Solutions to Global Warming

World Population Growth

Growing Energy Demands

World Energy Demand increased by 87% between 1971 and 2002 projected to increase by 60% between 2002 and 2030

U.S.

186.1

European Union

127.8 Russia

68.4 Ukraine

21.7 Poland

14.4

China

57.6 Japan

31.2

Australia

7.6

India

15.5

Kazakhstan

10.1

South Africa

8.5

Canada

14.9

Mexico

7.8 Trinidad and

Tobago

United

Arab

Emirat

es

Kuwait

Total CO2 emissions

Between 1950-2001 in billions of tons

TIME magazine, 2001

US: 4% of world’s total population

25% of the world’s greenhouse gases

China:25% of the world’s population

8.5% of the world’s greenhouse gases (since 1950)

China Now Biggest Emitter of CO2

Who supplies our energy?

The only long term way of preventing the buildup of CO2 in the

atmosphere, is to invest in the development and use of alternative

energy, as well as reforestation.

*Removal of Greenhouse Gases:

- Reduce Deforestation, Increase Biomass

- Alternative Energy Sources

LONG TERM SOLUTION

Wind power has been too expensive until recently. However, Germany

and Denmark are developing new technologies to cheaply harness wind’s

energy.

Solar Power is also fairly expensive today, but the efficiency of solar cells

is increasing while the costs are decreasing, and solar energy may be a

partial solution in some parts of the world.

Hydroelectric power is the cleanest

and least expensive source of

alternative energy, although it is

not available and not possible to

generate in all parts of the world.

Nuclear Power is a very clean source

of energy, and is used in many places

around the globe. The only problem

with Nuclear Power is what to do with

the radioactive waste (problem).

Other options:

Biomass, ocean thermal energy conversion, geothermal energy, tidal

energy and wave energy.

Fuel cells and Hybrid cars generate electricity by hydrogen molecules

reacting with Oxygen to produce electrons and water using fuel such as

ethanol. The electrons provide current for the car and emit water vapor.

These cars would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero.

Slowing the buildup of greenhouse gases may give us time to find solutions.

*Reduction of Greenhouse Gases:

- Use Natural Gas

- Energy Efficiency

Efficiency

Natural Gas

SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS

18%

1%

8%

14%

59%

World Greenhouse Gas Emissions

CH4

N2O F Gas

CO2

From Combustion

CO2

From LUCF

64%

0%

11%

20% 5%

Mainstreaming CCRM into UNDP Core Activities- RBA RR Cluster Meeting

Greenhouse gas emissions in Sub-Sahara countries

CH4

N2O

F Gas

CO2

CO2

From LUCF

Source: IPCC AR4, Synthesis Report (shares are for 2004)

How Human Activities Generate CO2 Emissions

The blue rectangles are intervention points for mitigation

• Reduce demand for energy-intensive goods & services

• Improve the efficiency of energy use (at all stages)

• Expand use of low- and zero-carbon energy sources

• Capture and sequester CO2 directly from ambient air

Ways to Reduce CO2 Emissions

All of these options are currently available

(to varying degrees)

Mitigation Strategy #1: Transportation Efficiency

A car that gets 30 mpg releases 1 ton of carbon into the air for every 10,000 miles of driving

Fuel efficient cars get more miles per gallon (mpg) Increasing the fuel efficiency of cars will reduce the amount

of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere

Mitigation Strategy #2: Transport Conservation

With more cars on the road, the amount of CO2 emitted steadily increases.

Reducing the time and number of cars on the road will reduce emissions.

Increasing the use of public transportation would reduce the amount of individual driving time.

Mitigation Strategy #3: Building Efficiency

Providing electricity, transportation, and heat for buildings produces high levels of CO2 emission.

Reducing heating and energy use would reduce the amount

of carbon released into the atmosphere. Insulating buildings, using alternative energy sources, and

solar water heating are ways to reduce emissions.

Mitigation Strategy #4: Efficient Electricity Production

25% of the world’s carbon emissions come from the production of electricity at coal plants.

Since nearly 50% of electricity comes from coal combustion,

improving coal plant efficiency will significantly reduce carbon emission.

To do this requires alternative ways of using coal to produce

electricity.

IPCC

Changes in lifestyle and behaviour patterns

can contribute to climate change mitigation

• Changes in occupant behaviour, cultural patterns and consumer choice in buildings.

• Behaviour of staff in industrial organizations in light of reward systems

• Reduction of car usage and efficient driving style, in relation to urban planning and availability of public transport

A

“Climate Geoengineering”

“Options that would involve large-scale

engineering of our environment in order to

combat or counteract the effects of changes

in the Earth’s climate.”

If all else fails….

CO2 Management

Solar Radiation Management

BioChar: Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated

temperatures in the absence of oxygen

Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Ocean Fertilisation

Cloud seeding of low oceanic clouds

More cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) result in smaller drops, which results in higher albedo, and whiter clouds, that cools the surface.

Ship Tracks

Sulfur Injection into Stratosphere

(Surface temperature difference from present day during June, July and August with the 2×CO2 simulation and the geoengineering simulation using 2 Tg S/ yr emission (which is not

sufficient to entirely balance the greenhouse warming).

The Space Option

Homework

Boyd, P.W., 2008: Ranking geo-engineering schemes, Nature Geoscience, 1, 722- 724,.

Topics covered in the course:

1. IPCC report – Global Warming

2. Past Climates on Earth (Paleoclimate)

3. The Sun and the Solar Cycle

4. Energy Balance and the Earth’s temperature

5. Water Vapor

6. Clouds

7. Winds and Circulation Patterns

8. Oceans

9. El Nino

10.Ice and the Cryosphere

11.Vegetation and the Biosphere

12.Volcanoes and climate

13.Future Predictions (Models)

14.Possible Solutions to the problem