SAVE THE PLANET

31 March 2022

Main

Climate change: what can we do to mitigate it?

The scientific community is concerned about climate change, caused by the increase in the volume of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels, deforestation and some intensive agricultural practices.

To tell the truth, compared to a few decades ago, some progress has been made in the direction of reducing the chemicals that cause the hole in the ozone layer and on the front of energy produced from renewable sources that has been increasing. The level of deforestation has also been kept in check to some extent.
But this is a small contribution, not much else has been done to safeguard our planet.

Another issue is the bio-diversity that is being lost and endangering the environment. Animals, insects, plants and other species found in nature play a vital role in the production of oxygen and the purification of air and water.

Point of no return

On the topic of climate change Leonardo DiCaprio (Ambassador for Peace to the United Nations, always sensitive to the issues of pollution and environmental protection) produced and starred in 2016 an interesting and engaging documentary entitled "Before the flood", disseminated by National Geographic and that opens the eyes to the terrible and obvious effects of global warming.

TRAILER:

The issue is addressed in the video also discussing with some of the most influential personalities on the planet, such as the American president in those years, Barack Obama, Pope Francis or Elon Musk, ceo of Tesla.

The documentary initially shows how society is totally dependent on gas and oil and how, in order to obtain fossil fuels, huge amounts of Co2, methane and other greenhouse gases are produced that are responsible for rising temperatures, causing melting glaciers, rising tides and collateral damage, such as acid rain.

Set around the world, crossing 5 continents and showing natural areas damaged by man through very compelling images, such as actually seeing the melting of glaciers, the documentary does not stop at denunciation but also proposes solutions to stem the problem and avoid environmental catastrophe, such as:

Use renewable sources
Switch to electric cars
Increase taxation on coal production (carbon tax)
Invest in intensive farming of chickens instead of red meat

Full DOCUMENTARY:

From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energies

The recent international situations, the relationships between the traditional energy producing countries and the importing countries of these energies, have clearly shown how the high prices of fossil fuels can cause energy poverty and loss of industrial competitiveness. In fact, 80% of the world's population lives in countries that import fossil fuels.

Renewable energy, on the other hand, is available in all countries.

Not being dependent on imports means to have autonomy of economic growth and to allow the development of new jobs. In fact, it has been calculated that investment in renewable energies, worldwide, could create about 85 million jobs, against a loss of about 12 million jobs in fossil fuel industries, a positive balance of 73 million jobs, with real socio-economic benefits and welfare.

World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022 (IRENA)

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) "World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022," which defines priority areas and actions based on available technologies that must be implemented by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, renewable energy is expected to leapfrog from the current 14 percent of total energy to about 40 percent in 2030, or triple by that date, as recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

In parallel, coal-fired power should be replaced without delay and fossil fuel resources phased out as infrastructure is upgraded. Governments are asked to accelerate the energy transition for greater security, resilience and affordable energy for all.

The Outlook sees electrification and efficiency as key drivers of the energy transition, enabled by renewable energy, hydrogen and sustainable biomass. In particular, electromobility is seen as the true driver of the energy transition, with sales of electric vehicles increasing to a global fleet twenty times larger than today.