The Connection between Carbon and Energy Issues

Discuss about the Contemporary Issues in Carbon and Energy.

Carbon and energy issues are largely related. The issues in these sectors are connected in climate change issue. The energy usage in the world is increasing and this has led to increase in carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are part of greenhouse gases which are contributing alit to the depletion of ozone layer. This has caused havoc with the increased adverse effects of climate change in the world. Addressing the issues in these two sectors is important in controlling the climate change issue. The energy sector is important to any company and nation. The use of energy leads to production of these key gases which have different impacts to the atmosphere and environment. The issues surrounding the energy and carbon emission are important and required to be addressed. The main aim of this paper will be analyze the different issues which are present in these two sectors. The paper will look at the different ways at which the issues are being addressed especially the emissions. Additionally, this paper will look at the steps which firms such as Qantas are taking in order to reduce the greenhouse emissions to the environment. Lastly, the paper will look at governmental policies which are helping in reduction of these emissions to control climate change.

The natural climate is a contemporary issue which is affecting people all over from the past. Climate is known to react to the different forces which are imposed to it over time. The changes on climate have shown sensitive changes on energy imbalances (McHarg, 2010). Heat increase on the planet causes rise on temperatures. The heat increase is largely connected with the changes in greenhouse gas percentages and especially the levels of CO₂. Due to the increased adverse effect of greenhouse which is cause by the CO₂, energy imbalances are being experienced. Evidence on the past climate do exist and shows a large correlation between the climatic sensitivity and CO₂ levels. Carbon and energy issues are some of important aspects which are affecting the world today (In Eastham, In Aguiar & In Thelwell, 2017). The issues relating to carbon and energy have been concluded to be mainly causing climate change at different aspects. Human beings are able to instigate the different issues, both negative and positive related to these two key topics. Climate change is a contemporary issue which is rooted from the energy and carbon issues in the society (Lo, Potdar, & BWCCA, 2010). To address the climate change, issues relating to the energy and carbon need to be tackled and proper solutions be improvised.

Contemporary Issues on Carbon and Energy

The adverse effects which the climate change is causing make contemporary issues on energy and carbon important to talk about. The energy usage is known for its contribution to the carbon emissions (Woodall et al., 2015). This is one of the key areas whereby the two issues are able to connect. Technological improvement has shown increase of energy usage. This means that increase on energy usage in a nation is a show of growth. It is important to analyze the different positive and negative effects which are brought about by the increase of energy production and usage to the environment. Many of energy sources in the world are attributed to carbon production. The increased combustion leads to increase of carbon production. The adverse effects of the carbon and energy use have brought different stakeholders together to address the key issues emerging (Butler, Lerch, & Wuerthner, 2012). Private firms, government organizations and internal bodies have all come together to devise mechanisms to control the adverse effects from energy and carbon sector. Carbon reduction measures are important and to address them, consideration on the energy production and usage. Consideration of the global greenhouse gas production must be considered and relevant ways of reducing the productions (Kwong-sang, 2017). Moreover, key policies which are aimed at reducing the emissions are important in addressing the contemporary issues which arise in carbon and energy sectors.

The production or energy in different sectors is known to contribute high percentages of carbon dioxide. Burning of fuels require policies and mechanisms which will save the climate from further degradation (Newton, 2013). Achieving carbon dioxide efficiency need consideration of energy sources and improving the production mechanism. Human factors are important in addressing these issues. This is because the issue emanate from human activities.  In addition, other issues related to the carbon neutral growth are important in relation to the carbon and energy issues. The increased industrial processes are large contributors to the increase of carbon production and emission to the atmosphere. Nevertheless, statistics show that about half of the emissions have happened in the past 40 years (Chau, & Zhao, 2015). This means there are key emerging carbon emissions contributors which are present in the current situations. The carbon emissions are responsible for the increased temperatures. In order to control plant’s temperatures, different caps on the carbon emissions have been imposed. Policies such as these are being placed to ensure that temperature increase is controlled. Most developed nations such as China, United States and European Union are top carbon emitter in the world. Carbon emissions to near zero levels are the major targets for most policies. These control policies are targeting reduction of the carbon emission by 2100 (Galarraga, Gonza?lez-Eguino & Markandya, 2011). The control has key consideration on the energy sector, which contributes a lot to the increase of emissions. Energy efficiency is a key consideration in part of the contemporary issues facing the sector.

The Adverse Effects of Carbon Emissions on Climate Change

A look at carbon emission shows that transportation sector is the leading emitter. Different transport companies are designing different ways in order to control the carbon emission. In order to achieve the control, these companies focus largely on the energy usage for their vessels (Farca, 2015). Increasing energy efficiency and consideration of alternative sources of energy are some of the important consideration which the companies look at. The economic growth of these companies leads to increased energy consumption leading to increased carbon emission.

Greenhouse gas emission is one of the major effects of the increased climate change. The increased emissions are able to contribute to destruction of the ozone layer and therefore leading to increased temperatures in the planet. Details show that the greenhouse emissions rose from 27 billion in 1970 to about 49 billion tones in 2010 (Farca, 2015). Carbon dioxide is mainly produced from fossil fuels. The transportation sector is attributed to contribute close to 28% of the carbon dioxide which is emitted to the atmosphere. In addition, the industrial processes are also leading in burning of fuels and thus contributing largely to the carbon emissions. From these points of views, the main aim which leads to the carbon emissions is the production of energy. About 78 of the carbon emission increase are found to come from the fossil fuels and industrial processes. This makes the control and slowing of the emission of the carbon emission from these sources a necessity. Slowing the emissions will help to stabilize the temperatures and control their increase (Hong, Lugg & World Scientific, 2013). This is because the slow on the emission will preserve the ozone layer and control the heating of the planet. In order to control and cut the emissions, different organizations employ different strategies. Policies and different energy mechanisms are considered as major ways under which the carbon and energy issues can be addressed.

Targets for the countries and large companies are to cut the carbon emissions by 40 to 70 percent in relation to the 2010 levels (Woodall et al., 2015). The targets focus on reducing the carbon emissions to near zero by 2100 and keep the global warming below 2 degrees according to IPCC. The different governments are trying as much as possible to impose carbon cuts on different products which produce carbon. This makes the companies’ on these sectors to improvise different mechanisms at which they can control carbon emissions. Renewable energy measures as well as energy efficiencies are some of the key alternatives which companies are engaging on in order to control the greenhouse gas emissions (Bhattacharyya, 2017). The main goals which the transportation companies have increase their fuel efficiency. This measure ensures that the level of emissions from fuel burning is largely reduced. In addition, in relation of the industrial processes, low carbon energy methods are widely advocated to enhance the carbon emissions reductions. The low carbon sources mean that technological improvements have to be made on the available energy sources. The environmental push has been crucial in enhancing and addressing the issues which are related to the carbon and energy. Ozone layer degradation is one of the major adverse effects which have been experienced with the increased carbon emission to the environment.

Addressing Emerging Carbon and Energy Issues

In addition, another key issue which is identified in relation to carbon and energy is the carbon footprint. This is the amount of GHG emissions which are associated with a product or services along with specific supply chain. The product carbon footprint is based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors., & Anderson, 2012). Majorly, this issue is able to focus on global warming as a key environmental issue. Through the footprint, the LCA is able to analyze the different effects which results from the analysis. The analysis using the LCA helps the different stakeholders to devise a proper mechanism to control the carbon emissions to the environment (Kwong-sang, 2017). The LCA is carried over the life span of the specific units and materials which are involved in the energy and carbon sector (CQ Press, 2010). In relation to the carbon footprints, key emerging issues are able to originate. Some of the issues include the emission hotspot identification, supply chain management and issues related to the control of carbon emissions. The carbon footprints help to devise a proper procedure which aims at reducing the carbon emissions to the environment (Schlesinger, Hawkins & Mooney, 2017). Most importantly, different models are used to predict the extend at which these important contemporary issues are going to affect the climatic and other environmental issues.

In addition, the energy and carbon issues are able to lead to climate change. In order to address the climate change issue well, the stakeholders have to change the policies. The stakeholders include both the governmental agencies as well as the private sectors. One of the key policies which have been developed over the past includes the use of command and control mechanisms (Hall, & Saarinen, 2010). This involves designing of utilities ad vessels which are able to control the carbon emission to the atmosphere. For instance, the designing of energy efficiency houses which rely on the use of renewable energy is a key step in reducing the carbon emission. In addition, this policy also involves designing of cars which use alternative fuel source other than the use of gasoline or any carbon based fuel (Kwong-sang, 2017). The control mechanisms are aimed at reducing the use of carbon based sources of energy and promoting other measures. At the end, the policy will reduce the carbon emitted to the atmosphere and therefore reducing the amount of negative impact to the atmosphere (Striebig, Ogundipe, & Papadakis, 2016). The policy is designed to affect the key stakeholders who are in manufacturing sector to look for alternative sources of energy while powering different sectors with energy.

Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Carbon Emissions and Control Energy Usage

In addition, another policy which is imposed to the public in order to control the climate effect is placement of prices on carbon producing mechanisms (Moscardo, 2013). This policy involves action such as imposition of carbon tax and use of emission trading schemes. Under this policy, high prices are imposed on areas where the carbon is emitted to discourage their usage. For instance, imposing high tax on carbon based fuels will discourage its used and therefore forcing innovations on other fuel mechanisms. The main aim of this policy is to increase the cost of energy sources which produce large carbon. This makes the public to look to alternative sources of energy. At the end, the carbon emission will be reduced by imposing price control and therefore helping change on the issues affecting the climate (Liu, Chen, & Liu, 2017). The policy also ensures that promotion of renewable energy costs is reduced when the carbon based one have their prices is increased. This helps to offer an alternative source of energy which will be relied on without much negative impact to the climate. Placing a price on carbon production will discourage the carbon usage and promote the alternative measures. At the end, the policy will ensure that carbon emission is controlled from the source and therefore helping on control of climate change.

In addition, another key policy which is still an alternative when dealing with climate change is the use of direct mechanisms to control carbon emissions (Moscardo, 2013). The direct mechanisms have to target the sources of carbon emissions and imposing regulations against their operation. For instance the stakeholder may issue the orders on shutdown of the key areas such as the coal power stations for their contribution to environmental degradation. Under this policy, the stakeholders may analyze the amount of carbon being emitted and therefore move to stop their operation. Although this is a highly discouraged mechanism, it is a policy which the governmental agencies can use to control the carbon emissions (Heinberg & Lerch, 2010). The stakeholders can come up with key regulations which provide the level of carbon emissions for these markets. When carbon targets are imposed, the stakeholders are obliged to comply to risk closure of their businesses and therefore making the operations safer. The direct inventions can therefore be promoted through the use of key specific legislations which help to curb the carbon emission to the environment.

Renewable Energy Measures and Energy Efficiencies

Climate change is real and human activities are promoting its increase each day through their activities. The energy usage is one of the key contributors of the greenhouse gases which are able to contribute high effects on the ozone layer depletion. To control the emission, governmental bodies and private sector has to come up with different measures which are aimed at saving the climate (In Chen, In Iwamoto & IGI Global, 2017). Encouraging the use of renewable sources of energies is one of the major steps which the stakeholders have taken to ensure that the environment is saved. Proper analysis of the energy sector and rectifying remedies can be perfect solutions to reducing carbon emissions.

Different organizations have taken the responsibility of ensuring that the carbon emissions are reduced. Therefore in order to the countries to achieve their carbon emission targets, it requires the contribution of the private firms to enhance their measures in cutting the carbon emissions (Thomas, 2017). As seen earlier, the transportation sector is one of the key user of fossil fuel based fuel and thus contributing highly on carbon emissions. Firms in the transport sector usually take the challenge to help in reducing the carbon emission to the environment and thus controlling greenhouse gases emission (Kumar, 2017). Firms such as Qantas have been in the forefront in advocating on measures which ensure that the greenhouse gases emission is reduced to save the environment.

As part of their mandate, Qantas firm considers the climate change issue part of key area of concern and focuses on increasing their fuel and energy conservation in the aim to control the greenhouse gas emissions. In this, the firm is able to encourage the use of greenhouse friendly TM accredited carbon offset programs (Truong, Hunt & Petitt, 2016). Under these programs, the firm allows the passengers and the firm to engage on the calculation of the offset and their share on flight emissions when making bookings. The programs aim at reducing the release of the greenhouse gases to the atmosphere from the first place. Controlling the release of these gases is the major step of handling the climate change. To achieve the control on the release of the greenhouse gases, the firm uses different measures (Nakamura, Kajikawa, & Suzuki, 2014). Some of these measures include the energy efficiency measures, generation of the renewable energy to power their vessels and tree plantation projects.

Carbon Footprints and Life Cycle Assessment

Qantas focuses on reducing their fuel emissions of the greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Since the firm believes that control of the release is the bound step in handling climate change, the firm engages on fuel efficiencies in both air and ground emissions from their sector. About 95 percent of Qantas emissions come directly from the use of fuel jet (Lo, Potdar, &  BWCCA, 2010). Reduction of fuel usage is one of the major steps which the firm is undertaking to enhance their control on greenhouse gas emission. To achieve this, the firm targets on 1.5% reductions per year on the greenhouse gas emission. At this rate, the firm focuses that they will meet their standards on greenhouse gas emission by 2020 (Indermuehle, Harvey-Smith, Wilson, Chow, & RFI, 2016). Improving on fuel efficiency is one of the bound stepping which the firm focuses to engage in achieving these targets. In addition, the firm also looks at exploration on alternative sources of fuel with low emissions; use of renewable energy sources is a key alternative which the firm looks to engage in the quest to achieve its targets. Some of the key projects which the firm has undertaken include the big data project. This project focuses on saving the planet from the greenhouse gases by innovation on smart solution to their energy section.

The firm partners with the GE Aviation to use the big data analysis. This projects looks on enhancing the fuel efficiency for the company and therefore reducing the emissions to the atmosphere. Under this project, the firm targets on emitting the minimum levels as much as possible from its flights (Posthumus, 2014). The bid data project also aims at reducing the aircraft fuel use, which is major source of the greenhouse gas emission. In addition, the firm is also taking steps on reducing the fuel usage through smoother descent profile. This is achieved through the collaborative introduction of the required navigation Performance (NAP) technology (Meador, Maldonado & DASC, 2010). The technology aims at reducing the fuel and noise production from the aircrafts through leadership mechanisms. In addition, in the aim of enhancing the fuel efficiency, the firm looks at reducing the weight of its aircrafts. Some of the key steps which the firm has taken include the replacement of the paper Flight Manuals with iPads as well as the introduction of the lightweight carbon brakes (Meador, Maldonado & DASC, 2010). The reduced weight means that fuel consumption is cut and this helps in reduction of the emissions to the atmosphere. Reducing the fuel usage also ends up in lowering the emission footprints from the firm and thus enhancing the environmental conservation.

Conclusion

In addition, in order to achieve fuel efficiency, the Qantas group works closely with different team members to monitor and evaluate the fuel usage in both air and ground levels. The firm engages the pilots and ground staffs in fuel consumption evaluation and helps them in implementation of innovative ideas which has positive environment and sustainable benefits. The experts use ensures that the teams understand the key areas where the fuel reduction can be achieved (Posthumus, 2014). The firm largely focuses in becoming the leading firm in fuel efficiency in the industry. In addition, the firm believes in building key fleets on the use of electricity. The burning of cal based fuel is one of the great contributors of the greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The use of electric vehicles is the future mechanism in the road, which helps to control the greenhouse gas emission. The firm understands this and through the Future Planet program, Qantas group looks on building its fleet on low emissions through the use of Electric Ground Service Equipment (GSE) (Perrott, 2015). This mechanism aims at reducing the diesel consumption which is a major source of the greenhouse gases and thus reducing the carbon footprint. In addition, creating sustainable biofuels is another key engagement which the firm is undertaking. Unlike fossil fuels, the biofuels are sustainable and have low emissions to the environment.

The government is advocating for the low carbon policies in the air sector in order to facilitate the reduction on the emissions. The encouragements on building alternative fuels such as the biofuels are some of the policies which the government is creating to enhance emission reduction (Caprotti, & Yu, 2017). In order to increase the fuel efficiency, the government encourages on innovation on material substitutions which will reduce the weight of aircrafts. This will lower the emissions from these vessels. In addition, the government is also developing policies which are aimed at reducing the amount of emissions from the aircrafts (Schlesinger, Hawkins & Mooney, 2017). For instance, the current designed vessels must have a specific limit on the emission level. This curb on the amount of emission helps to reduce the greenhouse gas emission to the atmosphere.

In conclusion, there are key issues in the energy and carbon sectors which are of great concern. These two sectors are able to interact resulting to great impact to the climate. Human activities in these two sectors are creating high impact on existence of climate change. Increase in energy usage has contributed to an increase in carbon production leading to depletion of the ozone layer. This has in turn contributed to increase in the temperatures in planet earth. This has led to taking of decisive measures by different stakeholders to control the increased emission. Both private and public sectors have been greatly involved in introduction of measures aimed are reducing the greenhouse gas emissions. The governmental agencies have developed policies which are aimed at controlling the increased emissions. On the other hand, the private sector has responded by innovation on different ways to respond to the legislative parts issued. Their response includes innovation on ways to enhance fuel efficiency and also coming u with new and alternative sources of energies. The transport sector has been highly engaged in this sector to enhance the control of climate. The sector contributes highly on greenhouse gas production. Firms such as Qantas have been seen to react positively in control of their greenhouse emission. The firm uses different alternatives to cut down the emissions from its operations. Lastly, the government plays a big role in facilitating the private sector in coming up with ways to control the emissions. Key policies and provision of alternative measures are some of the roles which the government plays.

References

Butler, T., Lerch, D., & Wuerthner, G. (2012). The energy reader: Overdevelopment and the delusion of endless growth. Healdsburg, Calif.: Watershed Media. Pp. 13-34

Caprotti, F., & Yu, L. (2017). Sustainable Cities in Asia. London: Taylor and Francis. Pp.9-14

Chau, K.-T., & Zhao, J. (2015). Bifurcation and Degradation of Geomaterials in the New Millennium: Proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on Bifurcation and Degradation in Geomaterials. Cham: Springer. Pp. 50

CQ Press. (2010). Global environmental issues: Selections from CQ researcher. Washington, D.C: CQ Press. Pp. 109-121

Farca, P. A. (2015). Energy in Literature: Essays on energy and its social and environmental implications in twentieth and twenty-first century literary texts. Oxford: TrueHeart Press Ltd. Pp. 11-21

Galarraga, I., Gonza?lez-Eguino, M., & Markandya, A. (2011). Handbook of sustainable energy. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Pp. 89

Hall, C. M., & Saarinen, J. (2010). Tourism and change in polar regions: Climate, environments and experiences. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon Angleterre: Routledge. Pp. 45-52

Heinberg, R., & Lerch, D. (2010). The post carbon reader: Managing the 21st century’s sustainability crises. Healdsburg, Calif: Watershed Media. Pp. 33

Hong, M., Lugg, A., & World Scientific (Firm). (2013). Asia’s energy trends and developments. (Asia’s energy trends and developments.) Singapore: World Scientific Pub. Co. pp. 99-132

In Bhattacharyya, S. C. (2017). Routledge Handbook of Energy in Asia. London: Taylor and Francis. Pp. 42-45

In Chen, L., In Iwamoto, Y., & IGI Global,. (2017). Advanced applications of supercritical fluids in energy systems. Hershey, PA: Engineering Science Reference. Pp. 5-9

In Eastham, J., In Aguiar, L. K., & In Thelwell, S. (2017). Contemporary issues in food supply chain management. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Limited. Pp. 18-23

Indermuehle, B. T., Harvey-Smith, L., Wilson, C., Chow, K., & 2016 Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). (October 01, 2016). The ASKAP RFI environment as seen through BETA. 43-48.

Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors., & Anderson, M. (2012). Contemporary ergonomics and human factors 2012. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press. 58-69

Kumar, M. (January 01, 2017). International Tourism and Opportunities for Economic Development in India. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251974248_Tailored_arrivals_help_reduce_aviation%27s_environmental_impact

Liu, J., Chen, S., & Liu, T. (2017). Smart energy: From fire-making to the post-carbon world. Boca Raton : Taylor & Francis, a CRC title, part of the Taylor & Francis imprint, a member of the Taylor & Francis Group, the academic division of T & F Informa, plc. 23-30

Lo, V., Potdar, V., & 2010 International Conference on Broadband, Wireless Computing, Communication and Applications (BWCCA). (November 01, 2010). State of the Art: Carbon Emission Accountability Modeling. 830-835.

McHarg, A. (2010). Property and the law in energy and natural resources. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 123-180

Meador, S., Maldonado, C., & 2010 IEEE/AIAA 29th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). (October 01, 2010). Tailored arrivals help reduce aviation’s environmental impact. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251974248_Tailored_arrivals_help_reduce_aviation%27s_environmental_impact

Moscardo, G. (2013). Sustainability in Australian business: Principles and practice. Milton, Qld: John Wiley and Sons Australia. 200-209

Nakamura, H., Kajikawa, Y., & Suzuki, S. (January 01, 2014). Innovation for Sustainability in Aviation. Retrieved from: https://www.climatechange.sa.gov.au/case-studies

Newton, D. E. (2013). World energy crisis: A reference handbook. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. 89-95

Perrott, B. E. (January 19, 2015). Building the sustainable organization: an integrated approach. Journal of Business Strategy, 36, 1, 41-51.

Posthumus, C. (December 01, 2014). Massive vertical garden at Sydney’s One Central Park : landscape. Sabi Magazine – Tydskrif, 7, 2, 20-22.

Schlesinger, W. H., Hawkins, S. J., & Mooney, H. A. (2017). Translational ecology: Collected writings on contemporary environmental issues. Oldendorf, Germany : International Ecology Institute. 11-17

Striebig, B. A., Ogundipe, A. A., & Papadakis, M. (2016). Engineering applications in sustainable design and development. Boston, MA:  Cengage Learning. 45-49

Thomas, M. D. (January 01, 2017). Climate Security Case Study: Australia.

Truong, D., Hunt, J. N., & Petitt, K. N. (January 01, 2016). Efficiency Evaluation of Low-Cost Long-Haul Carriers in the Trans-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific Markets. International Journal of Aviation Systems, Operations and Training (ijasot), 3, 1, 34-48.

Woodall, C., Coulston, J. W., Domke, G. M., Walters, B. F., Wear, D. N., Smith, J. E., Andersen, H.-E., … United States. (2015). The U.S. Forest Carbon Accounting Framework: Stocks and stock change, 1990-2016.

Kwong-sang, Y, (2017). A study of carbon dioxide emissions reduction opportunities for airlines on Australian international routes PhD Thesis, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi:10.14264/uql.2017.688