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Blog: 1,5 degree temperature rise and a shortage of energy
I was at a lecture by Heleen de Coninck at the Science cafe in Deventer. She stated the following in her lecture:
Stay below the 1.5 degree temperature rise: “With fast and decisive action it is still possible”
She has evaluated this on behalf of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A beautiful story. The current warming is already at +1 degree and we are noticing the effects. We are seeing more weather extremes and rising sea levels. What is there to do to limit the temperature rise to lower than 1.5 degrees. If we do nothing, we will probably reach a 1.5 degree increase between 2030 and 2050. In order to limit it to 1.5 degrees, the entire world will have to completely cease any CO2 emissions in 2050. This seems to me as unrealistic, since half of the global increase in CO2 emissions over the last 20 years comes from China and India. The IPCC has developed an alternative for a less drastic reduction in CO2 emissions.
Connection to our installation
The CO2 emitted is compensated by capturing CO2 and storing it underground and securing it in minerals. We may be able to come up with new techniques for this in 2050. An interesting way of thinking. I was reminded of our Bio-Up at the same time. This is our installation where we upgrade biogas from, for example, manure to green gas. The idea is to roll it out on a large scale in the agricultural sector. So every farmer has his own Bio-Up. This currently releases 40% CO2 which can easily be captured. The only thing is. is that this is not yet economically feasible.
Furthermore, there was recently a call from BP that there will be a shortage of energy in 2040 if we do not invest billions in oil & gas. Well, I am not the right person to judge that statement. What is clear is that, in addition to being sustainable, you also have to focus on saving energy and energy-efficient technologies. On the other hand, I also see the large increase in energy consumption in China and India. We can hardly deny those countries their share in the growth towards a higher prosperity and well-being. But let’s ensure that the CO2 emitted is captured and stored in, for example, empty gas fields. Too bad BP doesn’t mention that. And as far as I am concerned, it is certainly possible to compete with sustainable energy, as long as the storage of CO2 is, of course, safe. Only then can we speak of real clean energy.
