Greenhouse gas emissions have never been so high as in the past 2 years claims the International Energy Agency (IEA). The economic recession was thought to slow emissions down; instead it has done the contrary.
30.6 Gt of CO2 were emitted into the atmosphere last year, a rise of 1.6 Gt from 2009 data, and an increase of over 5% in two years. This was mainly from fossil fuels and if we continue emitting at this rate by 2020 we will be emitting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than initially predicted.
Of the new power plants being built about 80% of them will be running on fossil fuels by 2020, increasing the amount of emission to even higher than predicted levels.
The main concern is the increase in the mean surface temperature which was predicted to increase by 2 degrees if CO2 emissions did not fall. ‘It is becoming extremely challenging to remain below 2 degrees. The prospect is getting bleaker….” says Fatih Birol, chief economist of the IEA.
A small increase of 2 degrees on the world’s mean surface temperature will amongst other things; disturb agriculture, melt icecaps, rise sea level and cause displacement of people which will lead to wars. The Earth will suffocate
I will not stop saying this – let’s do something about it! The technologies are there to invest in Renewable Energy – wind, solar, biomass, wave power, tidal power etc.
I coin this term now – LET’S MITIGATE OR SUFFOCATE pass it on
Tony Piccolo – Aquatic Biofuels Specialist, Kisumu-Kenya
Aquatic Biofuel Specialist
