Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background
The accumulation of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) in the atmosphere has been a debate topic among scientists since a long time ago as it contributes to the risen of global surface temperature (Liddle and Lung, 2010). Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been pointed as the main greenhouse gas which responsible for global warming and related changes in climate. It has been increasing significantly over the past century, compared to the pre-industrial era (about 280 parts per million, or ppm). Empirical studies which explicitly examine the link between population and pollution in a systematic quantitative manner are very few in number (Cole and Neumayer, 2004).
Recently, some studies have dealt with the causality
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Indonesian population growth has been slowed from the past decade (BPS, 2016). Indonesia approximately generated 215.6 terawatt hours in 2013 that was the biggest electricity output in the ASEAN region (IEA, 2015b).
Global warming is the major issue that has severe consequences. For the sake of the planet before 2050, it is vital to limit the impacts. In order to reduce the GHG emissions and energy consumption, some countries have taken measures or policies to increase the cleaner and renewable energy sources. Because of the importance of reducing global warming, the Indonesian government has committed reducing minimum 26% GHG emissions by 2020. Indonesian flagship forest policy started since 2011 has lowered the GHG emissions from deforestation by 1-2.5% over 4 years. This moratorium on new licenses to log or clear rainforest also extended from2 to 4 years (2013-2015). Indonesia’s current policy projection is the National Energy Policy (NEP) also set a relatively low bar for updating from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources, the target is 23% by 2030. The NEP also states that coal will still provide 30% of the total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2030 (APERC, 2016). In the other hand, the projections of this plan, the
In the last 100 years, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased, causing the Earth to warm by an average of 0.6 degrees celsius, largely a result of burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and land use changes increased for food production. The basic science is straightforward and climate researchers have shown that gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and others can trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect. Human activities such as industry, transport, energy generation and deforestation all produce these greenhouse gases. In the last 20 years, concern has grown that global warming is inevitable and now considered most probably caused by man-made increases in
Worldwide temperatures are rising, carbon dioxide is at a hazardous level, ocean acidification, atmosphere boundary shifts, and extreme events are just a few of the worldwide climate changes happening near and far. It is a controversial issue whether it is taking place in the present velocity because of nature or man. However, global climate changes happen naturally, but they ought not to happen at this increased rapidity; therefore, human activity is a great cause that global climate change is happening at an expanded rate. The greatest contribution of human action is the combustion of fossil fuels, which is one of the primary reasons why the carbon dioxide levels are nearing high-hazard strata. Thus, the scientific confirmation supports that the rise in carbon dioxide levels is significantly generated by people, not nature, and people are ultimately the largest contributor to the atmospheric changes; thus, human beings should implement changes to their energy sources and modify agricultural production in order to lessen the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted into the aura at the extraordinary rate it currently is passing.
The rapidly increasing amount of carbon dioxide may be one of the factors that cause climate change. As Hillman states, “Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are increasing, and have done so since the Industrial Revolution.” An atmospheric CO2 concentration, research shows that there is a dramatic increase from 280 parts per million (ppm) in 1750 to 373 ppm in 2002, a rise of the third. Furthermore, the linear chart demonstrated the trend of annual global CO2
Greenhouse gases are the main factor to the poisoning of Earth’s atmosphere. Gases in the atmosphere that absorb radiation and have a big impact towards the greenhouse effect are known as the Greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect happens to be one of the major causes of global warming. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some of the major greenhouse gases are methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor and nitrous oxide. (Lallanilla, 2015). There are multiple places all over the world who suffer from dangerous levels of greenhouse gases in the air due to the over-pollution to the air. The first step to taking on such an issue is to detect and then monitor the problem so that in this case, the greenhouse gases do not get out of hand. Crucial importance to the future of Earth relies on the monitoring and detecting greenhouses gases and the best way to do so is by the use of orbital satellites. The use of remotely sensed data can be used to measure greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, thus helping authorities to make better decisions related to climate change.
Climate change or colloquially known as global warming, now pose a new threat to civilization as the levels of greenhouse gases (GHG) are soaring to new levels. The most significant contributor to greenhouse gasses would be Carbon Dioxide (Co2). The levels of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) gas have risen to levels civilization has not seen before. As such, the effects of these levels are not known to civilization as data gathered from the ice cores drilled in the Antarctica only shows data up to 650,000 years ago. However we can conclude that present CO2 concentrations are higher compared to any time in the last 650,000 years (IPCC 2007). Current carbon dioxide concentrations are hovering around 389 parts per million (ppm) as of September 2011,
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a type of odorless and colorless gas that can be either manmade or naturally made. Carbon dioxide is a vital greenhouse gas; in moderation. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide has increased significantly. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is leading to global warming, ocean acidification and a multitude of many problems. In a report released from NASA, the scientist state that “that human-made carbon dioxide (CO2) continues to increase above levels not seen in hundreds of thousands of years: currently, about half of the carbon dioxide released from the burning of fossil fuels remains in the atmosphere and is not absorbed by vegetation and the oceans”. The current assessment of carbon dioxide in the air is 402 parts per million (ppm). One PPM is equivalent to one microgram/one kilogram (0.6 of a mile). Scientist claims that it needs to be brought down to 350 ppm to even start
1- What are the 3 main greenhouse gases? Why are greenhouse gases necessary to support life on our planet?
Species are becoming extinct in vast numbers, forests are disappearing, the planet’s air and water are becoming ever more polluted, the temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting and there is rise in sea level. These are all result of “Global Climate Change” mainly caused by human activities. Burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation is considered to be largest source of greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, I strongly agree with the study presented by “AAAS Board Statement on Climate Change”. Every year, there is an increase in population and when more people living, consequently the demand for energy and the production of waste are significant producers of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Global warming has been a controversial topic for years and some have even denied its existence; however, as more studies are being published every day in regards to our changing climate, it is hard to ignore this growing issue and how humans contribute to it. The term greenhouse gases refers to the group of gases that are primarily responsible for global warming and chief among these gases is carbon dioxide. Rising carbon dioxide levels can be attributed to a combination of burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum as well as deforestation in general ( Source A). To slow the effects of global warming, it is important for leaders in our society to consider their greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, and make
Global climate has been drastically changing over the past decade reflecting a wide range of impacts that affect not only the environment, but humans as well. Over the last 50 years the magnitude of global warming has been increasing mainly due to human activities. Since the industrial revolution in the 1800s economic growth has been driven by the progress of manufacturing processes, these have significantly contributed to global warming. It is in this period of time when the global concentration of greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere had a significant increment from 280 parts per million (ppm) in the 1800s to the modern levels of 400 ppm in 2016. (CITE acs.org).Greenhouse gases are the most significant drivers of climate change due to their persistent effects over a long period of time that can therefore negatively affect the present and future generations.
The debate surrounding global climate change affects millions of people. In fact, the rate at which our climate temperatures are changing due to greenhouse gas emissions is alarming. Carbon dioxide is the number one greenhouse gas emission that human beings so efficiently and effectively emit into the atmosphere. It 's all around us, all the time. Scouring our air, and our lungs. According to the data in a study done by the E.P.A. in 2013, Carbon Dioxide accounted for approximately 82 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. Warmer temperatures, depleting glacial ice sheets and increased ocean acidity are just a few of the growing concerns seen around the globe. But, nothing concerns scientists and engineers more
One of the most compelling and difficult environmental problems society is facing today is climate change. People do not realize how much the environment has changed for the worse in the last ten years, until they are told that the last two decades of the 20th century have been the hottest in the last 400 years, according to climate studies (Conserve Energy Future). Today the carbon dioxide levels have reached 396.81 parts per million (ppm). “Carbon dioxide (CO2) has also increased over the last 100 years-- from about 300 ppm to 370 ppm. Interestingly, the majority of these additions have occurred in the last 50 years, when temperature increases have been slowest” (geocraft). There are no known solutions yet to reverse these effects in the
The United States government has been denying the truth about global warming. It seems that everyone else has been tagging along as well. It has become a great concern that people aren’t aware of what global warming actually is, and citizens leave it up to politics to decide for them. So, What is Global Warming? There is a process that occurs in our atmosphere called the Greenhouse Effect. The natural release of greenhouse gasses from our planet is done to keep our planet warm. What occurs is these gasses are released into our atmosphere, in which then they trap light from the sun, and that light is released into the earth to warm it up. The amount of energy that is used to warm up our earth is always the same amount of energy that our
Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, located in Southeast Asia and made up of more than 18,000 islands, while only one third of them are inhabited. In 2011 57% of the power generated in Indonesia was coal and oil, 31% was natural gas, making 88% of the generated power non renewable. There is a much needed change for
In 1988, the United Nation reported that carbon dioxide levels are nearing a dangerous level of interference with the climate system so they have established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (ProQuest). Greenhouse gas concentrations such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are continuing to rise during 2014 and it is reaching historic values (International). A variety of independent datasets shows