Environment
Energy
Economy x Environment
Extinction of Species
Demands
Global energy demand will increase by 40% by 2035
United Nations predicts world population growth from ~7bil to ~9bil by 2040
Increasing standards of living fuels demand for energy
Access
1 bil people lack access to electricity
Sources
OECD International Energy Agency emphasises increasing impt of nuclear power in meeting energy needs while achieving supply security & minimal carbon dioxide emissions
Issues
World Energy Outlook report showed that removing fossil-fuel consumption subsidies (~300bil) could greatly contribute to meeting energy security & environmental goals
Electricity and heat production make up 25% of global greenhouse gases emissions (largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions) - burning of coal, natural gas
Almost 70% of global CO2 emissions due to fossil fuel and industrial processes.
2015: almost 200 member states from United Nations agreed upon a specific target to affordable energy for all by 2030 called SDG7.1 - universal access to electricity and clean cooking
Clean & Renewable energy: solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, bioenergy, nuclear energy
Non-renewable energy: natural gas, oil, coal
Wealthier cities vs poorer cities: 80% of people living in wealthier cities were exposed to air pollution exceeding limits set by WHO guidelines; figure was 98% in poorer cities. (report from WHO)
Wealthier countries have cleaner air: may have exported their largest polluters (dirty heavy industry) into the developing world.
Worldwatch Institute: billions of plastic bags made every year, 1 hundred billion thrown away, less than 1% recycled. Birds and mammals dying due to ingestion of plastic.
1 litre of motor oil dumped into the ground can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of freshwater.
70% of coral reefs left
Measures to mitigate
84% of typical waste coming out of a US household is recyclable.
WWF: Rapid loss of species is estimated to be up to 10,000 times faster than the natural extinction rate.
Center for Biological Diversity: previous 5 waves of mass extinction, with many scientists believing we are in the 6th, with dozens of species going extinct everyday.
Kyoto Protocol 1990s: stabilize greenhouse gas emissions to prevent massive anthropogenic impacts on climate.