A Plan to Keep Carbon in Check
Robert H. Socolow and Stephen W. Pacala
- Signs of global warming are retreating glaciers, stronger hurricanes, hotter summers, thinner polar bears
- The current concentration of CO2 is double of the concentration in the 18th century, before the Industrial Revolution
- Today, the world’s coal, oil and natural gas industries dig up and pump out about seven billion tons of carbon a year, and society burns nearly all of it, releasing CO2
- As societies get richer, the services sector (education, health, leisure, banking and so on) grows in importance relative to energy-intensive activities
- People have become clever and found ways to substitute energy. Hundreds of power plants are replaced because the world have created efficient refrigerators, air conditioners and motors. Hundreds of oil and gas fields have been developed more slowly because aircraft engines consume less fuel and the windows in gas-heated homes leak less heat.
- The current pace of emissions growth already includes some steady reduction in carbon intensity
- Ending the era of conventional coal- fired power plants is at the very top of the decarbonization agenda.
- Coal has become more competitive as a source of power and fuel because of energy security concerns and because of an increase in the cost of oil and gas. That is a problem because a coal power plant burns twice as much carbon per unit of electricity as a natural gas plant.
- Residential and commercial buildings account for 60 percent of global electricity demand today (70 percent in the U.S.) and will consume most of the new power
- Another wedge would be achieved if industry finds additional ways to use electricity more efficiently.
- Renewable power can be produced from sunlight directly, either to energize photovoltaic cells or, using focusing mirrors, to heat a fluid and drive a turbine. Or the route can be indirect, harnessing hydropower and wind power, both of which rely on sun-driven weather patterns.
- Humanity will have learned to address its collective destiny and to share the planet.
Today, the world's coal, oil and natural gas industries dig up and pump out around seven billion tons of carbon a year. Society burns nearly all of it, releasing carbon dioxide and causing global climate change. Retreating glaciers, stronger hurricanes, hotter summers, and thinner polar bears are some of the effects of global climate change. A way to keep carbon in check is to stop using coal-fired power plants because coal has become more competitive as a source of power and fuel because of energy security concerns; and also because of an increase in the cost of oil and gas. This is not good, since a coal power plant burns twice as much carbon per unit of electricity as a natural gas plant. Coal plants can still be used but they should be the carbon-smart ones that can help capture the CO2 and pump it into the ground. Then the captured CO2 can be sold to an oil company that injects it into oil fields to squeeze out more oil. Natural gas power plants can capture and store carbon dioxide too, and as well as renewable and nuclear energy. Cutting buildings’ electricity use in half by equipping them with super-efficient lighting and appliances would also help. In addition, people can take fewer trips and when they do, they should travel in fuel-efficient vehicles running on low-carbon fuel. Some other ways "decarbonize" include eliminating deforestation, reducing emissions of methane, farmers practicing no-till agriculture rather than conventional plowing, and lower birth rates. We must use renewable energy, like solar power or wind power. This way, we won't destroy our environment with the excessive burning of coal.
Educating people about the effects of large carbon emissions will help with creating a better world. Coal, oil and natural gas are often used for energy but it releases a lot of carbon dioxide into the air. Some people might not know this and will not help in lessening emissions. If everyone knows the effects of their high energy demand, society can save the environment on time. Using renewable energy such as solar power or wind power is great because it is a never ending source and it releases significantly less CO2. Natural gas is also great but we can exploit it just like how we are exploiting many other resources. In addition, the process of getting natural gas is even worse. Making solar panels and wind turbines releases CO2 but in the long run, it is much better. Even if there are many solutions, we can only save our environment if everyone takes action, especially politicians and big industries.
Educating people about the effects of large carbon emissions will help with creating a better world. Coal, oil and natural gas are often used for energy but it releases a lot of carbon dioxide into the air. Some people might not know this and will not help in lessening emissions. If everyone knows the effects of their high energy demand, society can save the environment on time. Using renewable energy such as solar power or wind power is great because it is a never ending source and it releases significantly less CO2. Natural gas is also great but we can exploit it just like how we are exploiting many other resources. In addition, the process of getting natural gas is even worse. Making solar panels and wind turbines releases CO2 but in the long run, it is much better. Even if there are many solutions, we can only save our environment if everyone takes action, especially politicians and big industries.