Energy and Climate Change. In recent years there has been a growing interlinked relationship between the two. The alarm for global warming and climate change has therefore prompted political scientists, policy makers and meteorologists to treat energy usage and global warming as an infrastructural nexus with multiple implications and form a high level treat to address this problem in the future. In addition, the review of mitigation options by different agencies and organizations, like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NAasa), have resulted in the emergence of many policy options that have either been adopted or are under development. These policies have been developed to take into consideration the different dimensions of the climate change issue and have been developed to provide a better way to handle climate change as it has affected different regions of the world.
Among the major drivers for climate change, according to scientific studies, are carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels, methane emissions from livestock, agriculture and other sources, and other greenhouse gases that result from human activities. These greenhouse gases are said to trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes warming. It is believed that, if the levels of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to increase at the current rate, severe climate change will result. There are also some who believe that manmade emissions are the sole cause of climate change. However, others opine that natural cycles and weather conditions are also responsible for controlling global temperatures.
To effectively deal with climate change, energy policy has been formulated. Energy analysts and technocrats are used in analyzing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the climate and then come up with ways of mitigating this problem. With regards to the control of climate, energy efficiency programs are being put in place. This has been accompanied by governmental policies and organizations aiming to minimize energy consumption, especially that of energy-efficient vehicles.
Among the ways of dealing with climate change, conservation is one of the most recommended options. This can be done through emission limits and caps, regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and encouragement of renewable energy production. Another effective way of managing climate change is to mitigate its adverse effects on the environment, energy production, and the functioning of the economy. These can be done by improving energy efficiency and exploring for alternative forms of energy production.
Renewable energy is defined as the use of energies coming from natural resources that can be renewed. This kind of energy is said to be free of greenhouse gases, because they are not released in the process of creating them, unlike fossil fuels. According to the United Nations Environment Program, Renewable Energies should form a large proportion of the energy produced within the next 15 years. In addition to this, the use of renewable energy can be combined with other efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Among the best methods of addressing climate change, the use of renewable energy is considered to be one of the most promising alternatives.
On the other hand, energy efficiency is all about decreasing the production of greenhouse gases and using energy sources that do not contribute to climate change. The energy efficiency movement has gained strong support from many sectors, including consumers, businesses, the government, and nonprofit organizations. Among these sectors, efficient appliances and buildings, as well as improved electricity production techniques, are some of the methods aimed at energy efficiency. The demand for efficient appliances, building materials, and electricity production techniques, are all increasing, as society continues to face the challenges posed by climate change.
Energy management refers to the use of advanced technologies and management systems to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced while energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are kept at a balanced level. Some of the methods of climate change mitigation include creating energy efficient buildings, products, and services. Energy efficient buildings include structures that are designed to harness renewable or sustainable energy sources, which are used for heating and cooling. These structures should also be sealed from ultraviolet radiation, which increases the risk of skin cancer and other diseases. Energy-efficient appliances and buildings therefore, offer a great opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time improving air quality and saving money for consumers and businesses.
It is important to incorporate energy efficiency into a comprehensive climate action plan. In fact, it should form a major part of any comprehensive plan for combating climate change, which should include emission reduction, use of clean energy, development of sustainable communities, and increased focus and implementation on the supply side of the economy. Energy efficiency programs need to be developed for small, medium, and large-scale sectors to realize maximum benefits for the global economy in the years ahead. It is hoped that the advances made in the energy efficiency field will push Australia closer to fulfilling its ambitions to achieve a low-carbon economy and a stable climate.
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