Scientific concern for Climate Change dates back to 1895.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states in its Fourth Assessment Report that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to human industrial activity.
The government sources such as http://www.epa.gov/ report that “Since the Industrial Revolution (around 1750), human activities have substantially added to the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels and biomass (living matter such as vegetation) has also resulted in emissions of aerosols that absorb and emit heat, and reflect light.”
Innovation, collaboration and conservation can serve as the cornerstones to developing future energy solutions that will ultimately affect climate change. To encourage accelerated development, we should consider the roles each of us can play. Everyone has a contribution to make - from governments, to businesses, to educators, to environmentalists, to individual citizens. What role can each of these play in developing and employing alternative energy solutions? How can we work together to bring these renewables to our everyday lives?
There is a lot of enthusiasm and curiosity around climate change and the various forms of renewable energy discussed by media and politicians in recent years. Some of these energy sources are already in operation, others are experiencing rapid development and refinement, while still others are merely ideas.
Below is the overview of progress on some key renewable and alternative energy sources
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states in its Fourth Assessment Report that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to human industrial activity.
The government sources such as http://www.epa.gov/ report that “Since the Industrial Revolution (around 1750), human activities have substantially added to the amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels and biomass (living matter such as vegetation) has also resulted in emissions of aerosols that absorb and emit heat, and reflect light.”
Innovation, collaboration and conservation can serve as the cornerstones to developing future energy solutions that will ultimately affect climate change. To encourage accelerated development, we should consider the roles each of us can play. Everyone has a contribution to make - from governments, to businesses, to educators, to environmentalists, to individual citizens. What role can each of these play in developing and employing alternative energy solutions? How can we work together to bring these renewables to our everyday lives?
There is a lot of enthusiasm and curiosity around climate change and the various forms of renewable energy discussed by media and politicians in recent years. Some of these energy sources are already in operation, others are experiencing rapid development and refinement, while still others are merely ideas.
Below is the overview of progress on some key renewable and alternative energy sources
Scientists are finding that due to increased levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide (GHGs) emissions, warming of the climate system is unequivocal. At the same time, a full understanding of climate change and its long term impacts is still emerging. Scientists, however, now believe that it is "very likely" that human activities, including the combustion of fossil fuels for power generation, transportation and manufacturing, have resulted in significantly increased concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.
GHGs are a function of many activities, from manufacturing and agriculture, to how we power our homes and how much we drive. Fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas — release GHG emissions during production and consumption. The bulk of global GHGs (64%) are a result of energy consumption. Of this portion, GHG emissions that come from power generation account for 41%; transportation accounts for 23%; manufacturing and other industrial processes account for 24%, and residential and commercial buildings contribute 12%. All of these can cause environmental and climate changes.
Energy conservation and efficiency are seen by many as the most immediate and cost-effective ways for energy users, including the private sector and individual consumers, to reduce their carbon emissions impacts. Governments, businesses and representatives of civil society are working together to find solutions that reduce GHGs without undermining the growth of the global economy.
So I ask myself, how these climate changes affect you and me on our day to day activities. And, more importantly, how can our day to day activities affect climate change.
If you are interested in learning exactly how you can make a difference, generate your own power and save some green in the process then there are countless resources available for you! Climate change is not unavoidable! You don't have to live without electricity, running water or walk everywhere to achieve this. There are ways to reduce your energy prices without heading to the hills and living without power or indoor plumbing. There are numerouse things you can do to help the environment and save energy from changing the way you drive to installing energy efficient light bulbs to converting you home completely to solar and wind power.
