Low Carbon World Economy and Ice Cap at North Pole

Low Carbon World Economy and Ice Cap at North Pole

1. Present Situation

1.1 CO2 – emissions

1.2 Reasons for rising CO2 – emissions

2. Consequences of climate change

3. Ways to stop ice cap melting

3.1 Decarbonization of world economy and transport

3.2 New energy systems

1.1 Present Situation

The CO2 concentration in 1750 before the industrial revolution was 250-270ppm

In 2000 the CO2 and methan concentration rises up to 380ppm plus 70ppm Oxidnitrat is equivalent with 450ppm CO2

Now there are 3000 Billion tons CO2 in the Atmosphere in addition 26 Billion tons per year.

Expected CO2 emissions in 2050 : 42 Billion tons per year

OECD - Memberstates

1.2 Reasons for rising CO2 Emission:

- rising world population (more transport, more energy, more food, more habitat, more waste)

- modern industry / industry revolution (more energy, more transport, more waste, higher raw

material consumption)

- modern society (more transport, more waste, human greed)

2. General consequences of climate change

-Rising number of extreme weather phenomena-Floods-Droughts-Hurricanes-Tsunamis / tidal waves-Forest fires

-Water shortage & agricultural problems

-Change / fail of ecological systems-Dying of rainforest

-Relocation of climate zones

-Feedback on global warming -Permafrost melting

-Sea level rise & melting of polar caps

Consequences if the Northpole is melting

Comparison of Arctic sea ice minimum in 2007 with 2005 and the 1979-2000 median minimum.

At first the good news:

The Ice development in the North-East-Passage allows to shipping an attractive route to Far East:

Shorter than the way through the Panama cannel and even shorter than a passage by the Suez Cannel

Access to Resources:- Oil and natural Gas- Coal- Minerals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper and other- Fishing areas

And the bad News

by the Example of Bangladesh

The sea-level rises „only“ for 1,5 metre

there are 15% of the Population (it means 17 million People!!!) and16% of the land areas (22,000 km2) affected

These People are loosing all and become climate refugees.This can destabilise this region and cause a regional conflict

There is another problemin the Arctic area

Every neighboring state want its Part of the arctic cap, but there are unsettled borders between these countries

The maritime law arrangement (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)) of the United Nations in the year 1982 states with oceanic coast have the right on restricted control of the water surface up to a distance of 200 sea miles (~,370 km) of the base-coastal line (so-called exclusive economic zone).

This means that five bordering states of the Arctic Ocean with territory raise to the north of the polar circle,Norway, Denmark, Russia, the USA as well as Canada, territorial claims to parts of the north polar sea.

This development gives a new hot spot to the world. The military power demonstrations together with political statements of the protagonists illustrate the explosive effect of the situation on the North Pole.

3.1 Decarbonisation of the wolrd economy

World economy is divided into three sectors: -Energy-Industry -Transport

Energy -Use less coal, gas and oil -Pushing on the change towards green energies -Wind, solar and hydrodynamic power

Industry -Upgrade of industrial facilities to increase efficiency -Strengthen research programs

Transport -Improving the energy efficiency performance of vehicles across all modes -Optimizing the performance of multimodal logistic chains -Using transport and infrastructure more efficiently

3.2 New energy systems

• Wind • Solar• Biomass• Nuclear energy

Nuclear Energy

Pros:•electricity price is very low•Zero CO2 emissions•Energy Independence (e.g. to oil)•Nuclear waste can be recycled in processing plantsCons:•High costs for storing the nuclear waste•Very high building costs (nuclear power plants)•No store for higly nuclear waste until now•Finiteness of Uranium (≈63 years)

Wind Energy

Pros:• Free renewable energy• Low-emission energy• Cheapest renewable energy/kwhCons:• irregularly energy source• Changing landscapes

Solar Energy

Pros:• Free energy source• Clean emission-less energy production• Many possible applicationsCons:• Unsteady solar radiation• Costly producing of solar moduls• Use of toxic substances

Biomass

Pros:• Many possible applications• Renewable ressources• Positive CO2 bilanceCons:• no unlimited expansion

possibilities

Key Facts about the French energy system

Sources of electricity in France 2006:

Key Facts about the French energy system

• France obtains 75 % of its electricity from nuclear energy• World largest net exporter• Very active in nuclear technology (reactors, fuel products, services)• 17 % of France‘s electricity is from recycled nuclear fuel

Climate change world economy and ice cap at the

noth pole

1- decarbonization and capture and storage of CO2.

2. using of renewable energies such as : wind, solar,

geothermal, hydro, etc.

3 improvment of public transportation to be more

energy efficient and comfortable.

Tips to reduce our personal consumption of energy

to reduce of CO2 emissions

1. Turn off the air conditioner unless it’s absolutely

necessary.

2. Minimise your use of the car. It’s burning fossil

fuels directly!

3. Take shorter showers. This saves water and the

energy needed to heat the water.