The earth's atmosphere
has several gases which together act like a blanket to keep the earth at a
comfortable temperature. If these gases were not there, the earth would be
much colder, probably by about 30 degrees Celsius.
Because of the fast-growing world population
and its needs for more energy-consuming appliances, more cleared land and
transport, these gases are increasing in the atmosphere.
Scientists around the world are concerned
that these increases could warm the earth and change our climate. In
Victoria, the warming could mean a warming of temperatures by 2 - 4 degrees
Celsius, causing a rise of up to 30 centimetres in sea levels, heavier
rainfall, more flash flooding, increased wind speed and more bush fires.
These changes could happen gradually by the
year 2030, unless we find ways of slowing down the greenhouse effect by
controlling the amount of gases released into the atmosphere.
Facts on Global Warming
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
- The enhanced greenhouse effect is the warming of the atmosphere from
increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere above natural levels
What are the major greenhouse gases?
- There are six greenhouse gases identified in the Kyoto Protocol; carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride.
What are Australias greenhouse emissions?
- Australias total emissions are 455.9 Mtonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e)
- Emissions from electricity generation were 168.6 Mt CO2-e (37% of total emissions)
What is Australias growth of greenhouse emissions?
- When compared with emissions in 1990 (433.2 Mt CO2-e) the growth rate of Australias
total emissions to 1998 was 16.9%.
- Emissions from electricity generation increased by 30.6% between 1990 and 1998.
- A scenario of 4% growth in power generation per year equates to a 60% increase in generation by 2010
representing an additional 107.6 Mt CO2-e (assuming an average carbon intensity of 1 t/GWh)
What are the policy responses and actions to global warming?
International actions
- The Kyoto Protocol determines binding emission reduction targets of 5.2% for countries to be met
during the period 2008 2012 (based on 1990 levels).
- Range of flexibility mechanisms introduced including Emissions Trading, Clean Development Mechanism and Joint
Implementation that will promote emission reductions in developing countries by developed countries
National actions
- Australia is limited to an increase of 8% above 1990 levels under the Kyoto Protocol
- Generation Efficiency Standards for power generation to be introduced in 2000
- An allies program has been introduced for small businesses under the mentorship of big business
- A Cities for Climate Protection program has been introduced for Local Governments and there community
- A Greenhouse trigger is proposed for new developments that will emit more than 500 Kat CO2
- Renewable energy targets of an additional 2% by 2010 (9,500 GWh)
- Commonwealth Government financial support under Safeguarding the Future, Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program and
Measures for a Better Environment.
How you can help!
- Switch off unnecessary appliances and lights
- Use natural lighting instead of electrical lighting
- Use high efficiency appliances and lighting
- Use high efficiency shower heads
- Use fuel efficient vehicles
- Reduce, re-use, recycle
- Approximately 1kg of carbon dioxide is emitted for every 1kWh of electrical power. This means about 5 kg of carbon
dioxide is emitted if ten 100 watt lights are on in a house for 5 hours
