responding to climate change - challenges, responsibilities, opportunities mid west science forum 13...
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Responding to climate change - challenges, responsibilities, opportunities Mid West Science Forum
13 August 2008
Dr Ray Wills
CEO, WA Sustainable Energy Association
Future Smart Strategies
School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia
Greenhouse and global warming Greenhouse theory
Basis first proposed by in 1824 Greenhouse = earth’s “blanket” -
average temperature about 15°C; otherwise would be -18°C Anthropogenic global warming theory late 1960’s
UN and IMO lead debate late 1979 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change formed 1988 Rio 1992, Kyoto 1997 …
Warming of climate is now unequivocal – global increases in air and ocean temperatures, melting of snow and ice, and rising sea level.
The enhanced greenhouse effect is not hypothesis - it is empirically and theoretically well-established.
Evidence of global warmingartwork "Hot with a chance of a late storm" by The Glue Society.
artwork "Hot with a chance of a late storm" by The Glue Society.
Instrumental record - temperature
About WA
Annual inflow to Perth dams dropped from 338 GL to 114 GL
Source: Water Corporation 2007.
About WA
A warming of 1.0°C is sufficient to move climate belts about 150 km south. A regional temperature change of 2 °C likely to have a serious impact on most life forms, and on most ecosystems and agricultural areas.
Changes by 2040
About WA
Climate is key determinant for your garden - changes in climate will impact on what will grow.
About WA
Climate is key determinant of agriculture - changes in climate will impact on crops and livestock.
Rising temperatures will cause a shift in budburst, shorter growing seasons, earlier harvest dates, lower crop quality, changes in soil temperatures.
Wheat growing areas in SW WA seriously impacted Northern wheatbelt likely to disappear, south reduced. Wipes out most of an industry worth more than $2 billion.
Climate is a key influence in grape selection. Shifting rainfall patterns and drier conditions will change the way
vineyards operate and reduce the wine crop. WA produces around 5% of all Australian wine, about 25% of wine in
super-premium and ultra-premium categories.
Evidence of global warming
Sea level changes
Sea level changes
Mandurah at 1m sea level rise
Courtesy of WA Sustainable Energy Association
Global changes
http://www.igbp.kva.se//uploads/ESO_IGBP4.pdf
Responding to climate change
The threat of dangerous climate change is not just an environmental issue - underscores the need to build a sustainable economy.
An effective response will change the way we use energy and in so doing, future proof our economy.
Action by government, business and the community must put in place measures that reduce unnecessary use; promote energy efficiency across life cycles; reduce reliance on increasingly expensive traditional
fuels; produce energy through renewable generation; and offset remaining emissions.
Responding to climate change
ABS STATISTICAL INDICATORS - WA • 1367.5 • JUN 2007
Responding to climate change
ABS STATISTICAL INDICATORS - WA • 1367.5 • JUN 2007
Economic risk of change
Sector Level
Company Level
Products / Technology
Litigation Reputation / Brand
Political / Regulatory
Supply Chain
Physical Risk
Staff
ClimateRisk
Individual Level
Renewable energy generation
Spatial relationships Resource distribution
- wind, wave, solar, geothermal
Biomass productivity
Wind
Spatial relationships
Renewable energy in Western Australia
Solar Energy - Photovoltaics (PV) Grid-connected and stand alone power systems for remote
telecommunications infrastructure and water pumping systems. PV modules also in many niche applications, including emergency telephones, street and other outdoor lighting, and marine navigation buoys.
Solar thermal
Low-Temperature Collectors Used for space/water heating Heat swimming pools Industrial - salt production in
salt farms! Medium-Temperature Collectors
Hot water needed for residential and commercial use
High-Temperature Collectors: Concentrated solar power
Heat storage Heat storage - transfer
the heat to a substance (molten salt, silicon phase change products, pressurized steam) which can hold the heat with a high energy density.
Carbon accounting
Carbon asset register Measure, monitor, audit, verify Carbon accumulation. Transparency and security.
Responding to climate change
Fossil fuel prices will continue to push up inflation, but renewable energy will continue to shine on us, to wash up on our shores, and to blow past us without additional cost.
Australia is the Middle East of renewable energy and we are failing to harvest the energy bonanza for the benefit of the Australian economy and especially for Australia’s export industries.
Responding to climate change
Responding to climate change will create opportunities, establish new businesses, and create new jobs.
Renewable energy generation is generally more labour intensive, and more broadly distributed across regions.
With a better employment factor, a diversity of renewable energy projects can lead to growth of local communities in rural WA.
Any economic analysis must fully assess the benefits to the community – that’s a part of sustainability.
Responding to climate change
2 Million every 5 minutes
WA SEA – WA’s peak business body for the sustainable energy industries WA SEA Members - the business part of the solution
to climate change - developing and adopting technologies and services that minimise energy use through sustainable energy practices and maximising energy use from sustainable sources.
The inconvenient truth - time has run out for solutions that are simply convenient.Dr Ray Wills
WA Sustainable Energy Association
Future Smart Strategies
School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia