The 1980s was the decade of sustainable development while the 1990s
was the decade of biodiversity. This decade and probably (at least)
the next two or three to come will be a time when the impacts of
global climate change will have to be addressed. In fact, climate
change has been identified by scientists world-wide as one of
today’s most serious threats facing the Earth and everything that
lives on it.
What We Have Done
Over the last two centuries, human activities have been vastly
altering the Earth’s climate. We have been releasing gases that
capture heat and in turn, warm the atmosphere. The concentration of
carbon dioxide and other so-called “greenhouse gases” in the
atmosphere has increased tremendously over the last two hundred
years. Their levels are at the highest they have ever been in 20
million years. How did so much of these gases, and particularly
carbon dioxide, get into the atmosphere so quickly? The two main
causes are the burning of fossil fuels (for example, coal, petroleum
products, and natural gas) and deforestation.
While the Earth has always had periods of warming and cooling,
scientists now agree that this particular period of warming is
happening faster than ever before. It also coincides with the
industrial revolution – a time in our history where we have relied
heavily on pollution-generating industries and technologies to
advance our societies.
Scientific studies have indicated that between 1900 and 2003, the
Earth’s average temperature has increased by 0.6oC. While this may
not sound like much, it is the greatest change in temperature the
Earth has seen in a millennium. And if nothing is done to reverse
it, it is only going to get warmer - scientists estimate that the
Earth will warm by 1.4 and 5.8oC by 2100. As a comparison, during
the last ice age, the average surface temperature was only between 4
and 6oC colder than it is now!
What We Are Seeing
The impacts of climate change are far-reaching and they have already
been significant: the thickness of the Arctic ice during the summer
months is only 60% of what it used to be; storms such as hurricanes
are becoming more frequent, stronger, and destructive; parts of the
world are becoming drier; water levels are rising and with over 60%
of the human population living in coastal areas, they are at serious
risk.
If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, scientists believe that
sea levels will continue to rise and millions of people who live on
the coastline will be displaced because of flooding. In addition to
more intense rainfalls and storms, tens of millions of people will
be put at risk from hunger, hundreds of millions from malaria, and
billions from water shortages. Ecologically, a huge proportion of
plants and animals will become either endangered or extinct because
they cannot adapt to the quickly changing conditions and the loss if
important habitat. More than half of the world’s coral reefs will
also be destroyed and this will have impacts on beaches, mangrove
forests, and seagrass beds. Economically, tens of billions of
dollars will be spent on managing water, agriculture, and forestry
industries and countries that are already struggling to survive will
suffer even more because they will most likely not be able to afford
the measures needed to help them deal with changing climatic
conditions.
What We Need To Do
Governments and scientists seem to have come to an agreement that by
2050, we need to have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by at
least 30 to 50% below the levels measured in 1990.
One of the most important ways that we can reduce emissions is by
changing the ways we create and use energy. We are energy-addicted.
We blast air conditioners, leave lights on, drive gas-guzzling SUVs,
and cut down trees without replanting any. This cannot continue –
not just because of the environmental costs, but also because of the
related social and economic ones. Fossil fuels (particularly coal
and oil) are non-renewable. This means that they will not last
forever and the cost of extracting them, exporting them, and then
buying them will become more expensive as they become rarer. We need
to start looking at energy alternatives.
Wind Power
Wind power is fast becoming one of the most recognised alternatives
to fossil fuels, so much so that its use is growing by 35% a year
worldwide. One reason for its popularity is its efficiency – every
unit of energy generated by wind power corresponds to a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions of almost 100% - it is one of the cleanest
types of energy we can get.
Solar Power
Converting the sun’s energy into electricity and heat forms that we
can use requires the use of energy-collecting photovoltaic/solar
cells. These cells are able to absorb the sun’s energy only during
daylight hours, but they are becoming increasingly popular for many
power needs, including agricultural applications (irrigation and
pasture management), heating water, and providing power to those who
are not on the regular power grid. Although solar cells are
expensive, their high initial cost is offset by a long life and very
little maintenance requirements.
Tidal Power
Moving water generates a significant amount of power. Tidal energy
has two forms that can be used: kinetic which is produced by tides;
and potential which is produced from the difference in height
between high and low tides. To harness potential energy, a lagoon
has to be built. The changes in water level inside the lagoon areas
as compared to those outside the lagoon drive turbines which, in
turn, produce electricity. Scientists have expressed some concern
over the use of turbines because they can kill fish that try to pass
through them.
International Response
In an effort to respond to global climate change, the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change came into force in 1994. The
Convention has been signed by 150 countries and it provides the
basis for the Kyoto Protocol – a legally binding protocol that binds
countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although it is not a
Signatory Country, the Government of Anguilla supports both the
Convention and the Protocol and it is one of several multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs) that Anguilla is currently seeking
to have extended to it by the United Kingdom. While it is a good
first international step, the Protocol’s call for a reduction in
industrialised countries’ emissions by only 5% of 1990 levels by
2012 is far from the type of reduction that is actually needed.
Regardless, it still represents an acknowledgement by countries
worldwide that climate change is a threat and that action needs to
be taken now to address it.
How You Can Make A Difference
Armed with the knowledge that we are putting the health of our
planet and ourselves in such jeopardy, we now must do something
about it. Simple changes to our everyday routines can have profound
positive impacts – because it all adds up.
Learn more about climate change;
- Car pool – four people can ride together in one car instead of four
people driving four cars to work;
- Save energy – turn off lights, televisions, and computers when you
are not using them;
- Enjoy a fresh breeze – turn off the air conditioner, open a window,
and a let the fresh air cool you down;
- Bike or walk to places if they are not too far;
- Plant trees – they absorb carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) from the
air;
- Push for a recycling programme on the island for paper, plastics,
bottles, and cans and reuse as much as possible – recycling and
reusing means less waste is being sent to the landfill and resources
like trees, oil, and aluminium are saved;
- Buy products that are made out of recycled materials – it usually
takes less energy to make recycled products than to make new ones;
Buy electronic products that use less energy;
- Consider buying a hybrid car, van, or SUV – they produce less
exhaust, are more efficient, and will save you money on gas;
- Push ANGLEC to provide energy from alternative sources like wind
turbines and solar panels/cells – there is plenty of sun and wind in
Anguilla!
Sources:
www.cbc.ca/news/background/climatechange/;
www.cbc.ca/news/background/energy/engergy-solution.html;
www.epa.gov/globalwarming/kids/difference.html;
www.pembina.ca/climate-change.
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