What is Greenhouse Effect
Since the Earth is formed, the content of the atmosphere has kept changing all the time. The micro gas especially plays a key role in effect on global environment. The theory of global warming is similar to Greenhouse. The atmosphere absorbs the long wave radiation released by the earth surface and then reflects it to ground. By means of this natural greenhouse effect, the ground can keep the temperature. Provided the atmosphere does not exist, the earth temperature would lower than that at present. In recent years, the rapid growth of human economy in chemical articles and air pollution is changing the atmosphere structure at an unprecedented speed. The CO2 generated by fossil fuel burning especially, absorbs long wave radiation of earth surface after it is released to the atmosphere, which results in manmade greenhouse effect and temperature increase of earth surface
Up to now, it has been increased a little (about 0.3℃to 0.6℃ in the past 100 years), but the sea level is elevating continuously. (10-15 centimeters) After Industrial Revolution, the consistence of CO2 increases by 28%. The scientists predict that the temperature on earth surface will increase by l℃ to 3.5℃, the sea level by 15-95 cm in 2100 without any prevention and treatment measures. This Greenhouse Effect has a profound and unknown influence on the whole ecologic environment and global climate. (Including the Earth, sea, economy and society of human etc)
Top »
Greenhouse gas
The atmosphere of filter controls the energy exchange among the Earth, the Sun and the Outer Space. Some gases in the atmosphere can enable the short wave radiation to shine the earth surface in form of visible light and absorb the long wave radiation reflected by the earth surface. These gases which conserve energy are called the
greenhouse gas, including:
CO2
For mass use of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas, the global CO2 is increased by 6 billion tons per year.
CFCs
The use of CFC－l1、CFC－12 and CFC－113 takes the largest part. The application range is from Freon, spray to foam. The kind of compound is the main cause of ozone layer damage.
CH4
It is generated by transformation courses of ferment and putrefaction and uncompleted burning of substances from livestock, paddy field, vehicle and burial ground.
N2O
It is discharged by fossil fuel burning and decompression of microorganism and chemical fertilizer.
O3
It comes from earth surface pollution. The NO and CFCs released by vehicle, power plant and refinery generate ozone through photochemical action.
At present, these greenhouse gases are keeping increase continuously. CO2 is increased by 0.4% per year with 358 PPM consistency in 1994. CH4 is increased by 0.6% per year with 1.7 PPM consistency. NO2 is increased by 0.25% per year with 0.31 PPM consistency, and CFC－11 with 268PPT consistency, CFC－12 with 480 PPT consistency. From the diagram, we see that CFC has strongest capability to cause Greenhouse Effect by thousands times larger than CO2 in unit weight. CO2 of 55% is the main gas causing global warming. The diagram shows the tendency of temperature increase caused by various
greenhouse gases in the past 40 years.
The increase of CO2 consistency in the atmosphere mainly results from fossil fuel burning and forest slash. CO2 released by the fossil fuel consumption occupies the larger part. The global CO2 discharge in 1992 is 8 billion tons. (Carbon equivalent)
Top »
Greenhouse Effect in Taiwan
Warming in Taiwan
From research on climate change in recent 100 years in Taiwan, the experts find that the warming occurs both in Taiwan and other countries through recent 100 years. The speed of temperature increase in Taiwan within 100 years is from 0.98℃to 1.34℃, which is larger than global average value of 0.6℃. Not only does warming occur in cities, but also in undeveloped areas such as Yu Mountain, Doji Island etc.
In terms of season, the warming in Taiwan in recent 100 years is more obvious in summer than in winter. The average value of long-term tendency released by six main measurement stations of Taiwan (Taipei, Taichung,
Tainan, Hengchun, Taitung, Hualien) shows 1.3 ℃in summer, which is 0.5℃ higher than 0.83℃in winter. The temperatures in spring and autumn display the temperature increase tendency as well. Generally speaking, the increase at night is higher than that at daylight. Additionally, the sea level elevation by warming is very remarkable.
Huang-hsiong Hsu emphasizes that the warming effect on rain fall and typhoon is not so obvious.
Top »
Present CO2 emission in Taiwan
Taiwan features in its special environment that it is surrounded by the sea at all sides. We shall draw our special attention to greenhouse effect's impact on environment, especially the sea level elevation's effect on Taiwan Island. From the record of annual average temperature increase in Taiwan areas, we see two values of 0.54℃ and 0.79℃. Since Taiwan can not escape from greenhouse effect, we shall pay especial attention to it for possible crises.
By means of energy application distribution and discharge factor released by our contrary in 1990, we predict that CO2 discharge is 0.1 billion tons in 1990. For 34% of energy coming from electricity generation, CO2 discharge in 1990 is 100,000,000 metric tons, which occupies 1/220 in the world.
Top »
Consequence of Greenhouse Effect
If the gas constancy of greenhouse effect is increasing constantly, the earth surface will increase its temperature so as to change the climate. Its influences include:
- The winter in the Northern Hemisphere will be shortened with colder and wetter climate, while the summer will be longer with dryer and hotter climate. The semitropical area will be dryer, while the tropical area will be wetter.
- The temperature increase speeds up water evaporation. The global rain fall will decrease year by year, and rain fall type in each area will change.
- It can change distribution and growth of plants and crops to cause soil depletion by speeding up growth. The restrain on crop growth will destroy ecologic environment and balanced indirectly.
- The sea will become warmer than before and seal level will increase by 15-95 cm in 2100 to cause sea water encroachment in low-lying areas. About 1/3 of world population along sea coast will be threatened by it.
- It can change resources distribution in areas to cause supply unbalance of food, water and finishing etc., which will trigger economic and social problems internationally.
Top »
UNFCCC
Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, IPCC was established by UNEP and WMO in 1988. It focuses on monitoring and scientific research on climate change tendency among governments of countries.
According to research results of IPCC, UN passes Framework Convention On Climate Change, FCCC on May 9,1992. There were 155 countries that singed this convention in June in Rio. It took effect on March 21, 1994. Up to present, it has been recognized by 170 signatory countries.
The goal of convention is to keep consistency of
greenhouse gas in the atmosphere at a level of climate system that is without dangerous manmade factors. The implementation principle is to assume the responsibilities of different degrees together, since we must take into consideration the economic development and resource situation of the signatory countries. We expect to limit discharge of
greenhouse gas through efforts made by all countries in the world on the basis of this convention.
In order to stop degradation of global climate, the countries in the world have reached consensus on cut of
greenhouse gas. They believe that they shall enhance cooperation mutually to implement countermeasures. The agreement on CO2 discharge was regulated in 1997. It aims to control forest slash and strengthen plant by establishing forest, agriculture management and monitoring system. The fund collection, information enhancement and technology exchange are also included in this agreement.
Top »
Statistics on Greenhouse Gas Emission in Taiwan
From National Greenhouse Gas List, there are Energy Department, industrial Procedure Department and departments of Solvent and other products, Agriculture department, soil transformation and forest department, waste according to IPCC discharge source and absorption. The categories of greenhouse gas include: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, CO, NMVOC, SO2, NOx etc. Since the first six gases are the one for decrease according to Kyoto Protocol, we only discuss the discharge tendency of the first six
greenhouse gases according to CRF sheet of UNFCCC.
The greenhouse gases discharge by Taiwan increases from 160444.52 thousand metric tons carbon equivalent since 1990 to 331835.01 thousand metric tons carbon equivalent in 2001. The CO2 (carbon equivalent) of 352808.32 thousand metric tons increases by 120% and the total discharge have a year-by-year increase tendency. The following are the greenhouse gas classification and discharge situation of various departments.
The control of greenhouse gas discharge internationally mainly focuses on developed countries at present time. It is predicted that the global control will be implemented in the future, which may have a great impact on economy development of Taiwan. Since discharge of greenhouse gas (especially CO2) can be calculated from fossil fuel quantity of burning, the more we consume energy, the greater the greenhouse effect is.
The following is the greenhouse gas emission in Taiwan
Greenhouse
gas |
Emission |
Remarks |
Carbon Dioxide
|
112.7 million tons (1990)
|
0.5% of the world emission; annual emission per capita is 5.54 tons, 24 th in the world
|
Methane
|
1.017 thousand tons (1993)
|
Mainly from waste backfill and corn planting
|
Nitrous oxide
|
2.41 thousand tons (1990)
|
Mainly from burning of petroleum from vehicles, followed by agricultural activities
|
The data displayed above is based on integral strategy of greenhouse gas discharge decrease.
Estimated annual increase of carbon dioxide in Taiwan
Year
|
1990-2000
|
2000-2010
|
2010-2020
|
2020-2030
|
Average annual increase
|
8.1%
|
2.7%
|
2.3%
|
1.7%
|
Average emission per capita
|
9.3 tons
|
10.7 tons
|
12.3 tons
|
13.5 tons
|
The data is from “Overview on greenhouse gas reduction strategy”
The CO2 discharge must be limited at 9.6 or 12 tons/person per year internationally. Provided 9.6 is the standard value, Taiwan will break this record from 2000 to 2010. For 12 tons, it will be exceeded in 2010-2020.
Top »
Prevention and Treatment Strategy of Greenhouse Effect in
Taiwan
Everyone living in the Earth is the pollutant creator
(discharger) and the contributor (respiration action of people) to greenhouse gas generation. The
greenhouse gas generated by each country to different extents results from its application. In order to conform to international greenhouse gas decrease action,
Taiwan can implement following strategies and countermeasures:
- Adjust structures of energy and electrical source
- Amend energy development program of Taiwan to stabilize growth of electrical source. Transfer oil fired power station and coal fired power station into natural gas ones so as to improve air quality at area and decreases CO2 discharge.
- Enhance the substitute energy development, such as exploitation and application of terrestrial heat, water power, wind power, nuclear energy, solar energy and natural gas.
- Apply combined cycle power generation system actively to promote power ratio.
- Strengthen power load management to decrease power demand at peak hour.
- Enhance promotion of national energy saving program
- Adjust industry structure
- Encourage the operator to develop the industry with low-consumption and low-pollution. Promote improvement or elimination of industry with high-consumption and high-pollution so as to enhance industry upgrade.
- Regulate energy price to promote energy application rate of industry by price difference.
- Introduce relevant technology to slash CO2 discharge of industry with high-consumption and high-pollution.
- Enforce the laws, regulations and economy inducements. Encourage the industry to develop equipment and instrument with low energy consumption and high efficiency so as to promote energy application rate and decrease waste heat discharge.
- nbsp; Develop public transportation system initially to save energy and ease air pollution.
- nbsp; Promote greening and forestation to absorb CO2.
- Decrease CFCs, other derivatives and other
greenhouse gas according to management period regulated in Montreal Protocol.
- Promote research on global warming effect and development of
greenhouse gas discharge technology.
Top » |
