Officials Hope New Technologies Will Reduce Warming Gasses
2022-11-05
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1Scientists say the Earth's temperature has risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius since the modern industrial period began.
2And they warn that the effects of rising temperatures will get worse with every increase of one tenth of a degree.
3Many scientists and government officials say that it is important to not burn more fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
4 Such fuels release carbon dioxide.
5Many scientists blame rising temperatures on carbon dioxide trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
6In a 2021 report, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said there can be no new investments in fossil fuels if officials want to reach their temperature goal.
7The most recent report by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change called for "immediate and deep" cuts to fossil fuels.
8U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about those goals at the 2021 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, known as COP26.
9 He said, "Our addiction to fossil fuels is pushing humanity to the brink."
10Addiction is a strong and harmful need to do something or have something.
11The world depends on fossil fuels for much of its electricity, heating and transportation.
12Fossil fuels are also important for agriculture and industry.
13But officials say that cleaner, renewable energy sources - such as solar and wind energy - will replace much of that demand.
14Observers say the cost of renewable energy is decreasing.
15Also, more renewable energy is being produced in sustainable ways.
16However, the total amount of energy produced has also gone up.
17Elizabeth Robinson is with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.
18She said that many places are using renewable energy, "but emissions are continuing to rise."
19She added, "We also need to see overall global emissions falling, and at the moment global emissions from fossil fuels are still increasing."
20While renewable energy works for electricity production, other industries - such as cement-making, steel and shipping - depend on fossil fuels.
21That is why experts are studying technologies that might be used in some industries.
22Some have suggested using "green fuels," such as ones made out of plant materials or natural waste, known as biofuels.
23Two newer technologies being explored include carbon capture, which takes carbon dioxide out of the air, and green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy to make hydrogen.
24But, these technologies are costly and untested on a large scale.
25Some scientists say methane, another carbon gas that traps heat, must be greatly reduced.
26Methane is about 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
27Once released, scientists estimate it stays in the atmosphere for about 12 years.
28Many countries at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow last year promised to stop methane leaks from oil wells and gas pipelines.
29Scientists say such methane reductions would have immediate effects on slowing the warming of the atmosphere.
30Robinson said there are two areas in which action could slow the warming of the atmosphere:
31stopping deforestation and reducing the eating of animals.
32Forests naturally take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
33When forests are cut for agriculture, especially for animals that need large amounts of land, more greenhouse gases are released into the air.
34Robinson added that these ideas represent "a very controversial area."
35But, she added, "in most higher income countries, most people eat far more meat than they need to."
36I'm John Russell.
1Scientists say the Earth's temperature has risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius since the modern industrial period began. 2And they warn that the effects of rising temperatures will get worse with every increase of one tenth of a degree. 3Many scientists and government officials say that it is important to not burn more fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Such fuels release carbon dioxide. Many scientists blame rising temperatures on carbon dioxide trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. 4In a 2021 report, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said there can be no new investments in fossil fuels if officials want to reach their temperature goal. 5The most recent report by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change called for "immediate and deep" cuts to fossil fuels. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about those goals at the 2021 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, known as COP26. He said, "Our addiction to fossil fuels is pushing humanity to the brink." 6Addiction is a strong and harmful need to do something or have something. 7The world depends on fossil fuels for much of its electricity, heating and transportation. Fossil fuels are also important for agriculture and industry. But officials say that cleaner, renewable energy sources - such as solar and wind energy - will replace much of that demand. 8Observers say the cost of renewable energy is decreasing. Also, more renewable energy is being produced in sustainable ways. However, the total amount of energy produced has also gone up. 9Elizabeth Robinson is with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. She said that many places are using renewable energy, "but emissions are continuing to rise." 10She added, "We also need to see overall global emissions falling, and at the moment global emissions from fossil fuels are still increasing." 11While renewable energy works for electricity production, other industries - such as cement-making, steel and shipping - depend on fossil fuels. 12That is why experts are studying technologies that might be used in some industries. Some have suggested using "green fuels," such as ones made out of plant materials or natural waste, known as biofuels. 13Two newer technologies being explored include carbon capture, which takes carbon dioxide out of the air, and green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy to make hydrogen. But, these technologies are costly and untested on a large scale. 14Some scientists say methane, another carbon gas that traps heat, must be greatly reduced. Methane is about 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Once released, scientists estimate it stays in the atmosphere for about 12 years. 15Many countries at the COP26 meeting in Glasgow last year promised to stop methane leaks from oil wells and gas pipelines. Scientists say such methane reductions would have immediate effects on slowing the warming of the atmosphere. 16Robinson said there are two areas in which action could slow the warming of the atmosphere: stopping deforestation and reducing the eating of animals. Forests naturally take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When forests are cut for agriculture, especially for animals that need large amounts of land, more greenhouse gases are released into the air. 17Robinson added that these ideas represent "a very controversial area." But, she added, "in most higher income countries, most people eat far more meat than they need to." 18I'm John Russell. 19Dana Beltaji reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. 20________________________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22brink -n. : the edge at the top of a steep cliff - usually used figuratively to refer to a point that is very close to the occurrence of something very bad 23renewable - adj. : restored or replaced by natural processes : able to be replaced by nature 24sustainable - adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed 25emission -n. (often pl.) something that is released such as a gas into the atmosphere 26deforestation - n. the act or result of cutting down or burning all the trees in an area 27controversial - adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument : likely to produce controversy