‘Fascinating’- is the only word that comes to mind, when describing my journey over the past two years. After completing my post-graduate degree in Engineering Management from the University of Newcastle and working for a year as a Research Assistant in developing ‘Clean-Coal’ technologies, I moved to Sydney, in what seemed like a logical move to make, given my career aspirations. Sydney being the “big-city”, provided more opportunities to achieve the goals I had set for myself  and it has certainly lived up to my expectations.

I took courses in Life cycle analysis and Carbon Accounting from May 10 – July 10, in trying to find some solid ground in this vast area of sustainability, and solid ground I did find! I have been involved in Sustainability in one form or other since January 2008. It all started at the University of New Mexico and the final year Chemical Engineering project that brought me into this world of “green”.

January 2011 was the highlight of my life, where I had the honor of being selected for the Asia-Pacific climate change summit in Jakarta, where along with 349 other climate change enthusiasts, I received Climate Presenter training from Hon Al Gore. As part of the post summit activities, all of us have committed to engaging in 10 activities that will help spread the awareness on climate change. I was involved in the completion of one such activity, in Nadi (Fiji) where I was the guest speaker on climate change at the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was an audience of 50 people, mostly small business owners, eager and concerned about the catastrophic effects of climate change in Fiji.

Now that I have committed to writing more regularly, this is a good place to stop this article. Be back soon..

Public perception about CCS is an important issue because companies worldwide consider projects that are dedicated to the geological storage of Carbon dioxide. Perception of risk and overall public acceptance remains the deciding factors, especially because of unsuccessful efforts to enlighten the public about nuclear power facilities. Public technology acceptance is critically determined by the complex relationship between various fctors such as, environmental risk, attitudes, trust amongst the international community and long term benefits of the application of the said technology.

As far as CCS is concerned, the main obstacle waiting to be cleared will always remain the acceptance of geological storage of CO2. Numerous surveys conducted to gauge public attitudes towards CCS have generally confirmed that the public has low levels of knowledge about CCS. The concept of risk associated with the geological storage of carbon dioxide could be entirely different for researchers and the common man. The scientific community, generally defines risk as the product of an events’ probability and its consequences. The common man, however, uses a much broader definition of risk. We humans have been familiar with risk long before they were explicitly identified and measured. Risk, simply represents the possibility that an event may occur; and is a mental or analytical model used by people to
help cope, understand, and manage the hazards associated with that particular event.

In order to categorize the risks associated with the geologic sequestration of CO2 in the psychometric framework, we require an analysis of the risk literature and the characteristics associated with the activity. The risks are usually categorized by the type of potential harm from the geological sequestration; whether human or animal suffocation, soil acidification, subsurface contamination, ground surface displacement, or physical surface damage. Following are a few important considerations that must be dealt with in regards to improving public perception about CCS; proper site selection and characterization is the most important component that could minimize any risks associated the geological storage of carbon dioxide, various studies carried out so far indicate no risks associated with the geological storage of CO2 which must be conveyed to the general public to help erase any doubts that may exist in their minds.

Models show that CCS technology is bound to be perceived as having similar or slightly greater amounts of risk than fossil fuels, and coal combustion pollution.It is therefore crucially important to consider ways to reduce the public’s perceived level of risk catered towards gradual acceptance of carbon dioxide storage technology. In relation to
improving scientific knowledge about the field, additional study must be conducted that will enable the public greater access to substantial field trials and the data obtained from those trials. The absence of such trials will further give rise to many problems with respect to improving scientific knowledge with the public. Risk assessment models and theoretical simulations, do not hold any persuasive power when presented to the general public, without credible evidence pointing towards the safety aspect of a particular technology.

The ability to confront the risk from CCS can be improved over time as knowledge is improved and techniques are perfected through advances in research and development. The opportunity to mitigate the hazards from CCS will
help reduce levels of public concern, and to the extent that these capabilities can be improved.

Public perception and wide acceptance of geological sequestration of CO2 technology as a component of CCS has wide implications for the future commercial deployment prospects of CCS systems. In comparison to other technological hazards, geo-sequestration of CO2 should be perceived to have less risk than nuclear technologies, but could be perceived as being somewhat riskier than fossil fuels, coal burning pollution, and other widely accepted technological hazards. This fundamental public perception will only be improved from an increase in sufficient data made available to the public.

-Yash Divekar

At the “summit in rubble” as publicly termed by the G8 media, Dr.Manmohan Singh has no plans to discuss or present a paper outlining India’s position on the climate change issue. Instead, India and countries like China, Mexico, and Brazil have plans to sit back and play the waiting game before making any specific commitments. India has for long maintained its stand of not willing to accept a cap on their emissions.

In a recent blog, I briefly discussed about India’s role in global CO2 emissions. There is wide spread argument (read consensus) amongst Indians about not wanting to set clear goals catered towards reducing global CO2 emissions. It has long been understood and agreed upon that the responsibility of cleaning up the planet rests with the developed countries in the form of concrete actions that will reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. After all, developed countries are widely responsible for all the CO2 that is out there!

Having said that, I believe it is every person and every countries’ responsibility to address the problem we currently have on our plate and to clean up after themselves upon finishing a sumptuous meal of industrialisation. It is for this purpose that I wish to express my frustration over the Indian government’s lack of action towards helping solve the problem of climate change.

Mr. Mukherjee said India would finance eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change unveiled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year. The missions while still being finalised, are expected to be ready by the end of 2009, as stated by the Minister for environment and forests, Mr Jairam Ramesh. Having experienced how public sector funding and bureaucracy operates in India; I have absolutely no hopes of ever seeing a single project come up in India, however, like the rest of the world, I remain optimistic.

This budget could have included provisions that would lead to a lot of “green” investment, but it does little to attract any. It remains to be seen whether this affects the CDM as initiated by the Kyoto protocol. In the race for industrialisation coupled with the need to lift a majority of India’s population out of poverty, the Minister for Finance has taken a backward step by not doing anything to help solve the serious problem of global climate change.

-Yash Divekar

The upcoming meeting in Copenhagen in December is vitally important, to set a path for future generations to come. Never ever in the history of mankind has something been so important, something that will affect everyone living on this planet, directly or indirectly. It will set the ball rolling for the so called “developed” nations to do something concrete about implementing mechanisms that will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are otherwise allowed to escape into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases have traditionally been allowed to accumulate and warm up the planet, so much so that we are now witnessing drastic weather patterns such as drought, heatwaves, more than average rainfall in parts that are otherwise not used to them.

Industrial and technological dominance and the hunger to be a world leader has ensured that we have let these greenhouse gas concentrations escalate beyond control. Developing countries are still being labelled “developing”, because they have never been able to catch up or compete with the so called “propserous” nations. India has just recently made its position clear that it will not accept any emissions reductions that may arise out of Copenhagen. They are right in saying this because it becomes difficult to define an exact formula for developeing countries that will ensure they are limiting their emissions while continuing to provide basic amenities like electricity to 800 million that live under $2 per day. India already has one of the lowest per capita CO2 emissions (a greenhouse gas largely responsible for global warming).

India’s argument has always been with its contribution (or lack of) to climate change. Compared with “developed countries”, India’s contribution has been small. With 16% of the world population, its contribution has been 4.6% of green house gas emissions, while the US has 5% of the world’s population and contributes to more than 20% of the emissions.What India really needs is access to latest state of the art technology that can be implemented in existing or new coal-fired power plants. Technolgies like post-combustion, pre-combustion, and Oxy-fuel combustion that will help mitigate CO2 emissions. The Kyoto Protocoal gave rise to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI), under which rich nations would heavily invest in clean energy projects in developing countries.

What we really need is clean energy initiatives. Investing in clean energy sources like solar, wind and biofuels will ensure India achieves its target of electrifying the remotest parts of the country while still being a responsible emitter. What comes out of Copenhagen remains to be seen, but one thing is sure- we are warming up the planet!

-Yash Divekar

In a recent blog, I discussed in detail the role played by greenhouse gases in contributing to global warming and its climate change effects. CO2 being the most notorious one, plays a significant role in contributing to climate change. The conclusion to this big problem is mitigating CO2 emissions. One such technique currently being studied and applied at coal-fired power plants all across the world is Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS).

Its not rocket science! The science behind carbon capture and storage (CCS) isn’t complicated. Upon combustion, fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas emit CO₂. In CCS, this CO2 is separated from a stream of gases that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.This CO2 is then stored safely and securely deep underground. Researchers and scientists across the world are busy in developing ways to capture this CO2.

Currently, three methods to capture this CO2 exist and are being employed at various plants around the world; pre-combustion, post-combustion and Oxyfuel combustion. Each of these has its benefits and challenges. This image from Wikipedia illustrates what we need to know about CCS.

A schematic of Carbon Capture & Storage

Like with all emerging technologies, CCS poses some challenge to scientists. CO2 cannot be stored anywhere in the ground. Suitable storage sites have to be identified that must comply with all rules and regulations. Ocean storage is also considered a potential storage site. Although, the environmental effects of oceanic storage are generally negative, they are not well researched. A downside of storing CO2 under water is, in large concentrations, CO2 kills ocean organisms. Another major issue is that dissolved CO₂ would eventually equilibrate with the atmosphere, thus negating the “permanent storage of CO2 concept”. Also, the acidity of ocean water will greatly increase as parts of CO2 react with water to form carbonic acid.

Yet another major concern with CCS is the possibility of leakage of stored CO2. IPCC predicts that it would be possible to trap CO₂ for millions of years, allowing some leakage occurring upwards through the soil, carefully selected sites are likely to hold onto over 99% of the injected CO₂ over 1000 years. Site selection therefore becomes crucial! A look at the Slepiner gas field reveals it is possible to store CO2 for many years thereby convincing people that geologically sequestering CO2 is a safe bet.

With all its pros and cons, this technology can really set the momentum for generations to come. CCS can provide us with the answers we need to continue burning fossil-fuels and yet contribute to a reduction in the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. This is a giant step towards a possibly cleaner environment!

Yash Divekar

The AGD Group’s goal is to carefully develop and formulate policies that will contribute towards curbing aviation related CO2 emissions. In the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, there was no mention of aviation emissions. Due to a rapid increase in air-travelers around the world, the airline industry is under constant pressure to curb their carbon footprint. In 2008, the U.N.’s aviation agency launched on a standard to calculate how much air passengers should pay to offset their carbon emissions. The aviation industry is always under the public spotlight from various green groups because it is one of the most rapidly growing sources of greenhouse gases. A new carbon calculator was quickly put in place which calculates CO2 emissions from burning jet fuel.

The AGD Group has various proposals lined up, all catered towards a carbon neutral growth target, a 5% reduction and a 20% reduction in emissions through to 2020. These targets, however, are chosen in such a way that they accommodate government, industry and NGO views regarding the role international aviation in helping to combat global climate change. These ambitions also assume that globally all airlines would actively participate in the carbon markets, an area that could prove difficult to satisfy everyone involved.

Whatever may be the case, it is good to note that everyone is taking an active interest in contributing in whichever way they can towards leading a global fight against global warming. Whether we all agree and walk hand in hand, remains to be seen, but we sure will continue to fly!

–Yash Divekar

In developing countries climate change effects will be severe due to lack of knowledge at the grassroots level. Increased poverty and ignorant way of life will lead to the displacement of millions of people in India alone. The rise in sea levels will affect the physical and economic survival of the coastal population, farming and other communities. Like the melting of polar ice-caps, melting of the Himalayan glaciers and ice sheets will lead to the occurrence of serious floods in India. In a country of 1.2 billion, drought will cause tremendous hardship due to lack of sufficient food and water.

Greenhouse gas reduction along with climate-literacy are two equally important challenges that lie ahead, that must be solved.Villages must be better equipped to handle droughts, floods, higher temperatures and other catastrophic events that climate change will bring about. Water conservation and efficient utilization of existing crops together with the introduction of modern farming techniques could play a significant role should a natural calamity related to climate change arise.

We are currently experiencing a moment in international history where each and every community on the planet is taking serious blows from the current economic crisis. Similarly, if climate change is left alone and greenhouse gas emissions unabated, the day of doom and gloom will soon be upon us. Any inaction now will prove to be much more expensive than investing in clean energy technologies now. Since climate change is man made, only mankind can solve it. Innovation and technological development must be the driving force of change. Continuous improvement in exploring new technologies, often venturing into unknown territories is an important step towards developing Zero Emissions Technologies (ZET).

We must turn environmental crisis into an economic opportunity by rapidly expanding our horizons. As we continue to pour trillions of dollars as “economic stimulus packages” worldwide, an important issue remians unresolved, that of climate change. Large portion of these stimulus packages must be directed towards new investment opportunities in Green Engineering that will create hundreds of new jobs, directly making this planet a cleaner place to live. The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will present a unique opportunity to provide pathways to a low carbon economy and move towards a more sustainable economic model.

-Yash Divekar

Some of the effects of climate change include rising sea levels, melting of the polar ice caps, and altered patterns of agriculture. There has been frantic activity worldwide to find reasons and common solutions to ensure we continue to enjoy simple pleasures of life that we otherwise take for granted.  In a recent blog,  I discussed about what came out of the Kyoto Protocol and why the Copenhagen Conference (COP15) in December holds the key to our future.

Climate change will lead to extreme weather patterns around some regions of the world. An increase in average temperature will certainly lead to increase in annual rainfall. Extreme weather events will include periods of very high temperature, torrential rains, flooding, droughts, and storms. Over a period of time, regional populations adapt to the local prevailing climate via physiological, behavioral, and cultural and technological responses. It is not always the case that populations in certain areas can easily adapt to extreme weather events.

Food supply will also witness periods of irregularity due to potential effects of climate change. From 1996 to 2003, grain stocks had stabilized slightly over 1800 million tons. Between 2000 and 2003,  grain production has been dropping. The average temperature of the earth has been rising since the late 1970s, with 9 of the 10 warmest years on record occurring since 1995. In 2002, India and the United States observed sharp harvest reductions because of record temperatures and drought, when Mr Bush so graciously blamed  India’s over-consumption for the drop in grain production. Europe, in 2003, suffered very low rainfall throughout and a record level of heat damaged most crops from the United Kingdom and France,amongst other countries through Eatsertn Europe.

Climate change could also lead to mass migration in particular areas of the planet. Over a billion people – one in seven people on the planet today – could be forced to relocate themselves over the next 50 years as the effects of climate change worsen. Small islands on the planet could witness mass exodus due to rising sea levels, a direct consequence of climate change and global warming. Deforestation, as a result of increasing population is already contributing to climate change significantly. Large scale developmental projects will cause people to relocate to other areas, often unknown territories.

Other direct effects of climate change on human life arise from the rise in temperatures.  Extreme high temperatures lead to an increase in the number of people who die on any given day for various reasons: people with heart problems are at higher risk because one’s cardiovascular system needs to work harder to keep the body cool during hot weather, heat exhaustion, and some respiratory problems increase. Some doctors warn that global warming could lead to more cardiovascular diseases. Higher temperatures also increase the concentration of ozone , a harmful pollutant. Ozone damages lung tissues and causes respiratory problems for people with asthma and other lung diseases.

Climate change will accelerate the spread of disease, primarily because warmer temperatures extend the geographic range in which the disease carrying insects, animals and micro organisms survive. It is widely believed that, as a result of global temperature rises, diseases that were previously strictly limited to tropical regions may now begin to show up in other, previously cooler areas.

So friends, let us join hands and educate ourselves about these very imminent threats. After all knowledge is power, and only if we are aware, can we be beware!

Yash Divekar

In this blog I will talk about India, for reasons obvious to many! Consumption of fossil fuel dominates commercial energy usage in India, with coal seen as the major contributor to atmospheric GHG emissions. Globally however, India’s per capita emissions are small. Rapid economic growth will ensure India will emit more CO2 than it currently does. However, it will still be nowehere in comarison to the US and China.  India currently emits around 1 billion tonnes of CO2 per year and this number is expected to rise to approximately 6 billion tonnes in 2031/32. Uncle Sam currently emits around 5.5 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. This should be enough to distinguish between a “developed” and a “developing” country. In terms of per capita carbon emissions, India will stand at 3.6 tonnes of CO2 emitted, by 2031, whereas, the US is already around 20.4 tonnes of CO2 emitted per capita (2004).

There have been numerous arguments about asking India to cut back on their carbon footprint, while in reality their numbers are nowhere close to the “developed” nations. It is estimated that 56 percent of households in India currently do not have electricity. Despite this, the Indian government has taken a number of steps to de-carbonise the Indian economy.In this US, this concept would be totally non-existent.

There has been considerable international effort towards imparting awareness and knowledge to developing countries like India to overhaul existing infrastructure that will lead towards a greener future . Many countries have invested in India under the Clean Development Mechanism scheme. The Kyoto Protocol establishes that projects which fall under the CDM banner in developing countries that reduce emissions below their business-as-usual projections earn an Emission Reduction Unit (ERU) for each tonne of carbon dioxide saved. In 2005 alone, this CDM market was worth EUR 2 billion! This policy needs to be modified, emissions reductions should be based on a per-capita basis. Otherwise, big polluters will continue to pollute while continuously taking the cheaper CDM pathway and pretending to be investing in clean energy projects in developing countries. It would more appropriate to share the emissions reduction burden by everyone involved. Alternatively, different emissions reductions rules could apply for countries at different stages of economic development.

The Clean Development Mechanism model does not necessarily guide to emissions reduction. Developed countries continue to pollute while buying emissions reduction permits from developing countries. Instead, these industrialized nations could take action to reduce emissions at home. This CDM is a double edged sword, a credit earned by a developing country does not equate to reduction in emissions in a developing nation.

If we are all serious in avoiding the catastrophic effects that climate change and global warming will bring about, we need to start thinking right.It is in our best interest to account for every human being on this planet that will be affected by rising sea-levels and massive displacement that will bring about. The hunger and race for technological advancement could still exist in the future years to come, while contuning to live in a greener environment.

Yash Divekar

Clean Coal Technology addresses problems arising from coal combustion and some of these technologies include carbon capture and storage (CCS), coal gasification, chemically washing impurities off coal, flue gas treatment to remove sulfur dioxide. Recent efforts have concentrated on the build up of CO2 in the atmosphere as it is recognized to play a sheet anchor’s role in contributing to climate change.

According to the IPCC’s (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) fourth assessment report,  coal combustion is a major contributor to global warming and climate change. Coal being so readily available coupled with the ever rising population, our dependence on coal use promises to go up. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, compared with natural gas it produced twice the amount of CO2. That makes it a leading cause of global warming.

As it stands today, some of the world’s biggest economies rely heavily on coal. United States and Germany produce 50% of their power from coal whereas in developing countries like India and China, the number stands at 70% and 80% respectively.Coal mining provides great job opportunities for thousands of people worldwide. Therefore, it becomes imperative to invent better techniques of coal utilization.  These so-called “Clean coal” technologies really mean “Low emission” technologies, aimed at reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere.

In the US alone, the use of coal as a medium to generate electricity has tripled since 1990. On a more positive note, its coal based electricity generation plants have also become 77 percent cleaner compared to 1990, an indication of how important it is to develop technologies that will reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases.

The world’s first “clean coal” power plant began operating in September 2008 in Spremberg, Germany and without doubt many more will follow suit.

-Yash Divekar