Climate change is a concept used to refer to a wide range of, and long-term effects of weather patterns. Climate change is a global problem, usually caused by the excessive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The burning of wood and fossil fuels has conspicuously impacted the carbon cycle negatively, causing a substantial increase in carbon dioxide level. The carbon dioxide level has continued to rise in response to the increased conversion of organic forms during the Industrial Revolution.
Ideally, carbon dioxide has increased sharply from 280 ppm to over 400 for the past two centuries. Initially, people brushed off the idea that such an increase in carbon dioxide was due to human activities. The issue of climate change was therefore attributed to nature, and treated as a natural component. The global community has already acknowledged the implications of climate change and has been striving to reduce carbon emissions for the past few decades.
Through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol, a target to limit the mean global temperature rise to no more than (or as close to) 2°C by the year 2100 was established. The objective of this business decision model report is to determine a plausible set of human behavioral and policy changes that would be used to limit the mean global temperature rise to no more than (or as close to) 2°C by the year 2100 in alignment with the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol directives.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Overview of the Project
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Background Information
2.3 Problem Statement
2.4 Assumptions
3. Analysis: Solution to the Emissions Problem using the EN-ROADS Simulator
3.1 Basic Controls
3.1.1 Coal Policy
3.1.2 Oil Policy
3.1.3 Gas Policy
3.1.4 Renewables
3.1.5 Biomass
3.1.6 Nuclear
3.1.7 New Technology: Direct Air Capture (DAC)
3.2 Population and GDP
3.2.1 Population Growth Scenario
3.2.2 GDP / Capita Growth Rate
3.3 Carbon Policy (Emissions Price Controls)
3.4 Land Use & Other
3.4.1 Forestry Reductions
3.4.2 Other Greenhouse Gases Reductions
4. Recommendation and Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This report aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based business decision model to identify actionable human behavioral and policy changes that limit the mean global temperature increase to 2°C or less by the year 2100, in accordance with international climate protocols.
- Analysis of energy sector transitions (coal, oil, gas, renewables, nuclear).
- Evaluation of technological carbon removal via Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).
- Assessment of demographic impacts, including global population growth and economic development metrics.
- Exploration of economic mechanisms like carbon pricing, emission quotas, and market-based incentives.
- Development of land-use strategies focused on reforestation and sustainable agricultural practices.
Excerpt from the Book
Coal Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Coal carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is defined herein as a technological approach designed and customized specifically to address the problem of greenhouse gas emissions from various coal-fired power plants. CCS, as noted by Groesbeck and Pearce (2018), involves capturing and separating CO2 as well as subsequent compression and transportation to storage locations like saline aquifers. The already captured COs is then injected to a pre-designed underground geologic formations wherein it is stored for a relatively long term. CCS technology attempts to reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by minimizing the implications of coal-fire power plants on climate change (Eldardiry & Habib, 2018). Below is a brief explanation of the three steps used in the CCS process;
Capture: Entails using various methods of capturing COs such as oxyfuel combustion, post-combustion capture, and combustion capture, from the power plant.
Transportation: The captured CO2 is then transported using trucks, ships, or pipelines, into a storage site.
Storage: Saline formations, depleted oil or gas reservoirs, and coal seams are used as underground geologic formations.
Summary of Chapters
Executive Summary: Provides an overview of the research objective to limit global warming to 2°C and outlines the proposed policy interventions including energy taxation and CCS implementation.
Overview of the Project: Introduces the scientific context of climate change, the historical increase in CO2 levels, and defines the scope of the study regarding decision tools and policy variables.
Analysis: Solution to the Emissions Problem using the EN-ROADS Simulator: Details the primary policy levers, including energy source transitions, population dynamics, carbon pricing, and land-use strategies utilized in the simulation model.
Recommendation and Conclusion: Proposes specific targets for coal phase-out, oil reduction, and carbon pricing, while summarizing the necessity for a holistic approach to achieve long-term climate targets.
Keywords
Climate change, EN-ROADS Simulator, Carbon emissions, Renewable energy, Direct Air Capture, Carbon pricing, Greenhouse gases, Sustainability, Forestry reduction, Mitigation strategies, Global warming, Fossil fuels, Energy efficiency, Coal power plants, Carbon sequestration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this report?
The report focuses on identifying and simulating a plausible set of policies and human behavioral changes aimed at limiting global mean temperature rise to 2°C by 2100.
What are the central thematic areas covered in the analysis?
The thematic areas include energy supply controls, fossil fuel decarbonization, demographic and GDP trends, carbon pricing mechanisms, and land-use strategies such as reforestation.
What is the core research objective of this document?
The primary goal is to determine effective mitigation pathways to meet international climate directives, specifically aligned with UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol targets.
Which scientific modeling tool is utilized in this study?
The study utilizes the EN-ROADS simulation model to test the effectiveness of various policy inputs on global climate trajectory.
What topics are discussed within the main analysis section?
The main section covers basic energy controls, population growth scenarios, the role of land use, and the implementation of advanced carbon capture technologies.
Which key terms characterize this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as carbon sequestration, renewable energy, fossil fuel divestment, emission price controls, and global warming.
How does the report address the role of coal in future energy demand?
The report recommends a aggressive phase-out of coal-fired power plants, supported by taxation and the adoption of CCS technology to manage emissions.
What is the proposed strategy for carbon pricing mentioned in the study?
The study suggests implementing a carbon price starting at $200 per ton of CO2, rising to $500 per ton over two decades to incentivize emitters to change their operational strategies.
How does the author view the integration of Direct Air Capture (DAC)?
DAC is viewed as a "game-changer" technology that, when combined with AI and IoT, can significantly reduce atmospheric CO2 levels required to reach climate goals.
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- James Muthanga (Autor:in), 2023, Addressing Human Contributions to Climate Change. Business Decision Model Report, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1354863
