Energy and climate
‘If
we do not switch to green energy, then our whole future as a human race
is in jeopardy, or even more simply, we are doomed.’
Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 2004
There
is
overwhelming evidence that human
activity is changing the world’s climate by increasing the
level
of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. By the end of the century the
global climate could warm by 7-10ºC, making the Earth hotter
than
it has been for 10 million years.
The implications are potentially disastrous. A global temperature rise of even 2 or 3 degrees could disrupt food and water supplies and dramatically increase the incidence of storms, droughts and floods.
The main cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels for transport and energy generation, particularly in high-income countries. The G8 countries represent just 13% of the world's population but account for 45% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation and land clearance are contributing to the problem.
Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced up to 80% over this century to avoid catastrophic change. This presents an enormous challenge, since most of the world’s transport fuel and electricity is currently derived from fossil fuels. We need to develop renewable energy sources such as wind power – but that is only part of the solution. We also need to use energy far more efficiently, fly less, drive less, conserve forests, eat locally produced food and reduce our consumption of things we don’t really need.
See also Biodiversity,
Pollution
and waste, Sustainability.The implications are potentially disastrous. A global temperature rise of even 2 or 3 degrees could disrupt food and water supplies and dramatically increase the incidence of storms, droughts and floods.
The main cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels for transport and energy generation, particularly in high-income countries. The G8 countries represent just 13% of the world's population but account for 45% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Deforestation and land clearance are contributing to the problem.
Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced up to 80% over this century to avoid catastrophic change. This presents an enormous challenge, since most of the world’s transport fuel and electricity is currently derived from fossil fuels. We need to develop renewable energy sources such as wind power – but that is only part of the solution. We also need to use energy far more efficiently, fly less, drive less, conserve forests, eat locally produced food and reduce our consumption of things we don’t really need.