Climate Change and

Energy Crisis
particular, a

change apparent from the mid to late 20 th century onwards and

What is Climate Change?
attributed largely to the

increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the use of fossil fuels.

It is a catch-all

term for the shift in worldwide weather phenomena associated with an

increase in global average temperature. Climate change, also called
global warming, refers to the rise in average surface temperatures on
earth.

NASA defines climate change as: “a broad range of global phenomena

created

predominantly by burning fossil fuels which add heat-trapping gases

to Earth’s

atmosphere. These phenomena include the increased temperature

trends described by

global warming, but also encompasses changes such as sea level rise,
 What are the causes of
Climate change?
Burning fossil fuels for energy, transport and industry releases
greenhouse gases, which cause global warming. Things like
farming, cutting down forests and overfishing are making it
worse. There is no doubt that human activities are causing
climate change, which means we are also able to stop it. Along
with other human activities, like cutting down forests and
farming, this releases heat-trapping pollution called
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, warming the planet
and destabilizing the climate. Climate change is already
having huge impacts on people and the environment
worldwide.
Human activities that release greenhouse gases need to be
urgently curbed as much as possible to ensure a stable
climate and safe world for everyone.
 Greenhouse gases that contribute to the
greenhouse effect include water vapor,
carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous
oxide.

Water Vapor. The most abundant greenhouse gas, but importantly,

acts as a feedback to the climate. Water vapor increases as the
Earth’s atmosphere warms, but so does the possibility of clouds and
precipitation, making these some of the most important feedback
mechanisms to the greenhouse effect.
Carbon dioxide (CO2). A minor but very important component of
the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released through natural
processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through
human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and
burning fossil fuels. Humans have increased atmospheric carbon
dioxide concentration by more than a third since the Industrial
Revolution began. The main source of excess carbon dioxide
emissions is the burning of fossil fuels, while deforestation has
reduced the amount of plant life available to turn carbon dioxide to
oxygen.
Methane. A hydrocarbon gas produced both
through natural sources and human activities,
including the decomposition of wastes in
landfills, agriculture, and especially rice
culturation, as well as ruminent digestion and
manure management associated with
domestic livestock. On a molecule for
molecule basis, methane is a far more active
greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but also
one which is much less abundant in the
atmosphere.
 Nitrous oxide. A powerful greenhouse gas
produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the
use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel
combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass
burning.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Synthetic

compounds entirely of industrial origin used in a
number of applications, but now largely regulated in
production and release to the atmosphere by
international agreement for their ability to contribute
to destruction of ozone layer. They are also
greenhouse gases.
What are the Effects of Climate Change?

The effects of anthropogenic(human-caused) climate change

ranged from more frequent and severe droughts to
snowstorms and extreme winter weather in temperate regions
as a result of warming Arctic weather fronts.
It’s not only humans that are affected. Warming ocean
temperatures are increasing the frequency of coral reef
bleaching; warmer, drier weather means that forests in some
regions are no longer recovering from wildfires and wildlife
habitats around the world are becoming less hospitable to
animals.
 How Is Climate Change Affecting
the Philippines?
The Global Climate Risk Index listed the Philippines as the number one most
affected country by climate change because of its geography. The Philippines is
located in the Western Pacific Ocean surrounded by naturally warm waters that
will likely even get warmer as average sea-surface temperature continue to rise
To some extent, this is a normal pattern: the ocean surface warms as it absorbs
sunlight. The ocean then releases some of its heat into the atmosphere creating
wind and rainclouds. However, as the ocean's surface increases over time from
the effects of climate change, more and more heat is released into the
atmosphere. This additional heat in the ocean and air can lead to stronger and
more frequent storms. This is what has happened to the Philippines. Five of the
deadliest typhoons have occurred since 2006 affecting and displacing thousands
of citizens every time. The deadliest storm on record in the Philippines is typhoon
Yolanda which was responsible for more than 6300 lost lives, over 4 million
displaced citizens, and 2 billion peso damages in 2013.
In the Philippines, the effects of climate change and global
warming cannot be denied. There used to be a clear delineation
between the dry and wet weather, or summer and rainy months.
January to June have always been known as the dry months
while the rest were wet months. Summer in the Philippines
means hot, sunny days and temperatures are quite high. Wet
months on the other hand are characterized by typhoons, windy
days, and suspended classes. During wet months, sunny days
are unusual, and in fact unexpected. Nowadays, however, the
wet and dry days occur anytime in the year.

Pia Ranada (January 22, 2014) stated six ways by

which climate change affects our country:
1. More intense El Nino
The El Nino phenomenon occurs when the surface of
the ocean waters in the southern Pacific becomes
abnormally warm. The energy created by this is so
great that it can create an imbalance in the weather in
the different parts of the world. In Southeast Asia, it
can lead to abnormally dry conditions. El Nino can also
make weather events like storms highly unpredictable.
Weather will have extreme highs and lows, making it
"increasingly difficult to predict weather patterns for
purposes of planning and normal business operations"
says a WWF-Philippine study.
2. Sea surface temperatures to rise
By the end of the century, sea surface temperatures are expected to rise by
1 to 4 degrees Celsius. This can lead to more powerful storms because
storms get their strength from heat rising from the sea. In the Philippines, 4
and 5 degrees Celsius spikes above the normal sea surface temperature
have been recorded. Warmer seas kill coral reefs and can thus lead to a
decline in fish catch, putting food security in danger.

3. Ocean acidification
The shift in the Ph levels of our oceans can lead to widespread coral reef
death. Because of the imbalance, shrimps are not able to develop skins,
oysters cannot develop shells. Fish larvae mat not be able to develop
bones. This further endangers food security and livelihood.
4. Sea levels to rise by 4 to 6 meters
Current data show an increase in sea surface heights. Scientists
say this is due to the melting of ice sheets in the southern and
northern portions of the globe like Antarctica and Greenland.
Sea level rise by 4 to 6 meters can submerge low-lying
communities like Tacloban City which stands only 3 meters.

5. Tropical cyclones to intensify

The creation of tropical cyclones is already being recorded in
areas where the phenomenon had never been observed. On
November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), said to be
the strongest in recorded history, devastated cities in Visayas.
6. Rainfall, river flow, and flooding to intensify
Monsoon rainfall in the Philippines will reach new highs and
lows. Some parts of the country will make it more difficult for
agriculture and aquaculture sectors which are highly dependent
on weather. Philippine cities are already experiencing
unprecedented amounts of rainfall. In Tacloban City, rainfall
increased by 25% from 1998 to 2011. More rainfall will lead to
more flooding and can trigger landslides in upland communities.
What is the Energy Crisis?
Energy crisis is any great bottleneck in the supply of energy
resources to an economy. In popular literature though, it often refers
to one of the energy sources used at a certain time and place,
particularly those that supply national electricity grids or serve as fuel
for vehicles.

The energy crisis is the concern that the world’s demands on the
limited natural resources that are used to power industrial society
are diminishing as the demand rises. These natural resources are in
limited supply. While they do occur naturally, it can take hundreds of
thousands of years to replenish the stores. Governments and
concerned individuals are working to make the use of renewable
resources a priority, and to lessen the irresponsible use of natural
supplies through increased conservation.
 Causes of the Energy Crisis
Some causes of the energy crisis were identified as follows:

1. Overconsumption
The energy crisis is a result of many different strains on our natural
resources, not just one. There is a strain on fossil fuels such as oil, gas
and coal due to overconsumption - which then in turn can put a strain
on our water and oxygen resources by causing pollution.
2. Overpopulation
Another cause of the crisis has been the increase in the world's
population and its demands for fuel and products. No matter what type
of food or products you choose to use - from fair trade and organic to
those made from petroleum products in a sweat shop - not one of them
is transported without a significant drain in our energy resources.
3.Poor Infrastructure
Aging infrastructure of power generating equipment is yet another
reason for energy shortage. Most of the energy producing firms
keep on using updated equipment that restricts the production of
energy. It is the responsibility of utilities to keep on upgrading the
infrastructure and set a high standard of performance.

4.Unexplored Renewable Energy Options

Renewable energy still remains unused in most countries. Most of
the energy comes from non-renewable sources like coal. It still
remains the top choice to produce energy. Unless we give
renewable energy a serious. thought, the problem of energy crisis
cannot be solved. Renewable energy sources can reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels and also help reduce greenhouse
emissions.
5. Delay in Commissioning of Power Plants
In few countries, there is a significant delay in commissioning of
new power plants that can fill the gap between the demand and
supply of energy. The result is that old plants come under huge
stress to meet the daily demand for power. When supply doesn't
match demand, it results in load shedding and breakdown.
6. Wastage of Energy
In most parts of the world, people do not realize the importance of
conserving energy. It is only limited to books, internet, newspaper
ads, lip service and seminars. Unless we give it a serious thought,
things are not going to change. Simple things like switching off fans
and lights when not in use, using maximum daylight, walking
instead of driving for short distance, using CFL instead of traditional
bulbs, proper insulation for leakage of energy can go a long way in
saving energy.
7. Poor Distribution System
Frequent tripping and breakdown are result of a poor distribution system.

8. Major Accidents and Natural Calamities

Major accidents like pipeline burst and natural calamities like eruption of
volcanoes, floods, earthquakes can also cause interruption to energy supplies.
The huge gap between supply and demand of energy can raise the price of
essential items which can give raise to inflation.

9. Wars and Attacks

Wars between countries can also hamper supply of energy specially if it happens
in Middle East countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE or Qatar. Price of oil
reached its peak causing global shortages and created major problem for énergy
consumers.
10.Miscellaneous Factors
Tax hikes, military coup, political events, severe hot summers or
cold winters can cause sudden increase in demand of energy
and can choke supply. A strike by unions in oil-producing firms
can definitely cause an energy crisis.

What are Possible Solutions to the Energy Crisis?

Many of the possible solutions to the energy crisis are already in
place, but they have not been widely adopted. They are:
1. Move towards Renewable Resources
The best possible solution to the energy crisis is to reduce the world's dependence on
non-renewable resources and to improve overall conservation efforts. Much of the
industrial age was created using fossil fuels, but there is also known technology that
uses other types of renewable energies such as steam, solar, and wind. The major
concern isn't so much that we will run out of gas or oil, but that the use of coal is going
to continue to pollute the atmosphere and destroy other natural resources in the
process of mining the coal that it has to be replaced as an energy source. This is not
easy because many of the leading industries use coal, not gas or oil, as their primary
source of power for manufacturing.
2. Buy Energy Efficient Products.
Replace traditional bulbs with CFL's and LED's. They use less watts of electricity and
last longer. If millions of people across the globe use CFL's and LED's for residential
and commercial purposes, the demand for energy can go down and an energy crisis
can be averted.
3. Lighting Controls
There are a number of new technologies that make lighting controls much more
interesting and help save a lot of energy and cash in the long run. Preset lighting
controls, slide lighting, touch dimmers, integrated lighting controls are few of the lighting
controls that can help to conserve energy and reduce overall lighting costs.
4. Easier Grid Access
People who use different options to generate power must be given permission to plug
into the grid and get credit for power you feed into it. The hassles of getting credit of
supplying surplus power back into the grid should be removed. Apart from that, subsidy
on solar panels should be given to encourage more people to explore renewable
options.
5. Energy Simulation
Energy simulation software can be used by big corporations to redesign building unit
and reduce running business energy cost. Engineers, architects and designers could
use the design to come up with the most energy efficient building and reduce carbon
footprint.
6. Perform Energy Audit
Energy audit is a process that helps to identify the areas where your home
or office is losing energy and identify steps you can take to improve energy
efficiency. Energy audit when done by a professional can help you to reduce
your carbon footprint, save energy and money and avoid energy crisis.
7. Common Stand On Climate Change
Both developed and developing countries should adopt a common stand on
climate change. They should focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions
through an effective cross border mechanism. With current population
growth and overconsumption of resources, the consequences of global
warming and climate change cannot be ruled out. Both developed and
developing countries must focus on emission cuts to cut their emission
levels to half from current trend levels by 2050.