Earth Day - Energy usage, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Global Warming

April 22nd, 2008

What Can WE Do?

April 22 is known to most people as Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, according to Wikipedia. Much has changed since then. The world’s population has risen from under 4 billion in 1970 to over 6.6 billion today (with projections of 9 billion inhabitants by 2050).

The importance of carbon dioxide emissions as an environmental issue of international concern has grown substantially since 1992, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted because of increasing concern over rising atmospheric concentrations of GHGs and their possible adverse effects on the global climate system. The UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol call for an enhancement of energy efficiency and an increase in the production and use of new and renewable energy, as well as measures to limit or reduce GHG emissions.

The production, generation, distribution and use of energy today releases substantial amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutants. As population growth in the developing world continues to materialize, the pressure on local environments to supply the required energy sources will increase considerably, as will the amount of GHGs released. How the international community and governments respond to these issues will be of vital importance if society is to have a sustainable future.

Global climate change mitigation depends greatly on the increased use of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in all countries.

The efforts and measures required to successfully address climate change are extremely challenging in a number of ways. However, one specific step we can all take is to focus attention on energy usage.

Where Do I Start? What can we do as individuals?

Here’s one way you can help reduce GHG emissions. EPA has launched a new national campaign to help Americans join in the fight against climate change. The campaign, “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR” helps people make important energy-efficient changes at home and at work that can add up to significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. The campaign builds on the success of the ENERGY STAR “Change a Light” campaign by providing a set of steps people can take to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Change the World. Start with ENERGY STAR a national campaign encouraging all Americans to join with millions of others and take small, individual steps that make a big difference in the fight against global warming.

What can corporations do?

The buildings where we work, shop, play and learn spend $200 billion annually on electricity and natural gas and contribute nearly half of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, 50 percent of U.S. electrical generation relies on coal, a fossil fuel; while 85 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from energy-consuming activities supported by fossil fuels.

With help from programs like EPA’s ENERGY STAR, you can help reduce energy waste and energy costs where you work as well as where you live!

The most energy-efficient businesses in America use about 30 percent less energy than their competitors. Finding smart ways to manage the energy you need to run your business can improve your profit margins, increase funds available for development of new products and services and enhance overall corporate value.

Tags: carbon dioxide emissions earth day energy usage ghg emissions global climate change global warming UNFCCC

Entry Filed under: Greenhouse Gas Emissions