Concerns on global warming have rapidly increased in recent times, so I thought to pen down some of the issues, developments and my thoughts regarding it.
Key findings in UN Climate Panel Report suggest that the rise in global temperatures is due to increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is being indicated by more than subtle changes in the environment. Various fingerprints of Global Warming have been well observed:
a.) Warmer Weather than usual
b.) Ice Melt across the globe.
c.) Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding.
The website below tracks the record breaking decrease in the Arctic Ice Cap in 2007:-
Also it is known that 25 countries contribute to 80% of the global green house gas emissions. At present the amount of CO2 emissions due to burning fuels and forests are twice as fast as can be absorbed by the plants and oceans (Ref 2).
CO2 is seen as a serious contributor to the green house effect. In the U.S., CO2 eq. emissions have increased by 14.7% since 1990 through 2006. Figure 1 shows contribution of the green house gases in the US in which CO2 contributes to most of the sum. Major CO2 emitters in the U.S. are:
1.) Electricity Generation Sector: Coal being the main contributor to CO2 emissions.
2.) Transportation Sector.
3.) Industrial Sector.
In both the above sectors a constant rise in CO2 emissions is reported ever since 1990. The U.S. Electricity generation sector sees a constant rise due to increase in the demand for electricity since 1980's and the same goes with transportation sector. Over 60% of the transportation emissions resulted from gasoline consumption. Industries contributed to 28% of CO2 emissions both by direct and in-direct combustion.
Around the globe, efforts are being taken to fight climate change. Introduction of Kyoto Protocol in 1992 is a good indication of this global effort. It is a binding treaty between the developed countries and commitment of developing countries to reduce their carbon foot print. I think that steps like these will help a great deal. A glimpse of the results is shown below in the table and it reflects a start for the action:
Also in the US, 5 states in the West and 10 in the Northeast have joined hands to fight in reducing their share of 22% emissions. The west has a good potential to harness the abundant wind energy as an alternative. Moreover, companies like British Telecom have reduced their carbon footprint by 58% since 1996. Imagine if all the companies work on same path forward...
Even though the world is making efforts limit emissions however it's not enough. We would have to change the way we think and work for a better world tomorrow. Dr. Sterman's, an MIT Sloan Professor demonstrates an interactive simulation to show how imminent the threat to climate is, even if we decrease the emissions dramatically today (Ref.4). New technologies have to be developed, ideas have to be brought to work, and today's practices have to be reinvented. So as to keep the CO2 ppm levels in between 350 to 450ppm we will have to start today. Not only new technologies like CO2 sequestration would play a key role to fight it, however, I think the most effective way to approach this problem is to increase public participation and change our organizational strategies & behaviors.
The time to act is now. Together we stand and fight to save our planet and make it more hospitable. Not only technical leads but more common man involvement is required to make a difference.
1.) Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and sinks: 1990 - 2006.
3.) UNFCCC table
5.) NASA website on climate change