As the world seeks to combat climate change, the effects of fossil fuels and renewable energy prospects are becoming increasingly under deep scientific research, with a growing emphasis on global transitioning towards sustainable and renewable energy sources for long-term environmental and economic stability and reduce the greenhouse effects.
Fossil fuels play a significant role in rising global temperatures due to releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and the warming of the planet.
Is the World’s Temperature Increasing?
The world's temperature is increasing day by day. Over the 19th century, global average temperatures have risen due to a number of human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. This has resulted in build-up of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which trap the heat and contribute to global warming.
According a report by World Research Institute, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized that the Earth’s temperature has increased by about 1.1°C (2°F) since the late 19th century, linked to a range of environmental changes, including more frequent heat-waves, rising sea levels, and shifting weather patterns.
The IPCC finds that there is a more than 50% chance that global temperature rise will reach or surpass 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2040 or even sooner. The global temperature rise in such a carbon-intensive scenario could also increase to 3.3 degrees C to 5.7 degrees centigrade by 2100. This will result in frequent extreme heat-waves, extreme droughts, crop failures and a number of health impacts to human and animal life most commonly air quality issues and heat related illnesses.
Therefore, they recommend that fossil fuel emissions should be halved within next 10 years if global warming is to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels
Impact of Fossil Fuels on Climate Change
Coal, oil and gas being the main types of fossil fuels and approximately 89% of global CO2 emissions come from fossil fuels and industry. Burning fossil fuel releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) like methane and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Burning these fuels also releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter into the air. These contribute to smog formation, acid rain, and respiratory diseases, and can harm plant life and aquatic ecosystems.
What will happen if the World’s Temperature Goes Increasing?
- Extreme heat-waves would affect human health resulting in frequent heat-strokes, dehydration and other air quality issues.
- Extreme droughts will result in crop failures and food shortages.
- Melting of Ice caps and glaciers in polar-regions will contribute to sea-level rise and frequent warmer ocean water will result in thermal Expansion of Water resulting in further increasing of sea levels causing flooding in coastal cities and islands, forced migration of millions of people and damaging property and infrastructure.
- Increased temperature may expand the spectrum of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
- Higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere will lead to increased CO₂ absorption by the ocean, making the water more acidic which will disrupt marine ecosystems and fisheries.
- Climate warming will disrupt ocean currents and precipitation pattern and could weaken or change weather patterns across the globe. This will lead to extreme colder conditions in some regions, such as parts of Europe, while intensifying heat in others.
- Increased evaporation rates due to higher temperatures will deplete freshwater sources like lakes, rivers, and groundwater, leading to water shortages in many regions. This can be particularly dangerous for agricultural irrigation, drinking water, and sanitation. Read more about issues regarding depleting groundwater levels and their solutions through rainwater harvesting in our blog here.
- Higher temperatures will put a stress on climate resulting in damage and ultimately collapse of ecosystems like forest fires, rainforests and wetlands.
- Rising temperatures will increase demand for cooling systems, especially in regions that are experiencing heat-waves. This could strain electricity grids and increase energy costs.
- While the urgency of addressing climate change is driving a global shift toward renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal), the transition will require substantial investment and adaptation in energy infrastructure to meet growing demands while reducing emissions in a very short time.
Fossil fuels and Renewable energy Prospects
In last 10 years, the economies throughout the world have considered the adverse effects of fossil fuels in different dynamics. Global environment protection authorities are experiencing different impacts of mild to severe climate change from one place to another. The dependence on fossil fuels is being discouraged and many industries are opting for alternate fuels like biofuels, biogas and biomass etc and alternate renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower.
Plastic industry is facing even more stress as even United Nations has urged its member states through a historic resolution through UN Environment Assembly UNEA, to end plastic pollution by 2024. In Unites States, different environment safety regulations are underway to minimize use of polystyrene in food packaging.
Global Cement sector, a major consumer of fossil fuels is shifting towards alternate energy sources like solar power and most advance waste heat recovery system through steam-organic combined Rankine cycle.
Similarly, food waste emits more dangerous greenhouse gas, Methane, if the food remains in landfills for a longer period. Food waste management programs are adopting ways for useful disposing of food through anaerobic methods and producing natural soil nutrients (compost) and organic foods (vermicompost) for poultry. Read more about this program in our blog.
Textile sector is also making significant changes in disposing of their waste through sustainable methods. The recent bill passed in California known as the Responsible Textile Recovery Act has directed the clothing producers to implement a system for recycling the fabrics that they sell.
The textile manufacturers will submit a complete plan through Producers Responsibility Organization (PRO) for the collection, transportation, repair, sorting, recycling, and the safe and proper management of recyclable apparel and textile articles in the state. Other states are also taking similar actions.
An estimate of 335 million tons of dry waste is produced annually on Animal farms in the United States, representing almost a third of the total municipal and industrial waste produced every year.
Sustainable practices of making biofuels from agricultural wastes and animal and human manure through anaerobic digestion are being promoted to produce renewable energy while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing waste. These organic fuels are now progressing towards bio aviation fuel.
For power production, reliance on fossil-fuel-run power plants is discouraged globally and potentially renewable ways of producing electricity are progressing such as solar energy, wind energy and thermophotovoltaics systems. According to a report by World Economic Forum, more countries are progressing towards maximum or even 100% renewable power generation sources in coming years. Read more about thermophotovoltaics technologies of converting solar heat to electric power in our blog.
Another study reveals global efforts and percentage of contribution efforts towards reaching a Net Zero target of greenhouse gases effect.
Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world due to emerging technological advancements and connecting most of our life with automation. The e-waste, if not recycled appropriately, can release hundreds of different chemical substances into the environment, such as dioxins, lead and mercury which are critically harmful for pregnant women and children. Different methods of e-waste recycling are being practiced to mitigate the effects of these metals.
Conclusion
A rise in global temperatures has cascading and interconnected effects across natural and human systems. Most likely, some regions could be experiencing benefits from changes in climate (such as longer growing seasons in higher latitudes), still the overall impact of warming is overwhelmingly negative, especially for vulnerable ecosystems, communities, and economies.
The challenge of mitigating and adapting to climate change will require coordinated global action, investment in resilient infrastructure, and a transition toward sustainable practices in energy, agriculture, and industry. If dependence on fossil fuels is minimized globally, the prospects towards renewable energy will progress in all dynamics.
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