Alternate energy, may not be alternate any more

In my usual scourging on the net regarding environmental issues, I came across an article of The Economist which is couple of months old nonetheless and as I read through it, it made it realize that the term we use "Alternate energy" may not be alternate any more.

When scientists were giving presentations, seminars about the need of shifting the use of fossil fuel into alternate fuels around the late 80s, it definitely took time for it pick up. Currently the use of solar and wind energy have increased significantly over the last 10 years, powering a small portion of national girds of many countries. Initially costs of these were quite high, and not preferred such an example would be of solar energy. The entire process of harnessing the Sun's energy and converting that into electricity was very expensive but now with prices coming down ( notable because of research, production costs coming down) , it has become a common household item.

Ok so as the article goes, solar and wind energy cannot be termed as alternate energy source anymore. Why? Its because as I mentioned, they are now powering major countries. Germany is now mostly dependent on solar and wind if not fully but with its nuclear programs being shut down by 2020, these two sources of energy will eventually become its main contributor of power.

Anyways read the article here.

Copenhagen: Failure or A Start

Its been more than a week since one of the most anticipating summit of all time, a crucial moment in human history, the decision that was supposed to change the way we live. But the outcome of the Copenhagen had mixed reactions.

Failure:

With the inception of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCC) on 1992, almost twenty years down the line, a strong protocol still could not be established. Copenhagen was the moment, the turning point but politicians failed to come up with a strong protocol where all developed countries where to participate especially the major countries US and China.

I have to say, 20 years and yet we still cannot come up with a decision on a strong climate framework. The science is clear. In the ending moments of the summit, politicians scrambled to show the world they could do sometime and salvage the most important climate convention. They came up with the "The Copenhagen Accord." I read the accord and really there is nothing specific mentioned in the accord. No numbers, no figures nothing. No specific commitment only a figure they will pay the LDCs (Least developing countries) an amount of $30bn over the next three years till 2012 when after that, it is expected that the figure will be increased. Even this figure of $30bn is not sufficient for LDCs to sustain. My country, Bangladesh are one of the major victims and our Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina made it clear that we require more money to sustain. Remember total cost for combating climate change is $100bn per year.

Since no solid decision has been made, next year in COP16 at Mexico, it is expected a final decision to be settled. I was watching a debate on BBC on the last day of Copenhagen and I remember Maldives President Mr. Nasheed, that we have a window of 7 years to come up with a protocol and we cannot delay this any further. Yet we have to wait for COP16.


A Start:

Ever since Nasa top climatologist, Dr. James Hansen on 2008 said that 350ppm(parts per million) was the target to be set by countries to maintain a healthy environment, worldwide campaigns were going driven by youths all over the world, which we all know as 350.org. But 350.org were not the only group, organizations like tcktcktck.org, Avaaz, Greenpeace and countless organizations campaigned for a better future. They formed one of the largest movements for climate justice in human history. Honestly as I went through the net and saw how many people were involved for a "Real Deal" is really surprising. In the middle of the summit, 350 Virgils, a campaign by 350 was organized on the weekend of December 11th-13th globally, hoping that world leaders pay attention. A mail I received from 350 that an elephant is moving and an elephant is an under statement. This is A START from the people and their hard work will pay one day, the day a "Real Deal" is made but until that the elephant should become more bigger.

I think the Copenhagen Accord is a start for the politicians but they are very behind and if they not catch up real fast, lets just say we will not have a home to stay. Also China has suggested that it will move into renewable energies and will cut their carbon emissions but no exact figure was mentioned. India has also said that it will shift into renewable energies over the next couple of years and by 2020 it plans to complete some projects on renewable sources of energy.

A friend of mine, Muntasir Muzahid Chowdhury came up with a song for the summit and since I was caught up with other things, I am posting it now. The name of the song is E.A.R.T.H (Elegies, Accusations, Redemption, Truths, Hereafter)

http://www.mediafire.com/?idtgmz0mqnd

You can get the lyrics here.


I salute all the people who participated in this global movement. The people who waited in line at Copenhagen to make their points heard, all campaigners WELL DONE! but its not over. But for now, lets just enjoy the holidays!

IPCC Reports

This weekend seemed quite full of suprises with the IPCC report being released. For those of you IPCC is Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change. This commitee releases reports every 5-6 years on the well being of our climate. Well the report this time does not sound too good for us mankind. The projections of the IPCC are as follows:

Probable temperature rise between 1.8C and 4C
Possible temperature rise between 1.1C and 6.4C
Sea level most likely to rise by 28-43cm
Arctic summer sea ice disappears in second half of century
Increase in heatwaves very likely
Increase in tropical storm intensity likely

For those living in USA get ready to face more devastating hurricanes worse than Katrina. USA is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases and they are actually doing nothing about it. The reason of this is because of the economy. I know if they cut on greenhouse gases there economy is going to slow down but thats the price they must pay cause if no action is taken now down the line like a decade or the end of this century there will be no economy to protect. Since the entire world is linked to there economy if they fall the entire world will fall.

The UN Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon is on a move to try and make countries reduce greenhouse emissions after a day on the release of the IPCC reports. However he has been doing it for quite some time although this report sort of accelerated it. He now wants China to take steps to curb emmisions. Why China??

China is now one of the largest country to burn coal on daily basis. It is there main source of power and energy. This has caused there economy to boom rapidly in the last 10 years. There is a big disadvantage in using coal. Burning of coal is not pure and because of this several parts of China are covered in a dense cloud of dust, ash and carbon dioxide which in turn now increases medical bills. Breathing problems, damage of the lungs and many more diseases have increased dramatically.

For China to stop using coal and begin the usage of alternate eco-friendly products is the same as why USA did not take part in the Kyoto Protocol. The only thing I can say is that millions, billions of people will be affected all around the world, just because of politicians protecting the economy and they find it more worth to save than the people who elected them to office.