Can ‘going green’ stop humanities ‘code red’?
In recent years there has been increased understanding surrounding the environment in which we live. Every year it seems we learn something new about how the way we live our lives affects the wider ecosystem, which is usually more negative than positive.
On Monday 9th August 2021, a report was released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which models a serious and quite bleak future should no action be taken. This has been dubbed “a code red for humanity”.
The report can be summarised in a few key points;
- The last 5 years have been the hottest on record since 1850
- The global temperature average increase in 1.1°C since the industrial revolution
- If the global average temperature increases to 1.5°C there would be no way to reverse the effects
- Of the 2,400 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted since the industrial revolution, there is only a 50/50 chance that releasing a further 500 billion tonnes would keep us under a 1.5°C temperature rise by 2040
We have all heard the predicted effects of this increased global rise in temperature, melting of sea ice, increased flooding, sea level rises, wildfires and most crucially loss of habitat for all living things on earth. It is not an exaggeration to say, the results of increased global warming would be biblical by way of calamity.
So, what can you do about it?
Heat pumps and reduced carbon emissions
As with everything, it is the role of a few to lead the way for the many and it has been the mission of our company and clients over the last 16 years to make a real difference to commercial and domestic carbon emissions.
Globally, heating accounts for half of all energy requirements and 40% of total carbon dioxide emissions (Source). In the UK alone 15% of our greenhouse gas emissions comes from residential heat, of which 96% of those emissions are CO2 (Source as of 2019). As we can see this is an issue, however, for many years now there have been various solutions to dramatically reduce this figure, but the market has been slow to adopt these necessary changes.
Heat Pumps – A Solution
For example, heat pumps, by way of the close circuit refrigeration process can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. This is when compared to fuel oil, or 60% when compare to burning mains gas. These electrically driven heating and hot water alternatives, offer exactly the same comfort levels as harmful fossil fuel alternative. However, at drastically less damaging emission rates.
Where these systems really come into their own is when combined with solar panels and they can provide domestic hot water, summer pool heating or even cooling with virtually no emissions and little to no running costs during high irradiance days.
To learn more about climate saving technologies, please contact Baystar directly to see what difference you can make.
