Since the development of the industrial revolution and the discovery of motor cars, CO2 emissions along with others they have dramatically increased the greenhouse effect. Every year emissions have been rising more and more to the point of exceeding the limit imposed by the scientific community called "irreversible" for the effects of climate change and global warming.
What are the effects of CO2 emissions on the planet and people's health? Have they managed to reduce emissions with current legislation? In this article we will deal with some of these unknowns so that you know the global panorama well. Do you want to know more about it? Read on to find out.
Increased greenhouse effect
For those who do not remember it well, the greenhouse effect occurs in the atmosphere and takes place through the action of certain gases called greenhouse gases. Among other gases is CO2. Up to now, it is the most emitted greenhouse gas globally and, although it does not have a great capacity to retain heat, its concentration is so high that it is the most responsible for global warming.
CO2 emissions come from all types of combustion. From a fire in a stubble burning to the diesel engine of a car. Industry, transportation, agriculture, etc. They are the main sources of CO2 emissions in the planet. As a result, the average temperatures of the entire planet are increasing and causing serious imbalances in ecosystems.
Record CO2 emissions in 2017
Despite the fact that technologies in the field of renewable energies are causing a development in the field of greenhouse gas emissions, Spain is not on the right track. In the past year 2017, CO2 emissions increased by 4,46% compared to 2016. This increase represents a record in emissions in our country since the Kyoto Protocol entered into force in 2005.
This is due to the fact that Spain increases the use of fossil fuels instead of promoting renewable energies. After the changes in the policy by the government of Rajoy, the subsidies that had the renewable energies were eliminated. This led to the initial investment in this type of project drastically increasing, so that the commitment to renewable energies plummeted.
The increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are the cause of climate change. The coal used for the generation of electricity grew by 21% for the year 2017. For its part, natural gas also increased its use in combined cycle plants by 31,8%. We are not talking about small figures, on the contrary, the increase is quite large and this leads to an increase in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
Sectors responsible for emissions
By sectors, the consumption of energy produced with fossil fuels was responsible for 76,1% of emissions, followed by industrial processes (cement, chemical and metallurgical industries) that caused 9,6% of gases, agriculture and livestock ( 10,1%) and waste management (4,2%).
This represents a fairly high increase if we take into account the two base years contemplated by the EU. With respect to emissions in 1990 have grown by 18% and with respect to those of 2005 by 22,8%. Spain's final goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to the emissions it had in 1990.
The increase in emissions is also due to a small economic recovery after the crisis and a high dependence on fossil fuels. The entire increase in emissions can be seen as the reason to start a decarbonisation strategy. It is carried out after a change in the production model and very little by little, as recommended by the Paris Agreement.
You have to think that getting rid of CO2 from one year to the next is something impossible. Forgetting fossil fuels to make room for renewable energy is something that takes years and years of adaptation by industries, technology and citizens.
Just transition to renewables
Fossil fuel based energies have an end and it is short term. For this reason, it is thought that the best thing in Spain is to close the reactors of active nuclear power plants in Spain as they turn 40 years old (nuclear power plants are designed to have a useful life of 40 years).
And it is that if a scenario is considered in which the viability of operations is deprived, by the year 2025 coal will not enter the electricity grid. 92% of the coal that is burned in our country is imported.
To reduce CO2 emissions from transport, it is claimed that the Government makes a strategic commitment to the electric vehicle. Mobility is a very important sector to attack and one that must be non-polluting.
Another aspect to consider is energy efficiency and demand management in industry and buildings. In this way, the barriers to self-consumption in Spain should be avoided and the installed renewable power increased.
CO2 damage to ecosystems and health
CO2 emissions have numerous consequences for both the environment and humans. With the consecutive increase in global average temperatures due to heat retention by CO2 the polar caps are melting and rising sea level. In addition, CO2, when incorporated into the sea, makes it acidic, drastically reducing populations.
In terms of health, air pollution is responsible for thousands of premature deaths per year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The vast majority of them occur in large cities where air pollution from excess road traffic is too high.
As you can see, CO2 emissions continue to grow despite the Paris Agreement being launched.