Role In Climate Change Mitigation Research Articles

Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Review of Eco-Friendly Wollastonite Applications

The growing increase in greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), by anthropogenic activities can be linked to extreme climate events, such as intensive droughts, floods, or hurricanes, and has led to several studies focused on reducing the concentration of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Some technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), can potentially sequester billions of tons of CO2 per year. One of the promising methods is the use of carbon mineralization as a CCS methodology. For this approach, some minerals can be investigated, such as wollastonite, which can be obtained from agricultural waste recovery. One topic of interest in these studies is agriculture, demonstrating that it can play an important role in climate change mitigation. This work presents a critical review of the studies of rice waste use for potential synthesizing wollastonite as a path for CO2 storage, promoting the circular economy. Several works were analyzed and presented, addressing eco-friendly wollastonite use, such as in the cement industry, and they can contribute to a lower global warming potential. There is a promising way to explore, once there are few studies in the literature about CO2 capture and storage of wollastonite by carbon mineralization.

The role of network participation in climate change mitigation: a city-level analysis

ABSTRACT Cities and networks play an important role in climate change mitigation. Various international, regional, and local networks seek to increase cooperation between cities or between cities and other stakeholders. However, we still have a poor understanding of how these formalised networks help cities to mitigate climate change at different levels of urban climate governance. Here, I analyse experiences of participation in formal climate change mitigation-related networks from the global to the local level in three European capital cities: Helsinki, Madrid, and Stockholm. As multilevel networking is a strategic tool for cities, different benefits are highlighted at different levels of governance. Some networks are more oriented towards politics and planning, while others are more practical. Formalised networking is also networking between individual people, which should be studied further. The results demonstrate both the advantages of networks and challenges in developing beneficial networking to support climate change mitigation.

Quantification of blue carbon in tropical salt marshes and their role in climate change mitigation

Vegetated coastal ecosystems (VCE) display a promising potential to act as natural carbon sinks in climate change mitigation. Although growing interest in wetland carbon has intensified the global level carbon stock estimation studies, large knowledge gaps and uncertainties remain, particularly in tropical salt marshes in the South and Southeast Asian regions. Therefore, the current study aims to quantify the organic carbon stocks in the salt marsh habitats on the Northwest coast of Sri Lanka and to showcase the relevance of salt marsh carbon in local and regional contexts. Vegetation and soil up to a depth of 50 cm were sampled from four sites representing the Wedithalathive Nature Reserve (WNR). Species-specific allometric relationships developed for the major succulent halophytic species indicated a significant positive correlation between dry biomass and plant height. The loss-on-ignition (LOI) technique was applied in combination with a carbon conversion factor to calculate the soil organic carbon (SOC) content across 4 depth intervals. The study provided an average total organic carbon (TOC) storage of 73 ± 14.47 Mg C ha−1 up to a depth of 50 cm, in which the aboveground vegetation accounted for ~2% share. Sri Lankan salt marshes hold 2.01 Tg of organic carbon and directly reflect their potential for inclusion in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. This has been the first comprehensive study on salt marsh blue carbon stocks in Sri Lanka and the findings of this study will strengthen the knowledge base on regional and global saltmarsh carbon stocks and their potential role in climate change mitigation.

Effect of Biochar on Soil Health and Crop Productivity: A Review

Biochar has been recently proposed as a management strategy to improve crop productivity and global warming mitigation. Biochar may be added to soils with the goal to improve the soil properties and relocate an amount of conventional fossil fuel based fertilizers and sequester carbon. Biochar production and incorporation in soil must play a role in climate change mitigation. The need for further clarity on optimizing biochar application to various crop yields is necessary if it is to gain widespread acceptance as a soil amendment. There is urgent need to intensify agricultural production to secure food supply for the ever increasing population especially in developing country like India of the tropics. Biochar proponents have placed on biochar stability in soil and it also includes increased soil fertility and water holding capacity, increased crop production and remediation of contaminated soils. The biochar have potential to feasibly and sustainably sequester/offset over 1 Pg of CO2-carbon equivalents annually. Current carbon market incentives are not sufficient to rapidly increase or maximize the initiation and development of biochar implementation.

Issue Information

Ecological ResearchVolume 37, Issue 1 p. 1-3 ISSUE INFORMATIONFree Access Issue Information First published: 18 January 2022 https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1703.12234AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume37, Issue1Blue carbon dynamics in coastal habitats: their role in climate change mitigation and ecosystem functionJanuary 2022Pages 1-3 RelatedInformation

Variability in blue carbon storage related to biogeochemical factors in seagrass meadows off the coast of the Korean peninsula

Coastal vegetated habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, referred to as blue carbon ecosystems, play an important role in climate change mitigation by an effective CO2 capture from atmosphere and water columns and long-term organic carbon (Corg) storage in sediments. Although seagrass meadows are considered intense carbon sinks, information on regional variability in seagrass blue carbon stock and factors influencing its capacity still remain sparse. In the present study, seagrass blue carbon storage by measuring Corg stocks in sediments and living seagrass biomass, and carbon accumulation rates (CARs) in seagrass meadows were estimated along the Korean coast. Factors affecting variability in Corg stocks were also analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression and principal component analysis (PCA). Projected Corg stocks in sediment, extrapolated to a depth 1 m, exhibited substantial variability among sites, ranging from 49.91 to 125.71 Mg C ha−1. The majority of Corg (96–99%) was stored in sediments, whereas the contribution of living biomass was minor. PLS regression and PCA indicated that Corg stocks in seagrass meadows are strongly associated with sediment characteristics such as dry bulk density and water and mud content. Among seagrass traits, above- to below-ground biomass ratio was significantly related to the quantity of Corg stocks in seagrass meadows. Because of the high spatial variability in Corg stocks and CARs, local and regional differences in seagrass blue carbon storage should be considered to accurately assess the climate change mitigation potential of seagrass ecosystems.

Major US electric utility climate pledges have the potential to collectively reduce power sector emissions by one-third

Major US electric utility climate pledges have the potential to collectively reduce power sector emissions by one-third

Demonstration of large area forest volume and primary production estimation approach based on Sentinel-2 imagery and process based ecosystem modelling

ABSTRACT Forest biomass and carbon monitoring play a key role in climate change mitigation. Operational large area monitoring approaches are needed to enable forestry stakeholders to meet the increasing monitoring and reporting requirements. Here, we demonstrate the functionality of a cloud-based approach utilizing Sentinel-2 composite imagery and process-based ecosystem model to produce large area forest volume and primary production estimates. We describe the main components of the approach and implementation of the processing pipeline into the Forestry TEP cloud processing platform and produce four large area output maps: (1) Growing stock volume (GSV), (2) Gross primary productivity (GPP), (3) Net primary productivity (NPP) and (4) Stem volume increment (SVI), covering Finland and the Russian boreal forests until the Ural Mountains in 10 m spatial resolution. The accuracy of the forest structural variables evaluated in Finland reach pixel level relative Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values comparable to earlier studies (basal area 39.4%, growing stock volume 58.5%, diameter 35.5% and height 33.5%), although most of the earlier studies have concentrated on smaller study areas. This can be considered a positive sign for the feasibility of the approach for large area primary production modelling, since forest structural variables are the main input for the process-based ecosystem model used in the study. The full coverage output maps show consistent quality throughout the target area, with major regional variations clearly visible, and with noticeable fine details when zoomed into full resolution. The demonstration conducted in this study lays foundation for further development of an operational large area forest monitoring system that allows annual reporting of forest biomass and carbon balance from forest stand level to regional analyses. The system is seamlessly aligned with process based ecosystem modelling, enabling forecasting and future scenario simulation.

Urban tree carbon density and CO2 equivalent of National Zoological Park, Delhi.

In a highly urbanized city like Delhi, the urban forest plays a vital role in climate change mitigation by capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Urban vegetation helps in increasing carbon sink and CO2 equivalent (CO2eq) and also provides other aesthetic and psychological environmental benefits. To understand how urban trees are vital for carbon sink, the present study aimed to quantify the carbon density and CO2eq in trees at National Zoological Park (NZP), New Delhi, a tropical semi-arid region of India. For this, we estimated tree biomass or dry matter content of 25 species with the help of allometric equations which are available in published literature and applicable for the tropical region. It was observed that the highest diameter at breast height (DBH) was contributed by Ficus sp. while the maximum density among adult tree species found in Albizia procera. The total mean dry matter content, C density, and CO2eq of NZP were 92.10Mgha-1, 43.61Mg-C ha-1, and 168.83Mgha-1, respectively. The highest biomass, C density, and CO2eq obtained in the species of Ficus benghalensis followed by Ficus racemosa and Azadirachta indica. The data indicates that the trees having the capacity to store carbon are essential for the maintenance of a sustainable environment. Thus, the study suggests that there is a substantial scope to increase the carbon density and CO2eq in urban city through adopting various management strategies viz. afforestation and reforestation program on degraded and abandoned land to maintain a clean and sustainable environment.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Offsets of Forest Residues for Bioenergy in Queensland, Australia

Harnessing sustainably sourced forest biomass for renewable energy is well-established in some parts of the developed world. Forest-based bioenergy has the potential to offset carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, thereby playing a role in climate change mitigation. Despite having an established commercial forestry industry, with large quantities of residue generated each year, there is limited use for forest biomass for renewable energy in Queensland, and Australia more broadly. The objective of this study was to identify the carbon dioxide mitigation potential of replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy generated from forest harvest residues harnessed from commercial plantations of Pinus species in southeast Queensland. An empirical-based full carbon accounting model (FullCAM) was used to simulate the accumulation of carbon in harvest residues. The results from the FullCAM modelling were further analysed to identify the energy substitution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets of three bioenergy scenarios. The results of the analysis suggest that the greatest opportunity to avoid or offset emissions is achieved when combined heat and power using residue feedstocks replaces coal-fired electricity. The results of this study suggest that forest residue bioenergy is a viable alternative to traditional energy sources, offering substantive emission reductions, with the potential to contribute towards renewable energy and emission reduction targets in Queensland. The approach used in this case study will be valuable to other regions exploring bioenergy generation from forest or other biomass residues.

Biodiversity conservation through sustainable agriculture, its relevanve to climate change: a review on Indonesia situation

A productive agriculture depends on diversity of biodiversity that extends from crops (including food crops) and livestock to their wild relatives, and beyond this to a vast array of other flora and fauna. There is a close relationship among agriculture productivity, biodiversity conservation and livelihood objectives. Biodiversity loss have significant impact to agriculture and economic development. Since sustainable agriculture in Indonesia has not yet been well implemented, our challenge today is how to push such agriculture so as to promote agrobiodiversity, and it is clear that sustainable agriculture both promote and is enhanced by biodiversity. Or, biodiversity conservation can be implemented through sustainable agriculture. Agriculture, ecosystem, and biodiversity are affected by climate change which is now ongoing. Ecosystem play a major role in reducing the impact of climate change. Since biodiversity and agriculture are in it, thus best management of ecosystem can play an important role in climate change mitigation and social adaptation, but will only provide benefits if deployed in conjunction with a redution in fosil fuel emissions. Thus, sustainable agriculture can also contribute to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and also to reduce the impact of climate change.

Assessing Black Locust Biomass Accumulation in Restoration Plantations

Forests (either natural or planted) play a key role in climate change mitigation due to their huge carbon-storing potential. In the 1980s, the Hellenic Public Power Corporation (HPPC) started the rehabilitation of lignite post-mining areas in Northwest Greece by planting mainly black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.). Today, these plantations occupy about 2570 ha, but the accumulation of Above Ground Biomass (AGB) and deadwood has not been assessed to date. Therefore, we aimed at estimating these biomass pools by calibrating an allometric model for AGB, performing an inventory for both pools and predicting the spatial distribution of AGB. 214 sample plots of 100 m2 each were set up through systematic sampling in a grid dimension of 500 × 500 m and tree dbh and height were recorded. AGB was estimated using an exponential allometric model and performing inventory measurements and was on average 57.6 t ha−1. Kriging analysis reliably estimated mean AGB, but produced errors in the prediction of high and low biomass values, related to the high fragmentation and heterogeneity of the studied area. Mean estimated AGB was low compared with European biomass yield tables for black locust. Similarly, standing deadwood was low (6–10%) and decay degrees were mostly 1 and 2, indicating recent deadwood formation. The overall low biomass accumulation in the studied black locust restoration plantations may be partially attributed to their young age (5–30 years old), but is comparable to that reported in black locust restoration plantation in extremely degraded sites. Thus, black locust successfully adapted to the studied depositions of former mines and its accumulated biomass has the potential to improve the carbon footprint of the region. However, the invasiveness of the species should be considered for future management planning of these restoration plantations.

Macroalgal and mangrove provenances demonstrate their relevance in contributing to the blue carbon pool of a tropical seagrass meadow

AbstractMangroves, seagrasses and macroalgae form inter‐connected coastal habitats. They are involved in the direct and indirect sequestration and accumulation of blue carbon and are recognized for their role in climate change mitigation. Macroalgae, though residing within or in close proximity to these ecosystems are, however, not perceived as contributing to blue carbon storage. Such habitat connectivity among the mangrove, seagrass, and macroalgal compartments complicates a straightforward assessment of blue carbon storage. In this study, we assessed the contributions of these macrophytes as endmembers to the bulk organic carbon (OC) stocks in surficial (top 30 cm) and deep (31–100 cm) sediment layers of seagrass beds within the Sungai Pulai estuary (Malaysia). Organic carbon stocks in the seagrass sediments ranged from 14.3 to 21.4 Mg OC ha−1 (surficial depths), and 137.9 ± 23.3 (mean ± SE) Mg OC ha−1 for the deep layer. Mangrove‐derived matter contributed a maximum of 65% to the bulk OC pool. The existence of downcore variability indicated that macroalgae contributed up to 16% and were higher than seagrass sources (12%). Our results suggest that macroalgal‐derived and mangrove‐derived organic matter are important contributors to OC sequestration in the estuary. In view of the heterogeneous OC pool that contributes to bulk OC stocks, placing importance on only one OC source may construe an incomplete profile of habitat‐specific capacity for OC storage. This has wider implications for understanding OC subsidies, the effects of which are particularly relevant when one considers the impacts of coastal land use changes on blue carbon storage.

A new way forward for ocean-climate policy as reflected in the UNFCCC Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue submissions

ABSTRACT The ocean plays a central role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, climate and ocean policies have been historically siloed. After decades of slow convergence, the Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue, decided at COP25 and launched online in December 2020, was the first forum for Parties and non-Party stakeholders to the UNFCCC to give their perspectives on how the climate regime should address ocean-related mitigation and adaptation. The Ocean Dialogue was informed by 47 prior open submissions provided by a broad swath of actors from across the UN system and from civil society, including traditional and youth voices. Our analysis of the submissions demonstrates a political evolution towards the nexus among climate, ocean, and biodiversity regimes. The submissions uniformly acknowledge that ocean and climate systems are inextricably linked, and that consideration of ocean-based action will strengthen climate action and vice versa. Salient themes of the submissions include changing ocean impacts, carbon sinks and blue carbon opportunities, and the need for ecosystem resilience, biodiversity management and improved understanding of normative and institutional frameworks. There is a strong call to recognize the interconnectedness of the biophysical world. Similar themes emerged during the actual Ocean Dialogue and the subsequent informal meeting on next steps. The main message conveyed is the dire necessity to implement strong stewardship and good governance of the blue planet in a disrupted climate using cooperative and concrete actions. This analysis highlights the need for a continued transdisciplinary international dialogue on the ocean and climate change which elevates the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus via collaborative science, finance, and policy. Key policy insights Ocean and marine ecosystem impacts of climate change were widely acknowledged, and referenced by ninety-one percent of submissions. After decades of slow integration of ocean into climate policy, the Ocean Dialogue submissions acknowledge that climate policy must address linkages with the ocean and its biodiversity. Concerns include changing ocean impacts, carbon sinks and blue carbon opportunities, and the need for ecosystem resilience, biodiversity management and increased institutional interactions. Continuation of this Dialogue, with strengthened collaboration between States and non-state actors, may give rise to multilateral and multilevel decision-making toward sustainable climate, ocean and biodiversity action.

Tree biomass and carbon stock assessment of subtropical and temperate forests in the Central Himalaya, India

Forests are the world's largest carbon sink and play a vital role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration; thus the assessment of carbon stock in the forests is important for policy prescription and management planning. In view of this, present study is an attempt to assess the biomass and carbon stock of tree species in selected subtropical and temperate forest stands along the vertical elevation gradient (300 m to 2250 m) in the Central Himalaya. Volumetric equations (allometric method) were used for various tree species along with field sampling/ assessment (quadrat method) for biomass and carbon sequestration potentials. The total tree biomass and carbon stock of dominant forest stands varied from 227.23 to 577.16 Mg ha−1 (megagram per hectare), and 107.93 to 274.15 Mg C ha−1 respectively; it was found maximum for Sal (Shorea robusta) dominated forest and minimum for mixed Oak forest (Quercus floribunda, Q. lanuginosa, Q. leucotrichophora etc.). The carbon sequestration was recorded maximum (4.83 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) for Chir-pine stand (Pinus roxburghii) followed by Sal (4.63 Mg C ha−1 yr−1), mixed Oak (4.47 Mg C ha−1 yr−1), and minimum (3.99 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) for temperate Banj-oak forest (Quercus leucotrichophora). The contribution of above and below ground biomass among different forest stands was recorded 82% and 18% respectively. The dominant species contributed maximum biomass and carbon stock (70–82%) in pure Sal, Chir-pine and Banj-oak stand, while the contribution of dominant and co-dominant species in the mixed forest varied depending on forest composition. The results reveal higher carbon stock for subtropical forest as compared to temperate forest; however, it is interesting that there is no significant difference in carbon sequestration among the different forest stands. The study recommended for the assessing biomass and carbon stock of different forests for long-term management of forests and climate change mitigation.

On the Emergence of Sociotechnical Regimes of Electric Urban Water Transit Systems

Urban activities, including urban mobility, play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. Urban mobility is currently at a crossroads. In a business as usual scenario, CO2 emissions from urban transportation will grow by one fourth by 2050. Nevertheless, during this period, it may drop by about one third. To make the drop happen, we need to introduce comprehensive policies and measures. Electrifying urban transit is one feasible solution. This study investigates whether and how urban water transit systems have been electrified—a means of transport which has not been well researched in this respect. A multilevel perspective and the comparative case study method were employed to answer the research questions. The comprehensive study focussed on 24 cities representing the current experience in planning and operating water transport, based mainly on secondary, primarily qualitative, data, such as industry reports, feasibility studies, urban policies, and scientific papers. The primary outcome is that urban electric passenger ferries left their market niches and triggered a radical innovation, diffusing into mainstream markets. However, urban diversity results in various paths to electrification, due to the system’s physical characteristics, local climate and transport policies, manufacturing capacity, green city branding, and the innovativeness of international ferry operators. Three dominant transition pathways were identified—a comprehensive carbon neutral policy, a transport sector policy, and a research and development policy. From a multilevel perspective, cities can be considered a bridge between niches and regimes that provide the actual conditions for implementing sociotechnical configurations.

Biomass, carbon stock and sequestration potential of Oxytenanthera abyssinica forests in Lower Beles River Basin, Northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundGiven the large bamboo resource base with considerable potential to act as an important carbon sink, Ethiopia has included bamboo in the national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and enhancing forest carbon stocks (REDD+) and Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) programs. However, little is known about the carbon stock and sequestration potential of bamboo forests. As a result, this research was conducted to quantify the carbon sequestration and storage capacity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica forests in the Lower Beles River Basin, northwestern Ethiopia. To this end, a total of 54 circular plots, each measuring 100 m2 with a radius of 5.64 m, were established to conduct the inventory in Assitsa and Eddida bamboo forests, the typical bamboo sites in Lower Beles River Basin. Biomass accumulation of bamboo was estimated using an allometric equation based on diameter at breast height (DBH) and age. Soil samples were taken from two different soil depths (0–15 and 15–30 cm) to determine soil organic carbon.ResultsResults indicate that the mean biomass of the bamboo forests in the study area accounted for about 177.1 pm 3.1 Mg ha−1. The mean biomass carbon and soil organic carbon stock of the bamboo forests were 83.2 pm 1.5 Mg C ha−1 and 70 pm 1.7 Mg C ha−1, respectively. Therefore, the mean carbon stock of the O. abyssinica bamboo forests was 152.5 pm 2.5 Mg C ha−1 to 559.8 pm 9.0 ton CO2 ha−1.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of assessing bamboo’s carbon stock and sequestration potential for enhancing its role in climate change mitigation and sustainable resource management. The O. abyssinica bamboo forests of the study area have significant carbon stock and sequestration potential. Therefore, sustainable management of these crucial vegetation resources will enhance their role in providing ecosystem services, including climate change mitigation.

Properties of biochar and its potential role in climate change mitigation and bioenergy generation: a review

Properties of biochar and its potential role in climate change mitigation and bioenergy generation: a review

Reflectance and chlorophyll fluorescence-based retrieval of photosynthetic parameters improves the estimation of subtropical forest productivity

Forest ecosystems play a significant role in climate change mitigation and uptake a larger amount of atmospheric CO2 than other terrestrial ecosystems via photosynthesis process in form of gross primary production (GPP). The photosynthesis or GPP is largely determined by the photosynthetic capacity of vegetation (i.e., maximum rate of carboxylation, Vcmax) in ecosystem models. However, considerable uncertainties of Vcmax estimates may limit our potential to address scientific issues of GPP related to the increasing emission of atmospheric CO2. Recently, solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) signals have been used as a proxy for resolving photosynthesis. In this study, the biochemical and structural parameters were retrieved from hyperspectral reflectance and fluorescence quantum efficiency (FQEs) was retrieved from ground-based SIF. Then, retrieved parameters were incorporated into the Soil Canopy Observation Photosynthesis and Energy (SCOPE) model to explore the potential of ground-based SIF to track Vcmax variability for a subtropical evergreen mixed forest. Then, SIF-derived Vcmax was used to parameterize Boreal Ecosystem Production Simulator (BEPS) model to simulate the GPP. With retrieved vegetative parameters and FQEs, the ground-based SIF was strongly correlated with the model-based SIF simulation at O2-B and O2-A bands, demonstrating that the coefficient of determination (R2) improved from 0.15 (constant values) to 0.60 (retrieved values) for SIFB and from 0.79 to 0.94 for SIFA simulation. Using SIF-derived Vcmax, the R2 value of simulated GPP against eddy covariance-based measurements substantially increased from 0.18 (constant Vcmax) to 0.38 (SIF-derived Vcmax) for dry season and from 0.56 to 0.67 for wet season respectively. The utilization of SIF-derived Vcmax with its corrected temperature response function reduced the relative error in annual GPP simulations by 24.9%. Our results support the significant references toward reducing unbiased SIF simulation and highlighting the potential of ground SIF in deriving Vcmax at the site scale for defining forest management options.

The blame-game: pre-service teachers views on who is responsible and what needs to be done to mitigate climate change

ABSTRACT To mitigate climate change, immediate actions are needed, but who is responsible for taking these actions and what actions will people support? This article examines pre-service teachers’ (N = 230) views on who is responsible for mitigating climate change and what they perceive as the most effective ways to do so. The data consist of essays, analysed through inductive and deductive content analysis. The findings show that although pre-service teachers present a multitude of ways to mitigate climate change, there is a divide in what is seen as the best practice and who is viewed as responsible. Furthermore, most pre-service teachers present a simplistic or biased view about who is responsible for mitigative actions. Only a small proportion of pre-service teachers seem to examine climate change mitigation through a systems thinking approach, where individuals, governments and businesses all play a role in climate change mitigation. Six profiles were formed to describe the different ways how individuals see responsibility in the context of climate change. Furthermore, an educational model, that can help develop systems thinking, was created. The significance of the findings and the model are discussed in relation to holistic climate change education.