Carbon Dioxide Emissions Effects on Environment - Term Paper Example

«Building for a Sustainable Future» 1. Introduction The rapid development of technology worldwide has led to the expansion of environmental pollution; the measures taken by countries have been proved inadequate to help towards the limitation of the above phenomenon. In most cases, concepts like the sustainability are being used in order to develop an effective strategy for the limitation of pollution resulting from various human activities. In order to understand the importance of sustainability in the limitation of pollution around the world, it would be necessary to examine the various aspects of the specific concept which has been described as ‘an approach to economic planning that attempts to foster economic growth while preserving the quality of the environment for future generations’ (Encyclopedia Britannica online, 2007). From a different point of view, sustainability has been regarded as a concept that reflects the ‘potential for substantive social and environmental change … while potentially sustaining or creating adverse social and environmental injustices’ (Gunder, 2006, 208). The need for the promotion of sustainability worldwide is differentiated; the level of pollution developed within a country but also the policies applied by the authorities of the particular country regarding the protection of the environment are related with the level of development of the concept of sustainability in the specific region; in countries where the pollution of the environment is extensive, the development of programs referring to sustainability is strongly supported by the state; Even under these terms, the effectiveness of sustainability in a particular country cannot be guaranteed. We could indicatively refer to the case of Britain where sustainability is strongly supported by the government; the relevant programs emphasize on the promotion of sustainability-related schemes across the country – especially the private sector. However, it has been found that ‘the UK's existing housing stock is responsible for a quarter of the country's total carbon emissions, and 85% of today's homes are expected still to be in use in 2050’ (Resource for Urban Design Information, 2008, online article). Reference is made on the specific sector as current paper focuses on the examination of the various aspects of carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock; the effects of the non-existence of an appropriate policy for the limitation and the control of these emissions on the environment are also explored and relevant measures are proposed. The main elements of sustainability in relation with the environment are set in the Rio Declaration where the co-existence of environment with human activities is strongly emphasized (Boyle et al., 1999). Another legislative text supporting the use of the concept of sustainability for the protection of the environment is the Stockholm Declaration where the obligation of man to protect the environment following specific principles is highlighted (United Nations, 1972). Countries around the world have the right to develop their own framework for sustainability. Indicatively, in the UK, there are certain sectors on which the state has the right to intervene in terms of emergency – i.e. these sectors have been recognized to be of critical importance for the country’s governors: ‘a) Sustainable Consumption and Production; b) Climate Change and Energy; c) Natural Resource Protection and Environmental Enhancement and d) Sustainable Communities’ (UK Government Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for sustainable construction policy, 2008). Regarding the specific problem, i.e. the control over the carbon emissions from existing housing stock, different policies can be suggested by governments worldwide; different approaches can be also used in order to control the effects of these emissions on the environment; however, the general plan of action would be the same. The level of expansion of carbon dioxide emissions within a specific region should be identified; the percentage of carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock should be also estimated; at a next level, appropriate policies could be suggested for the limitation of the negative effects of these emissions on the environment. 2. Carbon dioxide emissions – effects on environment Carbon dioxide has been related with the radical change in climate worldwide; extremely adverse weather conditions including changes in the stock of water of many countries worldwide are related with the increase of carbon dioxide emissions; the increase of activity of specific industrial sectors, like the automotive industry has been found to be responsible for the increase in the production of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide; however, carbon dioxide can be also resulted from other human activities; the existing housing stock is an indicative example of material that can lead to the production of carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, the levels of carbon dioxide concentrations worldwide are increased rapidly. The specific fact is proved also in the diagram presented in Figure 1 (Appendix). It is clear that the level of concentration of carbon dioxide emissions is increased through the years. In accordance with a relevant report ‘new figures from dozens of measuring stations across the world reveal that concentrations of CO2, the main greenhouse gas, rose at record levels during 2006 - the fourth year in the last five to show a sharp increase’ (The Guardian, 2007, online article). However, the above figures do not represent the level of carbon dioxide emissions released from various industrial activities; indicatively in a relevant research made across USA it was found that ‘U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels decreased by 1.3 percent in 2006, from 5,955 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMTCO2) in 2005 to 5,877 MMTCO2 in 2006’ (Science Daily, May 24, 2007). On the other hand, in accordance with a report published by the Energy Information Administration (the organization publishing official energy statistics for USA) ‘energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, resulting from the combustion of petroleum, coal, and natural gas, represented 82 percent of total U.S. anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in 2006’ (EIA, May 2008, online report). The development of carbon dioxide emissions through the daily human activities – but also through activities developed within the environment as autonomous unit can be identified in Figure 2 – Appendix section. Carbon dioxide emissions – if increased further from a specific limit – they can cause severe environmental damages – the worsening of climate globally and the increase of the level of the sea are indicative examples of the effects of the continuous increase of carbon dioxide emissions around the world. 3. Carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock – aspects and consequences on the environment As already noticed above, carbon dioxide emissions can be resulted from a wide range of human activities – they can be also resulted from the environment itself (see Figure 2, Appendix). The limitation of carbon dioxide emissions from housing stock is a problem faced by most governments worldwide. In Britain, it has been proved that the increase of these emissions is related with the low quality of housing across the country. In accordance with the study of Stewart (1999) in Britain there is ‘an excessive amount of poor conditions, and a particular decline in quality amongst the most disadvantaged in society who are increasingly accommodated in the private rented sector’ (Stewart, 1999, 228). The specific phenomenon is also highlighted in the study of Lawrence (1995) where it is noticed that ‘housing quality ought to be considered in terms of economic, political and ecological dimensions in addition to traditional, architectural, technical and qualitative dimensions’ (Lawrence, 1995, 1655). The above study refers to the various dimensions of housing and can be used in order to explain the influence of housing quality on the level of sustainability in a specific site – in regions/ sites with low sustainability the levels of carbon dioxide emissions are higher (Mcentire et al., 2002). In fact, it has been proved that the higher the level of energy used the higher the level of carbon dioxide emissions. We could refer to the speech of the Minister of Tourism of Luxembourg in June the 6th of 2005 in Neumünster Cultural Centre; during his speech the Ministry of Tourism of Luxembourg noticed that ‘the energy consumption of households in our countries fluctuates between 15 and 40% of the total energy consumption of a country; as a result, these households are the source of a significant amount of CO2 emissions’ (The Luxembourg Presidency, 2005, online article). For this reason, the reduction of energy used by households across the European Union is suggested by the Minister of Tourism of Luxembourg as a measure for the limitation of the carbon dioxide emissions and the gradual improvement of climate – which has been adversely affected by the continuous increase of carbon dioxide concentrations as explained above. 4. Methods for reducing the effects of Carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock on the environment – practical implications Under the issues developed above, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock should be based on the use of a multi-dimensional plan of action. The initiatives of governments worldwide seem to be inadequate towards the achievement of the specific target. In a report published by the Telegraph in November 2008 it is noticed that ‘government targets would deliver at best only an 18 per cent cut in carbon from homes by 2020 which was not enough if the target of a 60 per cent overall reduction in CO2 levels by 2050 was to be achieved’ (The Telegraph, November 2008, online article). Effective policies for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from existing housing stock could be developed only if the concept of sustainability would be taken into consideration. In accordance with Mcentire et al. (2002, 270) ‘sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. In this context, the use of the principles of sustainability could help to develop effective plans of action regarding the limitation of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. Various plans of action have been suggested by the local authorities and by researchers worldwide towards the reduction of energy consumption in households and the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions. In accordance with a report published by the Oxford Brookes University in 2008, the following measures are proposed for the reduction of energy consumption in households across Britain: ‘a) roof insulation, b) cavity wall insulation, c) solid wall insulation, d) hot water tank insulation, e) draught-proofing, f) Low-energy double – glazing…’ (Oxford Brookes University, 2008, online article). The above measures can be characterized as effective towards the decrease of energy consumption; the limitation of carbon dioxide emissions could be expected at a next level. However, the development of appropriate ‘construction’ plans cannot lead to the achievement of the above target; it is necessary that cooperation is developed with the local authorities that can offer the advice required for the management of the whole project. Indeed, the study of McEvoy et al. (2001) led to the assumption that ‘greater collaboration, both between and within local authorities, would benefit the overall effectiveness of carbon reduction policies for Greater Manchester’ (McEvoy et al., 2001, 7). The above study refers to a specific region however it could be equally applied on any site where the reduction of energy consumption is required. At a next level, it is necessary that equality exists during all the phases of the specific projects. We can indicatively refer to the study of Burton (2000) where it was revealed that differences exist in the support provided to various communities in Britain regarding their urban development – the geographical position of the region (which is used for the identification of the social/ financial status of its citizens) is a criterion for the level of support provided by the state regarding the application of the principles of sustainability. Even if equality exists in the provision of support regarding the development of sustainability in a specific region it is likely that the material/ support provided will be left with no particular value if the specific project is not customized to the needs/ conditions of the specific region. Towards this direction, it has been proved that in Britain ‘for medium-sized English cities, higher urban densities may be positive for some aspects of social equity and negative for others; likely benefits include improved public transport, reduced social segregation and better access to facilities’ (Burton, 2000, 1969). Through the issues presented above, it is clear that the limitation of effects of carbon dioxide emissions on the environment is not an achievable task; rather the development of measures in advance should be preferred – i.e. plans that help towards the decrease of energy consumption and the following decrease of carbon dioxide emissions. In other words, the whole effort would be rather preventive than punitive. 5. Conclusion Carbon dioxide is part of the environment; however, human activities – within the context explained above – can lead to the increase of the levels of carbon dioxide concentrations globally – a fact that further lead to severe turbulences in weather conditions and the climate worldwide. In accordance with Wilkinson et al. (2002, 381) ‘sustainability is not a fixed ideal, but an evolutionary process of attempting to improve the management of systems’. The use of the principles of sustainability – under the terms explained throughout the paper – can lead to the decrease of energy consumption by households (by industrial sites also) and the decrease of carbon dioxide emissions by existing housing stock. The specific assumption is also supported by a report published in 2008 ‘the output of the construction industry ... has a major impact on our ability to maintain a sustainable economy overall and has a major impact on our environment’ (UK Government Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for sustainable construction policy, 2008). In other words, the development of appropriate construction plans (as suggested previously through the report of the Brookes University, 2008) is not adequate for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by existing housing stocks worldwide. It is necessary that appropriate cooperation exists with local authorities – the monitoring of the implementation of the relevant plans can be a challenging task mostly because knowledge of the specific field is required. On the other hand, the support provided for the development of relevant plans is not always the appropriate – either because of the lack of skills required or because of the lack of funds necessary for the completion of the relevant projects. In any case, the support of the state is required – either through the funding of part or whole of the specific initiative – development of construction features that lead to the reduction of energy consumed by a specific household – or through the provision of legislation required for the successful implementation/ monitoring of the project. It should be noticed that the measures suggested throughout the paper for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from existing households are just indicative. Different plans of actions can be developed in accordance with existing legislative framework, the funds and the staff available but also the position of the site within a particular region. Works Cited Boyle, A., Freestone, D. (1999). International Law and Sustainable Development: Past Achievements and Future Challenges. Oxford University Press. Oxford Burton, E. (2000) The Compact City: Just or Just Compact? A Preliminary Analysis. Urban Studies, Vol. 37, No. 11, 1969-2006 EIA, May 2008, Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change and Energy, online, available from http://www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/brochures/greenhouse/Chapter1.htm Encyclopedia Britannica online (2007) http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-224618 Gunder, M. (2006) Sustainability: Planning’s Saving Grace or Road to Perdition? Journal of Planning Education and Research, Vol. 26, No. 2, 208-221 Lawrence, R. (1995) Housing Quality: An Agenda for Research. Urban Studies, Vol. 32, No. 10, 1655-1664 McEvoy, D., Gibbs, D., Longhurst, J. (2001) Reducing Residential Carbon Intensity: The New Role for English Local Authorities. Urban Studies, Vol. 38, No. 1, 7-21 Mcentire, D., Fuller, C., Johnston, C., Weber, R. (2002) A Comparison of Disaster Paradigms: The Search for a Holistic Policy Guide. Public Administration Review, Vol. 6, No. 3, 267-285 Oxford Brookes University (2006) ‘Applying CO2 reduction strategies to existing UK dwellings using GIS-based modelling: a case study in Oxford’, available from http://www.brookes.ac.uk/business_employers/technologies/decorum/fibre.pdf Resource for Urban Design Information (2008) 'Urgent action' to cut carbon dioxide output from homes needed, says new campaign group, available from http://www.rudi.net/node/19623 Science Daily (May 24, 2007), online, available from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070524085725.htm Stewart, J. (1999) Healthy housing: the role of the Environmental Health officer. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 119, No. 4, 228-234 The Guardian, January 2007, available from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/jan/19/frontpagenews.climatechange The Telegraph, November 2008, available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/3316111/Britain's-CO2-emissions-could-be-cut-by-80%25.html The Luxembourg Presidency, 2005, online, available from http://www.eu2005.lu/en/actualites/discours/2005/06/13boden/index.html UK Government Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for sustainable construction policy, (2008) available from http://www.berr.gov.uk/sectors/construction/sustainability/page13691.html UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division of Sustainable Development http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/intl_law/law.htm Wilkinson, R., Cary, J. (2002) Sustainability as an evolutionary process. International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 5, No. 4, 381-391 World Business Council for Sustainable Development www.wbcsd.org Appendix Figure 1 – Global concentration on carbon emission (source: Oxford Brookes University, 2008). Figure 2 – Carbon Cycle around the world (source: EIA, 2008) Read More