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Climate change happens at all
times.
So why is climate change of utmost concern to
mankind now?
Past changes were not
unusual as they were of natural origin.
But most of the changes within the last 50 years were very
unusual, as they were caused by human activities which
discharge carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases at an alarmingly faster
rate.
Climate change has emerged to be one of the biggest
ongoing happenings of the 21st century, affecting our health and almost every aspect
of our life.
There are strong
scientific implications that
climate change has been linked to the more frequent
and more extensive occurrence of extreme
climate events, especially pronounced in 2009 and
2010. The bushfires and a record number of high-temperature
days in the US; the unprecedented record heatwave and wildfires in the Russian
Federation; the calving of a large iceberg from the calving from the Petermann
Glacier in northern Greenland ice sheet; the mega floods in Bangladesh; the
mudslides in Brazil, Pakistan, the Philippines and China; the
concurrent incidences of drought and flood in China, Australia,
are concrete manifestations of climate extremes.
Aren't we not getting more concerned, more worried
and feeling more insecure to be at the mercy of these humanly induced 'natural'
disasters?
This website
intends to give my respected readers some related information, data and summaries on
climate change,
greenhouse gases emission, causes and mechanism,
climate related energy, politics and security issues, climate
trends, projections and impacts of global warming.
How can we adapt to climate change? Is our
global mitigation effort sufficient to help us avert the
greatest environment threat facing the Earth? You can be part of
the solution to protect our climate.
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel
(IPCC) on Climate Change cited that human influences are likely to have been
at least 5 times greater than the natural effects from the sun.
The average rise in global temperature
during the 20th century has been around 0.55oC - 0.74oC within the
recent 40 years.
Amongst the warmest years, 11 out of 12 occurred during the last 12
years! If we do not take
immediate and urgent mitigating efforts, the greenhouse gas concentration could be trebled by end of the
century, causing
a possible temperature rise of 5oC.
The risks from climate change
are large and growing. We need
to contain warming to below 2oC.
Predicted warming in excess of 2oCelsius on pre-industrial levels would constitute
dangerous climate change and is likely to have disastrous
impacts on ecological and human systems.
The
2oC
target is far from perfect. Severe impacts and feedback
mechanisms that amplify the problem are already occurring at
relatively low temperature increases.
Nevertheless, the importance of
the 2oC objective cannot be overstated. Without immediate action, mankind may
loose the ability and methodology to contain warming to below 2oC.
Beyond the 2oC
target, the extent and
magnitude of impacts are likely to be dangerous and
irreversible. Even if warming is contained to below 2oC,
significant climate change is already unavoidable.
We are locked into at least 50
years of climate change which
we cannot now prevent because of historic greenhouse gas
emissions and the time these remain in the atmosphere.
It
is clear that to prevent the most serious and irreversible
effects of climate change, the world must come to a common
consensus and act swiftly to substantially cut emissions.
According to the US International Energy Agency, holding
climate change to just a 2 degree Celsius increase over the
next two decades will require more than $ 10 trillion in extra
spending. This may sound a sky rocketing cost, amounting to
about 1% of GDP by mid century. But in terms of growth, it
amounts to a fraction of a fraction taken off the annual
rate. Moreover, according to
Sir Nicholas Stern, former chief
economist of the World Bank,
the
costs of strong and urgent action will be less than the costs of
inaction.
Climate Change -
The Roles of
Carbon Dioxide - The dual roles
Climate change refers to any
significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature,
precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or
longer). Past changes are not unusual as they were of natural
origin. But most of the changes within the last 50 years were very
unusual as they were human-induced.
Nature maintains balances and humans are continually trying to
override those rules. We haven't realized that this approach is
endgame for the species. We need to soon. Trees are only part of the
answer - we need to reduce our consumption and also commission more
green energy resources such as solar, wind and geothermal
electricity production.
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Being natural and
being human are very different! One role of carbon
dioxide supports life while
the other role may cause eventual destruction of life on Earth.
The natural greenhouse effect -
supports life
Greenhouse gases naturally blanket the Earth and keep it
about 33oC warmer.
We
can thus dwell on this Earth. |
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The human-induced
greenhouse effect - causes destruction!
Nature maintains balances making Earth
dwelling possible, but humans are continually trying to
override them. Human activities have resulted in higher rate of releases of
greenhouse gases than natural. It will continue to change global climate
significantly;
ultimately
resulting in our self-destruction. |
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Comparing concentrations and
global warming potentials of the greenhouse gases.
Samples of ancient ice show that carbon dioxide level in
the atmosphere today is the highest they have been in
600,000 years.
If the carbon dioxide concentration
reaches 560 ppm, the world will be in great danger. We are
now at a concentration level of .......read
New Zealand is the only country in the world whose primary
emission is
methane, accounting for more than 50% of
the country's GHG emissions. Trouble arises because the
sheep and the cattle have multiple (4) stomachs! |
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Climate Extremes
Statistics show that five times more
extreme meteorological
calamities occurred in the 1990s than in the 1950s. The world's annual economic loss due to these
disasters also soared from US$4 billion in
the 1960s up to US$ 29 billion by 2007.
Extremes of climate have happened more frequently and over a greater
part of the world over recent years, especially pronounced in 2009
and 2010.
Further
aggravation and projections
of global warming .....
The hottest,
coldest, wettest, driest, deadliest and unprecedented records of climate
extremes till 2010 may easily be broken in 2011!
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| Heatwave / Drought |
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Flood / Storm Surges |
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Hurricane /
Cyclone |
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Snow Storm |
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Arctic ice melt
has resulted in sea
level rise
of 1.2 mm per year
between 1993 - 2003, causing reduction of wetlands
and mangroves; increasing the frequency and
magnitude of
coastal flooding.
Sea
level rise is threatening and may destroy coastal fresh
water resources, communities and habitats.
More saddening news:
water shortage,
species endangered, pests invasion heading North,
methane bomb ticking.
Arctic's thaw
opens the once inaccessible
Northeast Passage
but brings
security
risks
for NATO. |
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Glaciers
have been retreating worldwide
at an alarming rate,
unprecedented in history. |
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Projected
rise of 3 -4oC in the 21st century due to unmitigated
global warming will bare the Greenland of ice sheets,
resulting in a 20 feet rise in sea level, perishing
islands and low lying coastal regions. |
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The costs of strong
and urgent action will be less than the costs of inaction.
Reduce your emissions by 5.2 % of the 1990 level by 2012.
No delay! Or 30% in a second period from 2013 as
cost of inaction! But how committed are others? |
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COP15 Conference in Copenhagen
December 2009
–
the Crucial
Conference for reaching extended global accords on
climate change.Each party
stiffly adhering to their justifications and numbers on
binding targets, the war to combat climate change appears to
be long and obscure. US and China....... |
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China, a
developing country with a huge population of 1.3 billion and a
complex climate, has been exposed and vulnerable to the impacts
of climate extremes and climatic catastrophe.
China renewable energies
World energy demand may increase by 50% by 2030 with the majority of that energy still obtained
from fossil fuels. Global population set to reach nine billion
by 2050 and more people demanding greater energy. Greater energy efficiency measures, switching to alternative sources of energy
like Renewable Energies,
developing and promoting cleaner technologies for fossil fuel use
(Carbon dioxide
capture and storage) will all be necessary to avoid catastrophic global climate change.
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Fossil
and
Renewable
Energies |
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| The energy war goes on. In this war of coal energy, nobody wants
to claim championship. To top the list, in this case, China, means being the biggest
emitter of greenhouse gas. By 2006,
China overtook the US to become the biggest emitter
of carbon dioxide. Will they be
bound by the next phase of Protocol in 2013?
Renewable energy in China to reduce its coal dependence. |
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Hydroelectricity as a
renewable energy from one of the most controversial
hydropower dam in the world -
the Three Gorges Dam, the biggest in the world.
What is wrong for China to stop the massive flooding, for
generating a cleaner energy ?
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We have now entered an age of
high-speed rail (HSR) development. Germany, France, Japan
and China have been planning and
building HSR networks for economic growth and combating
global warming. A high speed train needs only
one-third of the energy of an airplane and
one-fifth of an automobile. HSR industry creates enormous
markets for jobs and for rail equipment of all kinds. (Images
of global HSR, Shanghai maglev) |
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Rapid economic growth has necessitated the demand for a more
efficient and highly developed infrastructure. The greater connectivity
at reduced time as offered by
high speed rail enhances developments,
eases traffic congestion and bring
greater social and economic penetration into the more remote countryside.
(Pic: It is this annual Chinese New Year home-coming culture that creates
the greatest
human migration on earth. Travel by HSR
works very well in a country with a whooping population of
1.3 billion.)
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Ecotourism for sustainable growth
Rainforests
house 40% - 75% of all species of
plants, birds, animals and microorganisms on Earth. Many of the endangered
animals, birds and plants are unique or indigenous to the rainforests country of
origin.
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The
indigenous biodiversity offers great attraction to tourists and
poses as great assets in
ecotourism economy. Thus there is a need to adopt a
sustainable approach
to the management and utilization of precious forest/natural
resources.
Sustainable ecotourism
can help in mitigating climate change, as the revenue |
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fireflies has turned this quiet
fishing village into a bustling tourist site by night. |
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generated from tourist visits can be channeled into
improving the livelihood of communities, a deterrent to
deforestation. |
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Rafflesia,
the biggest flower in the world,
is
endemic to Southeast Asia. |
Forests The Disappearing Jewels
Why Are We So Concerned
about Rainforest Disappearing
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Rainforest is one of the Earth's most
treasured natural wonders and constitute the oldest living ecosystem
on Earth.
Tropical
rainforests are a unique natural heritage which has evolved over
130 million
years, resulting in a very rich flora and fauna. Forests
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Orangutan of
the
Kalimantan Tropical Rainforests, Malaysia
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Jaguar:
Indigenous to the
Amazon rainforests |
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Food myriads from
tropical rainforests:
fruits, nuts, vegetables, and spices |
Forests provide an enormous sink for greenhouse gases.
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Tropical rainforests
account for less than 6% of the Earth's land area. But
they store up to half of the carbon locked inside the
Earth's terrestrial vegetation, giving them an outsized
role in regulating greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Forest also offer ecosystem solutions
such as rainfall control,
flood defense,
soil stability and
biodiversity support.
If the world is to mitigate climate change,
unsustainable forest
activities
like deforestation for charcoal production, logging and
shifting cultivation for livelihood
must be controlled. |
No one plan to save the
rainforests will succeed unless it takes into account the livelihood
of the forest dependants. An ideal model is one which strikes a
balance between forest environment and
economic sustainability.
Sustainable
forest management
and forest conservation for low-carbon economy include
reforestation, restoration and afforestation, efficient bio-energy
generation and the use of wood products.
Growing concerns about water, soil,
forest, food securities :
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Water Security |
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Soil /Forest Security |
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Food Security |
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water which is fresh, 2/3 are locked up in ice caps. |
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Desertification affects global biodiversity.
27,000 species are lost each year.
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Rural communities dependent
on agriculture will face increased crop failure and loss of livestock.
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Security risks for NATO
too as Arctic ice thaws:
NATO will need a
Arctic military presence as global warming melts
frozen sea routes and major powers rush to lay claim to
lucrative energy reserves, particularly as exploration
for oil and natural gas becomes possible in once
inaccessible areas.
Arctic thaw
is bringing the prospect of
new standoffs between powerful nations involving Russia,
Canada, Norway, Denmark and the US.
The Methane Time Bomb
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The Day The Earth
Nearly Died
Mysteriously came a short
period when 96% of the ecosystems was wiped out on Earth. What could
have caused this biggest mass extinction on Earth?
The methane time bomb is ticking in the permafrost, with 500
billion tons of carbon.
Waste management transforms an environmental
liability into a lucrative opportunity in
landfill projects.
Landfill
produces a mixture of up to 50% methane as
landfill gas, 35%
carbon dioxide; while open burning produces 5 - 10%.
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Landfill or Gold Mine?
Waste management transforms an environmental
liability into a lucrative opportunity.
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In most developing
countries, due to lack of compelling legislations,
public awareness and commitments to minimize
waste generation, most wastes end up in
unsanitary landfills.
Landfills are different from traditional dump sites. They
are carefully constructed areas with special lining and |
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covering systems to contain the waste.
This significantly reduces the visual, respiratory and health hazards
from its environmental impacts.
Waste management transforms unhealthy
landfills into more sustainable, pleasant, healthier
living condition for a better future. |
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(Pictures above show complete
landscape transformation before and after landfill
management ) |
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In Japan's landfills,
there is enough gold, silver and platinum to propel
the country into the top tier of resource-producing
countries - along with Australia, Brazil and Canada.
The millions of electronics that are discarded each
year, including televisions, mobile phones, MP3
players and computers, have created so-called “urban
gold mines.”
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Don't
Leave Any Carbon Footprint !
The waste-management policies in Japan
should be a modal for all countries
and should serve as a guidance for
individual as to how we should manage our
garbage.
Calculate your carbon footprints and
offsets if you feel good about doing
it.
Now is the time to change
your business culture.
Climate change is
prompting companies to re-strategies their
business approach. Those in the forefront to adopt a low carbon
strategy with
comprehensive environment governance policies to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions are most likely to seize related businesses and
evolve industry winners. |
We need to prepare ourselves to mitigate
climate changes before it is too late. We need not fear
of our preparation efforts going to drains to prove the
climate change skeptics are right. In the course of
mitigation preparation, many benefits would have been
derived: the economy and job boosted from new green
investments, health and quality of life improved with
less pollution; resources saved from wastage and
destructions; chances of species extinction reduced;
financial gains and carbon taxes can be ploughed back
for community welfare.
In reverse, a rising temperature causing
global warming once established, will be almost near
impossible to dismantle!
As Sir Nicholas Stern, Chief economist of the World Bank
put it:
"
The costs of strong and urgent
action on climate change will be less than the costs of
inaction and the impacts of climate change under
business as usual (BAU)"
| Our
mission is to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| The path
is renewable and the color is green. |
| The
planning needs
binding political commitments. |
| The
involvements should
be at all levels including you and me. |
| The
solutions are
within our means. |
| The
worrying news is
that we do not have much time to mitigate. |
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