Climate Protection Campaign - Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan - Report Example

Executive Summary Majority of the world scientist have agreed to the fact that humans are changing the ecological balance of earth due to the use of fossil fuels. This is having a significant impact on the impact on the earth hemisphere. A village in the coastal area of Scotland is witnessing the same problems of rising greenhouse gas emission and aims towards reducing the gas emission by 20% so that the people are able to ensure a better life. To meet the goals which will help the village to attract tourist because its picturesque environment has aimed towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, waste and consumption reduction, carbon control methods and cost cutting approaches. The process of greenhouse gas emission will provide different benefits to the community like energy saving cost, cleaner air, less reliance on fossil fuels and a sustainable environment which allows the place to be a better place to live in. Successful implementation of the plan will require the support from the government, community and the society on a whole. Making the smaller changes in the rural areas can contribute positively towards the carbon reduction strategy which has been adopted and will have to avert the serious impact which global climate change presents. Table of Contents Introduction 3 Background 3 Climate Protection Campaign 4 Detailed Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan 8 Conclusion 17 References 18 Introduction The village on the coastal area of Scotland which has a population of 800 people is looking at developing ways through which carbon emission can be reduced. The picturesque environment presents an opportunity where tourists can be attracted and ensuring the required facilities and controlling emission will be a big step which will help to attract people. The fact that the area is polluted with different gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other gases which is emitted from the surface of the earth has increased the complexities for the region. The emission has occurred due to the use of fossil fuels by humans and is an area which needs to be worked on so that on a global level examples can be set through which carbon emission in the environment is reduced. The plan to develop a carbon reduction program will help the government, residents, community and the surrounding areas energy saving cost, cleaner air, less reliance on fossil fuels and a sustainable environment which allows the place to be a better place to live in can be ensured. The overall process will thereby help to ensure that a framework through which basic development takes place which helps to preserve the environment will contribute positively towards the long term prospect of the economy. This paper thereby evaluates the carbon reduction plan for the city and highlights the different areas which need to be worked on so that better environment which helps the community and the society can be ensured. This will thereby help to bring the required change through which better effectiveness will be achieved and the overall potential of carrying out activities which will be aimed towards carbon reduction will be achieved. Background Majority of the scientists are of the view that the use of fossil fuels has multiplied complexities and has resulted in creating an environment where it has become difficult for humans to control carbon emission. The use of fossil fuels has resulted in an increase in the earth’s climate, depleting water resources, rising sea levels, melting of ice on the hills, and a complete change in the ecological system. The scientific community have realized the fact that humans need to control the use of fossil fuels and have to reduce it by 60 to 80 percent so that carbon levels can be reduced and control can be exercised over the release of carbon gas. The Kyoto Protocol has recommended a 5% reduction in the carbon level so that steps can be taken in the correct direction through which carbon emission is reduced (Kapnick and Hall, 2009). A small village at the coast line of Scotland which has a population of 800 people is looking at developing ways to reduce carbons. The positive impacts from the reduction of carbon emission will be felt by the local community and can be used as an example for other villages to follow. This will thereby provide an opportunity through which economies can develop ways to reduce carbons and maximize the overall productivity. This will also help to attract tourist due to its picturesque landscape and could be used by the government as one place which will help to attract tourist. The proposal and steps to control carbon emission will bring a complete change in the manner different activities are carried out and will multiply the effectiveness through which carbon gas emission will be controlled. Climate Protection Campaign The village town is aiming for a climate protection campaign which will work towards reducing the greenhouse gases impact on the environment and will look towards developing an environment where the community gains. To ensure that the campaign against rising pollution is taken care of the following milestones will be carried out Conduct a study to find out the present emission level and expected emission growth in the future Setting an emission reduction target which needs to be achieved Develop a plan which will facilitate in the achievement of the milestone which has been determined Implementation of the action plan Monitoring and verifying the results so that timely changes can be made when required Working on the above steps will help to develop a framework within which the community will aim to work and look at reducing the level of carbon emission which is present in the environment. Completion of Milestone One: Greenhouse Gas Current & Future Expected Position The city which is small with a smaller population has identified the different areas which contribute towards carbon emission. The data were developed and garnered through a process where population, energy use, fuel use, travel patterns and other residential purposes were entered so that the different contributors towards the population can be identified. It was found that 45% of the pollution is done by transportation sector, the commercial sector contributes around 26% and the rest is contributed by the residential sector (Kapnick and Hall, 2009). A break up of the different contributors is further shown below It is further evident that waste and sewage is another important area which needs to be considered as it contributes positively towards carbon emission. The region which has huge forest and waste sectors the negative emission of carbon gases is an area of concern. One of the other factors contributing towards carbon emission is the manner in which cycling of carbon takes as cutting down forest for agricultural activities has resulted in an increase in carbon emission and is an area of concern. In contrast when trees will be planted it will help to absorb the carbons which is emitted and will act as a mechanism through which pollution can be controlled. The manner in which the population is growing and the matured trees which are being cut down increases the chances of multiplying the rate at which carbons are released. This is an area of concern considering the near future and will require ways through which a mechanism is developed which will aim to reduce the impact of carbon in the environment. This will help to bring a change in the environment and will act as a mechanism where the future pollution is bound to increase. Completion of Milestone Two: Setting the Emission Reduction Target The plan is to reduce the carbon emission from the present level by 20% within a span of ten years. The estimate changes and proposal for reducing the emission target has been determined on the phenomenon that the overall environment will be better and considering the density of population and the financial viability for reducing carbons a target has been devised which can be achieved easily and will have a positive impact on the overall level of pollution. Completion of Milestone Three: Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan The next strategy is to develop a plan which will help to achieve the reduction target which has been determined and within the allocated time frame. The plan looks to include a) a research plan which will be aimed at the community and the measures which have been adopted by them, b) identifying the different possible measures which will help to control pollution, c) ranking of the different measures based on different criteria, d) selection of the measures which will help to reduce the level of carbon emission (Soumis, Duchemin, Canuel, Rene and Lucotte, 2004). The different ranking to the possible measures have been based on greenhouse gas impact, the financial feasibility, cost and benefits associated with it and other feasibility. This will thereby help to develop a carbon reduction plan which will be better controlled and monitored and will provide an opportunity to reduce the level of carbon emission. Completion of Milestone Four: Implementation Plan The implementation method will be broken down into smaller steps so that better control can be exercised. On the forefront a small number of key measures will be used which will aim at ensuring that the basis framework is achieved. After the successful implementation of the first few measures the second set of measures will be implemented. This will thereby help to give a sense of direction to the entire project and will provide meaningful strategy through which maximum utility will be achieved. During the process of implementation each measure which has been chosen will be implemented and will be based on what is to be done, what will it achieve, how will it be done, people responsible for it and the manner accountability will be ascertained. This will help to ensure that process of carbon emission is controlled and will help to make the best possible use of the resources. The process of implementation will thereby help to facilitate a mechanism through which business process effectiveness will be achieved and the overall working will be shaped. This will bring a change around in the manner activities are carried out and will help to develop a plan which will be strongly aimed at reducing carbon emission. Completion of Milestone Five: Monitoring & Evaluation The entire plan which has been developed for carbon reduction will be continuously monitored and evaluated. This will require the special efforts of the team member along with the government body so that better parameters which helps to understand the manner in which decisions are taken can be identified. The process of monitoring and evaluation will also provide an opportunity to take timely decisions so that changes can be made in the plan and better results can be achieved over a longer period of time. Detailed Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan This aspect will look at presenting the manner in which detailed strategy has been developed so that greenhouse gas emission can be better controlled. This approach will work on six different program areas where the aspect works on reducing carbon emission in the environment and developing a sustainable environment so that the community is able to get better facilities. The detailed approach will thereby work on the following areas Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Sustainable Transportation Sustainable Consumption & Waste Carbon Sequestration Cost Cutting Method The working on the above mentioned direction will help to ensure that carbon emission is reduced and an environment where harmful gases are reduced will be achieved. Energy Efficiency The use of fossil fuels is the main reason which results in the increase in carbon gases in the environment. Since, fossil fuel is considered as one of the most important source for the generation of energy it has thereby resulted in rapid increase in the global temperatures. This will require measures which are aimed towards reducing carbon gas emission at the same time ensuring that the process is cost effective and helps to control carbon emission. This can be thereby achieved through the following steps 1. Develop energy efficient building Houses and business areas results in huge carbon emission as the consumption of electricity contributes towards carbon emission. This will require that the building have to be constructed in such a manner that saves energy and helps to bring the required changes in the manner energy is used. The city can thereby look at the following Develop land and building codes so that it ensures that when construction takes place building are developed in such a manner that it look at preserving energy Develop codes which will be aimed at reducing the amount of carbons which is emitted in the environment Work towards cogeneration projects which will look towards using lands wisely and will be aimed towards reducing the overall level of carbon emission 2. Decrease Community Water Usage Another aspect which contributes immensely towards carbon emission is the inefficient use and wastage of water. Conserving water will help to reduce the level of carbon emission as it will reduce the need of using energy to pump water (Tremblay, Therrien, Hamlin, Wichmann and LeDrew, 2005). The village to work in the same direction can look at the following Conduct an education program which will be aimed towards reducing water wastage by making people educated on the use of water Increase the water storage capacity so that off peak pumping of water is not required which will help to reduce wastage Ensure no wastage and fill the gaps through which water can be preserved and the earth surface doesn’t have to be exploited to feel the need of water 3. Improve Energy Efficiency Improving the usage of energy for different purposes and preserving energy for the future provides a framework through which energy can be preserved. Improving and changing the mechanism in which electricity is being presently used to a better mechanism will help to preserve energy. The city can adopt the following mentioned mechanisms Develop the use of incandescent lighting which will help to preserve energy and provide an opportunity to preserve energy Ensure that the different appliances are switched off and care is taken to reduce the wastage of energy. This should be such that unless needed energy should be preserved Taking initiative and developing new ways which will help to use energy in the most conservative way at the same time satisfy the different requirements Encourage training for different staffs which will help to bring the required changes and educate the community regarding strategies which will help to preserve energy 4. Develop energy efficiency policies Policies need to be developed which will be aimed towards ensuring efficiency in managing the energy levels. The city should look at the following Have a letter from the authorities which direct people regarding the use of energy and the manner in which energy efficiency will be boosted Partner with local units so that energy management program can be developed Develop relationship with other cities so partnership fosters a culture through which energy efficiency measures are developed 5. Encourage personal energy conservation Energy conservation will be required to be carried out at a personal level where people need to bring a change in their lifestyle. For example putting an extra layer of clothing during winters instead of burning fossil fuels will help to reduce the carbon emission. The city thereby has to look at the following Ensure education and reach so that people are well informed regarding the different steps and areas they can work on so that energy efficiency programs can be undertaken on a personal level. This will help to bring a check on pollution level and ensure personal involvement (Moser, Franco, Pittiglio, Chou, Cayan, 2009) Encourage the use of energy efficiency practices. For example, people can be encouraged to switch off the switches of appliances when not used as it will help to conserve energy. Renewable Energy One of the mechanisms which will help to control carbon gas emission is the use of cleaner source of energy like wind and solar energy. This will reduce the amount of carbon emission in the environment. This needs to take place both at the local level and utility level. At the utility level the government will look at installing solar power and wind farms as the landscape suits such requirements and the electricity generated through it can be sold. At the personal level people will have to take steps which will look at installing solar panels so that the required energy can be generated from those sources. The city based on their cost and other aspect can look at the following Encourage transition to renewable energy: The government need to make people educate towards the use of green energy and stop the use of fossil fuels by purchasing from some other area or developing their own green energy Educate people: Make people understand the different benefits of using renewable energy and bring a change in the behaviour of people so that they start using equipments like solar panels. Adopt policies which encourage use of renewable sources: The government needs to enact policies and act as an example where they start working towards the use of renewable energy sources so that better facilities can be provided and energy can be conserved (Knowles, Dettinger & Cayan, 2006) Install renewable energy sources: The government can look at installing renewable energy sources like wind fares and solar panels where the energy generated can be sold to other areas (Knowles, Dettinger & Cayan, 2006). Since, the landscape provides an opportunity for using such renewable energy sources it will help to contribute towards the local community and will provide an opportunity through which finance can be generated Low Interest Loans: The government has to take the initiative of providing low interest loans so that people aim towards building different renewable energy sources which will help the region over a longer period of time Sustainable Transportation The transportation sector contributes largely towards carbon emission but since the village has a small population the contribution of pollution from the transport sector is low. Despite the fact the pollution level is affected to a certain degree by the transport sector and need to develop policies and mechanism which will further help to bring the level down. The city can thereby look at the following Improve bicycle infrastructure: People should be encouraged to use bicycle instead of motor vehicles so that the level of pollution comes down. This will require developing the basic infrastructure so that people continue to use bicycles which will help to reduce the level of pollution (Cole, Prairie, Caraco, McDowell, Tranvik, Striegl, Duarte, Kortelainen, Downing, Middelburg and Melack, 2007) Improve pedestrian infrastructure: The government need to develop pedestrian so that people look to walk. This will help to reduce the level of pollution as using pedestrian will ensure that no fossil fuels are used and will help to reduce the level of carbon emission (Cole, Prairie, Caraco, McDowell, Tranvik, Striegl, Duarte, Kortelainen, Downing, Middelburg and Melack, 2007) Improve mass transit infrastructure: Development needs to be made with respect to road and traffic lanes so that connectivity improves. This has to be done by ensuing that connectivity between other cities also improves. This will help to ensure that people will be forced to use the mass transit and will thereby be able to ensure that pollution level comes down as using personal vehicles instead of public transport will increase the use of fossil fuels (Cole, Prairie, Caraco, McDowell, Tranvik, Striegl, Duarte, Kortelainen, Downing, Middelburg and Melack, 2007). This will help to reduce the use of fossil fuels and save energy. Green the city: The government along with the locals will have to take initiative where they look to plan more and more trees and ensure that the use of fossil fuels decreases (Cole, Prairie, Caraco, McDowell, Tranvik, Striegl, Duarte, Kortelainen, Downing, Middelburg and Melack, 2007). This will also act as a measure through which basic infrastructure and plants will be planted and will help to ensure that the overall change will be witnessed in the manner different activities takes place and will reduce the level of pollution Educate people to drive less: Initiative need to be taken which discourages people to drive vehicles unless the need arises for it. This will reduce the consumption of fossil fuel and will act as a mechanism through which pollution level will be controlled. Waste & Consumption Reduction The process of carbon emission reduction should further look at reducing the waste and consumption wastage. Instead methods need to be developed where the waste are used in such a manner that the landfills helps to multiply productivity and ensures an opportunity to generate fossil fuels and energy in future. The city can thereby look at the following Educate people regarding the manner in which waste can be used so that fossil fuels and energy can be developed from it. For example cow dung can be used to generate fossil fuels which can be used for cooking purposes Promote incentives which is aimed at reducing the level of pollution and ensuring that the waste are used in a productive manner Develop recycling programs which will use the different waste for energy generation and will act as one of the major sources through which productivity multiplies Carbon Sequestration This is a mechanism which aims at reducing the level of carbon emission by vegetation, planting trees, using renewable sources of energy and ensuring that the reliance on fossil fuels is reduced. The city can look at the following steps Use biogas so that the dependence on fossil fuels reduces. Since the village has abundance of cow dung it can be used to develop biogas which can be used for cooking (Cole, Prairie, Caraco, McDowell, Tranvik, Striegl, Duarte, Kortelainen, Downing, Middelburg and Melack, 2007). This will reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and multiply the efficiency in the use of different resources Continue to ensure sustainability in managing forest by ensuring that trees are not felled down. Instead steps will be taken to plant more and more trees. This will help to absorb the extra carbon which has been emitted in the environment and will act as a mechanism through which gains will be multiplied. Develop policies which look at carbon sequestration so that people become aware and take steps which will reduce the level of carbons in the environment Cost cutting approaches The process of reducing carbon emission should justify the cost involved and should ensure that the cost cutting methods helps to improve the quality of life. The different approaches which the city can adopt in this regard are as Developing a campaign which incites and educates the people regarding the need to reducing the level of carbons. This will help to ensure that people take steps on their own and contribute positively towards the program of carbon emission. Support green growth through the process of use of renewable energy and reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. This has to be matched by the fact that the process should look at maximizing the gains and ensure that the landscape provides an opportunity to use the different surroundings to support growth (Knowles, Dettinger & Cayan, 2006) Develop and take steps at the individual and government level so that policies which are developed can be used to bring a change in the manner in which carbon impacts the environment. This will help to bring a change and ensure that carbon levels reduces Conclusion The report thereby highlights the manner in which the city needs to look at developing ways which will reduce the use of fossil fuels and reduce the overall carbon emission. The different measures which have been identified is based on the population, cost and landscape so that the formulation of strategy and applying the different mechanism provides benefits to the economy. This will help to bring a complete turnaround and will provide an opportunity through which carbon levels within the environment will be controlled and the community on the large will be able to gain from it. References Cole, J.; Prairie, Y.; Caraco, N.; McDowell, W.; Tranvik, L.; Striegl, R.; Duarte, C.; Kortelainen, P.; Downing, J.; Middelburg, J.; and Melack, J. 2007. Plumbing the Global Carbon Cycle: Integrating Inland Waters into the Terrestrial Carbon Budget. Ecosystems Kapnick, S. and Hall, A. 2009. Observed Changes in the Sierra Nevada Snowpack: Potential Causes and Concerns. California Climate Change Center. (Draft Paper) CEC-500-2009-016-D. Knowles, N.; Dettinger, M.; Cayan, D. 2006. Trends in Snowfall Versus Rainfall in the Western United States. Journal of Climate. 2006, 19(18): 4545-4559. Moser, S.; Franco, G.; Pittiglio, S.; Chou, W.; Cayan, D. 2009. The Future is Now: An Update on Climate Change Science Impacts and Response Option for California. California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research Program, California Climate Change Center. 2008. CEC-500-2008-071 Soumis, N.; Duchemin, E.; Canuel, Rene, C.; and Lucotte, M. 2004. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoirs of the Western United States. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, Vol. 18 GB3022, 2004. Tremblay, A; Therrien, J.; Hamlin, B.; Wichmann, E.; and LeDrew, L. 2005. GHG Emissions from Boreal Reservoirs and Natural Aquatic Ecosystems. Environmental Science, 2005: 209-232. Read More