Our planet is changing. Temperatures are rising, weather patterns are becoming more extreme, and sea levels are creeping ever higher. These are just some of the signs of climate change, a complex phenomenon that is reshaping our world.

This article delves into the root causes of climate change, exploring human activities that contribute to the problem. We'll also see how climate change is hurting our planet, animals, and even ourselves.

If we learn about what causes climate change and how it hurts us, we can take steps to slow it down and make a better future for everyone!

“In turn, climate changes can disrupt energy networks themselves, stress infrastructure, and pose safety risks to people.” 

• Climate Change Impacts on Energy | US EPA

The link between energy and climate change

The way we use energy to power our lives is hurting the Earth's climate. Burning things like coal and oil to make electricity and fuel our cars releases gases that trap heat around the planet. This is making things warmer, which can cause problems like rising sea levels and stronger storms.

Fossil Fuels: The Primary Culprit

The vast majority of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. When burned, these fuels release greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for the assessment of climate change, "[human activities] are estimated to have increased Earth's global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels" (IPCC, 2021: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/). This warming trend is attributed largely to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion.

How Greenhouse Gases Trap Heat

Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around the Earth, trapping heat from the sun that would otherwise escape back into space. This natural process keeps our planet warm and habitable. However, People burning things like coal, oil, and gas for electricity and cars has put a lot more heat-trapping gases in the air. This blanket effect is warming up the Earth little by little.

The Consequences of a Warming Planet

The effects of climate change are already being felt worldwide. Here are some key points with references:

• Rising Sea Levels: Melting glaciers and thermal expansion of oceans contribute to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems (NASA, 2023: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/sea-level/).
• Extreme Weather Events: A warming planet means more extreme weather. We're seeing hotter heat waves, worse droughts, stronger floods, and bigger wildfires (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/video/extreme-weather-interconnections-in-extreme-weather/). This hurts our farms, and buildings, and even makes us sick.
• Ocean Acidification: As the oceans absorb more CO2, they become more acidic, harming marine life and disrupting ocean ecosystems (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, 2022: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/ocean-acidification).

The Path to a Sustainable Future

The good news is that we can still mitigate the worst impacts of climate change by transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Here are some promising solutions:

• Renewable Energy: There are better ways to make energy that doesn't hurt the environment, like sunshine, wind, hot springs underground (geothermal), and moving water (hydropower). Many technology choices exist, most investments were in solar PV and wind power, with 95% channeled toward these technologies. (IRENA and CPI, 2023: https://www.irena.org/Digital-Report/World-Energy-Transitions-Outlook-2023)
• Energy Efficiency: Using energy more efficiently has proven to be an extremely successful and cost-effective way to reduce energy demand. (IEA 2023 - https://www.iea.org/energy-system/energy-efficiency-and-demand)

Conclusion:

The link between energy and climate change is undeniable. Our continued reliance on fossil fuels poses a significant threat to our planet's future. By transitioning to clean energy sources and embracing energy efficiency, we can create a more sustainable future for generations to come. This requires a concerted effort from individuals, businesses, and policymakers alike. The time to act is now.

Sources

1. www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/climate-change-and-everglades-restoration
2. ebookshelf.hkust.edu.hk/flippingbook/G22935

Emissions and Trends

Human activities release various types of emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Here's a breakdown of some key types and their trends:

1. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs):

These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing a gradual warming effect. The primary GHGs include:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The most abundant human-caused GHG, mainly emitted from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.

Trend: Atmospheric CO2 concentrations have been steadily rising since the Industrial Revolution. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) maintains data on global CO2 levels, which can be visualized in a graph

(https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends/global.html). The graph shows a clear upward trend, with CO2 concentrations exceeding 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, the highest level in human history.

2. Air Pollutants:

These pollutants can harm human health and the environment. Some key air pollutants include:

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOX): Emitted from vehicle exhaust and industrial processes, NOX contributes to smog and acid rain.
• Sulfur Oxides (SOX): Mainly from burning fossil fuels, SOX also contributes to acid rain and respiratory problems.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Released from various sources like paints, solvents, and industrial processes, VOCs contribute to smog and ozone formation.

Trend: Air quality regulations have led to reductions in some pollutants like SOX in developed countries. However, NOX and VOC emissions remain a challenge, particularly in rapidly developing regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes data on global air quality trends.

(https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/air-pollution/who-air-quality-database), which can be used to create charts illustrating air quality changes over time for different regions

3. Black Carbon:

Burning things like wood or dirty fuel (diesel) can create black soot that pollutes the air and warms up the planet.

Trend: Black smoke from burning wood and old fuel (like in dirty stoves) is a big problem, especially in developing countries. But there's good news! By using cleaner stoves and burning less stuff outside, we can cut back on this black smoke in the future.

Data and Charts:

The following resources provide data and charts on emissions and trends:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
  https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends/global.html (CO2 concentrations)
• World Health Organization (WHO):
• https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/air-pollution/who-air-quality-database (Global air quality data)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
• https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator (US air pollutant trends)
• International Energy Agency (IEA):
• https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-in-2022 (Global energy and emissions trends)

• Use these websites to find info and make charts showing the different types of pollution and how they're getting worse. This is a wake-up call that we need to take action on climate change!

Sources

1. static.dgnb.de/fileadmin/dgnb-system/en/buildings/new-construction/criteria/07_SITE1.1_Local-environment.pdf
2. www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Plan_to_Conserve_Global_Forests_final.pdf

Commercial and residential sector emissions

Here's a breakdown of commercial and residential sector emissions:

Main Source of Emissions:

• Fossil Fuel Combustion: Our homes and buildings cause a lot of pollution because we burn things like gas and oil to stay warm, cool, and cook. Examples include:
  • Natural gas for heating water, space heating, and cooking appliances.
  • Propane for heating and cooking (especially in rural areas).
  • Heating oil for space heating in some regions.
  • Homes and buildings pollute. They burn gas and oil to stay warm, cool, and cook. This pollutes the air. Power plants burn fossil fuels too, even though that's usually counted differently. These burnt fuels put out greenhouse gasses and other bad stuff. Leaky houses and old appliances burn even more fuel, making things worse.

Types of Emissions:

• Greenhouse Gases (GHGs):
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2): The largest contributor, CO2 is emitted from burning natural gas, propane, and heating oil.
  • Nitrous Oxide (N2O): A smaller contributor, N2O can be emitted from natural gas combustion and some types of appliances.
• Air Pollutants:
  • Nitrogen Oxides (NOX): Emitted from natural gas combustion for heating and cooking.
  • Sulfur Oxides (SOX): Not a big deal in most countries because they have clean fuel laws, but it can still be a problem in some places.
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Paints, cleaners, toiletries - all releasing fumes that pollute.

Additional Considerations:

• Building Efficiency: Drafty houses and buildings guzzle energy to stay warm or cool, which means more pollution in the air.
• Appliance Efficiency: Old appliances, and energy hogs, pollute more.
• Location: The type of fuel used for heating and electricity generation can vary depending on the region.

Resources for Further Information:

• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
• International Energy Agency (IEA): Buildings Sector https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings

Sources

1. www.wnypapers.com/news/article/featured/2021/05/01/146431/there-is-no-planet-b-5-ways-to-be-more-sustainable-in-2021
2. agclassroom.org/matrix/lesson/print/703/

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Electricity End-Use

We think factories and cars pollute the air the most, but forget about all the electricity we use in our homes and buildings! That electricity can also dirty the air because many power plants burn things like coal and oil to make it. Here's a breakdown of why this seemingly invisible source matters, backed by references:

The Hidden Culprit: Fossil Fuel Power Plants

A large portion of the electricity we use comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. These fuels release greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), during combustion. CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change (IPCC, 2021: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-working-group-i/)

Emissions Beyond the Power Plant

• Our houses and buildings might not puff out smoke, but the electricity we use for lights, TVs, and even keeping cool or warm can still pollute the air. This is because the power plants that make that electricity sometimes burn dirty fuels like coal. The amount of pollution per unit of electricity depends on what kind of fuel the power plant uses (like coal being bad and sunshine being good). So, places that rely on cleaner power plants have less "hidden pollution" from electricity use. (US EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/)

Why It Matters:

• Hidden Impact: Since we don't directly burn fossil fuels at home, it's easy to overlook the environmental impact of our electricity use. This hidden factor can lead to underestimating our contribution to climate change.
• Significant Contributor: You might think cars and trucks are the biggest polluters, but surprise! Homes and businesses together can release more heat-trapping gases than all the cars and trucks on the road! (source: US Environmental Protection Agency, link to US EPA website: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions)

Taking Action:

• Energy Efficiency: The best way to cut down on the pollution caused by our electricity use is to simply use less electricity! Turning off lights when we leave a room, using appliances that don't guzzle energy, and making sure our houses don't leak heat or cool air all make a big difference. This way, we don't have to rely on power plants that burn dirty fuels to make electricity for us. Check IEA website for more information on energy efficiency. (https://www.iea.org/)
• Supporting Clean Energy: It's important to support ideas and laws that encourage using clean energy sources like sunshine and wind power. These ways of making electricity don't pollute the air as much, which keeps our power grid cleaner and helps the environment. Check (International Renewable Energy Agency) website for more information on supporting clean energy. (https://www.irena.org/)

Conclusion:

Understanding greenhouse gas emissions from electricity end-use is crucial. By making informed choices about our energy consumption and supporting clean energy solutions, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.

Sources

1. ebookshelf.hkust.edu.hk/flippingbook/G22935

Top Climate Impacts on Energy

Climate change poses a significant threat to our energy systems around the world. This section explains how climate change hurts our energy systems. We'll use pictures and info from experts to show the problems and why they matter.
1. Extreme Weather Events:

• Heatwaves: Heat waves. A/C hums loud. Power grid groans. Lights flicker, then die. Silence. Hot, heavy silence.

Effect: Power outages, energy shortages, price hikes.

• Droughts: No rain means less water for power plants. Hydro plants cough. Sputter. Not enough water to spin the turbines. Regular plants, hot and chugging. Overheating. Could blow the whole thing.
• Floods: Rising water. Power plants underwater. Sparks and sputters. No lights. Dead lines. City in darkness.
• Wildfires: Wildfires can damage energy infrastructure and disrupt power transmission lines.

Effect: Power outages, infrastructure damage, disruptions to the energy supply chain.

https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/surging-weather-related-power-outages

2. Rising Sea Levels:

• Coastal Flooding: Ocean creeps higher. Power plants on the coast, water lapping at their feet. Salt air eats at the wires. Sparks sputter. Could all go dark.
• Storm Surge: Increased storm surge can damage coastal energy infrastructure.

Effect: Power outages, infrastructure loss, disruptions to energy production and transmission.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24008-9

https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-4-sea-level-rise-and-implications-for-low-lying-islands-coasts-and-communities/

• 3. Changes in Precipitation Patterns:
  • Reduced Hydropower Generation: Dry times. Rivers shrink. Hydro plants sputter. Not enough water to turn the wheels. Less power for everyone.
• Effect: Power shortage warning! We need to use less electricity and find new, clean sources of power, fast! Otherwise, the lights might go out.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.00268/full

• 4. Increased Temperatures:
  • Reduced Efficiency of Thermal Power Plants: Hot air everywhere. Power plants sweat. Cooling water, hot and sluggish. Plants struggle to make power. Trouble brewing.
• Effect: Lower electricity generation capacity and potential for blackouts during peak demand periods.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Thermal-Power-Plant-efficiencies-vs-Ambient-Temperature_fig7_322612052

5. 
   Changes in Wind Patterns:

• Impact on Wind Energy Potential: If the wind doesn't blow the way we expect, it can be hard to rely on wind turbines to generate electricity all the time.

Effect: Fluctuations in electricity supply from wind sources, requiring adjustments in energy grids.

Overall Impacts:

• Climate change is making it harder to keep the lights on. Our power systems are getting shaky, which means more blackouts and maybe even not enough electricity for everyone.
• Fixing our power systems to handle climate change might cost more, which means our electricity bills could go up.
• Sun shines bright. Wind blows strong. New power sources, cleaner and tougher. Less trouble from crazy weather. Time to ditch the old ways and embrace the future!

Conclusion:
The energy sector needs to adapt to the realities of climate change. We can fix this! By building stronger power grids, using a mix of clean energy sources, and making sure the system can adapt, we can keep the lights on and protect our planet for the future. It'll take work, but together we can do it!

What we can do?

Here are some ways we can reduce the electricity sector's contribution to climate change:

Reduce our overall electricity consumption:

• Save energy at home and work! Every little bit helps. Turn off the lights. Use less power. Easy ways to save juice and fight climate change.

Support clean energy solutions:

• Advocate for policies that encourage renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Be involved by contacting your local representatives, participating in public hearings, or supporting organizations that promote clean energy. Support clean power! Tell everyone, to fight for change. Less pollution, brighter future.

• Consider energy-efficient upgrades for your home, like better insulation or high-efficiency appliances. Look for programs or rebates offered by your utility company.
• Grade 9 Hemingway: Upgrade your house. Make it tighter, and use less power. Save money, save the planet. Win-win!

Spread awareness:

• Talk it up! Tell everyone about climate change and clean power. Together we can make a difference.

Remember: Every action, big or small, contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

• For schools: Organize educational events about climate change and clean energy. Participate in Earth Day activities or energy-saving competitions.
• For businesses: Make your workplace greener! Use less energy (turn off lights!), invest in clean power sources like solar panels, and encourage employees to be eco-friendly.

• If we all pitch in, we can switch to cleaner ways of making electricity and fight climate change!

Sincerely,

Shawn Cornett

(210) 232-6032 | [email protected]

Ambit Energy National Consultant
Co-Founders Impact Award
Co-Founders Leadership Council
Nine Time 5-Star Club Qualifier
Pacesetter, Powersurge & Pure Energy Award Winner
Most importantly… the 2013 Ambition Softball MVP 🙂