The World Yearns to Reduce Carbon Emissions - Lab Report Example

Our group chose the reduction of carbon emissions by half in the next 50 years. The group members agreed unanimously that the use of renewable sources for energy production forms the basis of carbon reduction by half. The use of nuclear energy wedges comes in second as efficient use of energy sources forms the third energy wedge. Lastly shifting to biofuels seems like an easy way of reducing carbon emission   Results and Discussions The world yearns to reduce carbon emissions especially after the Kyoto Protocol and Copen Hagan reports were released. Environmentalists and human rights activists are putting pressure on countries that are producing high carbon energy on the environment to reduce or pay heavy fines to reduce carbon emissions for sustainable development. Our energy wedge is based on the conservation of green resources and the use of renewable sources of energy as a means of conservation. Nuclear wedges come in second as a means of preventing or cutting carbon emissions by half by the year 2055. Nuclear energy is capable of producing a lot of energy but is not widely used since it possesses high risks to the environment. The above two wedges are good ways of producing energy without the production of carbon. (Wardlaw, 2009). A growth rate of 5.3% annually is projected in the production of low-carbon environmental goods and services (Nesta, 2009). There has also been a tremendous increase in green jobs from 1370 billion dollars now to 2740 billion dollars by 2020, which is projected as a growth rate of 5.5% annually (Office, 2009). Due to the involvement of new technology, while shifting from fossil energy sources to renewable sources of energy, it is expected that job creation will rise from 24% annually to 42% by 2020 (UNEP, 2007).  The demand for low-carbon activities is exceptionally high. The next wedge of conservation is efficiently producing electricity. The use of coal as a source of energy leads to the production of about a fifth of the world's carbon. Conserving forests ensures that trees absorb carbon emitted and use it as a source of food production. Soil is also another form in which carbon products can be stored. This can be supported by planting cover crops and preventing soil erosion. The use of biofuels is believed to be cost-effective in but not as compared to wind and solar. However, it is expected to increase the efficiency of plant photosynthesis and the use of crop residues hence leading to the borrowing of carbon in the atmosphere (PWC). Recent research conducted by Price Water Coopers showed that almost 75% of people have shifted their demands to low-carbon goods and services.   Conclusion The above energy wedges chosen by our group indicate an advantage to the environment since the first two wedges, which are the use of renewable sources, and nuclear wedges do not produce any carbon to the environment.  Read More