Energy growth adding to CO2 emissions

        
The most recemnt report from the International Energy Agency (World Energy Outlook 2011), does not make for an optimistic perspective on power generation and efforts to reduce CO2. The Report points out that existing power generation infrastructure (consisting of various power plants and factories) which will be used for several decades already coverd 80% of the emissions needed to reach 2oC and the schedule of new plants which are to be constructed will make up the remaining portion to reach if not slightly exceed the 2 degrees Celcius. The efforts to ramp up renewable energy production therefore takes on a more urgent timetable for adoption enabling a further increase from the current 16% of global energy supply already provided.

Saving endangered species - do choices have to be made?

White Tiger Cub

A question which often arises with ecology and the protection of endangered species is whether it's actually possible to save all the species now at risk or rather only focus on those where there is a better than even chance of success of preservation. It is only since 2004 that the full extent of the potential level of extinctions has been quantified with the figure of 15,589 total of plants, birds and mammals (a quarter of all the existing mammal species) being ascertained at risk by major environmental and science organisations. This is an extraordinary figure and it's almost certainly impossible to determine the number of species for whom conservation and protection will succeed. Despite international agreement on the importance and value of conservation and mechanisms such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the stark reality is that the very existence of human activity (loss of habitat, mining, agriculture, economic development and so on) is driving extinction despite the best efforts of governments, communities and scientists. The uncomfortable option therefore may now be one of selecting which endangered species has the best chances of survival. This is an almost unthinkable proposition for many in the environmental movement but time is not on anyones' side.

How hot will the Earth become with Climate Change ?

Various models of climate change provide an indication of what the actual temperature of the planet may reach however, as observed in a number of studies,including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) not all factors are included. For example, the impact of melting of permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere and the subsequent release of methane gas is not included yet this may and probably will have a significant impact. The concept of 'hyper-warming' is becoming more of a mentioned consequence which could include a warming of 10 degrees Celsius across the globe. Hyper warming would occur not only due to the release of additional GHG emissions through melting but also would be an effect of the continuous burning of fossil fuels which still continues well above all possible CO2 reduction targets.  The tipping point for climate change remains the magical figure above 2 degrees C yet this will occur regardless so hyper warming may be the end result.

Nuclear energy - a much vexed question

Source: World Nuclear Association

The question of the use of nuclear power continues to be a central issue of debate particularly given the increasing share of power generation which the sector continues to grow and the need to reduce and finally remove reliance on fossil fuel consumption (oil and coal).

The industry points out that clean electricity from 'new renewables' (viz solar, wind, biomass and geothermal power) has the capacity to produce electricity in the decades ahead only in  limited amount. The International Energy Agency projects that, even with continued subsidy and research support, these new renewables can only provide around 6% of world electricity by 2030. That is actually a questionable figure and quotation as currently, in some economies, 6% or close to it has already been reached.

Further the industry argues that while environmentalists have played a valuable role in warning that catastrophic climate change is a real and imminent danger, it is also crucially important that they be equally realistic about solutions. Even with maximum conservation - and a landscape covered by solar panels and windmills - the world's community would still need large-scale source of around-the-clock electricity to meet much of the world's energy needs. Nuclear power, it is argued - like wind, hydro and solar energy - can generate electricity with no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. The critical difference is that nuclear energy is the only proven option with the capacity to produce vastly expanded supplies of clean electricity on a global scale. 

However this position while on a superficial basis appears accurate, it overlooks a variety of related issues which impact on the nuclear power generation. The cost of waste management and disposal of highly dangerous radioactive waste is not presented nor accounted. The actual cost of power generation per kilowatt is actually more expensive than the dirty coal fired generators and of the different nuclear technologies, only one has a modicum of safety over the long term.

Source: World Nuclear Assocation