Human Activities, Technology and Global Warming

Come to think of it, no human activity is devoid of creating greenhouse gas emissions.
From the seminar I attended in January,this much I learned:

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon chlorofluoroethane (from aerosols) methane and nitrous gases. These gases are trapped in the upper earth atmosphere and act a blanket resulting in a warmer Earth. This in turn leads to climate changes with the polar ices melting, leading to a rise in sea levels, flooding, shifts in weather and seasonal patterns, depletion and contamination of freshwater resources, creation of new deserts, crop failures, habitat destruction causing extinction of certain animal species, and so on.

Aerosol gases react with the ozone in the stratosphere, depleting it. This sets a chain reaction much like the free radicals that attacks your cells, causing irreparable damage.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the pace of destruction of the Earth by mankind has not stopped.

All human activities evolve around the carbon cycle:

• The burning of fossil fuels by the transport and manufacturing sectors releases the energy trapped in it together with carbon dioxide.
• Agricultural activities such as growing of rice, wheat, maize and grains contribute to methane emissions
• Humans and animals release carbon dioxide as part of the respiration process.Grazing animals also contribute to methane emissions

Trees are created as saviours because they act as carbon sinks by assimilating the carbon dioxide. Thus cutting down trees and deforestation are not encouraged as they reduce the assimilation of carbon dioxide. Hence, for every tree that is cut, you have to replace with another tree.

The Kyoto Protocol (KP) sets among others, the following target:

5.2% reduction of 1990 emission by 2008 - 2012.
A scheme of tradeable Discharge Permits to minimize cost of compliance through the Clean Development Mechanism or Trade of Carbon Credits.

Malaysia ratified the KP in 2005. EU and 38 developing nations are also bound by the KP. The US contends that the KP is unfair and ineffective as 80% of the world population (China and India) are exempted. (Talk about being the leader!). US suggested improved technology as a means of combating climate change.

Every country is looking forward to the date in Copenhagen in December, 2009 when they have to present their environmental progress status report in relation to the Kyoto Protocol. New carbon targets will be set. For countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia, Japan and Western Europe, that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol or fail to commit to the agreement, it is about time they do so. For anything to work, cooperation is vital. It does not pay to point your fingers to other countries when you are not doing the same as what you want others to do.

How Technology can be employed to reduce global gas emissions:

High mitigation costs to reduce global emissions and create green sustainable technology may be offset by benefits to better health.

Key mitigation technologies to be employed according to the sector concerned.

• The energy sector should improve its supply and distribution efficiency, use renewable energy sources, capture and store carbon dioxide, and generate energy from biomass.
• The transport sector should encourage hybrid vehicles and the use of biofuels
• The building sector must use be efficient in lighting, use energy saving appliances, evolve green and intelligent buildings and employ integrated design of commercial buildings.
• The industry sector must employ electrical equipment more efficiently and reduce the burning of fossil fuel by using biofuels.
• The forestry sector must reduce deforestation and adopt reforestation. Replanting of fast growing species is encouraged. Timber and paper should come from replanted trees.
• The agricultural sector must improve crop and grazing land management to include soil carbon storage. This would include organic waste composting and controlled waste water treatment. Wastes can be minimized by the use of biocovers and biofilters.

Other strategies to address global warming will be posted at a later date.