Climate is a long term average of weather over a period of at least 10 years. Climate change, also known as global warming is the heating of the earth by greenhouse gases. Green house gases mainly consist of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases; these gases trap heat within the surface-troposphere system and cause global warming. Climate model simulation shows that the climate change that we are facing now is due to human activities. The increment in world temperature since the starting of the industrial revolution is due to high carbon dioxide emission.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will come out with a synthesis report every seven years and in the most recent AR4 report, it states that temperatures and sea levels will rise even after achieving stabilization of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. A total of 24 different climate models are used for simulation and they all produced climate models that differ slightly from one another. These models are called global climate models (GCM) on a large scale and regional climate models (RCM) on a small scale. Although the climate of Singapore is modelled using RCM due to its small land area, some of the information is taken from the GCM. The results taken from the RCM can be used for hydrological impact studies such as flooding, soil erosion and temperature rise. Apart from GCM and RCM, there is another model called the weather research and forecast model (WRF). Unlike RCM, this model has to be big enough to observe the full impact. The WRF model for Singapore has to include Vietnam since the monsoon winds blowing from there has a huge impact on Singapore.
This summary comprises the information provided by Mr Liong Shie-Yui and Climate Team from Tropical marine Science Institute. I will summarise on the talk by Benjamin K. Sovacool, an Assistant Professor of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
ReplyDeleteThe climate change is affected by emissions of greenhouse gases. An example is carbon dioxide, which is mainly emitted from fossil fuels, deforestation, and decay. Another example is methane, which is mainly emitted from agriculture, waste, and energy. Transport plays a part too. The countries that contribute the most are China, United States, and Indonesia.
To stabilise the climate, institutional actions can be carried out for every sectors that are affecting it. The sectors are namely energy supply, transport, buildings, industry, agriculture, and waste management. In this paragraph, we will discuss some of the environmentally effective measures. Firstly, raising the taxes and fees on vehicle purchase will cause people to think twice before buying a vehicle. Some countries even go to the extent of limiting the number of driving. Secondly, the government can introduce financial incentives to increase forest area, and to reduce deforestation. Harvest quotas can also be enforced and timber extraction can be limited. Thirdly, waste management regulations should be strictly adhered.
Besides institutional actions, individual actions can also be carried out. The following factors are the main channels that every individual can help to stabilise the climate, namely electricity, food, homes, and technology.
First, the greenhouse gas emissions for conventional and renewable resources contribute to the climate change. Coal, heavy oil, and diesel are some examples. To help, anyone can consume less electricity by simply altering some of your habits and routines. Second, agricultural practices such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation contribute to a number of climate changing activities. As there is an increasing trend in consumption of livestock products per person, anyone can help by changing his food habits.
Third, usage of energy in a typical household is often overseen. Appliances and receptacle loads like water heating are the main contributions. Any individual and do many things in a home to help. Storing only essential items in refrigerator and substituting a fan for air conditioning are examples. Last, more than 95% of the goods most people purchase are no longer in use after the first year. What everybody can do is to simply replace items when they wear out!
In conclusion, every individual has the responsibility to help to stabilise the climate.