Climate Change and
Energy Crisis
Presented by Group 12
What is Climate Change?
Climate change, also known as global warming, is a shift in
weather patterns due to an increase in global average
temperature, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels. It
encompasses a range of global phenomena, including sea level
rise, ice mass loss in Greenland, Antarctica, the Arctic,
mountain glaciers, flower/plant blooming shifts, and extreme
weather events. NASA defines climate change as a broad range
of global phenomena resulting from the burning of fossil fuels.
What are the causes of climate
change?
Climate scientists believe that human expansion of the "greenhouse effect" is the
main cause of global warming. This occurs when the atmosphere traps heat from
Earth towards space, causing the Earth's atmosphere to become warmer. Life on
Earth relies on the atmospheric greenhouse, a layer of gases, primarily water vapor,
which traps heat back and maintains Earth's temperature. Human activity generates
long-lived greenhouse gases, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxide.
Greenhouse Gases
1. Water Vapor - the most abundant
greenhouse gas, serves as a crucial
feedback mechanism to the climate,
increasing as Earth's atmosphere
warms, influencing clouds and
precipitation.
2. Carbon dioxide (CO2) - a crucial
atmospheric component, is released
through natural processes and human
activities like deforestation and fossil
fuel burning. Human activities have
increased atmospheric concentration
by over a third since the industrial
revolution.
3. Methane - a hydrocarbon gas
produced by natural and human
activities, is a highly active
greenhouse gas, despite being
abundant in the atmosphere.
4. Nitrous oxide - A powerful
greenhouse gas produced by soil
cultivation practices, especially the
use of commercial and organic
fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion,
nitric acid production, and biomass
buming
5. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) -
Synthetic compounds entirely of
industrial origin used in a number of
applications, but now largely regulated
in production and release to the
atmosphere by international agreement
for their ability to contribute to
destruction of ozone layer. They are
also greenhouse gases.
What are the effects of Climate
Change?
The effects of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change ranged from more
frequent and severe droughts to snowstorms and extreme winter weather in
temperate regions as a result of warming Arctic weather fronts. It's not only humans
that are affected warming ocean temperatures are increasing the frequency of coral
reet bleaching, warmer, drier weather means that forests in some regions are no
longer recovering from wildfires and wildlife habitats around the world are
becoming less hospitable to animals.
How Is Climate Change
Affecting the Philippines?
The Philippines, situated in the Western Pacific Ocean,
is the top country most affected by climate change due
to its warm waters and rising sea-surface temperatures.
Climate change is causing the ocean surface to warm,
releasing heat into the atmosphere, leading to stronger
and more frequent storms. This has resulted in the
Philippines experiencing five of the deadliest typhoons
since 2006, causing thousands of deaths and
displacement. The country lacks natural barriers, such as
coral reefs and Philippine mangrove systems, which
help mitigate storm surge impacts and stabilize soil.
Deforestation has led to almost half of these mangroves
disappearing since 1918. Other natural factors, such as
regional wind patterns and currents, also increase the
risk of tropical storms. Sea levels in the Philippines are
rising at twice the global average, causing displacement
of millions of citizens in coastal communities. The
effects of climate change and global warming are
evident in the Philippines, with summer months being
hot and sunny, while wet months are characterized by
typhoons, windy days, and suspended classes.
1. More intense El Nino
- El Nino, a phenomenon causing
abnormally warm ocean waters in the
Southern Pacific, can cause weather
imbalances globally, particularly in
Southeast Asia, and make weather
events unpredictable, making them
difficult to predict for planning and
business operations.
2. Sea surface temperatures to rise
- Sea surface temperatures are
predicted to rise by 1 to 4 degrees
Celsius by the end of the century,
potentially causing more powerful
storms and threatening food security
in the Philippines.
3. Ocean acidification
- Ph levels in oceans can cause coral
reef death, disrupt shrimp and oyster
development, and hinder fish larvae's
growth, endangering food security and
livelihood.
4. Sea levels to rise by 4 to 6 meters
- Sea surface heights are rising due to
melting ice sheets in Antarctica and
Greenland, potentially submerging
low-lying communities like Tacloban
City.
5. Tropical Cyclones to intensify
- Tropical cyclones are being formed
in previously unobserved areas, as
seen in the 2013 Super Typhoon
Yolanda, which devastated Visayas
cities.
6. Rainfall, river flow, and flooding to
intensify
- The Philippines is experiencing
unprecedented monsoon rainfall,
causing flooding and landslides in
upland communities, and affecting
agriculture and aquaculture sectors,
with Tacloban City experiencing 25%
increase in rainfall from 1998 to 2011.
Climate change also impacts our country's
ability to feed people. Karen
Bermejo(2017) wrote:
1. Climate change is threatening food
security and nutrition in the Philippines, with
crop yields and fish species reportedly
declining by 25% and 40%, according to UN
FAO representative Jose Manuel Fernandez.
2. Climate change impacts farmers by causing
excessive heat and rain, leading to crop
damage. The Western Visayas region
experienced an 8-month drought, causing
losses of over P2 billion, affecting various
provinces.
3. The Philippines' ranking in the Global
Food Security Index (GSFI) has dropped
from 74th to 79th out of 113 countries,
according to EIU data.
4. The Philippines' malnutrition rate,
particularly among children under 5, has risen
33.4% from 30.3% in 2013 according to the
latest National Nutrition Survey by the
Department of Science and Technology.
What is the Energy Crisis?
The energy crisis is a global concern over the diminishing demand for
natural resources used to power industrial society. These resources are in
limited supply and can take hundreds of thousands of years to replenish.
Governments and individuals are working to prioritize renewable resources
and reduce irresponsible use through conservation. The crisis is complex and
ongoing, despite efforts to address its causes and solutions. Most people only
feel connected to it when gas prices rise or gas stations are closed.
Causes of the Energy Crisis
1. Overconsumption
- Overconsumption of fossil fuels, such as oil, gas, and coal, is
causing the energy crisis, putting strain on our natural resources
and causing pollution.
2. Overpopulation
- Overpopulation is causing a crisis in energy resources, as the
world's population demands fuel and products, affecting
transportation of fair trade, organic, and sweatshop-made
products.
3. Poor Infrastructure
- Energy shortage is attributed to aging infrastructure of power
generating equipment, which is the responsibility of utilities to
maintain high performance standards.
4. Unexplored Renewable Energy Options
- Most countries lack renewable energy options, with non-
renewable sources like coal being the top choice. Addressing the
energy crisis requires serious consideration of renewable energy
sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
5. Delay in Commissioning of Power Plants
- Delays in new power plant commissioning in some countries
cause stress on old plants, leading to load shedding and
breakdown when supply doesn't match demand.
6. Wastage of Energy
- People often underestimate the importance of conserving
energy, largely due to limited awareness. Simple actions like
turning off fans and lights when not in use, using daylight,
walking, using CFLs, and proper insulation can significantly
reduce energy waste.
7. Poor Distribution System
- Frequent tripping and breakdown are result of a poor
distribution system.
8. Major Accidents and Natural Calamities
- Major accidents and natural calamities can disrupt energy
supplies, leading to increased prices of essential items and
inflation.
9. Wars and Attacks
- Wars and attacks in Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, and Qatar can disrupt energy supply, leading
to global shortages and significant energy consumer issues.
10. Miscellaneous Factors
- Energy demand can surge due to various factors, including tax
hikes, military coups, political events, and strikes by unions in
oil-producing firms, potentially leading to an energy crisis.
What are Possible Solutions to
the Energy Crisis?
1. Move towards to Renewable Resources
- The energy crisis can be addressed by reducing
dependence on non-renewable resources and
improving conservation efforts. While fossil fuels have
been used in the industrial age, renewable energy
sources like steam, solar, and wind can be used.
However, coal mining continues to pollute the
atmosphere and destroy natural resources.
2. Buy Energy Efficient Products
- Replace traditional bulbs with CFLs and LEDs for
energy efficiency and longer lifespan, reducing
demand and preventing an energy crisis globally.
3. Lighting Controls
- New technologies like preset lighting controls, slide
lighting, touch dimmers, and integrated controls are
enhancing the appeal of lighting controls, thereby
reducing energy and cost.
4. Easier Grid Access
- People using various power generation options
should be granted grid access and credit for their input,
and subsidies on solar panels should be introduced to
encourage renewable energy use.
5. Energy Simulation
- Energy simulation software enables corporations to
redesign building units, reduce energy costs, and create
energy-efficient buildings, benefiting engineers,
architects, and designers in reducing carbon footprint.
6. Perform Energy Audit
- Energy audits identify energy loss areas in homes or
offices, identifying steps for improvement.
Professional audits reduce carbon footprint, save
energy and money, and prevent energy crises.
7. Common Stand on Climate Change
- Both developed and developing countries should
work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
through effective cross-border mechanisms, aiming to
cut emissions by half by 2050 due to population
growth and resource overconsumption.
Thank you
very much!
