The world’s temperatures have been fairly stable for 8,000 years, but according to Dr. Louis Fortier of Laval University in Quebec City, scientists have tracked weather patterns in recent years that show temperatures are rising.
Fortier was the keynote speaker Monday during the opening session at the CSG/ERC 47th annual meeting in Quebec City.
Fortier is the Canada Research Chair on the Response of Arctic Marine Ecosystems to Climate Change.
An example of the warm up in the artic, said Fortier, is the shrinking of the layer of ice over the artic ocean during summer months.
Historically, the ice cover is 8 million square miles, Fortier said. “In 2005 it was a record low five million square miles and 2007 is expected to be as low, or maybe lower.”
And recent research shows if the trend continues, that by 2040 there will be no ice cover on the Arctic during the summer months.
He said scientists contend the warming artic is also destabilizing the permafrost and increasing the frequency of violent weather.
Scientists have linked greenhouse gas emissions with the rising temperatures. He showed a chart depicting the increased use of greenhouse gas emissions in step with increasing temperatures.
Fortier outlined 14 possible solutions to the problem, which can save as much as 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions annually.
He suggested that the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere should be capped at 2004 levels of 7 billion tons.
Among those solutions, which he called 1 billion ton wedges, are improved energy consumption in cars which can be accomplished with more telecommuting by workers and greater use of public transportation.
Another wedge, he said, was in buildings where CO2 emissions could be reduced 60 percent. Other wedges included clean coal, natural gas, nuclear energy and biofuels.
No one solution will work, he said. Instead, policymakers should consider the wedges as a portfolio that can provide many solutions.
One solution he does not support is the elimination of fossil fuels. He called it “madness”. He said the solution is cleaner, more efficient use of fossil fuel.
Eliminated fossil fuel use, he said, would create chaos.
Fortier’s emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions was supported in a panel discussion following his presentation.
Gov. Ruth Ann Minter of Delaware cited several energy saving steps her state has taken to conserve and take advantage of renewable fuels in state vehicles. She said states need to be flexible in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“If you’re not flexible, you’re not relevant,” added Cecil Clarke, speaker of the Nova Scotia legislative assembly.
He said the public is now aware for the need to reduce consumption and increase energy efficiency. The public now has expectations that policymakers will deal with the issue.
Dennis Canavan, executive director of worldwide energy management for Johnson & Johnson, said the technologies exist that have good paybacks such as wind and solar energy.
Johnson & Johnson is the largest private sector user of solar energy.
“That’s not where the action is,” he said. “Energy efficiency is more important. Solar energy is a drop in the bucket.”
The session was moderated by Massachusetts state Rep. James Marzilli.
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