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17 - Emissions and Information

from Flows of Energy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2022

Kevin E. Trenberth
Affiliation:
National Center for Atmospheric Research
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Summary

This book has addressed the energy flows through the climate system. It has made the point that the total energy generation by humans is relatively small compared with natural flows, and the main way humans cause climate change is by interfering with the natural energy flows. Ironically, that interference comes mainly from our use of energy and the associated emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols. In this case, “energy” encapsulates electricity, heat, transport, industrial, and agricultural activities. The latter include changes in land use. The primary source of the errant emissions is the burning of fossil fuels, generating carbon dioxide. A key issue then is how to decarbonize energy systems.

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Chapter
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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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References

References and Further Reading

Goddard, L., 2016: From science to service. Science, 353, 13661367. doi: 10.1126/science.aag3087.Google Scholar
Ritchie, H., and Roser, M., 2017: CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions.Google Scholar
Solomon, S., Plattner, G.-K., Knutti, R., and Friedlingstein, P., 2009: Irreversible climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 106, 17041709. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812721106.Google Scholar
Trenberth, K. E., 2008: Observational needs for climate prediction and adaptation. WMO Bulletin, 57(1), 1721.Google Scholar
Trenberth, K. E., Anthes, R. A., Belward, A., et al., 2013: Challenges of a sustained climate observing system. In: Asrar, G. R., and Hurrell, J. W., eds., Climate Science for Serving Society: Research, Modelling and Prediction Priorities. Dordrecht: Springer, 1350.Google Scholar
Trenberth, K. E., Marquis, M., and Zebiak, S., 2016: The vital need for a climate information system. Nature Climate Change, 6, 10571059. doi: 10.1038/NCLIM-16101680.Google Scholar

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