Global warming is the gradual heating of the earth's temperature. Global warming occurs because of the emission of greenhouse gasses (GHG) like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and synthetic fluorinated gases, which absorb and trap sunlight and solar emissions that affect the earth's climate.
As a response to this environmental crisis, technological developments in science have been devised to reduce carbon footprint to lessen the impact of climate change and prevent global warming. Low-carbon emitting technologies (LCET) are advanced innovative technologies that produce lower concentrations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Implementing low-carbon emitting technologies will lower carbon and GHG emissions levels in power plants, the transportation industry, and energy-focused industries like chemicals, steel, iron, cement, and ceramics. These industries are the major contributors to high carbon and GHG emissions.
Emerging technologies to reduce carbon emissions include carbon removal technology, carbon-neutral technology, carbon reduction
technology, carbon management technology, resource-saving, and renewable technology.
These technologies function differently. Carbon removal technology works through carbon capture and storage (CSS). Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide and GHG emissions from steel, chemical, or power plant industries before they escape into the environment. These gases are then transported in pipelines via road or ships and stored or buried underground permanently. Carbon capture and storage is a safe process used in large-scale industries.
Another means of reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions to stop global warming is to convert to renewable energy and resource-saving technologies. Nuclear power, solar power, hydropower, biomass, and wind turbines are renewable and resource-saving energy sources with low to zero carbon emission levels.
Renewable energy is vital in the building and transportation industry. Vehicles consume large quantities of fuel and gasoline and release carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The invention of electric and solar rechargeable cars is better for the environment. They contribute very little to carbon dioxide emissions. Solar cars and solar-powered houses are very efficient in combating climate change. This is because solar energy is free and unlimited and does not cause pollution. Likewise, nuclear energy is beneficial to the environment as it doesn't pollute the air, has a little carbon footprint and has minimal waste. Nuclear-powered systems are the primary source of zero-carbon emissions in the United States.
Practical examples of low-carbon emitting technologies include solar hot water, air-source heat pumps, ground source heat pump, combined Heat and Power (CHP), biomass heating, efficient gas boiler, solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, combined heat and power (CHP), small-scale wind generation, and geothermal energy. All of the above are environmentally friendly energy resources.
The main environmental challenge aggravating the impact of climate change is greenhouse gases. Global warming is a threat to humanity and our ecosystem. Global warming can lead to a decline in human health, increased heat, drought, rising sea levels, change in rainfall patterns, flooding, extinction of plants and animals, water scarcity, wildfires, higher ocean temperature, and a decrease in sea ice.
Governments, organizations, and individuals must play their role in reducing carbon dioxide and GHG emissions to reduce the effects of climate change, improve public health, maintain plant and animal life, reduce wildlife extinction and boost global and local economies. It is the responsibility of the government of nations to make low-carbon technologies accessible and affordable for their citizens and to draft and implement feasible and cost-effective policies to help organizations measure and reduce their GHG emissions.
