Water & Carbon - mitigating climate change Flashcards
What is the climate budget?
A concept used in climate policy to help set emissions reduction targets in a fair and effective way. It refers to the maximum amount of cumulative net global anthropogenic (human-caused) CO2 emissions that can be emitted to limit global warming to a specific temperature threshold.
What is renewable energy?
Energy derived from natural sources that are replenished on a human timescale, e.g. solar, wind, hydro, geothermal.
In 2023, 29% of global electricity generation was from renewable sources, with wind and solar being the fastest-growing.
What are the advantages of renewable energy?
- Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
- Provides a sustainable and inexhaustible energy source
- Creates jobs and stimulates economic growth in the renewable sector.
What are the disadvantages of renewable energy?
- High initial investment and infrastructure costs.
- Intermittent energy supply (e.g., solar and wind) requires storage solutions
- Geographic limitations may affect the feasibility of certain renewable sources.
What are climate change conferences?
International meetings where countries discuss and negotiate actions to address climate change, e.g. UN Conference of the Parties (COP).
What are some examples of climate change conferences?
Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, ideally 1.5°C – signed by 195 countries.
What are the advantages of climate change conferences?
International cooperation and commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sharing of knowledge, technology, and best practices.
What are the disadvantages of climate change conferences?
Can be influenced by political and economic interests, leading to compromises; and implementation of commitments can be slow and inconsistent as some agreements lack binding enforcement mechanisms.
What is afforestation?
Planting trees to increase forest coverage
What is an example of afforestation?
The Great Green Wall in Africa
What are the advantages of afforestation?
- Increases carbon sequestration by absorbing CO2 through photosynthesis
- Enhances biodiversity by providing habitats for wildlife
- Prevents soil erosion and improves water retention.
What are the disadvantages of afforestation?
- Can lead to loss of agricultural land and affect food production
- Poorly managed projects may reduce biodiversity and introduce invasive species
- Requires long-term maintenance and monitoring.
What is direct air carbon capture?
Technology that removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere using chemical processes. Captured CO2 can be stored underground or used in various products.
What is an example of direct air carbon capture?
Clime works’ Orca plant in Iceland, which captures 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and stores it underground
What are the advantages of direct air carbon capture?
- Removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gas concentrations
- Can be deployed in various locations, not limited to emission sources
- Potential to produce valuable by-products, such as synthetic fuels.
What is industrial and energy carbon capture?
Technologies that capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes and power plants before they are released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can be stored underground or used in various products
What is an example of industrial and energy carbon capture?
The Petra Nova project in Texas, USA, which captures 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually from a coal-fired power plant.
What are the advantages of industrial and energy carbon capture?
What are the advantages of industrial and energy carbon capture?
What are some disadvantages for both direct air carbon capture and industrial and energy carbon capture?
- High energy and financial costs for operation and maintenance
- Requires significant infrastructure and technological development
- Potential environmental impacts from storage and disposal of captured CO2.
