If negotiators reach an accord at the climate talks in Copenhagen it will entail profound shifts in energy production , dislocations in how and
where people live, sweeping changes in agriculture and forestry and the creation of complex new markets in global warming pollution credits.
So what is all this going to cost?
The short answer is trillions of dollars over the next few decades. It is a significant sum but a relatively small fraction of the world's total economic output.
In energy infrastructure alone, the transformational ambitions that delegates to the UN climate change conference are expected to set in the coming days will cost more than $10 trillion in additional investment from 2010 to 2030, according to a new estimate from the International Energy Agency.
As scary as that number sounds, the agency said that the costs would ramp up relatively slowly and be largely offset by economic benefits in new jobs, improved lives, more secure energy supplies and a reduced danger of climate catastrophe.
Most of the investment will come from private rather than public funds, the agency contends. "People often ask about the costs," said Kevin Parker, the global head of Deutsche Bank Asset Management, who tracks climate policy for the bank. "But the figures people tend to cite don't take into account conservation and efficiency measures that are easily available. And they don't look at the cost of inaction, which is the extinction of the human race. Period."
Whatever global warming's effects - and most scientific projections are less dire - there are also varying estimates of the economic costs of failing to act to address the problem soon, some of them very high.
In Copenhagen, some of the most intense and difficult discussions for negotiators centre on any potential agreement's near-term financial arrangements.
Some of the poorest and most vulnerable nations are calling for a gigantic transfer of wealth from the industrialised world to island nations and countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America that are most likely to feel the ravages of a changing climate.
The money would be used to help developing nations reduce emissions by switching to renewable energy sources like wind and solar and by compensating landowners for not cutting down or burning forests, a major source of carbon dioxide emissions.
Other funds might be used be used to adjust to effects of a changing climate like rising sea levels, by building flood walls or relocating settlements to higher ground.
Perhaps the most detailed analysis of the financing needs of any climate change agreement comes from Project Catalyst, an initiative of the European Union and ClimateWorks , a foundation-supported policy group based in San Francisco.
The group's work has helped shape the negotiations in Copenhagen. The group estimates that roughly $100 billion will be needed by 2020 to finance climate change programs in the developing world.
About half could come from the growing global market in carbon emissions credits under a cap-and-trade system, which will be worth an estimated $2 trillion a year by 2020. A cap-and-trade system is already operating in Europe and is under consideration by Congress.
An additional $10 billion to $20 billion would come from taxes on fuels used in aviation and shipping. The rest, perhaps $25 billion to $35 billion, would be loans and grants from industrialised nations to poorer countries, split roughly three ways among the US, the European Union and Canada, Japan and Australia.
The good news is that everybody now is supporting our proposal for financing," said Umaña , the Costa Rican delegate at Copenhagen . "The bad news is that it's happening 15 years too late. Without real money on the table, this will be a disaster."
BUDGET DEFICIT
Roughly $100 billion will be needed by 2020 to finance climate-change schemes in the developing world. About half could come from the growing global market in carbon emissions credits under a cap-and-trade system. An additional $10 billion to $20 billion would come from taxes on fuels used in aviation and shipping. The rest, perhaps $25 billion to $35 billion, would be loans and grants from industrialised nations to poorer countries
YOUR POCKET
ENERGY
The overall costs of Copenhagen are impossible to quantify. Most of the money will be spent by rich countries switching to a "low carbon economy" in order to meet targets on cutting greenhouse gases. This will mean investing in renewables and nuclear energy and will most likely end up on your fuel bills. Electricity costs will rise, though in the distant future power could even be free as energy is generated from natural sources
TAXES
Carbon taxes that are imposed on polluting industries are likely to be passed onto the consumer. There could also be direct carbon taxes on individuals if "carbon allowances" are introduced to limit the amount of energy, travel and other electricity each person is allowed to use
AIR TRAVEL
Airlines do not currently have a lowcarbon alternative to jet fuel. Unless one is found, they will bear the full burden of higher fuel costs and carbon taxes, and average fares will rise by at least 140 per cent. Video conferencing and mobile technology should get cheaper as it becomes more popular as an alternative to travel
TRANSPORT
Developed countries will be investing in high speed trains to bring down emissions. But the prices will not fall in the short term because of the investment needed. Electric vehicles should become cheaper as nations encourage manufacture and a switch from petrol cars fuels demand
FOOD
Cost of food flown from abroad could go up with the cost of transport. Prices of locally-grown food could also increase because of a rise in the cost of fertilisers
OTHER GOODS
Cost of clothing is likely to rise by one per cent and of other household goods like washing machines by two per cent, according to a New Scientist study conducted this year
Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/global-warming/The-cost-of-saving-Earth-/articleshow/5330087.cms
Showing posts with label save environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save environment. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
'Crystalline sponge' can help capture CO2
Source: The Economic Times
To sequester carbon dioxide as part of any climate-change mitigation strategy, the gas first has to be captured from the flue at a power plant or
other source. The next step is just as important: the CO² has to be released from whatever captured it so that it can be pumped underground or otherwise stored for the long term.
That second step can be costly from an energy standpoint. Materials currently used to capture CO² have to be heated to release the gas.
But chemists at University of California
, Los Angeles, say that a new class of materials they developed called metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, hold promise for carbon capture. In the study, Omar Yaghi describes the performance of one MOF, which he says can free most of the CO² it captures at room temperature.
Yaghi described a metal-organic framework as a "crystalline sponge", a hybrid lattice of organic compounds and metal atoms that has a huge internal surface area where gas molecules can be absorbed. The MOF used in the study contains magnesium atoms, "which make just the right environment for binding carbon dioxide", he said.
In experiments, the material separated out CO² while allowing methane to pass. What was really surprising, though, was that at room temperature 87% of the CO² could be released.
To sequester carbon dioxide as part of any climate-change mitigation strategy, the gas first has to be captured from the flue at a power plant or
other source. The next step is just as important: the CO² has to be released from whatever captured it so that it can be pumped underground or otherwise stored for the long term.
That second step can be costly from an energy standpoint. Materials currently used to capture CO² have to be heated to release the gas.
But chemists at University of California
, Los Angeles, say that a new class of materials they developed called metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs, hold promise for carbon capture. In the study, Omar Yaghi describes the performance of one MOF, which he says can free most of the CO² it captures at room temperature.
Yaghi described a metal-organic framework as a "crystalline sponge", a hybrid lattice of organic compounds and metal atoms that has a huge internal surface area where gas molecules can be absorbed. The MOF used in the study contains magnesium atoms, "which make just the right environment for binding carbon dioxide", he said.
In experiments, the material separated out CO² while allowing methane to pass. What was really surprising, though, was that at room temperature 87% of the CO² could be released.
'2010 to be the world's warmest year'
LONDON: 2010 is likely to be the world's warmest year on record, the British Met Office has
predicted.
According to the Met Office, man-made climate change will be a factor and natural weather patterns would contribute less to 2010's temperature than they did in 1998, the current warmest year in the 160-year record.
El Niño effect, the cyclical heating of the Pacific Ocean, is much weaker than it was in 1998, but the Met Office expects the warming effect of greenhouse gas emissions to more than make up the difference, 'The Times' reported.
It predicts that the global average temperature next year to be almost 0.6 C warmer than the 1961 to 1990 average, and forecasts an annual average of 14.58 C.
The Met Office has also said that it expects half the years between 2010 and 2019 to be warmer than 1998. It sounded a note of caution, saying that a record year in 2010 was not a certainty, especially if the current El Niño began to decline earlier than normal or there was a large volcanic eruption.
However, experts are divided on the prediction. Ben Stewart of Greenpeace said: "If 2010 turns out to be the hottest year on record, it might go some way towards exploding the myth, spread by the climate conspiracy theorists that we're experiencing global cooling. In reality the world is getting possibly a lot hotter, and humans are causing it."
But, the Global Warming Policy Foundation, has accused the Met Office of making a "political intervention" in the international negotiations taking place in Copenhagen.
"Suggestions by the Met Office that a warming trend will resume in the next year or two should be treated with reserve in light of the recognised difficulties in making such confident predictions," it said.
predicted.
According to the Met Office, man-made climate change will be a factor and natural weather patterns would contribute less to 2010's temperature than they did in 1998, the current warmest year in the 160-year record.
El Niño effect, the cyclical heating of the Pacific Ocean, is much weaker than it was in 1998, but the Met Office expects the warming effect of greenhouse gas emissions to more than make up the difference, 'The Times' reported.
It predicts that the global average temperature next year to be almost 0.6 C warmer than the 1961 to 1990 average, and forecasts an annual average of 14.58 C.
The Met Office has also said that it expects half the years between 2010 and 2019 to be warmer than 1998. It sounded a note of caution, saying that a record year in 2010 was not a certainty, especially if the current El Niño began to decline earlier than normal or there was a large volcanic eruption.
However, experts are divided on the prediction. Ben Stewart of Greenpeace said: "If 2010 turns out to be the hottest year on record, it might go some way towards exploding the myth, spread by the climate conspiracy theorists that we're experiencing global cooling. In reality the world is getting possibly a lot hotter, and humans are causing it."
But, the Global Warming Policy Foundation, has accused the Met Office of making a "political intervention" in the international negotiations taking place in Copenhagen.
"Suggestions by the Met Office that a warming trend will resume in the next year or two should be treated with reserve in light of the recognised difficulties in making such confident predictions," it said.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Regulatory measures for roof top rain water harvesting
Submitted by editor on September 29, 2009 - 21:00 -->
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under Ministry of Water Resources has written to all States having overexploited blocks to take all necessary measures to promote/adopt artificial recharged to ground water/rain water harvesting including making mandatory provision of roof top rain water harvesting. It has also issued directives to Group Housing Societies, Institutions/ Schools, Hotels, Industrial establishments and Farm houses in notified areas of NCT of Delhi & Haryana to adopt roof top rain water harvesting system.
Besides this, all Group Housing Societies located in NCT of Delhi, where groundwater levels are more than 8m and are abstracting groundwater have also been directed to adopt roof top rain harvesting system. The directions have been issued under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
The Ministry of Water Resources has requested all the States/UTs to make suitable provisions in their planned schemes for construction of roof top rain water harvesting structures in all the Government buildings. Ministry of Urban Developments has also written to States on similar lines. Many of the States/ UTs have taken various initiatives to promote rain water harvesting in Government and private buildings and amended building bye-laws incorporating mandatory adoption of rain water harvesting in existing/new buildings. The Government of India provides financial and technical support for such activities.
The latest status of action initiated by States/ UTs for making provision of roof top rain water harvesting is as follows :-
• 18 States and 4 UTs namely, Andra Pradesh., Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh., Uttarakhand, West Bengal., Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, NCT Delhi and Puducherry have already made roof top rain water harvesting mandatory in their respective States. .
• 4 States namely Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and 2 Union Territories ie Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar are also in the process of making such provision.
• 4 States namely Chhatisgarh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Assam and 1 UT ie Dadra & Nagar Haveli have not initiated action in this regard so far.
• 2 States namely J & K and Manipur have not yet responded.
Source: http://www.hclindia.com/node/466048
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under Ministry of Water Resources has written to all States having overexploited blocks to take all necessary measures to promote/adopt artificial recharged to ground water/rain water harvesting including making mandatory provision of roof top rain water harvesting. It has also issued directives to Group Housing Societies, Institutions/ Schools, Hotels, Industrial establishments and Farm houses in notified areas of NCT of Delhi & Haryana to adopt roof top rain water harvesting system.
Besides this, all Group Housing Societies located in NCT of Delhi, where groundwater levels are more than 8m and are abstracting groundwater have also been directed to adopt roof top rain harvesting system. The directions have been issued under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act 1986.
The Ministry of Water Resources has requested all the States/UTs to make suitable provisions in their planned schemes for construction of roof top rain water harvesting structures in all the Government buildings. Ministry of Urban Developments has also written to States on similar lines. Many of the States/ UTs have taken various initiatives to promote rain water harvesting in Government and private buildings and amended building bye-laws incorporating mandatory adoption of rain water harvesting in existing/new buildings. The Government of India provides financial and technical support for such activities.
The latest status of action initiated by States/ UTs for making provision of roof top rain water harvesting is as follows :-
• 18 States and 4 UTs namely, Andra Pradesh., Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh., Uttarakhand, West Bengal., Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, NCT Delhi and Puducherry have already made roof top rain water harvesting mandatory in their respective States. .
• 4 States namely Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand and 2 Union Territories ie Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar are also in the process of making such provision.
• 4 States namely Chhatisgarh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Assam and 1 UT ie Dadra & Nagar Haveli have not initiated action in this regard so far.
• 2 States namely J & K and Manipur have not yet responded.
Source: http://www.hclindia.com/node/466048
Saturday, January 17, 2009
A Roadmap for a Greener Future
Construction sector needs to contribute towards environmental responsibility. Architect Niteen Parulekar tells Bombay Times (TOI)
India is witnessing tremendous growth in infrastructure and construction development. Reports state that the construction industry in India is one of the largest economic activities and is growing at an average rate of 9.5 per cent as compared to the global average of 5 per cent. As the sector is growing rapidly, preserving the environment poses lot of challenges and at the same time presents opportunities. The construction sector therefore needs to play its role and contribute towards environmental responsibility. The Green Building Movement in India is a step in this direction — to minimise the negative impact of construction activity on the environment.
Green Architecture is a term used to describe energy-saving, environment-friendly and sustainable development. On the aesthetic side of green architecture or sustainable design lies the philosophy of designing a building that is in harmony with natural features
and resources surrounding the site. By using the traditional practices of sustainability and marrying them with contemporary applications we can create architecture that can be humble, stylish and green all at once. Among the world recognised Green Building rating system is US Green Building Council’s LEED rating system. India (IGBC) and Canada are the only two countries that have a USGBC affiliated, yet indigenised LEED rating system. We have also launched a green rating system TERI- GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) in August 2008 which evaluates building on a green scale.
In today’s times of world-class marketing and cut-throat competition, it is important that the developer is almost voluntarily forced to build green buildings. Hence we must not just use regulations, but provide incentives in the form of faster and easier approvals, quantifiable tax benefits, carbon offsetting, and thus encourage use of discounted green and local techniques. It is important for them to understand that practicing green could be an added marketing tool for better property investment, increased leasing rates and improved well-being from quality living. They will then realise the value of green rated buildings.
There is a tremendous potential for green building materials since a lot of those were being imported for a few years. This could open up a plethora of opportunities for several stakeholders like architects, material and equipment manufacturers and vendors. All these industry professionals need further incentives for extensive material research, manage inventories and use local resources. They need special discounts and tax breaks for the products. The adoption of green building materials is increasing over the years. There is also a change in the mindsets of the stakeholders. Earlier, there was a general perception that materials with recycled content were inferior in quality. However with increased awareness on green materials and their advantages the trend is rapidly changing.
A much talked about idea to deal with greenhouse emissions is Carbon credits or offsetting. Offsetting can be done in a myriad of ways; one is by buying shares in a company that will offset your gas emission by planting the required number of trees. The idea could be applied both at a company as well as an individual level. There is now a need for skilled and knowledgeable professionals who have deep understanding of sustainability and energy systems. The main objective is to enable faster reach of green concepts to wider sections of stakeholders and to provide a platform for networking at all levels.
The key to change is making people behave differently, to consume more wisely and thus “leave a smaller footprint” on the planet. It’s important that we now ‘Walk the Talk’.
Niteen Parulekar Architects Pvt Ltd actively pursue green design and encourage sustainable design professionals in their enterprise. They also conduct in-house green awareness and educational workshops.
Its Time 2 Shape Things Up!
Hey...
I am an Environment lover, Rohan, willing to contribute his part in saving the environment. I am an unemployed management post graduate from Mumbai, India. I would like to work towards the Renewable Sources of Energy and Sustainable development and bringing it to the masses.
AKAR Inc., that what i have named my company, is the first step towards my mission. The next being starting up this blog.
This blog will include the recent articles from the newspapers or the internet based on Green Environment with the purpose of spreading awareness of whats going on in and around the world. I would also try to include Green Jobs for the people interested to work in the related field.
Ideas to develop this blog and make it more fruitful in creating valid awareness of the Green Technology.
Keep in touch...
Warm Regards (its winter time baby!)
Rohan Ag.
Get me at: rohany2r@yahoo.com
roan.aga@gmail.com
I am an Environment lover, Rohan, willing to contribute his part in saving the environment. I am an unemployed management post graduate from Mumbai, India. I would like to work towards the Renewable Sources of Energy and Sustainable development and bringing it to the masses.
AKAR Inc., that what i have named my company, is the first step towards my mission. The next being starting up this blog.
This blog will include the recent articles from the newspapers or the internet based on Green Environment with the purpose of spreading awareness of whats going on in and around the world. I would also try to include Green Jobs for the people interested to work in the related field.
Ideas to develop this blog and make it more fruitful in creating valid awareness of the Green Technology.
Keep in touch...
Warm Regards (its winter time baby!)
Rohan Ag.
Get me at: rohany2r@yahoo.com
roan.aga@gmail.com
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