Protection Of Environments in the US - Essay Example

Introduction The world today is threatened by the effects of climate change such as global warming and rising sea levels. To avoid such adverse consequences, climate change must therefore be mitigated. Mitigation of climate change is an action taken to bring down the intensity of radiation so that potential global warming effects can be reduced. Scenarios for mitigation of climate change involve reducing green house gas concentrations by increasing their sinks or reducing the number of their sources. In climate change mitigation is defined by the UN as “a human intervention to reduce the sources or to enhance the sinks for greenhouse gases” (Hardy 2003 p. 134).  Examples of these interventions are the use of renewable energy such as wind power and solar energy and a more efficient use of fossil fuels for generating electricity or for industrial processes. These interventions affect the environment and human health in a number of ways including the reduction of diseases, improving the quality of air, increasing the aesthetic value of the atmosphere among others. UNEP is involved in various Climate change mitigation activities around the world and the U.S is no exception. In the U.S Climate change mitigation is taking place through several activities such as better ways of transport, efficient use of energy and exploitation of better forms of energy like bio-energy. In this essay investigates climate change and its mitigation in the USA. It explores the patterns of congruence or incongruence between interventions which protect the environment and those which protect or promote health. Mitigation of climate change Because of the increasing controversies about climate change the world has woken up to the fact that climate change is a reality that must be mitigated. The world today is increasing its efforts in its initiatives to control climate change. Various organizations among them UNEP are doing their best to ensure that mitigation of climate change is given priority. Mitigation of climate change in the United States involves various measures in the areas of transport, use of bio-energy and energy efficiency among others (Burroughs 2007 p. 45). These areas are sensitive since fossil fuels used in transport and the energy used in many of the industrial activities results in the production of greenhouse gases such as CO2 which are the major causes of climate change. In the United States the production of greenhouse gases from the consumption of fossil fuels is very high. Industrial activities are some of the major contributors to atmospheric pollution. Even though there has been witnessed a reluctance in controlling the emission of green house gases by major economies such as the U.S and China, the United States has certain measures in place towards the mitigation of climate change (Ruddiman 2005, p. 102). Transport In the United States interventions for mitigation in climate change are targeting transport as one of the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions is being done through the reduction of demand. According to Pittock (2009), transportation in the U.S currently represents 32% of all carbon emissions and it has risen to become the fastest growing emitter of such emissions (p. 266). The surface transport system for the U.S is higher compared to that of any other nation apart from China. Highway vehicles contribute 72% of all these emission (Pittock 2009 p. 267). Actions for reduction of CO2 emissions from trucks, cars and air travel are very important. Reduction of air pollution from transportation is done through the consumption of less fuel per passenger and reductions of emissions per unit fuel. Effective interventions made for reduction of transport emissions involves improvements in the efficiency of the sector, specific regulatory, policy, technical measures and institutional development (Pittock 2009 p. 286). Strategies for the reduction of emissions in the transport sector target the entire transport system or the individual vehicles or the two of them at the same time. For instance changing fuel price may cause an immediate impact. Emissions from the transport sector are reduced via changes to the entire transport system which include improvements on efficiency in the whole system of transport, fiscal policies and land use policy. Fiscal policies have an effect on the choice of vehicles and technology, vehicle use and the consumption of fuels (Ruddiman, 2003 p. 123). Management of the traffic system reduces fuel consumption and emissions. Traffic segregation among others bus priority systems like dedicated bus lanes reduce the variability of the speed of traffic and increases public transport efficiency and attractiveness therefore lowering consumption of fuel and emissions. Promoting alternatives to private transport such as building paths for pedestrians and bicycles as well as creation of policies that promote public transport are also useful. In fiscal policies polluting fuels and vehicles are taxed to discourage pollution (Edwards, Geoffrey; Miller & Clark 2001 p. 98).  Energy efficiency The U.S faces huge challenges in the area of energy. Prentice, Bartlein, Patrick, Webb, & Thompson (1991 p. 65) argue that inefficient use of energy is contributing to deteriorating air quality that impairs human health and causes climate change. Efficient use of energy is helpful in addressing these challenges. Investing in energy efficiency reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and general pollution of the environment. Efficient use of energy as a strategy is already playing a very critical role in reducing green house emissions and environmental pollution. Reductions in the intensity of energy are caused by a combination of investments that are efficient in energy and structural shifts far from energy intensive manufacturing to an economy based on information and service and pressure caused by increasing energy costs throughout history. Energy conservation practices are continually being used to cut down on energy use (Prentice, Bartlein, Patrick, Webb, & Thompson 1991 p. 65). Technology use has come out as the avenue through which energy efficiency can be achieved. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) creates technological solutions which help in the efficient use of energy. In building technologies used include heat pumps, advances in heating of water, building materials and air conditioning. The laboratory has developed a new refrigerator for use which uses 60 percent less energy when compared to conventional units. There are technologies for supermarket refrigeration as well as very sophisticated approaches to waste heat recovery which also contributes to bringing down energy costs. Calculators also exist for the evaluation of energy performance of wall and roof systems. ORNL has also developed advanced materials which are being used in industries among them novel alloys and high performance steels that are nano-engineered. In heavy industry ORNL technologies have helped in the minimization of waste streams as it upgrades energy efficiency. There are new technologies for metal processing which lower energy use (Ruddiman 2005 p. 78). Bio-energy To reduce the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment the U.S produces ethanol and biodiesel fuels which depend on corn as their major feedstock. Since year 2002 the U.S has been the biggest producer of ethanol in the world after overtaking Brazil. In 2006 Brazil together with the U.S accounted for 13% of the world’s production of ethanol (Wagner, Frederic 2009 p. 26). Many of the states that produce oil seed have biodiesel available for commercial purposes. It is expected that the United States market will grow because of the requirements of tax relief and climate change. Bio fuels are mixed with the ordinary fossil fuels or applied as additives. Bio fuels are cleaner than fossil fuels and are therefore healthier fuels since they do not produce green house gases (Victor, Council on Foreign Relations 2004 p. 37). Renewable sources of energy building codes In the U.S commercial and residential buildings put together consume more energy and produce more CO2 than the transportation or the industrial sections. Buildings consume two thirds of electricity and 39 percent of the total energy in the U.S. (Burroughs 2007 p. 230). Energy efficiency in buildings is therefore necessary. Energy codes set the base requirements for building designs that are energy efficient. They therefore impact the use of energy and the emissions in the life of the building. In the U.S the energy codes for renewable energy are being improved to provide long lasting energy savings. Buildings that are energy efficient give tangible and intangible economic, energy as well as environmental gains. They are comfortable and cost effective to manage. Building codes for renewable energy therefore ensure that upcoming buildings have facilities for renewable energy use installed in them (Wagner, Frederic, 2009 p. 56). The Energy Conservation and Production Act (ECPA) expect each state to certify the existence of a commercial building code which can meet or exceed ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90. 1-1999. (Hardy 2003 p. 212). Commercial is used to mean every building that is not a low rise residential. It includes industrial, office, school, warehouse, religious, high rise residential buildings and dormitories. The Department of Energy administers the process. ASHRAE 90.1 is the most popular energy code for non residential and commercial buildings. Most of the states use the international energy conservation code (IECC). Energy building codes for renewable energy are important since they give the guidelines of the types of energy that should be used in buildings. Building codes help to conserve the health of the environment (Eileen, Arroyo Cochran, Debra, Davis 2001 p. 150). Effects of the interventions on the environment and human health All the interventions of mitigation of climate change have their effects on the environment and the health of people. All the interventions in the area of transport, energy efficiency, use of bio-energy and use of renewable energy sources are aimed at reducing emissions of green house gases into the atmosphere. Reduction of emissions increases the quality of air. When the quality of air in the atmosphere improves, many dieses associated with polluted air are done away with. Cases of cancer, neurological, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases are eliminated. Carbon monoxide inhaled through polluted air reduces oxygen availability in the blood stream and is dangerous to public health. Eliminating Nitrogen Dioxide from the atmosphere will reduce the negative effects on the immune defense system of the respiratory system hence respiratory problems will be reduced. Reduction and removal of particulate matter from the air reduces incidences of skin irritations, blood clotting, eye inflammations and many types of allergies (Ruddiman 2005 p. 73). Climate change mitigation interventions also promote environmental health. They reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere which form acid rain when mixed with water. Reduction or the removal of these oxides from the air results into cleaner air with no acidity. Acid rain is known to destroy the built environment, reduce crop yields in agriculture and to cause decline in forests. It also kills aquatic life when the pH of the water goes down due to acidity. Elimination of the occurrence of acid rain means the environment remains attractive since built areas remain intact with forests and plants growing without interference. Acidity in the soil is dealt with and the health of plants is also enhanced. Aquatic life also flourishes since it is also affected by acid rain. The attractiveness of tourist sites and the quality of life increase since the cases of reduced visibility and smog considerably go down. Energy efficiency interventions, use of renewable and bio-energy and the reduction of emissions all have the effect of improving the health of the environment as well as the health of man. These interventions are either the same for the environment and human health or they agree in many of the perspectives (Ruddiman 2005 p. 80). Conclusion In conclusion, the essay has examined the interventions being taken in the United States to mitigate climate change. These interventions exist in two forms. There are those that protect health while the others promote environmental protection. In this essay it was revealed that these two are in congruence to each other. Since they tend to perform the same roles they are not in any way at conflict with each other. In the United States mitigation of climate change takes place through a number of ways. The people in various states have embraced various activities that help top reduce climate change. Notable sectors where these measures are being undertaken are transport and the energy sectors. Various technologies have been developed to improve energy efficiency in industries and other places. In the transport sector manufacturers of vehicles are producing models that can use blends of fossil as well as bio-fuels. Bio energy is also being developed to help reduce overdependence on fossil fuels. This is a cleaner fuel whose production in the U.S has been stepped up to take the place of fossil fuels. In most of the states with oil seed production biodiesel is present on commercial purposes. Finally building codes for renewable energy are being enforced to regulate the building industry. Since building use the highest amount of energy in the U.S and emit the highest amount of CO2, these codes dictate the type of energy that is to be installed in buildings in order to minimize energy use and emission of excessive CO2. Interventions to climate change can reduce and deal with the presence of disease causing particulates and pollutants from the air. The result is improved human and environmental health. Bibliography Burroughs William J. 2007 Climate change: a multidisciplinary approach, Cambridge University Press Edwards, Geoffrey; Miller, Clark A. (2001). Changing the atmosphere: expert knowledge and environmental governance. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press Eileen Claussen, Vicki Arroyo Cochran, Debra P. Davis 2001 Climate change: science, strategies, & solutions, BRILL Hardy John T. 2003 Climate change: causes, effects, and solutions, Wiley.com Prentice, I; Bartlein, Patrick J; Webb, Thompson (1991). "Vegetation and Climate Change in Eastern North America Since the Last Glacial Maximum". Ecology 72 (6): 2038–2056. Pittock Barrie 2009, Climate change: the science, impacts and solutions, Amazon Ruddiman, W. F. (2003). "The anthropogenic greenhouse era began thousands of years ago". Climate Change 61 (3): 261–293. Victor G. David, Council on Foreign Relations 2004 Climate change: debating America's policy options; Council on Foreign Relations Wagner, Frederic H., (ed.) 2009, Climate Change in Western North America: Evidence and Environmental Effects. William F. Ruddiman (2005). Plows, plagues, and petroleum: how humans took control of climate. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press Read More

Strategies for the reduction of emissions in the transport sector target the entire transport system or the individual vehicles or the two of them at the same time. For instance changing fuel price may cause an immediate impact. Emissions from the transport sector are reduced via changes to the entire transport system which include improvements on efficiency in the whole system of transport, fiscal policies and land use policy. Fiscal policies have an effect on the choice of vehicles and technology, vehicle use and the consumption of fuels (Ruddiman, 2003 p. 123). Management of the traffic system reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

Traffic segregation among others bus priority systems like dedicated bus lanes reduce the variability of the speed of traffic and increases public transport efficiency and attractiveness therefore lowering consumption of fuel and emissions. Promoting alternatives to private transport such as building paths for pedestrians and bicycles as well as creation of policies that promote public transport are also useful. In fiscal policies polluting fuels and vehicles are taxed to discourage pollution (Edwards, Geoffrey; Miller & Clark 2001 p. 98).  Energy efficiency The U.

S faces huge challenges in the area of energy. Prentice, Bartlein, Patrick, Webb, & Thompson (1991 p. 65) argue that inefficient use of energy is contributing to deteriorating air quality that impairs human health and causes climate change. Efficient use of energy is helpful in addressing these challenges. Investing in energy efficiency reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and general pollution of the environment. Efficient use of energy as a strategy is already playing a very critical role in reducing green house emissions and environmental pollution.

Reductions in the intensity of energy are caused by a combination of investments that are efficient in energy and structural shifts far from energy intensive manufacturing to an economy based on information and service and pressure caused by increasing energy costs throughout history. Energy conservation practices are continually being used to cut down on energy use (Prentice, Bartlein, Patrick, Webb, & Thompson 1991 p. 65). Technology use has come out as the avenue through which energy efficiency can be achieved.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) creates technological solutions which help in the efficient use of energy. In building technologies used include heat pumps, advances in heating of water, building materials and air conditioning. The laboratory has developed a new refrigerator for use which uses 60 percent less energy when compared to conventional units. There are technologies for supermarket refrigeration as well as very sophisticated approaches to waste heat recovery which also contributes to bringing down energy costs.

Calculators also exist for the evaluation of energy performance of wall and roof systems. ORNL has also developed advanced materials which are being used in industries among them novel alloys and high performance steels that are nano-engineered. In heavy industry ORNL technologies have helped in the minimization of waste streams as it upgrades energy efficiency. There are new technologies for metal processing which lower energy use (Ruddiman 2005 p. 78). Bio-energy To reduce the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment the U.

S produces ethanol and biodiesel fuels which depend on corn as their major feedstock. Since year 2002 the U.S has been the biggest producer of ethanol in the world after overtaking Brazil. In 2006 Brazil together with the U.S accounted for 13% of the world’s production of ethanol (Wagner, Frederic 2009 p. 26). Many of the states that produce oil seed have biodiesel available for commercial purposes. It is expected that the United States market will grow because of the requirements of tax relief and climate change.

Bio fuels are mixed with the ordinary fossil fuels or applied as additives.

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