Global Warming

Description:

Global warming is the trend of increasing temperatures on a global scale. The source of this heating is believed to be the greenhouse effect, which is the culmination of CO2 in the atmosphere acting as a warm blanket keeping the heat in.

Dynamics: The sun heats the earth's surface using its solar radiation. The heat coming from the surface can be seen as infrared radiation which under normal conditions can easily escape back again. However, large amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere prohibit the infrared heat-rays to escape quickly, causing global warming.

Enablers:

• Emission of greenhouse gases such as CO2
• Growth of the worlds population
• Economic growth, especially in emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil
• Slow implementation of renewable energy such as wind, water solar and biomass
• Lack of long term vision from governments and corporations
• Changes in the Earth's orbit
• Changes in the sun's intensity
• Volcanic eruptions: aerosol and CO2 emissions
• Changes in ocean and air currents

Inhibitors:

• Global Dimming
• Application of renewable energy sources
• Application of nuclear energy
• Reducing the use of fossil fuels through energy saving measures
• Preventing greenhouse gases from being emitted to the atmosphere (for example by storing it in empty oil- or natural gas fields, which is called CCS Carbon Capture and Storage).
• Global leaders agreements on industrial and domestics emissions, not only CO2 but also NOx, aerosols and other harmful gases

Paradigms:

Solar radiation X passes through our atmosphere and heats the earths surface. The surface absorbes the energy and warmth (radiation Y) flows through the atmoshpere, while heating it. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere adsorb radiation Y, thereby raising the temperature of the atmosphere.

Global warming is a major challenge for the energy intensive industry such as electricity production and production of materials like aluminum and steel. Governments increase their ambition to reduce their so called carbon footprint. They set absolute targets for greenhouse gas emissions in certain points of time. They force industries to reduce their CO2 emissions either by legislation or creating economical incentives. Also customers become increasingly aware of their impact on global warming. They want to use CO2 lean products (such as fuel efficient cars, energy efficient light bulbs, water saving showers, etc.). This also impacts the operations of corporations in the future.

Global warming is a truly global problem and therefore needs global solutions. Molecules of greenhous gases in the atmosphere do not stop at the borders of nations or continents. Countries with the highest emissions of greenhouse gases per person should take the lead in reducing efforts. In general these countries are also the most industrialised and most developed countries on earth. However, it is essential that also emerging countries like India, China and Brazil take their responsibility. Due to the enourmous population of these countries and their rapidly growing greenhouse gas emissions caused by economic growth their impact to global warming is essential.

• Before: Climate change is consequence of excesses of CO2 emissions
• After: Climate change is a consequence of human behavior

Experts:

Climatologists.

CFC FREE

Timing:

1997 Kyoto Protocol, an amendment to the UNFCCC 2005 warmest year since instrumental measurements were made (1800s)

Web Resources:

• [1] The EPA Global Warming Kids Page
• [2] co2
• [3] Global Warming Wikipedia
• [4] Greenpeace