Solutions
Climate Emergency Institute
Energy density
Fossil fuel conversion to 100% clean energy can be done for domestic electricity, but not yet for heavy manufacturing and heavy transport, which requires very high energy dense power (presently mostly fossil fuels, with some big dam hydro and some nuclear fission).
Fossil fuel conversion to 100% clean energy can be done for domestic electricity, but not yet for heavy manufacturing and heavy transport, which requires very high energy dense power (presently mostly fossil fuels, with some big dam hydro and some nuclear fission).
All fossil fuel energy electricity can be replaced with clean renewables and this is happening.
The 2011 IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation noted that'The global technical potential of RE sources will not limit continued growth in the use of RE. ...studies have consistently found that the total global technical potential for RE is substantially higher than global energy demand. The technical potential for solar energy
is the highest among the RE sources, but substantial technical potential exists for all six renewable sources'.
The 2011 IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation noted that'The global technical potential of RE sources will not limit continued growth in the use of RE. ...studies have consistently found that the total global technical potential for RE is substantially higher than global energy demand. The technical potential for solar energy
is the highest among the RE sources, but substantial technical potential exists for all six renewable sources'.
CO2 removal (CDR)
Even with 100% clean energy it has always been known that some CO2 has to be removed as 100% zero emissions is not possible.
Focus on Negative Emissions
According to the IPCC assessments global emissions reduction has been delayed for so long that substantial '-ve emissions' of CO2 removal is now required.
The 2018 IPCC 1.5°C report's best case P1 scenario has no CCS nor CO2 removal, but the IPCC report assumes CO2 removal on a vast scale is feasible- today it is certainly not.
Non geoengineering safe effective CDR includes regenerative agriculture, biochar, afforestation and wood construction in place of steel & concrete.
CDR geo-engineering methods are not mature technologies and all sources conclude their practical value at scale to be questionable.
BECCS
The most published CDR method is bioenergy + carbon capture sequestration
This relies on industrial scale biomass burning, which excludes it as an option, even though the IPCC calls it an option.
There are potential direct air capture technologies (DAC) but they are energy intensive expensive. IPCC 2014 AR5b WG 3 SPM said: The availability and scale of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies and methods are uncertain and CDR technologies and methods are, associated with challenges and risks (high confidence). It's the same today
Springer in 2013 published a special issue on -ve emissions.
There was a most comprehensive IPCC 2014 AR5 BECCS assessment is WG3 11.13 Appendix Bioenergy.Recent 2017 review shows that even after many years of consideration CDR has made no real progress.
A report,(Feb 2018) is on the UN Climate Sec site by the European Academies Science Advisory Council, which does not support BECCS and concludes 'these technologies offer only limited realistic potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere' .. 'and not at the levels required to compensate for inadequate mitigation'.
All SAFE methods need to to be tried as part of the planetary emergency response, but assumed effectiveness should not be relied for mitigation policy.
Despite being included in many models and mitigation papers, it therefore remains unknown DAC at scale is feasible and we have to assume will not stop ocean heating, acidification and deoxygenation. As the oceans are the ultimate determinant of climate this makes the Earth emergency doubly dire. We need a planet emergency global massive Manhattan model project.
We have known what has to be done for a long time.
CO2 removal (CDR)
Even with 100% clean energy it has always been known that some CO2 has to be removed as 100% zero emissions is not possible.
Focus on Negative Emissions
According to the IPCC assessments global emissions reduction has been delayed for so long that substantial '-ve emissions' of CO2 removal is now required.
The 2018 IPCC 1.5°C report's best case P1 scenario has no CCS nor CO2 removal, but the IPCC report assumes CO2 removal on a vast scale is feasible- today it is certainly not.
Non geoengineering safe effective CDR includes regenerative agriculture, biochar, afforestation and wood construction in place of steel & concrete.
CDR geo-engineering methods are not mature technologies and all sources conclude their practical value at scale to be questionable.
BECCS
The most published CDR method is bioenergy + carbon capture sequestration
This relies on industrial scale biomass burning, which excludes it as an option, even though the IPCC calls it an option.
There are potential direct air capture technologies (DAC) but they are energy intensive expensive. IPCC 2014 AR5b WG 3 SPM said: The availability and scale of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies and methods are uncertain and CDR technologies and methods are, associated with challenges and risks (high confidence). It's the same today
Springer in 2013 published a special issue on -ve emissions.
There was a most comprehensive IPCC 2014 AR5 BECCS assessment is WG3 11.13 Appendix Bioenergy.Recent 2017 review shows that even after many years of consideration CDR has made no real progress.
A report,(Feb 2018) is on the UN Climate Sec site by the European Academies Science Advisory Council, which does not support BECCS and concludes 'these technologies offer only limited realistic potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere' .. 'and not at the levels required to compensate for inadequate mitigation'.
All SAFE methods need to to be tried as part of the planetary emergency response, but assumed effectiveness should not be relied for mitigation policy.
Despite being included in many models and mitigation papers, it therefore remains unknown DAC at scale is feasible and we have to assume will not stop ocean heating, acidification and deoxygenation. As the oceans are the ultimate determinant of climate this makes the Earth emergency doubly dire. We need a planet emergency global massive Manhattan model project.
We have known what has to be done for a long time.
The Burning Age is over and the only solution to carbon pollution is conversion to a (virtual) zero carbon combustion clean renewable energy economy
Zero carbon means zero deforestation, plus global afforestation
The UN Paris Agreement is just the opposite- MORE emissions. The May 2016 UN Climate Change Secretariat Update of intended national emissions targets (INDCs) shows that after Paris, emissions will still be higher at 2030, and proves that nothing is going to be done to save our future without a global emergency mass climate mobilization.
Our planet is on the brink of hothouse Earth heating and runaway climate change - total planetary catastrophe.
We have to convert our industrial GHG polluting world to a non GHG polluting one and fast.
An immediate International Planetary Emergency Manhattan Marshall Model (NOT planetary cooling) is now the only survival response — primarily for a big upgrade of our new clean energy technologies and to get safe, zero-combustion, super high energy density safe new fission and hopefully fusion power on line, which is now looking feasible. And we need safe direct air CO2 removal to get near zero CO2 emissions (not by burning biomass).
Zero carbon means zero deforestation, plus global afforestation
The UN Paris Agreement is just the opposite- MORE emissions. The May 2016 UN Climate Change Secretariat Update of intended national emissions targets (INDCs) shows that after Paris, emissions will still be higher at 2030, and proves that nothing is going to be done to save our future without a global emergency mass climate mobilization.
Our planet is on the brink of hothouse Earth heating and runaway climate change - total planetary catastrophe.
We have to convert our industrial GHG polluting world to a non GHG polluting one and fast.
An immediate International Planetary Emergency Manhattan Marshall Model (NOT planetary cooling) is now the only survival response — primarily for a big upgrade of our new clean energy technologies and to get safe, zero-combustion, super high energy density safe new fission and hopefully fusion power on line, which is now looking feasible. And we need safe direct air CO2 removal to get near zero CO2 emissions (not by burning biomass).
OCEAN POWER The Oceans hold vast amounts of high energy dense power, by ocean thermal energy conversion, but infrastructure has to withstand wave power and salwater.
WikiPedia conversion Paper for one method
WikiPedia conversion Paper for one method
Mark Jacobson has worked out zero carbon combustion energy conversion by solar, wind and water
The Solutions Project (M.Jacobson)
The Solutions Project (M.Jacobson)
Individual Action There is a lot that people can do, but without changing all the above climate change will not stop. 2019, New Internationalist What Can I Do?
Global solar atlas 2019
Global wind atlas 2019 (World Bank)
GLOBAL EMISSIONS DROP 7.6%/ YEAR from 2020 (UNEP).
But, we have no time left and everything has to be changed fast-in no time.
We must have a Massive Mobilization Climate War Effort—Now
It is well recognized that only massive world spending on upgraded clean energy R&D enough for world decarbonization can save us.
Precedents for that include Manhattan Project, and Marshall Plan
Manhattan type R&D wth Marshall type plan to rebuild the world for zero combustion
o rapidly develop best possible clean renewable energy technologies
o energy dense new power technologies(to replace energy dense fossil fuel uses)
o rebuild the world for zero carbon combustion age and
o develop safe effective at scale CO2 removal technologies
We must have a Massive Mobilization Climate War Effort—Now
It is well recognized that only massive world spending on upgraded clean energy R&D enough for world decarbonization can save us.
Precedents for that include Manhattan Project, and Marshall Plan
Manhattan type R&D wth Marshall type plan to rebuild the world for zero combustion
o rapidly develop best possible clean renewable energy technologies
o energy dense new power technologies(to replace energy dense fossil fuel uses)
o rebuild the world for zero carbon combustion age and
o develop safe effective at scale CO2 removal technologies
The perverse world ECONOMY
2020 Oscar Reyes, Change Finance, not the Climate
The Military Industrial Complex is a huge part of our economy, now reached $2 Trillion/year on world armaments, with the US now over $800 Billion.
War is a huge obstacle to international climate cooperation and abandoning fossil fuels. The prolonged war in Ukraine makes climate change international cooperation for mitigation more unlikely than ever
Peace must be won, now for the survival of us all
2020 Oscar Reyes, Change Finance, not the Climate
The Military Industrial Complex is a huge part of our economy, now reached $2 Trillion/year on world armaments, with the US now over $800 Billion.
War is a huge obstacle to international climate cooperation and abandoning fossil fuels. The prolonged war in Ukraine makes climate change international cooperation for mitigation more unlikely than ever
Peace must be won, now for the survival of us all
FISSION is the big one - doable close to zero carbon energy dense power
State of the art small nuclear fission is an essential part, no matter the economic cost.
Getting to zero carbon combustion fast requires using the highest energy dense small compact reactors of nuclear fission power, in order to manufacture the vast amount of clean renewable infrastructure to rebuild the world for zero carbon combustion.
Micro-fission reactors are certainly possible.
Wind turbines etc today are being made by burning coal.
State of the art small nuclear fission is an essential part, no matter the economic cost.
Getting to zero carbon combustion fast requires using the highest energy dense small compact reactors of nuclear fission power, in order to manufacture the vast amount of clean renewable infrastructure to rebuild the world for zero carbon combustion.
Micro-fission reactors are certainly possible.
Wind turbines etc today are being made by burning coal.
This is not being taken into account.
Safe compact fission can definitely be done.
Safe compact fission can definitely be done.
Assume 3Rs, Reduce Reuse Recycle
The 3Rs is an essential component of a clean energy strategy.
Constant Growth Economics: Root Climate Change Cause
As determined back in 2006 by the UK Stern Commission, "the greatest, "most far reaching market failure ever", the root cause of climate change is our perverse perpetual growth, all consuming externalizing economics.
Ecological economics
The 3Rs is an essential component of a clean energy strategy.
Constant Growth Economics: Root Climate Change Cause
As determined back in 2006 by the UK Stern Commission, "the greatest, "most far reaching market failure ever", the root cause of climate change is our perverse perpetual growth, all consuming externalizing economics.
Ecological economics
Net Zero is undefined so it allows avoidance of rapid full mitigation
It allows fossil fuel energy to continue
3 May 2021 Dangerous Trap (International Science Council)
It allows fossil fuel energy to continue
3 May 2021 Dangerous Trap (International Science Council)
FISSION
Desperate times need what some see as a desperate measures
Keep and increase much safer new fission
As the lowest carbon, highest energy-dense nuclear fission is required
Nuclear Fission Q&A
Desperate times need what some see as a desperate measures
Keep and increase much safer new fission
As the lowest carbon, highest energy-dense nuclear fission is required
Nuclear Fission Q&A
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Today (i.e. 2026) global CO2 and total GHG emissions are higher than ever and still increasing.
This was repeated by the IPCC Chair at the 2023 UN Climate Conference COP28 (30 Nov, 2023) "Without immediate and deep emissions reductions across all sectors, we will not meet the goals of the Paris Agreement
Carbon tax the polluters
Governments also have to charge the polluting corporations the full cost of their pollution, not just carbon taxing citizens as generally today.
Wealth Tax And there must be a hefty wealth tax. The richest 10 percent account for over half (52 percent) of the emissions (2020 OXFAM)
Governments also have to charge the polluting corporations the full cost of their pollution, not just carbon taxing citizens as generally today.
Wealth Tax And there must be a hefty wealth tax. The richest 10 percent account for over half (52 percent) of the emissions (2020 OXFAM)
The 2018 IPCC 1.5°C Report best-case for mitigation (P1 scenario) had fossil fuel energy production down to near zero by 2050, specified by % drop in each fossil fuel
See also Mitigation page
2025 Deadline
The most important fact from the IPCC is that global greenhouse gas emissions for both 1.5°C and 2°C had to be in decline by 2025
(IPCC, 2022, 6th Assessment, WG3, SPM, C.1)
The most important fact from the IPCC is that global greenhouse gas emissions for both 1.5°C and 2°C had to be in decline by 2025
(IPCC, 2022, 6th Assessment, WG3, SPM, C.1)
CONVERSION
Working from the basic science the solution to global climate change is conversion, total conversion of GHG emitting sources of production and utilization, to the long known 'alternative' non GHG emitting ones (clean sources)
Working from the basic science the solution to global climate change is conversion, total conversion of GHG emitting sources of production and utilization, to the long known 'alternative' non GHG emitting ones (clean sources)
The best detailed time-framed plan on fossil fuel energy is the 2021 IEA Net Zero by 2050 which the IEA re-issued in its 2025 World Energy Outlook Acting now to limit overshoot.
The internal combustion engine
Fossil fuel air pollution
Includes surface/tropospheric ozone, which is a toxic GHG (short-lived) formed from fossil air pollutants and increased by ambient heat,
so increases with global warming.
Fossil fuel air pollution
Includes surface/tropospheric ozone, which is a toxic GHG (short-lived) formed from fossil air pollutants and increased by ambient heat,
so increases with global warming.
January 2020 Mother Jones Great article.
World conversion is doable
World conversion is doable
ZERO CARBON COMBUSTION WORLD ENERGY ECONOMY
The science has been certain for years.
No more carbon can be dumped on the atmosphere
Zero fossil fuel combustion and zero biomass combustion
All fossil fuel energy must be phased out fast- replaced by renewable clean energy
100% world energy conversion.
The zero carbon combustion world energy economy is the safest, clearest,surest and most feasible carbon conversion / decarbonization
The science has been certain for years.
No more carbon can be dumped on the atmosphere
Zero fossil fuel combustion and zero biomass combustion
All fossil fuel energy must be phased out fast- replaced by renewable clean energy
100% world energy conversion.
The zero carbon combustion world energy economy is the safest, clearest,surest and most feasible carbon conversion / decarbonization
Natural/nature based solutions are a must, and are happening.
Natural solutions are attractive and doable.
Everyone has to get involved
Natural solutions are attractive and doable.
Everyone has to get involved
Personal living.
It is a given that all in the Global North must convert their wasteful consumer culture to conserver culture.
It is a given that all in the Global North must convert their wasteful consumer culture to conserver culture.
It is essential on energy, because the more energy we conserve the faster we can make the fossil fuel zero conversion
Energy austerity
Atmospheric CO2 is now so high (428 ppm) that avoiding global climate and oceans collapse requires a huge decrease is energy consumption, which means energy and manufactured goods austerity. As it is phased down fossil fuel energy must be dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure and manufacturing.
Atmospheric CO2 is now so high (428 ppm) that avoiding global climate and oceans collapse requires a huge decrease is energy consumption, which means energy and manufactured goods austerity. As it is phased down fossil fuel energy must be dedicated to renewable energy infrastructure and manufacturing.
The clean energy exceptions
CSP Concentrated solar thermal is high-energy dense.
It is held up by cost
CSP Concentrated solar thermal is high-energy dense.
It is held up by cost
Net zero? Just net zero carbon emissions is no solution.
Only Zero carbon combustion (fossil fuels, industrial biomass) can get to near zero carbon emissions. That's fundamental as CO2 and nitrous oxide last over 100s years.
Also emissions must drop to 'near zero' (IPCC).
Only Zero carbon combustion (fossil fuels, industrial biomass) can get to near zero carbon emissions. That's fundamental as CO2 and nitrous oxide last over 100s years.
Also emissions must drop to 'near zero' (IPCC).
CONVERSION (100% change) is the clime chae solution
o From Consumer to Conserver Culture
o From Consumer to Conserver Culture
Total Conversion of:
o Economy Constant GDP growth economy to ecological economics
o Defence (war) to co-operative international relations with disarmement
o Defence (war) to co-operative international relations with disarmement
o Fossil fuel energy to 100% clean renewable
o Construction Steel & concrete to wood construction products
o Agriculture, chemical-intensive, highly mechanized to organic
regenerative (like permaculture)
o Agriculture, chemical-intensive, highly mechanized to organic
regenerative (like permaculture)
o Diet to the meat and dairy-free plant-based healthiest diet
o Transport from a car-based to zero-carbon public seamless transport
No air or ship pleasure travel
No air or ship pleasure travel
Food Production & diet
Energy production and use
SUBSIDIES On fossil fuels must stop. Everyone has agreed for many years on the termination of fossil fuel subsidies, the key indispensable policy measure.
Yet fossil fuel subsidies are being increased now to $7 Trillion by IMF).
Yet fossil fuel subsidies are being increased now to $7 Trillion by IMF).
Conversions
Herman Daly (Wikipedia)
Stop Big Bank fossil fuel financing
Banks have financed fossil fuels by $6.9 trillion dollars since 2015 Paris Agreement;
according to the Banking on Climate Chaos report. Without stopping banks global climate change will not stop the accelerating increase trend.
Banks have financed fossil fuels by $6.9 trillion dollars since 2015 Paris Agreement;
according to the Banking on Climate Chaos report. Without stopping banks global climate change will not stop the accelerating increase trend.
Conversion of GHG emitting sectoral sources
Fossil fuel energy sources
The War Economy
War is a Major GHG source
and climate change driver
Convert to a cooperative economy for peace
War is a Major GHG source
and climate change driver
Convert to a cooperative economy for peace
The best source on fossil fuels is The Fossil Fuel Treaty for a fast, fair phase-out of fossil fuel energy.
UN Climate Secretariat
DEEP GEOTHERMAL a high energy dense power, perfect for the oil/gas industry to do (drilling).
VIDEO
The War on Carbon
Short documentary
War-climate change
The War on Carbon
Short documentary
War-climate change
All Greenhouse Gas Sources.
The targets for climate safety, according to the science, are 1.5°C and 2°C
It was 2°C from the mid 1990s up to 2018, but after the 2018 IPCC Special Report 1.5C
there is universal agreement that the danger limit is 1.5°C.
It was 2°C from the mid 1990s up to 2018, but after the 2018 IPCC Special Report 1.5C
there is universal agreement that the danger limit is 1.5°C.
The question is how to get emissions, still increasing every year, into decline.
Incredibly, there is no comprehensive plan to do so.
Incredibly, there is no comprehensive plan to do so.
The three main greenhouse gases
GHG emissions come from two main sources:
Industrial age energy production and
Industrial age food production
Industrial age energy production and
Industrial age food production
Why total conversion?
CO2 and nitrous emissions last over 100 years in the atmosphere
Emissions are emitted constantly.
CO2 and nitrous emissions last over 100 years in the atmosphere
Emissions are emitted constantly.