CO2 Emissions - Some Number Crunching

Several studies have been done on CO2 emissions. I analyzed it based on CO2 emissions per GDP by PPP. It is because the CO2 produced would be more aligned with the local economy of the country rather than the global economy and hence PPP would be a better indication of the CO2 emissions with respect to economic growth. The biggest surprise that the data throws is that the CO2 emissions have in fact gone down recently. The latest study I could find, is from 2009. The global CO2 emissions were 1.5% lower than that in 2008. While the drop in CO2 emissions came from developed economies and the economies who have signed Kyoto Protocol, several economies have increased their CO2 emissions. 

CO2 Emissions per GDP by PPP

In the above graph, I have chosen the economies based on their importance in current economic environment. While United States is the largest economy, India and China are the current stars for the growth of world economy.  Iraq is an exception here but it is because it has the highest CO2 emissions per US dollar GDP by PPP. Despite of the economic growth, China has reduced their relative CO2 emissions, india has remained stagnant (almost) and Us has reduced their CO2 footprint per unit of economy. Iraq on the other hand has increased by a huge margin. There can be two reasons for the same:
 - The buying power of average Iraqi has gone down
 - The economic activity is not in the most sustainable way. 

I furthered analysed this by region. the trend of increased CO2 per GDP as shown by Iraq is also shown by the entire middle east, though the increase for the entire region is now so skewed. It is a clear indication that few economies need to have better control on their environmental policies without affecting their economic growth. If other growing economies can sustain that trend so can others. 

CO2 Emissions (per GDP by PP) by Region

Now I took a look at how direct consumptions by consumers like myself has affected the overall carbon footprint. 41% of CO2 emissions come from Heat and electricity. Looking at the CO2 emissions per kWh of electricity and heat generation over the years reveal that the change is not drastic. While US and China are now producing heat and electricity more efficiently,  India has become a little inefficient (by 7%) in that field. 

CO2 Emissions per kWh from Electricity and Heat Generation

I think it is possible to have sustainable growth and we have to make sure that we follow best practices for energy generation, transmission and consumption to reduce the impact of economic growth on the environment.

Source of Data: IEA report: CO2 EMISSIONS FROM FUEL COMBUSTION Edition 2011.

Photographic Proof of detoriating Environment!

One of the reasons, I am actually putting up the first post on this blog, which was registered way back in 2008 is for what I saw recently in a friend's photograph. 

A friend of mine - Tilak Soni is an avid traveler and trekker who scales high altitude passes in Himalayas like a walk in the park and now helping several others do that. The picture here was shared by him on his FB wall and it just jostled me to see how soon our fragile environment can fall apart within few years.

Fast Receding Gaumukh (Gangotri) Glacier

The picture shows the amount of glacier "Gaumukh" cover that has been lost withing a span of six years. Gaumukh is the main source of river Ganges, the river is just not a holy river for large Hindu population but is also a the main river for large part of northern India, especially UP, most populated state in India.

Gaumukh is a remote place which is inaccessible in winters and only the most devoted reach even in summers. If the environmental impact on such a remote place is so evident, we can only imagine what state our urban areas are in. 

Environmental issues can not be solved in a day or two. As India's economy is growing, so is our per capita resource consumption. While this possesses a threat, it also gives the country and opportunity to have a sustainable growth by adopting the latest and environmental friendly solutions to begin with. Due to resource crunch in the past, we have a culture of conserving energy and we should continue to have those habits. Just because one can afford high electricity bills, should not be a reason that one should run their AC's and lights when they are not needed. We have started driving bigger cars as recession hit western economies are moving to smaller cars. 

Should per capita energy consumption be directly proportional to per capita income? Can't a more developed economy have a lower carbon footprint? It would be difficult for sure, maybe impossible considering the fact that economic viability is the first step for economic growth. However, the rate of growth of carbon footprint can definitely be much lower than the overall growth of the economy. Specially for India, where we are still a agrarian economy and a substantial chunk is service industry. Before we ask government to start subsidizing renewable energy, let s continue to do what we have always done - switch off lights as soon as we leave the room, car pool, use public transport, buy more fuel efficient cars like our older generation did. Yes we can afford a 'better' lifestyle. But what we define green living as the 'better' lifestyle?

Lets talk about Environment!

I am starting this new blog. I have always been interested in sustainable living and sustainable growth of an economy. I will be focusing on:

 

Environmental Sustainability

Green Energy  - especially in India

Triple Bottom Line

I will also be discussing topics like "Smart Grid" which indirectly would have a big impact on total carbon footprint of a developed society.

I will also be sharing any first hand experiences of self and friends in relation to the environmental degradation of the environment.

I strongly believe that change begins with self. Unless each one of us takes the responsibility of changing their lifestyle which consumes lesser of environmental resources, a larger change can be brought forth.