Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
emissions? China has become the world's largest
energy consumer with coal supplying some 70%
of its energy needs (Webber 2010). In spite of
huge increases in domestic coal production,
China is the world's largest importer of coal
from other countries. In effect, developed
nations have exported their dirty manufacturing,
coal, and carbon emissions to China, which is
now also the largest carbon emitter. Just as off-
shore banks are used to hide cash, developed
countries employ offshore manufacturing to
hide their true carbon usage. This may look
good for the short-term carbon accounts of
developed countries, but this practice has decid-
edly negative consequences (Webber 2010):
• The United States and Canada consume
twice as much energy per capita as do the
richest European Union countries or Japan,
but they do not have better standards of
living.
Smil argued that per capita energy consumption
in the U.S. and Canada could be reduced
substantially without a decline in quality of life,
and this would promote innovation, strengthen
the economy, and help the environment. How-
ever, “any calls for restraint or reduction of
North American energy use are still met with
rejection” (Smil 2011, p. 214). He cited the serial
failures of international agreements to reduce
carbon emissions - Kyoto, Bali, Copenhagen and
Cancún. He rejected numerous technological
i xes to energy production and carbon pollution
as logistically or i nancially unfeasible, predicted
that atmospheric CO 2 would exceed 450 ppm,
and emphasized the need for conservation and
moderation of energy consumption.
In terms of renewable energy, wind power
emerged during the late twentieth century as
the most promising technology for relatively
rapid development on a viable i nancial basis
with minimal impacts on wetlands or other envi-
ronments. A milestone was achieved in 2008,
when global wind-energy capacity surpassed
100,000 MW (megawatts), which represented
1% of total electricity use worldwide (Musgrove
2010), and this share had increased to 2% by
2011 (Smil 2011). Denmark now produces the
highest portion (20%) of its national electrical
energy from the wind (Fig. 10-15), and the
United States has a feasible goal to reach this
level by 2030 (Fig. 10-16). Corresponding
amounts of fossil-fuel consumption and carbon
emissions, thus, could be avoided.
• Efi ciency and pollution - Instead of burning
the coal in highly efi cient power plants, it
is burned in less efi cient plants that have
little pollution control. Thus, more nitrous
oxides, sulfur oxides, particulate matter, and
carbon dioxide are emitted per megawatt-
hour of electricity produced.
• Mining impact - Countries that export coal
to China bear the environmental impacts of
coal mining without benei ting from the
energy production.
• Transportation - Shipping coal overseas adds
transportation costs and emits still more
greenhouse gases from burning diesel fuel.
Any realistic hope of mitigating human impact
on the carbon and nitrogen cycles on a global
basis means a combination of actually reducing
the consumption of fossil fuels and effectively
lowering carbon and nitrogen emissions from
their use. Many schemes, regulations, incentives,
treaties, and means of valuation have been pro-
posed or enacted to promote energy conserva-
tion and wise use of natural resources (see
chapter 11). Smil (2011) analyzed global energy
usage and technology. Comparing developed
and developing countries, he reached two main
conclusions.
10.5 Summary
Biogeochemical cycles involve all elements and
their compounds at the Earth's surface, and wet-
lands serve as storage points, transformers and
sources for many elements. Key wetland ele-
ments include nitrogen, potassium, iron and
manganese, sulfur, phosphorus, and carbon.
• Most people in the world need to consume
much more energy if they are to enjoy rea-
sonably comfortable, healthy and productive
lives.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search