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Society and the Environment by Hawa Macauley
An Analysis by Hawa Macauley
Greenhouse gases generated from human activities are changing the earth's atmosphere at an accelerating rate. The situation grows more urgent with reports of increasing violent weather patterns, loss of biodiversity, and risks to energy security. Current national policies make it difficult for industry and consumers to switch over to alternative fuels, a problem deepened by falling gas prices and oil subsidies. To address the global warming challenge, we should set more stringent emission reduction targets, use tax incentives and subsidies to stimulate investment in energy alternatives and efficiency, and ensure that energy objectives are met through adequate enforcement activities.
Background
The atmosphere contains greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide (NO2), and tropospheric ozone that capture the sun's heat and warm the Earth. The majority of scientists agree that human activities have contributed to the alarming rise in atmospheric levels of GHG. The global sea level has risen about 6.7 inches in the last century, a rate of rise that is two times higher than the previous decade. This is great cause for concern since thirty of the world's largest cities including New York, London, and Shanghai are close to sea level. Many species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving to higher elevations or closer to the poles.
Traditional fossil fuels like coal and oil are burned to generate electricity, releasing 75% of the CO2 found in the atmosphere. Transportation and industrial processes release NO2 into the air. Levels of CO2 are higher today than at anytime in the past 650,000 years. Heat waves, droughts, and storms linked to global warming have increased in frequency, intensity and duration causing illness and death.
Issues
It would be dangerous to maintain the status quo in light of the evidence that the earth's ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change. While President Bush has targeted an 18% GHG reduction by 2012, the growing population and increasing demand for energy mean that more stringent policies are warranted. With only 7% of our energy coming from renewable sources in 2007, further development and dissemination of clean technologies is of great importance.
The recent decline in gas prices has caused demand for shares in alternative energies to plummet, and the 2008 credit crisis is making it harder for businesses to invest in renewable energy facilities. The 1970s saw rising fuel prices and in turn increased interest in alternative energies, while the 1980s revealed a decline in clean energy investment. When Congress eliminated tax credits for renewable energies, investors switched to the more economical gasoline. This review of history is disconcerting in light of current falling oil prices.
Tax incentives and efficiency rewards will make clean technology financially competitive, while ending fossil fuel subsidies would likely shift consumers and industry back to alternative fuels. Policymakers concerned with the cost of funding GHG reduction are slow to pass more stringent legislation. Fears of decreasing trade and industry competitiveness abound because systems are currently designed for optimal use with fossil fuels.
President-elect Obama has elevated job creation to a top priority for the new administration as rising unemployment makes lawmakers hesitant to push for comprehensive energy initiatives. While coal-mining jobs may begin to decline, revenues gained from utilizing renewable energy, maximizing energy efficiency and tax incentives will create jobs. Current alternative energies being investigated include solar, water/hydro, wind, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal and nuclear power. A US study found that the benefits of reduced emissions from power plants were valued at $3-$7 per ton of carbon, with the bottom line being a 30% reduction in costs. The rise in temperatures from global warming will mean greater real-estate losses and increased use of air-conditioners. Energy expenditures alone are predicted to increase by $141 billion in 2100 with minimal policy intervention, a 0.14% increase in GDP.
Options
Cost-benefit analysis reveals that it is in our interest to immediately confront climate change. Pursuing energy alternatives can provide jobs and stimulate the economy. Policies geared toward efficiency activities will support other policy initiatives such as public health and food availability. Tax incentives and credits allow for investments in energy efficiency and clean technologies at reduced prices. Economists have touted this method because it transfers decision-making from government to consumers and suppliers. In the long term, renewable energy, specifically solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower hold great promise for meeting our energy needs, however geographical requirements and intermittent energy generation currently pose challenges to widespread use.
Ten solar thermal plants can produce as much electricity as three nuclear reactors and can be built in as little as two years, compared with a decade or longer for a nuclear plant. New efficiently designed plants will feature systems that allow them to store heat and generate electricity for hours after sunset. Solar plants output their greatest power around midday, when demand is highest. At these times, they already have a financial advantage over the more costly natural gas. Wind turbines can function with minimal maintenance, and modern designs of wind power plants have allowed a 45% increase in wind-generated electricity. Geothermal power from hot water and ground sources has the potential to produce 10% of electricity in midwestern states by 2020. Hydropower is cheap and produces little thermal pollution in comparison to nuclear power. However, hydropower is currently limited to operation around waterways, and the building of dams affect the habitats of marine life.
Ethanol, a biofuel, is not recommended because of rising corn prices and likely food shortages. Ethanol has also been linked to NO2 and tropospheric ozone precursor emissions. Alternatives to nuclear energy should be pursued because it is still relatively expensive in comparison to other clean technologies, and nuclear waste is difficult to dispose of. Nuclear radiation threatens public health so that the potential for deadly accidents is high. Hydrogen, another energy possibility, would be preferable to fossil fuels in the short term, yet hydrogen-producing methods, delivery and storage currently require a great amount of energy and cost. In addition, most hydrogen comes from oil and gas, which does little to reduce fossil fuel use.
Recommendation
The following combination of policy instruments are suggested:
Emissions targets set at a sixty to eighty percent reduction by 2050.
Whereas scientists generally believe an 80% reduction is needed to stabilize GHG
concentrations, assessment of trends in industry, the current economic crisis, and public
education regarding emissions make it unlikely that this objective would gain immediate
widespread support.
Pass an eco-tax on fossil-fuel electricity and reduce fossil fuel subsidies. Use revenues for research into long-term sustainable technologies, compatible energy-generating infrastructure, and investment in efficiency.
Implement enforcement procedures and groups to monitor compliance with policy.
Swift action and progressive policies will allow us to effectively address the climate challenge and restore the natural balance of our environment.
About the Author
Hawa Macauley enjoys writing and learning about various compelling topics.
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