Global warming is a term that is self explanatory. It refers to the general rise in the worlds temperatures due to human activity.
According to climate model projections, it is summarized that during the 21st century, the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 0,3 to 1,7°C in the lowest emissions scenario and 2,6 to 4,8°C in the highest emissions scenario. These figures show a scary reality. It is necessary to stay well below 1,5°C in order to maintain life on earth without disturbing the ecosystems.
A slight rise from the 1,5°C that was set by the Paris agreement could result in higher temperatures thus leading to higher sea level rises, most of the affected countries being ones in the tropics and developing countries, with South Africa being a developing country, it is important that we are at the forefront advocating for change.
There are various ways in which we can try and limit the amount of carbon emissions, some of the solutions require big decision makers to take a stand while other solutions can be implemented by all people just by deciding to be a little less ignorant and care a little bit more about the environment. In order to tackle ways in which global warmth can be decreased, primary sources of the global warmth need to be first identified.
Greenhouse gasses form a blanket around the earth trapping heat from radiating back into space. These greenhouse gasses primarily consist of water vapour, including smaller amounts of Carbon dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide. The primary sectors that contribute to global warming is the electricity sector, transport sector and industrial sector.
In South Africa, the energy sources come from petroleum, natural gas, coal, renewable fuels and nuclear all of these are non-renewable energy sources which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In order to decrease the amount of carbon emissions due to the generation of electricity, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, biomass and small scale hydro power should be utilized. Meaning that no more coal fired blast furnaces should be built but more wind power stations should be built, more of these stations should be built in areas where wind power is high.
On a smaller scale, communities can help by ensuring that they use electricity wisely. Understanding that proper electricity usage is imperative as it is a way of helping save our environment. The understanding can be brought about by creating campaigns to educate people about how the generation of electricity affects the environment and the importance of ensuring that we stay below 1,5°c of global warmth so that we do not suffocate to death.
Most rural areas in South Africa are poor and don't have access to electricity, for activities such as cooking, they depend on fire wood. To perform household activities they need to cut down trees. As a way to counter the chopping of trees, a law should be passed that for every tree one cuts, two trees must be planted. Another issue with rural areas is that there is no garbage collecting unit therefore to get rid of garbage they dig holes and use them as garbage burning pits. The burning of garbage releases huge amounts of Carbon dioxide.
What the communities can do is to collect the garbage in a central location where the municipality can collect it. The transportation sector is nearly-totally dependent on petroleum fuels. Looking at various ways in which we can limit the amount of carbon emissions from transportation is therefore important.
On a larger scale car manufacturers could lean on the revolution, electric motor vehicles. Government could also set out a goal to completely ban the usage of combustion engine cars. In cities, large corporations and schools could encourage a "cycle to work week" where people who live a certain distance from work or schools could cycle to work or school, this not only promotes a less carbon emission week but also advocates for people leading healthier lives. Government and municipalities could help out here by building more cyclist routes in roads.
With the growing industrial sector and need for land to build corporations, more and more forests are cleared(deforestation). Trees are important in that they convert the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into oxygen for humans to breathe. The least we could do is to help the environment breathe by planting more trees.
The need to decrease our carbon footprint has reached its peak. South Africa is part of the Kyoto protocol, meaning that we are concerned about the environment and are willing to do something about it. All we need now is to act a bit more and implement the changes whether big or small.
Anele Mangqalaza
Civil Engineering Technician
