Securing Energy for the Future in the Wake of a Drastic Climate Change
Earth has been through extremely cold and hot periods over roughly 100,000-year cycles in the past and these natural climate changes occurred due to solar variations, volcanic eruptions, ocean currents and the Earth’s orbital changes. Major climate changes are disruptive in nature and have caused extinction of species, population migrations and distinct changes in land mass and ocean circulation. Given Earth’s history and if climate change has been a norm, why is it a concern now?
The rapid increase in the Global Average Temperature (annual average temperature around the world) from the onset of the industrial revolution is a major cause for concern right now. This has enhanced global warming and as a result, surface temperatures are rising and polar ice caps are melting causing sea levels to rise. Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches since reliable record keeping began in 1880. At this rate, it is estimated to rise another 1 to 8 feet by 2100. The rise in sea level will in turn inundate coastal areas and threaten the survival of humans as it is. Other apparent effects of soaring temperatures are an increase in the occurrence of heat waves and intensity of precipitation on a global scale. It is evident that even the smallest change in global temperatures can lead to drastic effects in the environment.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the severity of climate change effects on individual regions will vary over time and with the ability of various societal and environmental systems to mitigate or adapt to change. Increases in global mean temperature of less than 1.8 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 3 degrees Celsius) above 1990 levels, will have favourable effects in certain regions and detrimental effects in others. As global temperatures rise, net annual costs will rise as well.
How are humans accelerating climate change?
Humans contribute heavily to the increase in the concentration levels of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. GHGs are essential to keep Earth’s temperature optimal for human life, but the excessive heating taking place lately is causing a rapid climate change. Activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture and production of cement are significant sources of increased GHG concentrations. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere are higher today than they have been in at least 800,000 years. Between the 20th and 21st centuries, CO2 levels have increased by 40% indicating a major role played by the industrial revolution.
About 65% of the CO2 emissions resulting from human activities can be attributed to burning fossil fuels and natural gas to power industries, transportation, home heating, electricity generation, and cooking. While shutting down industries is not feasible in order to reduce GHG emissions, the best way to do so is by finding alternate sources of energy.
Sustainable Energy — a fix for climate change?
Sustainable energy is a type of energy that fits our current energy demands without being exhausted or depleted, and may be used repeatedly. Sustainable energy should be widely promoted because it does not harm the environment and is generally available at no cost. The cost of producing wind and solar energy has dropped dramatically in recent years, and renewables are on track to outperform fossil fuels in the future. Some other reasons to adopt sustainable sources of energy are:
- Increasing competition with fossil fuels — In many countries, the primary renewable technologies, including wind and solar photovoltaic, are already lowering costs and thus are fully competitive with conventional sources. Renewable energies are the most environment friendly and economical resources to counter climate change.
- A politically favourable future — The world community has recognised its responsibility to promote the transition to a low-carbon economy in order to ensure the planet’s long-term viability. The international agreement in favour of economic de-carbonization provides a particularly favourable environment for the advancement of renewable energy technologies.
- Creation of jobs — Rather than expensive energy imports, the majority of renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities. Renewable energy investments are typically made across the continent, in the same country, and in the same town. This means that the money residents spend on their energy bills stays in the community to support local businesses and create jobs.
Sustainable energy sources are basically renewable energy that has been derived from earth’s natural resources and are inexhaustible, such as wind and sunlight. Some sources include:
- Solar — Solar energy is produced by capturing sunlight’s radiant energy and converting it to directly usable forms of energy such as heat and electricity. Solar energy is harvested using photovoltaic (PV) systems that use solar cells. It has the potential to eliminate energy expenditures in the long run.
- Wind — Wind farms use turbines to catch the energy of the wind and convert it to electricity. Wind energy conversion systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Single-wind turbines are used to enhance pre-existing energy organisations, whereas commercial-grade wind-powered producing systems can power a variety of organisations.
- Hydroelectric — Dams are an efficient way to generate hydroelectric power. Known as pumped-storage hydropower, water flows through the dam’s turbines to generate electricity. Hydroelectric power can be created in a variety of ways, including large-scale projects as well as small-scale projects such as underwater turbines and lower dams on small rivers and streams.
- Geothermal — Heat trapped beneath the earth’s crust as a result of Earth’s creation 4.5 billion years ago and radioactive decay is termed Geothermal heat. Huge quantities of this heat escape during volcanic eruptions and from geysers, which may be collected and converted into geothermal energy.
- Ocean — Ocean thermal energy is generated from warm sea surface temperatures, while ocean mechanical energy is generated from the ebbs and flows of the tides, which are generated by the earth’s rotation and gravity from the moon. Unlike other kinds of renewable energy, wave energy is predictable, and the quantity of energy generated is easier to estimate.
- Hydrogen — Hydrogen is a clean fuel that can store and provide usable energy, but it is rarely found in nature by itself. It can be produced from its compounds and used to power fuel cells. Better known as green hydrogen, it has the potential to replace natural gas.
- Biomass — Bioenergy is a renewable source of energy produced from biomass. Organic matter derived from plants and creatures that have ceased to live is called biomass. Most individuals are acquainted with using wood in their fireplace. While bioenergy production does release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, plant regeneration consumes the same amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in a balanced environment.
Shift to energy of the future
Research suggests that switching to a fully sustainable global energy landscape within the next 30 years, will only be feasible provided that policymakers, businesses and other organizations work together. Stanford University put together 56 journal articles that researched the possibilities of using nearly 100% sustainable energy to meet demands for power, transportation, building heating and cooling, and industry in most parts of the world.
A Finnish study underlined the role of battery and water storage in the transition to a sustainable energy landscape, as it will help to overcome the intermittent nature of solar and wind resources and deliver electricity when there is no wind or sunshine.
Besides being a step towards net-zero emissions, rapid development of renewable capacity is the road to a greater social return on investment than business as usual, and it should be at the heart of every government’s recovery plan. Renewable energy installation is merely one part of the resilience puzzle. To construct truly sustainable energy systems, grid infrastructure, energy efficiency, and system flexibility must all be implemented simultaneously, and each of these elements will generate an economic, social, and environmental return on investment in its own right.
Outlining roadmaps and setting goals is an essential first step toward net-zero emissions, but we won’t see change unless these pledges are turned into direct benefit for societies. Sustainable energy systems are an excellent catalyst for achieving this objective; by hastening the shift of the global energy system from technology to infrastructure, the groundwork for more resilient communities can be built.
Why is COP26 a big deal?
The Conference of Parties (COP) is the apex decision-making body of the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC was formed in 1994 to stabilize the greenhouse gas emissions and to protect the earth from the threat of climate change. COP members have been meeting every year since the year 1995. With 197 parties (196 States and 1 regional economic integration organization) ratified to date, the 26th instalment of the meeting, termed COP26 is scheduled to be held in November 2021.
Since 1994, two global treaties have been agreed and brought into force. The Kyoto Protocol, which was signed in 1997 and ran from 2005 to 2020, was a landmark agreement. It was the first worldwide agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it had limitations, because certain countries, like the USA (that had not ratified it under domestic law), refused to back it. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 and currently in force, contains provisions aimed at binding the world to keep global average temperature increases well below 2°C compared to pre-industrial times, with a goal of 1.5°C — the critical level for avoiding the worst climate change impacts on the world’s most vulnerable nations, people, and species.
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October — 12 November 2021. COP26 aims to achieve the following:
- Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach — Countries are being urged to submit objectives for reducing emissions by 2030 that are both ambitious and achievable (NDCs) that are in line with achieving net zero by the middle of the century The world has to speed up the phaseout of coal, boost renewable energy investment, and expedite the transition to electric cars.
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats — The climate is already changing and will continue to change even as emissions are reduced. To minimize the loss of homes, livelihoods, and lives, the world must work together to conserve and restore ecosystems, as well as to make infrastructure and agriculture more resilient.
- Mobilise finance — In order to realise the first two goals, developed countries must deliver on their promise to raise at least $100bn in climate finance every year. International financial institutions must play their part and the world needs to work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.
- Work together to deliver — A drastic climate change can be averted only if the whole world works as a unit. COP26 is intended at finalising the Paris Rulebook (the rules needed to implement the Paris Agreement), and turning ambitions into action by accelerating collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society to reach climate goals faster.
Climate neutral infrastructure monitoring
Rising climate concerns and the shift to sustainable sources of energy highlight the importance of infrastructure monitoring and maintenance for safe storage and effective supply. SuperVision specialises in regular and effective infrastructure monitoring. Keeping in line with the aims of the COP26, the SuperVision Space (SVS) app uses earth observation and remote sensing technology to monitor threats along pipeline routes and transmission lines which results in the creation of resilient infrastructure networks. SuperVision’s solution is committed to a zero emissions way of monitoring and can quickly detect GHGs such as methane and other hydrocarbons that often come from industrial leaks or oil and gas fields. Thus, SuperVision’s AI-based innovation provides reliable climate neutral monitoring, keeping in line with various international environmental treaties, such as the Paris Agreement.
References:
https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/climate-change-evidence-causes/question-6/
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate-change/causes-of-climate-change
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/sustainableenergy.php
https://justenergy.com/blog/7-types-renewable-energy-future-of-energy/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/renewable-energy-future-carbon-emissions/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/05/sustainable-energy-resilience-race-net-zero/
https://eciu.net/analysis/briefings/international-perspectives/what-is-a-cop
