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Actions to Mitigate Climate Change, is-solar-energy-a-renewable-resource,…
Actions to Mitigate Climate Change
Renewable Energy Sources
Ending reliance on fossil fuels
Solar
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
, the carbon footprint of solar power is about 20 to 70 grams of CO2 per kWh of electricity generated, depending on the technology and location. In comparison, coal-fired power plants emit about 1,000 grams of CO2 per kWh
Wind
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
, wind energy is a zero-emission source of power, meaning that it generates electricity without emitting greenhouse gases during operation. This makes wind energy one of the cleanest sources of electricity.
Geothermal
According to the Geothermal Energy Association, geothermal power plants emit about one-tenth of the CO2 emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel power plants.
Waste Reduction
According to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
, recycling and composting in the U.S. reduced 184 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions in 2018. This is equivalent to removing 39 million cars from the road for a year.
The
European Commission
estimates that reducing single-use plastics in Europe would save 3.4 million tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to removing 1.7 million cars from the road.
Transportation
Electric vehicles
Evs can save up to 40 tons of Greenhouse gasses per
car
Public transit
according to International Energy Agency (IEA) Public transit, on average, emits 45–65% less CO₂ per passenger-kilometer compared to private vehicles
Bike-sharing programs
B-cycle, a company designing bike-sharing systems in various U.S. cities, reported that its systems collectively offset over 2,948 metric tons of CO₂ emissions by 2014. This was based on 2.1 million bike trips coverin
g 4.5 million miles since 2010.
High-Speed Rail
according to Eurostar Environmental Report 90% less CO₂ than flying and 80% less than driving when powered by clean energy.
Improving Energy Efficiency
energy-efficient appliances
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as of 2003, residential electrical appliances accounted for approximately 30% of electricity consumption and 12% of greenhouse gas emissions in OECD countries.
Electrification of Transportation
Reforestation and Conservation Efforts
NASA Scientists
have found that earths ecosystems could support 2.2 billion more acres of forest. If this goal was achieved, it could take 25% of all CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Research
from scientists in Zurich, Switzerland believes that reforestation is one of the most effective strategies to tackle climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.
Canada is one of six countries that have 50% of all global reforestation potential. This means that Canada could play a vital role in combating climate change using these strategies.
Unfortunately, researchers in Ottawa predict that if Canada planted 2 billion trees it would only reduce 12 Mt of Canada's total production of 729 Mt
International Agreements
"The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France, on 12 December 2015. It entered into force on 4 November 2016." -
United Nations Convention on Climate Change
The Paris agreement
. states that global surface temperature must remain below 2 °C. The treaty states that the global surface temperature should preferably stay below 1.5°C
If the global surface temperature rises above 1.5°C, major climate tipping points will be passed and a series of catastrophic events will be set in motion. Source:
The Guardian
The Montreal protocol
is an agreement which has helped Canada phase out 99% of the substances that weaken the ozone layer. This protocol is vey important if the world wants to hit the global surface temperature target of 1.5°C
