are the options? Nuclear Fission CO2 Capture and Storage 14 BtC/y Fuel Switching Energy Efficiency and Conservation Stabilization Forests & Soils Triangle 7 BtC/y 2005 2055 Renewable Electricity and Fuels
Your Task • You have definitions of each of the wedges, and what each would require. You must now look at each of the definitions and pick the 7 that you think most likely economically, politically, and socially. You have 20 minutes to pick your favorite 7 wedges, and then will be asked to explain your choices. • NOTE: There is no “right” answer. The point of the exercise is that these are achievable goals, but each will require significant effort by society. Also, it is unlikely that any one technology can save the day alone – it will take a suite of technologies.