13. Global Climatic Change, and Role and Response of Man in Climatic Changes

Case Study 1: Climate Litigation and Policy Shifts – Switzerland

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Anthropogenic Climate Change (IPCC, 1988–Present) – Human-induced disruptions in climate systems.
• Environmental Governance Theory (Ostrom, 1990) – Role of institutions in climate policy.
• Climate Justice and Legal Frameworks (UNFCCC, 1992) – Legal mechanisms for climate accountability.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Carbon Budget Model – Limits on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate Litigation Framework – Legal actions against governments and corporations.
• Polluter Pays Principle – Holding emitters accountable for climate damage.

Recent Data:

• Swiss Climate Case: European Court of Human Rights ruled against Switzerland for inadequate climate action.
• Policy Impact: Strengthened national climate targets following litigation.
• Global Trends: Over 230 climate lawsuits filed worldwide in 2023.

Spatial Variation:

• Europe: Increased climate litigation influencing policy.
• Global: Expanding legal frameworks for climate accountability.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Climate lawsuits increasing since 2015.
• Future Projections: Expected rise in legal actions due to worsening climate impacts.

Source:

• Grantham Research Institute: “Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation – 2024 Snapshot”

Insight:

Climate litigation validates governance models, emphasizing the role of legal frameworks in enforcing climate accountability.

Case Study 2: Carbon Capture and Climate Mitigation – Climeworks, Switzerland

Geographical Thought & Perspectives:

• Geoengineering and Climate Intervention (Crutzen, 2006) – Technological solutions for climate mitigation.
• Sustainability and Carbon Markets (UNEP, 2000s) – Economic mechanisms for emissions reduction.
• Anthropogenic Climate Change (IPCC, 1988–Present) – Human-induced disruptions in climate systems.

Models/Theories/Laws:

• Direct Air Capture (DAC) Model – Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere.
• Carbon Credit Market Framework – Trading emissions reductions.
• Net-Zero Emissions Pathway – Strategies for achieving climate neutrality.

Recent Data:

• Climeworks Initiative: Targeting 1 gigaton CO₂ removal per year by 2050.
• Carbon Market Expansion: Increased adoption of DAC technology.
• Policy Support: Strengthened climate commitments following COP28.

Spatial Variation:

• Europe: Leading in carbon capture technology.
• Global: Expanding carbon markets for climate mitigation.

Temporal Variation:

• Historical Trends: Carbon capture scaling up since 2015.
• Future Projections: Expected growth in DAC adoption.

Source:

• INSEAD: “Sustainability Case Studies 2023–2024 – Part 1”

Insight:

Carbon capture validates climate mitigation models, emphasizing the role of technology in achieving net-zero emissions.