Environmental Issues

Durban Climate Conference Concludes with Few Advances

     Representatives from 194 nations wrapped up the most recent U.N. Climate Conference in Durban, South Africa on Sunday, after the meetings continued longer than scheduled due to intense negotiations. In the end, a tentative agreement was made to begin negotiating a new global climate change protocol within the next few years. Some people see this as a significant step in the right direction, yet the fact that an agreement was needed simply to begin establishing a new climate “agreement” to curb the emission of greenhouse gases, left others frustrated and increasingly concerned. The lack of significant progress towards a new climate agreement angered some, especially delegates from poor countries that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, Alden Meyer, explained, “the good news is we avoided a train wreck. The bad news is that we did very little here to affect the emissions curve.” The goal remains to prevent global temperatures from increasing by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius) above current levels by 2020. According to the U.N. Environment Programme, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2020, in order for the world to have a chance at meeting this goal. Many scientists believe that there will soon be a tipping point in which there will be no turning back on the damage done to the environment. Thus the conference left many people increasingly concerned that a deal will not be reached in time to significantly fend off the potential severe consequences of global climate change.

     Leaders from many of the world’s most polluting nations butted heads over wording to be used in the future climate protocol. Diplomats from India and China argued that industrialized nations have not lived up to their promises for curbing emissions, and thus they desired an agreement that eased their nation’s liability. Chinese delegates heatedly blamed other nations by explaining “we [China] are doing whatever we should do. We are doing things that you are not doing.” The European Union strongly argued that even major developing countries, such as China and India, must accept future emissions targets with equal legal accountability. In the end there were a few initial documents that were agreed upon, which will serve as building blocks for future meetings when an official climate protocol is developed. The developing countries of China and India, two of the biggest polluters in the world (China ranks #1, India ranks #3), will be legally bound to future emissions goals. The documents plan on countries to finalize a new climate treaty within the next four years, which will take the place of the Kyoto Protocol. It is believed that it will require another five years for the treaty to be ratified, and thus a new agreement will likely not take effect until roughly 2020. A last minute change in the wording of the document from “a protocol, another legal instrument, or a legal outcome” sparked objections from the European Union, until the phrase was changed to “an agreed outcome with legal force,” thus assuring countries would not be able to escape legal accountability. In addition, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that was due to expire next year was extended by five years. The Kyoto Protocol only places emissions limits on some of the world’s biggest polluters, but not China or the United States.

     You may be wondering about the opinion of the United States regarding the discussion of a new global climate treaty, especially considering the fact that the United States ranks 2nd on the list of biggest polluting countries, and is not a member of the Kyoto Protocol. This is what United States Climate Envoy Todd Stern had to say, “this is a very significant package. None of us likes everything in it. Believe me, there is plenty the United States is not thrilled about.” What is your opinion on the position of United States in regards to the reluctant support that is being given? You might think that the United States’ lack of support for the Kyoto Protocol, in addition to the significant scientific findings that continue to support climate change, would finally result in the United States giving strong encouragement for a new climate agreement. Unfortunately, the fears of the effects of political retaliation by politician’s constituents lurk too strongly in the back of the minds of members of Congress. There is constant pressure on politicians to do what they believe will get themselves re-elected, even if it means failing to support an issue that is ethical or follows their beliefs. For now the United States will seemingly back a new global climate treaty due to pressure from other industrialized and developing nations, but will sadly due so only because of the demands from leaders of other countries.

Who Deserves the Blame?

Human actions may have a greater impact on Earth’s climate than previously thought.

     Most of us realize that humans are very much at fault for creating a planet filled with pollution and environmental peril, yet for those who fail to believe that humans are largely to blame, there is finally new research backing this idea. Recently, researchers unexpectedly discovered that much higher levels of visible radiation have been reaching Earth’s surface during the sun’s period of decreasing solar activity. The sun’s solar irradiance, or light given off, alters throughout an eleven year solar cycle. As of late, the cycle has been at a low, and thus the sun has been emitting less light. The study, which was conducted from 2004-2007, came as a shock to many scientists who previously thought that during periods of decreased solar activity, the levels of visible radiation decrease as well, yet this was not the case.

     The publishing of new eye opening studies such as this has skeptics, yet others believe that this study highlights just how heavily human’s actions are impacting our climate. According to Joanna Haigh, a professor from the Imperial College London and member of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, “These results are challenging what we thought we knew about the Sun’s effect on our climate.” Although there has been substantial debate about global warming over the last decade, most people, whether they are skeptical about global warming or not, realize that humans are not properly caring for the environment. There is confidence that these findings further highlight the fact that humans may be more to blame than previously thought. Therefore, we should see this new information as a confirmation of how terribly we are treating our planet. When you step back and think about it, it is truly amazing that humans can have such a significant impact on the climate of an entire planet. Who would have thought that the sun’s influence on global climate can be rivaled by human actions? Remember this study next time you decide to recklessly dispose of a wrapper into a bush, or toss your empty coffee cup into the garbage, rather than the recycling. Think of the gigantic impact that your actions have on the planet, in retrospect to the giant sizzling sun, ninety-three million miles away.

Wealthy Countries Create Program to Reduce Deforestation... Indonesia Pledges Two Year Moratorium

     Recently, wealthy nations came together in Oslo, Norway to develop a program designed to aid poor countries in stopping deforestation and slowing global warming. The participating nations included the United States, Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, which altogether agreed to set aside approximately $4 billion for the program. The program is called REDD Plus (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) and encourages wealthy countries to fund projects to stop deforestation. An agency will be created to oversee the program, which organizers hope to have up and running by the time world leaders meet for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico at the end of the year. Sadly, deforestation is believed to account for 20% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, which is astonishingly as much as is released by our methods of transportation such as, cars, trains, boats, and planes.

“Forests are worth more dead than alive. Today we commit to change that equation,” said the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, who co-chaired the conference that was held in Oslo, Norway.

     Additional progress was made at the Oslo conference in which Indonesia agreed to put a two year moratorium on issuing further permits for deforestation in their country. This comes as part of a one billion dollar agreement with Norway, in which Norway will pay Indonesia a fixed price per ton of carbon dioxide emissions reduced through the preservation of Indonesian rainforests. Believe it or not, due to the high amount of deforestation that occurs in Indonesia, the country is ranked the world’s third highest greenhouse gas polluter, behind the United States and China. Indonesia is the world leader in the production of palm oil and also plays a big role in the paper and timber industries. Even though this project seems like it will work successfully, there are many who remain skeptical that the plans will not be carried out effectively. Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono explained, “Indonesia understands the necessity of doing its part to face the urgent global challenge of combating climate change.” Unfortunately Indonesian leaders, although claiming they want to tackle climate change, have participated in contradictory actions, such as recently supporting extensive development in forested regions. Even so, there is a possibility that if successful, Indonesia might extend the moratorium past the two planned years.

     Let’s hope that members of wealthy nations continue to show strong support for preventing deforestation. I only wish that progress like this (assuming all goes as planned), was made quicker and without corruption. Why doesn’t the United States government come out and inform the public of efforts like these… you tell me…? All I can say is, if the government was more vocal about their plans to help protect the world’s rainforests, then maybe more people would join in the fight (although I doubt that the government has many plans… for most Presidents have done little on this matter, except Theodore Roosevelt and a few others). Even though this might be one small step, the government should do more to protect our crucial rainforests, for not only do they provide shelter to millions of species of animals, but they also contain millions of plant species, including some that may have great curing capabilities. As you likely know, there are many websites and organizations available for you to donate to and buy your own acre(s) of rainforest. I strongly encourage you do so! Let’s not forget to applaud Norway for taking the initiative to fund a program to help stop the destruction of Indonesian forests!

Climate Change Legislation Becoming High Priority

     Although significant climate legislation has been practically nonexistent in recent years, this may be about to change due to the recent oil spill in the Gulf. America’s dependence on oil is certainly not the way to help protect our environment from the perils that exist in twenty-first century society. The country needs to rapidly find new forms of renewable energy to power the nation’s infrastructure, vehicles, and the everyday necessities. As a result of the appalling BP oil spill, climate legislation is finally becoming a top priority in Washington. Senators John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman have partnered to create an energy and climate change bill which President Obama is beginning to gather support for, in hopes of the bill passing the Senate before the end of the year. Other top priorities on the president’s agenda, such as immigration reform, may be delayed in order to focus on passing climate legislation. The House of Representatives already passed some forms of legislation intended to reduce greenhouse-gas pollution in 2009. In addition, the president is proposing reductions in tax breaks to big oil companies, with potential penalties for carbon pollution.

“The time has come, once and for all, for this nation to fully embrace a clean energy future,” said President Obama.

     If there is any one potential “good” result we can take away from the horrific BP oil spill in the Gulf, it’s the fact that the spill has finally made passing stringent climate legislation a top priority. At last there is hope that the United States will make a strong push to help protect the environment, by means of new forms of clean renewable energy. The unfortunate aspect is that politicians and citizens alike tend to get hung up on creating renewable energy simply to rid us of our dependence on foreign oil.

     Politicians continuously explain that we need to reduce our dependence on foreign nations that provide us with the oil that fuels American society, yet my question is… doesn’t anyone care simply because we are destroying our once serene planet? Doesn’t anyone simply feel it’s wrong to keep destroying the earth with our careless lifestyles? The way I see it, the need for renewable energy is not merely to reduce our reliance on foreign nations, but it is to help us save our planet from further destruction that is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. We need to create renewable energy so that our vehicles can be powered by energy that doesn’t pollute our environment. By driving green vehicles such as zero emission cars, we will be able to get around just as we do today in our busy lives, yet without leaving our planet in despair. As a consequence, climate change is not only putting our way of life at risk, but it is also harming and killing off thousands of helpless components of our the planet’s ecosystems, such as essential rainforests and innocent wildlife. So feel free to continue supporting big oil and advocating against climate legislation, but remember, someday when you are living in an incredibly polluted lugubrious city filled with toxic clouds looming over your head, remember there used to be green there… one day… long ago.

Welcome to Eco Tech Planet! 

Hello Everyone,

     I am starting this site http://www.ecotechplanet.com/ in order to provide an overview of not only environmental conditions and the effects they are having on our planet, but also new innovative technological advancements, especially in the field of transportation. As most people have begun to realize, our planet is truly suffering from our careless actions. As citizens of the world, it is our duty to help and protect the planet, in order to preserve earth for future generations. Therefore, we need to stop bickering when it comes to taking action to preserve the environment. Legislative bodies worldwide need to create bipartisan climate legislation so we can finally steer down the right path. We can only hope that world leaders will make more substantial progress at the 2010 United Nations Climate Conference in Cancún, Mexico, (Nov. 29- Dec.10) than was made last year in Copenhagen. For those who remain skeptical, if we can at least encourage them to take care of the environment by not wasting, polluting, or conducting other actions that harm the environment, then we will be on the right track. After all, just because one person is skeptical about climate change doesn't mean they disagree with protecting the planet.

     The twenty-first century is an era full of amazing new technological advancements. These advancements will likely prove to be highly beneficial in helping solving the climate crisis and protecting the environment. The downside is, in order to make these new technological developments a reality, frequently extensive production is required which can have a counteractive negative effect on the original purpose. When it comes to transportation technology, there are many new methods of creating low, if not zero emissions vehicles. Within the next five years we will begin to see an influx of additional hybrids and most importantly electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Yet we must ask ourselves, by owning an electric vehicle we have to charge our car to power the vehicle, but where is this additional energy being created? If this energy that is being used to charge our electric vehicle is simply originating from fossil fuels, then how great are the benefits of owning an electric car? Therefore, we need to create a cyclical grid in which all the electricity is coming from renewable energy. If the electric that is being used to power our electric car is coming from renewable energy such as wind or solar, then owning an electric car provides us with great benefits (compared to driving a traditional gas burning vehicle). Citizens of the planet have a lot they need to accomplish within the next few decades in order to significantly protect the environment, for time is ticking, and fast.... I hope to create an informative and interesting site for the general public to follow for more information about both environmental issues and technological advancements. I am still working on fully developing the site, so please be patient as I add new content as soon as possible! Thanks!

Black Balloons Video... See just how much your household items pollute without you realizing...

Repower America Video... See America's solar energy hub, found in the American West.

Deforestation Video... Shows just how much history one tree goes through... that is until some careless person comes along and cuts it down.