Reliance on Fossil Fuels- Global action on fossil fuels conservation Flashcards
What will occur when we run out of fossil fuels and why should we conserve them
If existing practice continues, crude oil may run out by 2050-75. We may face a huge energy crisis globally as the result.
The conservation will ensure that resources will last longer mitigating environment pollution and prolong our window to install renewable energy
What is the effect of the location of fossil fuel reserves and what is the fossil fuel reserves use
COSTS-some locations may be unfeasible presently due to engineering limitations and the cost of these projects
PUBLIC OPPOSITION - Residents in Belcoo protesting against oil fracking in local quarries. Recent Gulf of Mexico oil spill has did little for public perception of the oil industry
PRODUCTION OF PLASTICS AND PHARMACEUTICALS - Crude oil is used in the production of plastics, used in numerous areas of every day life- What could we do without them- Oil is also used in the pharmaceutical industry
What does IPCC stand for
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
What is the IPCC and what do they do.
The IPCC are a mandate to assess scientific information related to climate change and the environmental and economic problems that come with. The IPCC has played a major part in assisting governments to implement new policies and laws towards climate change.
Give two examples of Working Group 1
Thermal expansion of oceans accounts for 75% of sea water level rise. Ocean warming accounts for some 80% of change of Earths energy.
Droughts are more common, especially in the tropics and sub tropics, as well as heatwaves in the same regions- 2003 warmest summer since 1500 estimated 70000 people killed-estimated 13,000 in France
Give 4 examples of Working Group 2
20% of the worlds population live in river basins that are at risk of flooding up to 2080 due to climate change.
With increases of flooding, sewer overflows- water pollution and disease is a public health hazard.
Some nations are being proactive in risk management eg Canada, Oz, Dutch, USA and Germans
Some low lying lands will become inhabitable by 2100. For example there is a chance 50% of Holland will be underwater in the future.
Give some examples of Working group 3
In the future, we are likely to see: Increased malnutrition Increased death- heatwaves, floods, storms, fires and drought Increased risk of water pollution Increased malaria problems in Africa Increased cardio respiratory diseases
What is Carbon trading
It is a concept which has developed from the Kyoto Protocol agreed by some countries at the climate change summit in 1997 in an attempt to curb emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases.
Countries that signed the agreement are assigned maximum carbon emissions levels
What happens if a country emitted more than the assigned limit
The country would be penalised by the application of a lower limit in the following year.
What happens if a country emits lower than it limit
The countries can trade units of emissions to other countries who need them.
Name the four advantages of Carbon Trading and explain them
ENVIRONMENT
A carbon trading system should result in an improvement of environment air quality by reducing carbon emissions because of the costs involved. This should result in less carbon entering the air so reducing the greenhouse effect and potential damage to climate change
CONTROL
Enables government control of the carbon emitted by its industries. Governments can reduce the number of carbon credits available so reducing carbon emissions in its area of control
INCENTIVE
Companies could react to the incentive provided by the ability to sell unused credits on the open market which have been produced by the modernisation of existing equipment and processes, so releasing less harmful emissions into the air. Any unused credits can be put up on the open market
FLEXIBILITY
A carbon trading scheme can allow business to change processes at a speed which suits, small companies can invest in new technology so reducing the need for carbon emissions in a short period of time
Name the disadvantages of carbon trading and explain them
COMPLEXITY OF THE MARKET
A global framework for trading is yet to be formulated. As most of the trading happens in the international markets, it is difficult for some regional business to engage with the system.
Developed countries an maintain existing levels of emissions whereas poorer developing countries may not be able to afford the infrastructure to produce low emission economies.
The market can also be open to fraud and manipulation.
ECONOMY
Some business could be unwilling to get involved in the trade, as they do not want to incur costs that will reduce profit margins.
Companies which already have low emissions levels may be prepared to bear the cost of credits rather than incurring extra costs in reducing their levels of emissions
High emissions with only a minor incentive to reduce emissions, i.e. the cost of trading
SIZE OF CREDITS
The system is that the credit limits available in a country may be too high to produce a significant decrease in harmful emissions.
MEASURING EMISSIONS
The measurement of carbon emissions is very difficult and potential unreliable with large errors of margin in valves obtained
