Striving towards a Sustainable Future
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Climate Change poses one of the greatest threats to our planet as well as the future of our civilisation. Avoiding the worst impact of climate change and global warming requires fundamental shifts in the way we consume and generate energy. These challenges require practical solutions in order to offer a workable future for our succeeding generations and the diverse forms of life that co-inhabit our planet. Are we ready to make these changes? If so, promising new technologies offer realistic solutions in reducing our impact on climate change whilst boosting local economies and giving hope to future energy security.
This page provides a brief overview of the impact an affordable biofuel will hold in the sustainability of our planet.
Climate change
The world's climate is changing. Over the past century the earth's surface has warmed by around 0.9°C. Although the factors influencing this change are extremely complicated, there is undeniable evidence that cannot be avoided: Greenhouse gasses released as a result of human activity are warming the planet. By the end of the 21st century it is believed global temperatures will have risen by between 1-6°C. This increase in temperature will have catastrophic effects on our planet's ecosystems, ice caps and food availability as well as causing more frequent weather extremes such as heat waves and flooding.
To learn more about climate change, its effects on the planet and the driving forces behind global waming, click on the picture above to follow a link to the US Enviromental Agency's webpage.
Why Renewables?
Rapid modernisation and industrialisation in a fast growing population have contributed significantly to increased levels of greenhouse gases within the atmosphere. The accumulation of these gases causes a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect, which is responsible for the warming of our planet.
As shown in the figure opposite, carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from the burning of fossil fuels is a major greenhouse gas accounting for 57% of emission from human activities. As global carbon emissions continue to rise at an alarming rate, there is as stronger pressure as ever to decrease overall carbon outputs.
The burning of fossil fuels in the generation of energy produces around 10.65 billion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Fuel usage from heating the home to running the car accounts for around 70% of the worldwide energy consumption.
Replacing fossil fuels with oils that share the same practical qualities (ie. are rich in energy and can be transported easily) but have a low net carbon output, would have significant impact on reducing the acceleration of atmospheric CO2 and therefore global warming.
To learn why biofuels are a cleaner and renewable energy source than fossil fuels, please follow the link:
Greenhouse emissions by gas based on data from the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007
Reducing greenhouse emissions from fossil fuels
Reducing the dependency on fossil fuels
Rapidly accelerating population rates combined with higher standards of living have led to enormous pressures on current fuel sources. The problem is fossil fuels are in limited supply. With the world's population set to reach 9 billion people by 2050, it is believed that fossil fuel sources will be depleted earlier than previously expected.
Renewable alternatives provide solutions to global concerns over energy security and reduce dependence on unstable foreign sources. Not only will they provide huge environmental benefits but they could have significant socio-economic benefits, encouraging further economic development in both developed countries and in the developing world.
Photo courtest of Ecowatch
Legislations:
Political action influences laws and regulations that relate to climate change. Global action against climate change falls under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This legally binding agreement commits its parties to setting specific reduction targets.
The UK is committed to mitigating climate change through international action and a goal of cutting emissions by at least 80% by 2050 (including at least 15% energy from renewable sources by 2015).
As countries strive to meet these aims, governments will favour and encourage the development of clean technology. This has already been seen in the US, where the government has been working collaboratively with the industry to provide algal biofuels for military usage.
For a comprehensive review of the objections and actions of the UNFCCC as set out in the Kyoto Protocol, follow the link by clicking on this image.
The Bottom Line: biofuels must be economically feasible
A sustainable and renewable biofuel will no doubt bring enormous benefits to human beings and the environment. However to be implemented on a large scale there is one important obstacle to be overcome:
Biofuels must be competitive in price with oil from fossil fuels.
If the industry is able to achieve this, biofuels will become widely used in our society and the use of fossil fuels will be significantly reduced. Our civilisation will, for the first time, have made a positive step towards a sustainable future.
Photo courtesy of Wireless Peninsula