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What is the problem ? Evidence that the earth
is already getting warmer is quite convincing – even to relatively
conservative scientists. The planet’s temperature is set to rise by 3 to 4
degrees by the year 2100 if current practices continue, which will melt
some of the ice caps and cause the sea to rise between 30 and 110 cm –
enough to drown out several islands (such as some of the Maldives) and
flood some areas in the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Egypt. The Cape Flats and the Fish Hoek – Noordhoek Valley are quite low lying as
well and are therefore also vulnerable to this threat. Rainfall patterns
are also likely to change, with droughts in some areas and increased rain
in others. These planetary changes have potentially catastrophic impacts.
The main cause
of the problem is energy use. You probably use electric energy throughout
the house for cooking, heating, TV and use fuel in cars. You might
not realize that generating energy burns huge amounts of coal, which
releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Petrol use and production
also releases much carbon dioxide (CO2). The result is the 'Greenhouse Effect' or 'Global Warming', which happens when the CO2 (the main greenhouse gas) and other gases (such as methane) get thick enough to form a 'gas blanket' around the earth, causing it to heat up more than usual (see inserted figure). Already 50 % more CO2 is on the atmosphere due to the emissions of the 'modern age'. Now it is not enough to simply stabilize CO2 emissions to stop the greenhouse effect, but rather emissions need to to be reduced by 60 to 80 %. So far, no country is managing anything near this -- although some have stabilized their emissions (such as Denmark).
South Africa’s contribution to Global Warming South Africa produces 1.4 % of the world's total CO2. However, our CO2 emissions per person are more than double the world average. This is mainly because we have cheap energy, and so we use it inefficiently. Burning coal is the main source of CO2 (through burning it to generate electricity, or burning it directly for heating, cooking etc.)
Typical household contributions to CO2 emissions come from the sources listed below:
Other emissions In other parts of the world air pollution surpasses tolerable health standards, and South African cities are also nearing this condition. Evidence is mounting that coal power station emissions in Mpumalanga and surrounding areas, where many of the local power stations are located, air pollution levels are becoming a health hazard. Indoor air pollution due to the use of coal and wood is a particular problem in low income houses in South Africa (related respiratory illness is the second biggest cause of infant mortality in the country). |
