Cleaner Alternatives to Coal to Alleviate Climate Change
1.6.1 Carbon Sequestering and Clean Coal
In order to achieve carbon sequestration, the focus should be on planting trees, reducing deforestation and managing land on a global scale, keeping in mind the human rights and livelihoods of poor people living in forest environments, so as not to threaten their lives through such plantations. Furthermore, micro‐algae have been produced to absorb more than 80% of CO2 emissions from power plants and other greenhouse sources and can therefore be used to generate liquid fuel at an annual rate of 10,000 gal per acre (Makhijani 2008).
According to common knowledge, ‘Green coal’ has not yet existed, so there should be no dependence on it. It will, however, become available only after 2020 since the climate crisis is already overwhelming. Even if the goal of clean coal is reached, it will be costly and cost about 25% more, and it would also be very difficult to track.
The extreme constraints and attention paid by organizations such as the World Bank to the availability of clean coal and coal efficiency are major obstacles to developing countries trapping them in the dirty energy development loop, a colossal mistake that developed countries pay dearly for. China has already surpassed the United States and, after 2010, will become the world’s biggest consumer of oil. For more than 80% of its carbon emissions, China relies on coal. Every week, it opens more than two new 600 MW coal‐fired power plants (Martinot and Junfeng 2007), and neither of them can be easily equipped with modern technology for carbon sequestration. This is the essential issue that about 15 000 metric tonnes of CO2 are generated every day by each coal plant. In order to achieve carbon sequestration, the focus should be on planting trees, reducing deforestation and managing land on a global scale, keeping in mind the human rights and livelihoods of poor people living in forest environments, so as not to threaten their lives through such plantations. Furthermore, micro‐algae have been produced to absorb more than 80% of CO2 emissions from power plants and other greenhouse sources and can therefore be used to generate liquid fuel at an annual rate of 10,000 gal per acre (Makhijani 2008).
Contrary to common knowledge, ‘clean coal’ is not yet in operation, so there should be no dependency on it. However, it will only become available after 2020 if the climate crisis is already overwhelming. In any case, it would be costly and cost about 25% more, even though the clean coal goal was met, and it would also be very difficult to track.
1.6.2 Natural Gas and Nuclear Energy
As it emits 70% less carbon per unit of energy than coal, natural gas is considered a cleaner alternative to coal. In combination with a few other hydrocarbons, including ethane, propane, pentane and butane, natural gas consists primarily of methane, with some other trace elements present. Hydrocarbons are responsible for the high combustion properties of natural gas and for the clean‐burning properties of methane. Hydrocarbons and impurities are removed, and methane is effectively burned in the process of converting natural gas into a gaseous form. On the other hand, hydrocarbons are needed for good combustion when natural gas is used as a liquid fuel in engines. As both ways can be used, natural gas can also become an efficient fuel of choice. The key benefit of natural gas is its chemical composition, which is mostly methane (CH4). Since methane has a single carbon atom in its structure, it creates far less carbon emissions. Furthermore, due to their chemical composition, the blue flame formed by the burning of natural gas originates from molecules that help to complete combustion.
In the meantime, natural gas will serve effectively as a bridge fuel, as the transition to renewable energy will be a slow and long‐drawn process. However, it has disadvantages that need to be addressed, such as inevitable gas leakage, large amounts of GHG produced by transport and regasification, so that the benefits could be minimal and temporary.
Therefore, nuclear energy is not a healthy option. Strong action is needed to take into account the overall cost of environmental and social aspects, including the possibility of terrorist attacks and accidents and the diversion of radioactive weapons materials. The industry must also be allowed to pay for the permanent disposal of radioactive nuclear waste, and all accident insurance must be issued with immediate effect by the nuclear industry. In addition, all subsidies to the nuclear industry must cease and be diverted to alternatives to renewable energy sources.
1.6.3 Hydrogen
Hydrogen is believed to be a colourless and odourless gas, which makes up 75% of the entire universe’s mass. Hydrogen is produced on Earth in combination with other materials such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen must first be removed from the other elements to be used for various purposes. The most inspiring and exciting idea and, at the same time, the most challenging challenge is to accept it as a fuel, considering that many businesses will be afraid to do so because it is a huge step forward to transform fully from gas to hydrogen and create a hydrogen‐powered car. While this transition in the sea will be a rough trip, some of the benefits will be great. Hydrogen‐based cars, for example, can be much more environmentally friendly than those that burn fuel. This will decrease noise and reduce the health problems that asthmatics face as a result of living near contaminated areas. The resource’s simple availability would be added, and the great advantage of converting to hydrogen, such as hydrogen, is about 70% of the Earth’s mass. All of it is dissolved in water, making it easy to collect. After the collection of water, the energy can be conveniently separated by flowing water. Another benefit is that considering that hydrogen is easier to refine than gasoline, it would be cheaper for the consumer and serve the purpose if cheap fuel were in high demand.
1.7 Climate Change and Energy Demand
The most inspiring and exciting idea and, at the same time, the most challenging task is to accept hydrogen as a fuel, considering that many businesses will be afraid to do so because it is a huge step forward to transform fully from gas to hydrogen and create a hydrogen‐powered vehicle. Although this shift in the sea will be a rough trip, some of the benefits will be great. Hydrogen‐based cars, for example, can be much more environmentally friendly than those that burn petrol. This will decrease noise and reduce the health problems that asthmatic people face as a result of living near polluted areas. The simple availability of the resource would be added, and the great advantage of converting to hydrogen, such as hydrogen, is around 70% of the Earth’s mass. All of it is dissolved in water, making it easy to collect. When water is collected, it can be easily extracted by running electricity via water. Another benefit is that, since hydrogen is easier to refine than gasoline, it would be cheaper for the consumer and serve the purpose if cheap fuel were in high demand.
1.8 Mitigation Measures for the Energy Crisis and Global Warming: Reduce Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (IPCC)
Major measures to decrease GHG emissions from the oil industry and reduce the risk of a global energy crisis and eventual climate change should be a top priority for policymakers. The IPCC reports clearly describe the uninhibited effects of global warming. Sustained warming and far‐reaching adverse effects on all climate system components will result in the continued release of greenhouse gases, increasing the occurrence of extreme, imminent and irreversible impacts on the world’s population and ecosystems. Significant and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions would be needed to tackle climate change, which, in combination with adaptation, would reduce the risks associated with climate change (IPCC 2018). Technology advancement in conjunction with reduced energy use, decarbonized energy supply, reduced emissions and improved carbon sinks in land‐based industries is needed. At the same time, the following steps will save energy for a long time and can help to slow down the warming:
They are developing ways to allow effective use of energy‐intensive materials and to improve methods of consumption.
Adoption of low‐carbon fuels, particularly in the case of modern refineries.
Developing new sources of energy (e.g. biomass, solar, wind and hydro‐electrical power).
In particular, the formulation of effective