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Environment (Energy (Demands (Global energy demand will increase by 40% by…
Environment
Energy
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Access
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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
Sources
OECD International Energy Agency emphasises increasing impt of nuclear power in meeting energy needs while achieving supply security & minimal carbon dioxide emissions
Clean & Renewable energy: solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, bioenergy, nuclear energy
Non-renewable energy: natural gas, oil, coal
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
Economy x Environment
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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.
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Extinction of Species
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.
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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.
Measures to mitigate
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Kyoto Protocol 1990s: stabilize greenhouse gas emissions to prevent massive anthropogenic impacts on climate.