admin /13 June, 2006
he rising temperatures would have an adverse impact on our environment and ecosystems and need to be addressed immediately, according to Paul Hoper, executive officer of CSIRO Climate, writing in The Courier Mail (9/6/2006, p.26).
Qld water in dire straits: “Water resources in Queensland are likely to be further stressed due to projected growth in demand and climate-driven changes in supply for irrigation, cities, industry and environmental flows.
Animal habitats disappear: If conditions become 1-2C hotter, considerable areas of the Great Barrier Reef would be bleached every year and 90 per cent of the core habitat for animals in the northern Australian tropics would disappear.
Risk management is key: Industry is accustomed to dealing with risk and uncertainty. Business leaders know that the best approach is to gather as much information as possible before making decisions and to act within risk management frameworks.
Cut greenhouse gases substantially: Climate change is an issue that no one should ignore. We will need to cut back substantially the quantities of greenhouse gases that are pumped into the air if we are ever to slow and then stop the rise in atmospheric greenhouse gases concentrations.
Carbon curse: Carbon dioxide persists for so long in the air that even if we could cap emissions at today’s levels, concentrations would keep rising for decades.
Early reductions necessary: Ultimately, the greater the reductions in emissions and the earlier they are introduced, the smaller and slower the projected warming and consequent impacts.
Efficient energy use: “There are lots of ways to cut emissions. More efficient use of energy is one way. Insulation is a sound investment in any building.
LPQ, fuel cells, biomass- some options: Natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas generate far less emissions than their coal and petrol alternatives. Fuel cells are emerging as a power source. Burning biomass as a fuel source is greenhouse-neutral. And there is solar, wind, hydro and tidal energy.
Or sequestration: Capturing and trapping emission gases from power generation – known as sequestration – is another way of keeping heat-trapping gases out of the air.
Warming as we speak: “No matter what we do though, the world will warm in future. Being aware of the likely changes and preparing for them is the best policy.
Reference: Paul Hoper is executive officer of CSIRO Climate, and the CSIROS key account manager for the Australian Greenhouse Office.
The Courier Mail, 9/6/2006, p. 26
Source: Erisk Net
