How Are Climate Change And Energy Resources Related?

Climate change refers to long-term changes in global temperatures and weather patterns caused by an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Energy resources include fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as renewable sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. The relationship between climate change and energy resources is complex.

The burning of fossil fuels for energy is the main driver of climate change, releasing greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet. At the same time, climate change impacts energy production and supply. Extreme weather can damage energy infrastructure, while rising demand for cooling increases electricity use. Transitioning to renewable energy sources that don’t emit greenhouse gases is an important strategy for mitigating climate change. However, expanding renewable energy also requires addressing intermittency and transmission challenges.

This article will explore the multidirectional relationship between climate change and energy resources in detail, outlining how fossil fuel use drives climate change, how climate change affects the energy system, and pathways to align energy policy with climate goals.

Fossil Fuels Cause Climate Change

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (1). Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas, and human activities like burning fossil fuels have increased atmospheric concentrations by over 40% since pre-industrial times (2). Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise over time. The UN reports that over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from fossil fuels (3). The more fossil fuels are burned, the more carbon dioxide is released, accelerating climate change.

Sources:

(1) https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change

(2) https://www.nrdc.org/stories/fossil-fuels-dirty-facts

(3) https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/fossil-fuels-and-climate-change-the-facts/

Transitioning to Renewables

One of the key ways to reduce emissions that cause climate change is to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal. As the UN states, “Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, emit little to no greenhouse gases, are readily available and in most cases cheaper than coal, oil or gas.” (https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/renewable-energy). IRENA also notes that “Electricity from renewables must underpin our future energy system. Renewable energy can immediately and significantly reduce global carbon emissions.” (https://www.irena.org/Digital-content/Digital-Story/2019/Apr/How-To-Transform-Energy-System-And-Reduce-Carbon-Emissions). By transitioning away from fossil fuel energy sources that produce high emissions like coal and oil and moving towards zero-emission renewables like solar and wind, we can dramatically cut the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

Energy Use Causes Emissions

Energy consumption is directly linked to greenhouse gas emissions. The more energy humans consume, the more emissions are released into the atmosphere. According to the IEA, energy accounts for over 75% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Data Explorer. The majority of energy consumed worldwide comes from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. When these fuels are burned for electricity, transportation, heating, cooking and more, they emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. The level of emissions depends on the carbon intensity of each energy source. For example, coal emits about 1 kilogram of CO2 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated. Natural gas emits about half as much at 0.45 kg per kWh. How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour of electricity generated?. As countries develop and populations grow, energy demand increases. More energy consumption directly leads to higher emissions unless cleaner energy sources are used.

Climate Impacts Fossil Fuels

Climate change is making the process of extracting fossil fuels more challenging in several ways. As the planet warms, ice sheets and permafrost are melting, causing infrastructure damage in Arctic regions. For example, thawing permafrost has caused pipelines, roads, and drilling platforms in Alaska to sink and shift, requiring expensive repairs (earthjustice.org). Meanwhile, more frequent extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are disrupting fossil fuel operations globally. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, one-quarter of oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was halted due to damages (theconversation.com).

Rising sea levels also threaten many coastal fossil fuel facilities. An estimated $1 trillion of oil and gas infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf Coast region is exposed to flooding from sea level rise and stronger storms by 2050. Adapting or relocating these threatened facilities will cost tens of billions of dollars (earthjustice.org). Overall, the physical impacts of climate change make it harder and more hazardous to locate, build, operate and maintain fossil fuel projects.

Climate Impacts Renewables

Extreme weather caused by climate change can damage renewable energy infrastructure like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower dams. For example, according to research from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, climate impacts like increased flooding, drought, and windstorms could substantially reduce renewable electricity generation in some regions by 2050. Wind turbines and solar panels are vulnerable to high winds, storms, and hail which climate change is projected to increase in many areas. Hydropower facilities are threatened by changes in rainfall, snowmelt, and glacial runoff patterns. Heat waves also reduce solar panel efficiency. Renewable energy infrastructure will require adaptation measures to withstand future extreme weather. Strategies like weather protection structures, technology improvements, and geographic diversification of projects can help increase resilience.

Geoengineering

Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions designed to counteract climate change, including removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or reflecting sunlight back into space. Some proposed geoengineering technologies include bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture (DAC), ocean fertilization, and stratospheric aerosol injection.^[1] While theoretically capable of removing significant emissions, these approaches also carry risks.

BECCS involves growing biomass, burning it for energy, and capturing and storing the carbon dioxide emissions underground. In theory, BECCS could yield net negative emissions by removing carbon. However, it requires vast amounts of land, water, and fertilizer, so may compete with food production. DAC uses chemical processes to filter carbon dioxide from ambient air for storage. DAC does not need biomass, but similarly requires massive amounts of energy. While these could one day supplement emission reductions, they should not replace needed cuts.^[2]

Methods like stratospheric aerosol injection would reflect sunlight back to space by releasing reflective particles in the upper atmosphere. However, these could have unpredictable impacts on weather and the environment. Overall, while emergent technologies may one day remove emissions, major risks and land constraints exist. Geoengineering cannot replace the need to transition away from fossil fuels and reduce emissions through conservation and renewables.

^[1] https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2022/reversing-climate-change-with-geoengineering/

^[2] https://abcnews.go.com/US/geoengineering-technologies-combat-climate-crisis-scientists/story?id=98476205

Energy Efficiency

One of the most direct ways to reduce emissions is by using energy more efficiently. Studies show that as much as two-thirds of industrial greenhouse gas emissions are linked to energy use. By upgrading equipment, processes, and buildings to be more energy efficient, industries can reduce their overall energy consumption. This directly lowers carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion. For example, improving the insulation in a building decreases heat loss, allowing the heating system to work less to maintain temperature. Similarly, installing variable speed drives on motors prevents them from constantly running at full power when it’s not needed. Even simple steps like turning off lights and equipment when not in use can make a difference.

Research by the International Energy Agency has quantified the emissions reductions from energy efficiency. They estimate efficiency gains since 2000 have reduced global CO2 emissions by 25%. The potential for future reductions is even greater if efficiency continues to be prioritized. The buildings sector in particular offers opportunities, with technical improvements to HVAC, appliances, lighting and other systems capable of reducing emissions by 90% or more.

Behavior Change

Changing energy behaviors of individuals and corporations can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to research by the International Energy Agency, behavioral changes could reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 10% by 2050 (IEA, 2023). This includes actions like driving and flying less, lowering thermostats, and buying energy efficient appliances and lighting.

The field of behavioral science offers insights into how to encourage pro-environmental behaviors. Strategies like social norms, defaults, and framing can “nudge” people and companies towards more sustainable choices (Hernandez, 2019). For example, providing feedback on energy usage encourages conservation. While individual actions are important, systemic change through government policies and business practices can amplify behavior shifts.

With global carbon emissions continuing to rise, tapping into human behaviors represents an important opportunity to curb climate change. Even small tweaks in energy usage, when multiplied by billions of people, can make a measurable dent in emissions.

Conclusion

In summary, climate change and energy resources are deeply intertwined. The burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas is the leading cause of climate change, accounting for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As the world works to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, transitioning away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydropower is essential.

However, this transition brings many challenges. Renewable energy currently accounts for only about 11% of total energy consumption globally. Ramping up renewable energy production and infrastructure worldwide requires large investments and faces technological and political hurdles. Energy efficiency improvements in buildings, transportation and industry can help curb emissions in the short-term while renewables scale up.

Geoengineering solutions like carbon capture, direct air capture and reforestation may also have a role to play. But ultimately, addressing climate change requires a substantial shift away from fossil fuel dependence across all sectors of society. With concerted effort and political will, this energy transition is achievable and necessary to avoid the worst climate change impacts.