The Role of Industries in Climate Change
Climate change has been an outcome of excessive emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere. These emissions reached a high level since the industrial revolution. The coal and oil were harnessed excessively to achieve the desired industrial growth. The world achieved its goals and didn’t stop. The demand and production of goods went and still going parallel. The world gained several benefits of industrial growth but simultaneously sponsored climate change too. This article aims at the role of industrial growth vis-à-vis its adverse effects on climate change.
How Industries Participate In Worsening The Climate?
Emission of greenhouse gases is a result of burning fossil fuels, coal, and oil in industries. When certain raw materials are turned into useful products, chemical reactions also release greenhouse gas emissions. In 2005 alone, 14 % of global gas emissions were coming from the industrial sector, the World Resources Institute reported. Carbon Majors Report (pdf) revealed that almost 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions.
The top contributing companies among the above mentioned are ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, and Shell. The process of extracting fossil fuels involves the emission of GHGs. The period of 1988 to 2017 experienced a significant emission of gases. The report cited above reveals that if the extraction of fossil fuels continues at the same rate, the global temperature is likely to rise by 4 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. This is alarming because the world is already trying its hard to limit the rise in global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius.
Was It Happening Knowingly?
The threat of climate change we face today traces its origin back to industrial growth. In this context, the question seems quite fair. Without an in-depth study, anyone will conclude that our ancestors did this unknowingly. They were not aware of the fact that the burning of coal and oil will be the biggest threat to humanity in the coming decades.
However, the latest research contradicts this conclusion. In 2019, the carbon reading reached an all-time high level of 415.50 ppm. This was shocking for the whole world, but an industrial giant – Exxon – was not threatened by this because they predicted this as earlier as in 1982. The genius scientists of the oil and gas giant had predicted this disaster. A research article published in the Mining Congress Journal by James Garvey in 1966 had revealed the acute problem of air pollution at that time.
The Solution:
Stopping the functions of industries is not a solution to avoid climate change because it will result in worse economies. Economic growth shall go hand in hand with a better climate. And this can be achieved by clean sources of energy. Taking the example of cement industry wherein cement kilns require 1,450 degrees Celsius for working. Heat in these industries can be produced by burning, thus disposing of anything. The pollution will be avoided in this way, and the fossils fuels burning would also decrease.
Further, hydroelectric and thermal energy can also be used. Many industries are reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. The future seems healthier because of world commitment made under the Paris Agreement.