The Alternative Green Energy Thread

Pile_o_stone

www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/02/11/global-co2-emissions-flatlined-in-2019-new-report-claims/

"Global carbon dioxide emissions stopped growing in 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has claimed in a new report.

According to the report released today, global CO2 emissions held at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt) last year, following two years of increases. The authors attribute the apparent good news to the expansion of renewable wind and solar energy sources, nations switching from coal to natural gas energy generation, and additional nuclear power output.

It is not, however, the first time that IEA has claimed CO2 emissions have stopped rising. Data from the same methodology, which uses figures self-reported by nations, show that CO2 emissions also flatlined from 2014 to 2015, with only a 0.1% Gt growth in 2016. Meanwhile, global atmospheric CO2 concentrations, along with global temperatures, have continued to rise."

"IEA is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization that gathers statistics on the global oil and energy industries. It has in the past come in for criticism for its handling of energy data, with NGOs having alleged that the agency produces overly optimistic reports, usually in favor of the oil industry."

It remains to be seen whether the IEA figures, based on data supplied by individual nations to the agency, will be reflected in a real-world reduction in concentrations of the greenhouse gas. Research by NOAA has so far shown no easing of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Instead, levels recorded at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii have been rising more rapidly than ever, last year topping 415 parts per million, the highest in recorded history. At the same time, data from Nasa show that the Earth’s atmosphere is warming rapidly: 19 of the 20 warmest years ever recorded have taken place since 2001."

JKenH

Pile_o_stone said:

www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/02/11/global-co2-emissions-flatlined-in-2019-new-report-claims/

"Global carbon dioxide emissions stopped growing in 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has claimed in a new report.

According to the report released today, global CO2 emissions held at around 33 gigatonnes (Gt) last year, following two years of increases. The authors attribute the apparent good news to the expansion of renewable wind and solar energy sources, nations switching from coal to natural gas energy generation, and additional nuclear power output.

It is not, however, the first time that IEA has claimed CO2 emissions have stopped rising. Data from the same methodology, which uses figures self-reported by nations, show that CO2 emissions also flatlined from 2014 to 2015, with only a 0.1% Gt growth in 2016. Meanwhile, global atmospheric CO2 concentrations, along with global temperatures, have continued to rise."

"IEA is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization that gathers statistics on the global oil and energy industries. It has in the past come in for criticism for its handling of energy data, with NGOs having alleged that the agency produces overly optimistic reports, usually in favor of the oil industry."

It remains to be seen whether the IEA figures, based on data supplied by individual nations to the agency, will be reflected in a real-world reduction in concentrations of the greenhouse gas. Research by NOAA has so far shown no easing of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Instead, levels recorded at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii have been rising more rapidly than ever, last year topping 415 parts per million, the highest in recorded history. At the same time, data from Nasa show that the Earth’s atmosphere is warming rapidly: 19 of the 20 warmest years ever recorded have taken place since 2001."

Indeed, CO2 levels continue to rise as it accumulates in the atmosphere but the rate of addition is levelling off. It is unlikely we will see an actual reduction in the accumulated level which is what is measured at Mauna Loa for a considerable time.

Pile_o_stone

JKenH said:

Indeed, CO2 levels continue to rise as it accumulates in the atmosphere but the rate of addition is levelling off. It is unlikely we will see an actual reduction in the accumulated level which is what is measured at Mauna Loa for a considerable time.

I guess you missed this bit:

"It is not, however, the first time that IEA has claimed CO2 emissions have stopped rising."

and...

"IEA is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization that gathers statistics on the global oil and energy industries. It has in the past come in for criticism for its handling of energy data, with NGOs having alleged that the agency produces overly optimistic reports, usually in favor of the oil industry."

Do you have another source that states the rate of addition is levelling off or are we to simply rely on this one report from a disputed source and take it as gospel?

JKenH

Pile_o_stone said:

JKenH said:

Indeed, CO2 levels continue to rise as it accumulates in the atmosphere but the rate of addition is levelling off. It is unlikely we will see an actual reduction in the accumulated level which is what is measured at Mauna Loa for a considerable time.

I guess you missed this bit:

"It is not, however, the first time that IEA has claimed CO2 emissions have stopped rising."

and...

"IEA is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization that gathers statistics on the global oil and energy industries. It has in the past come in for criticism for its handling of energy data, with NGOs having alleged that the agency produces overly optimistic reports, usually in favor of the oil industry."

Do you have another source that states the rate of addition is levelling off or are we to simply rely on this one report from a disputed source and take it as gospel?

I had noticed that comment but wasn’t looking for an argument so let it go as nothing would be gained by disputing the comments made in your post. I would presume that if the statistics are disputed there will be others available that you are able to quote that contradict them. Just because a source is disputed it does not mean the facts are wrong.

Pile_o_stone

So that’s a ‘no’ then?

JKenH

Pile_o_stone said:

So that’s a ‘no’ then?

That’s right. Not needed as no one has actually demonstrated they are incorrect. Surely if the IEA are incorrect someone will challenge them with alternative figures and the truth will out. Till then ....

JKenH

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about the effects of burning wood but I would be interested to know whether it is better to burn wood and give off CO2 or leave it to rot and give off CO2 and CH4.

Pile_o_stone

JKenH said:

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about the effects of burning wood but I would be interested to know whether it is better to burn wood and give off CO2 or leave it to rot and give off CO2 and CH4.

Does firewood only come from fallen trees?

JKenH

Pile_o_stone said:

JKenH said:

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about the effects of burning wood but I would be interested to know whether it is better to burn wood and give off CO2 or leave it to rot and give off CO2 and CH4.

Does firewood only come from fallen trees?

No but if a tree does fall down is it better from a climate change point of view to burn the wood (once it has seasoned) or leave it to rot? My trees are only 30 years old so none are falling down yet but I have lost the tops off a few in the recent gales. 

Cardew

JKenH said:

Pile_o_stone said:

JKenH said:

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently about the effects of burning wood but I would be interested to know whether it is better to burn wood and give off CO2 or leave it to rot and give off CO2 and CH4.

Does firewood only come from fallen trees?

No but if a tree does fall down is it better from a climate change point of view to burn the wood (once it has seasoned) or leave it to rot? My trees are only 30 years old so none are falling down yet but I have lost the tops off a few in the recent gales. 

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It would appear that a fallen conifer will take 57 to 124 years to decompose.

https://northernwoodlands.org/knots_and_bolts/tree-falls-in-a-forest