scholarly journals Systems-Thinking Framework for Renewables-Powered World

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Shu Wang ◽  
Peng Shi

Humans has experienced energy transitions throughout its history and the current transition from fossil energy to renewable energy is the latest example. But this latest example is different: rather than resulting from scarcity, this energy transition results from the threat of global warming—which is generally attributed to the short-term increasing of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but also to the long-term heat threat posed by a warming Sun, according to the Gaia theory. Perspective appreciation of the nature of this combination necessitates for us to take a systems-thinking about the Earth system as a whole rather than the standard narrative of technical solution to our problem (of how to convert a small part of the abundant solar energy [including wind energy] into useful energy). Only by framing the energy transition as a part of dealing with the existential threat of global warming as heat threat, we are capturing the right perspective. Rather than any shortfall of energy—increasing carbon dioxide, heat threat, and collapse of Earth’s ecosystems are the real threats. Cognizant of these is the beginning for humans to seize solutions to deal with the threats before it is too late.

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Heck ◽  
Jonathan F. Donges ◽  
Wolfgang Lucht

Abstract. The planetary boundaries framework provides guidelines for defining thresholds in environmental variables. Their transgression is likely to result in a shift in Earth system functioning away from the relatively stable Holocene state. As the climate system is approaching critical thresholds of atmospheric carbon, several climate engineering methods are discussed, aiming at a reduction of atmospheric carbon concentrations to control the Earth's energy balance. Terrestrial carbon dioxide removal (tCDR) via afforestation or bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage are part of most climate change mitigation scenarios that limit global warming to less than 2 °C. We analyse the co-evolutionary interaction of societal interventions via tCDR and the natural dynamics of the Earth's carbon cycle. Applying a conceptual modelling framework, we analyse how the degree of anticipation of the climate problem and the intensity of tCDR efforts with the aim of staying within a "safe" level of global warming might influence the state of the Earth system with respect to other carbon-related planetary boundaries. Within the scope of our approach, we show that societal management of atmospheric carbon via tCDR can lead to a collateral transgression of the planetary boundary of land system change. Our analysis indicates that the opportunities to remain in a desirable region within carbon-related planetary boundaries only exist for a small range of anticipation levels and depend critically on the underlying emission pathway. While tCDR has the potential to ensure the Earth system's persistence within a carbon-safe operating space under low-emission pathways, it is unlikely to succeed in a business-as-usual scenario.


Author(s):  
Joël Penhoat ◽  
Mikko Samuli Vaija ◽  
Dinh-Thuy Phan-Huy ◽  
Guillaume Gérard ◽  
Zakaria Ournani ◽  
...  

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change claims that global warming can be avoided by “reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions globally around 2050 and concurrent deep reductions in emissions of non-carbon dioxide forcers, particularly methane.” To protect the planet and guarantee prosperity for all, The United Nations has set up a sustainable development program made up of 17 goals. Among them, Goal 12 establishes sustainable consumption and production patterns so that a social and economic growth does not increase the pressure on Earth's resources, and Goal 13 constrains global warming. This chapter explores some actions the telecommunication companies have implemented: assessing the issues of mineral resources on network equipment, improving data centre energy consumption, reducing the average electricity intensity of the transmitting data, contributing to the energy transition.


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Younés

Architects who understand the need to build enduringly are faced with the almost complete absence of international agreements with respect to a planetary ecological project. The coming environmental changes will probably occur long before the small measures that can be implemented by some building industries on a regional level have even the slightest effect. Meanwhile, the health of the planet in positive feedback. Any project that aims for a wise ecological dwelling on this planet needs to consider short-term sustainable measures in comparison with long-term enduring practices. Might schools of thoughts such as traditional architecture, Gaia theory, Earth System Science, deep ecology, eco-feminism, converge on a co-evolutionary partnership between the natural and the human?


2001 ◽  
pp. 42-46
Author(s):  
Péter Jakab

New varieties and fertilization have significantly increased yields of maize in recent decades. It has to be taken into account however that the interactions and the balanced combination of cropping factors (ecological, biological and agrotechnical) are the main factors which determine yields. Weather conditions were rather unfavourable during the last decade. Extreme weather conditions occurred due to global warming; 6 of 10 years were plagued by drought. Consequently yields increased from 10-20% to 30-50%. In view of varieties the situation is advantageous, maybe the supply of hybrids is too high, nevertheless those hybrids need to be selected which are particularly well adjusted to the ecological conditions. Many technologies can be applied which vary according to intensity, but the balanced combination of cropping factors should be secured on the basis of the hybrid’s intensity. Among agrotechnical factors the compensation of nutrients and technological conditions were inadequate. These days farmers only use nitrogenous fertilizers consequently they significantly decrease the easily available P and K content of the soil which in long term leads to the deterioration of the soil’s productivity. The technological background is therefore important, because sufficient yields can only be expected if agrotechnical operations are carried out in the right time and quality. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (31) ◽  
pp. 7860-7868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piers J. Sellers ◽  
David S. Schimel ◽  
Berrien Moore ◽  
Junjie Liu ◽  
Annmarie Eldering

The impact of human emissions of carbon dioxide and methane on climate is an accepted central concern for current society. It is increasingly evident that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane are not simply a function of emissions but that there are myriad feedbacks forced by changes in climate that affect atmospheric concentrations. If these feedbacks change with changing climate, which is likely, then the effect of the human enterprise on climate will change. Quantifying, understanding, and articulating the feedbacks within the carbon–climate system at the process level are crucial if we are to employ Earth system models to inform effective mitigation regimes that would lead to a stable climate. Recent advances using space-based, more highly resolved measurements of carbon exchange and its component processes—photosynthesis, respiration, and biomass burning—suggest that remote sensing can add key spatial and process resolution to the existing in situ systems needed to provide enhanced understanding and advancements in Earth system models. Information about emissions and feedbacks from a long-term carbon–climate observing system is essential to better stewardship of the planet.


2021 ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
Szira Zoltán ◽  
Bárdos Kinga Ilona ◽  
Alghamdi Hani ◽  
Enkhjav Tumentsetseg ◽  
Erika Varga

2019 was Earth's second warmest year since 1850. In 2019 the global mean temperature was cooler than in 2016, but warmer than any other year explicitly measured. Consequently, 2016 is still the warmest year in historical observation history. Year-to-year rankings are likely to reflect natural fluctuations in the short term, but the overall pattern remains consistent with a long-term global warming trend. This would be predicted from global warming caused by greenhouse gases, temperature increase across the globe is broadly spread, impacting almost all areas of land and oceans. Climate change" and "global warming" are often used interchangeably but are of distinct significance. Global warming is the long-term heating of the Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period as a result of human activities, mainly the combustion of fossil fuel, which raises the heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the Earth's air. The term is often used interchangeably with the term climate change, as the latter applies to warming caused both humanly and naturally, and the impact it has on our planet. This is most generally calculated as the average increase in global surface temperature on Earth. Carbon dioxide emission is one of the main reasons for global warming. Since the Industrial Revolution, human sources of carbon dioxide emissions have been growing. Human activities such as the burning of oil, coal and gas, as well as deforestation are the primary cause of the increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere. In our research, let’s examine the relationship between the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and the GDP/capita in developed and developing countries.


1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 96-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunho Hwang ◽  
Michael Ohadi ◽  
Reinhard Radermacher

This article explains that substances such as air, water, ammonia, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide may provide solutions to the problem of finding environmentally acceptable refrigerants. The search for new and environmentally benign refrigerants to replace the existing chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) has led to the introduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). HFCs could be useful as short- and mid-term replacements, but may ultimately not be suitable, owing to their high global-warming potential (GWP). Natural refrigerants still have several technical and safety challenges to overcome, and each has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Refrigerant, carbon dioxide offers a clear advantage over CFCs and HCFCs from the environmental impact standpoint. In addition to its environmental advantages, carbon dioxide also offers certain attractive thermal characteristics that can help it provide substantial potential as a long-term replacement if energy efficiency challenges can be addressed.


Author(s):  
А.Д. ЧЕРНЫШЕВ

Проблема и цель. На протяжении многих лет перед человечеством встает вопрос о выборе правильных способов длительного хранения зерновых культур, используемых в животноводстве. Это относится и к хранению комбинированных кормов. Был разработан способ упаковки комбинированных кормов в среде углекислого газа. Цель – ограничение взаимодействия комбикорма с атмосферным воздухом. Методология. Загрузку комбикорма в мягкий контейнер с вкладышем осуществляют с помощью устройства для затаривания комбикорма. Мягкий контейнер устанавливают в кассету, стенки которой закрывают и фиксируют с помощью замков. Комбикорм загружают с одновременной подачей углекислого газа иглой-инъектором, по мере загрузки мягкого контейнера комбикормом иглу-инъектор направляют в различные части контейнера с целью равномерного распределения углекислого газа внутри контейнера. Благодаря значительной молярной массе углекислого газа происходит вытеснение воздуха, в том числе и кислорода, из загружаемого контейнера. Для уменьшения окисления комбикорма осуществляют сжатие контейнера снизу при помощи пневматических домкратов, смонтированных на днище кассеты. Кассету выкатывают из устройства загрузки, открывают ее стенки и с помощью погрузчика контейнер с комбикормом на поддоне извлекают, транспортируя к месту хранения. Результаты. На процесс диффузии углекислого газа влияет также давление внутри и снаружи герметичного контейнера, однако время хранения имеет небольшую значимость. Толщина пленки напрямую влияет на способность удерживать давление комбикорма, возникающее при сжатии мягкого контейнера пневматическими домкратами. Наибольшие напряжения обычно возникают в местах изгиба, когда радиус кривизны уменьшается. Такие зоны расположены по ребрам контейнера и особенно в углах. Заключение. Моделирование параметров пленки позволило установить, что для обеспечения необходимой прочности следует применять полиэтиленовую пленку ГОСТ 16338-85 толщиной 150 мкм. Problem and purpose. For many years, mankind has been faced with the question of choosing the right methods for long-term storage of grain crops used in animal husbandry. This also applies to the storage of compound feed. A method has been developed for packaging combined feed in a carbon dioxide environment. The goal is to limit the interaction of compound feed with atmospheric air. Methodology. The feed is loaded into a soft container with an insert using a feed filling device. The soft container is installed in a cassette, the walls of which are closed and fixed to each other with locks. The compound feed is loaded with the simultaneous supply of carbon dioxide by the needle-injector; as the soft container is loaded with compound feed, the needle-injector is directed to various parts of the container in order to evenly distribute carbon dioxide inside the container. Due to the significant molar mass of carbon dioxide, air, including oxygen, is displaced from the loaded container. To reduce the oxidation of the compound feed, the container is compressed from the bottom using pneumatic jacks mounted on the bottom of the cassette. The cassette is rolled out of the loading device, its walls are opened and, using a loader, the container with the compound feed on the pallet is removed and transported to the storage location. Results. The carbon dioxide diffusion process is also pressured inside and outside the sealed container, but storage time is of little importance. Film thickness directly affects the ability to hold the feed pressure that occurs when the flexible container is compressed with pneumatic jacks. The greatest stresses usually occur at bending points when the radius of curvature decreases. Such areas are located along the edges of the container and especially in the corners. Conclusion. Modeling the parameters of the film made it possible to establish that to ensure the required strength, a polyethylene film GOST 16338-85 with a thickness of 150 μm should be used.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Heck ◽  
Jonathan F. Donges ◽  
Wolfgang Lucht

Abstract. The planetary boundaries framework as proposed by Rockström et al. (2009) provides guidelines for defining thresholds in environmental variables. Their transgression is likely to result in a shift in Earth system functioning away from the relatively stable Holocene state. As the climate change boundary is already transgressed, several climate engineering methods are discussed, aiming at a reduction of atmospheric carbon concentrations to control the Earth's energy balance. Terrestrial carbon dioxide removal (tCDR) via afforestation or bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage are part of most climate change mitigation scenarios that limit global warming to less than 2 °C. We analyse the co-evolutionary interaction of societal interventions via tCDR and the natural dynamics of the Earth's carbon cycle. Applying a conceptual modelling framework, we analyse how societal monitoring and management of atmospheric CO2 concentrations with the aim of staying within a "safe" level of global warming might influence the state of the Earth system with respect to other carbon-related planetary boundaries. Within the scope of our approach, we show that societal management of atmospheric carbon via tCDR can lead to a transgression of the planetary boundaries of land system change and ocean acidification. Our analysis indicates that the opportunities to remain in a desirable region within carbon-related planetary boundaries depend critically on the sensitivity and strength of the tCDR management system, as well as underlying emission pathways. While tCDR has the potential to ensure the Earth system's persistence within a carbon safe operating space under low emission pathways, this potential decreases rapidly for medium to high emission pathways.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Chmura ◽  
Michał Gałkowski ◽  
Piotr Sekuła ◽  
Mirosław Zimnoch ◽  
Jarosław Nęcki ◽  
...  

Abstract. The recent rise of temperatures across the globe, mainly attributed to the raising anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, is predicted to have an increased impact on ecosystems over the next century and beyond. One of the manifestations of this anthropogenic global warming will be the increased occurrence of prolonged droughts in the temperate climate zones, specifically in Northern America and Europe. Drought events that took place in Europe in 2003 and 2010 are known to have led to significant reduction of carbon dioxide sink, due to simultaneous occurrence of water stress limiting the photosynthetic activity and increase of respiration under higher temperatures. In the current study we present the evidence of an increased impact of droughts on the annual cycle of carbon dioxide over Central-Eastern Europe, based on long-term observations (1995–2018) of mixing ratios conducted at two continental sites: Kasprowy Wierch mountain station (KAS, Southern Poland) and Hegyhatsal tall tower (HUN, Hungary). Analyses of the smoothed, detrended annual cycles from both sites reveal a gradual reduction of annual amplitudes towards lower magnitudes, with simultaneous reductions of annual maxima (KAS: −0.13 ± 0.05 ppm/yr, HUN: −0.08 ± 0.12 ppm/yr) and increases of minima (KAS: 0.09 ± 0.04 ppm/yr, HUN: 0.08 ± 0.08 ppm/yr). By comparing the area of influence of both stations (established by analyses of footprints calculated with Hysplit Lagrangian model) to the regions of drought extent (established by analysing the temperature and soil moisture anomalies), we attribute the observed rising trend of annual minima to the increased frequency of large-scale drought events that reduce mean summer assimilation rates over Central-Eastern Europe. This conclusion is further corroborated by comparison to the biogenic fluxes calculated by the regional inversion system CarbonTracker-EU, albeit the statistical uncertainty is non-negligible (CO2 biogenic flux over Europe Transcomm region is equal to 0.03 ± 0.03 PgC/yr). On the other hand, reduction of anthropogenic CO2 emissions (−0.07 ± 0.02 PgC/yr over Europe) seem to at least partially explain the trend of reduced winter maxima of CO2 at the observation sites.


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