Julian+Paige+UNEP+Mali+Topic+2

Name: Julian Paige Country: Mali Committee:UNEP High School: Arundel SR. High School Date: 1/03/12

Topic 2:Combating Climate Change Through Technology

Over the past several centuries petroleum based fuels, otherwise called fossil fuels, have been the dominant means of obtaining energy. These older forms of technology have been linked to numerous changes in the climate across New technology and research however has shown that not only are these products potentially harmful to humans and the environment, but we have the means to create even better sources of energy and fuel. A global strategy that is supported by numerous nations will play a key role in phasing out older technologies with new ones to prevent climate change.

The green house gas effect has been pointed out as the biggest cause for global climate change. The exposure of carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases in excess amounts have been shown to be directly related to climate change. Climate change has had varying affects across the planet, and NASA has various predicted affects fro each continent of. In North America climate change has been linked to and predicted to cause decreasing snow pack in mountains, increasing frequency and duration of hurricanes, and rising intensity and duration of heat waves and droughts. As a result of climate change Latin America has and will experience the loss of rainforest and creation of savannah, loss of biodiversity, and decreases in available water etc. Because the combustion of fossil fuels is the biggest culprit for the increase of these greenhouse gases they have been changing attitudes towards alternative energies and have created new demand for cleaner fuel sources. There are many obstacles in the way of switching from older petroleum-based fuels to newer "greener ones" that are not only cleaner and do not affect climate change, but are also renewable and will be cheaper overtime. Numerous methods of energy have emerged, some of most widely used and developed methods are harnessing solar energy through panels, wind energy through turbines, hydroelectric/ tidal energy through dams and lagoons, the combustion of bio-fuels, the process of nuclear fission through nuclear reactors, and the use of geothermal energy produced naturally through geysers and vents. Many of these technologies however are lacking in efficiency, such as solar panels as well wind turbines and hydroelectric turbines. Others require specific types of geography to work such as geothermal energy, wind energy and even hydroelectric/tidal. Bio-fuels and biodiesel are noted for generally being more productive at decreasing biomass then in creating large amounts of energy. Nuclear energy can be unstable, events such as earthquakes, tsunamis or even terrorist attacks can cause great harm to the country that is using them. Another problem with nuclear energy is how to dispose of its waste, some countries bury it, well others simply dump depleted uranium into large bodies of water. Some opponents to the use of newer technologies are those who believe that "man-made climate change" has not been proven and therefore that there is no direct link between the use of petroleum products and climate change.On the same side of those who deny the existence of climate change are those who lobby to continue the use of oil because a switch from it will cost them billions in revenue. However more funding and research with these new methods of energy production can over time make them both largely viable to the public as well as reliable and safe to use.

Mali believes that it could greatly benefit from the use of cheaper, and renewable energy. Mali has no domestic access to fossil fuels, fuel has to be imported into the country at great cost. Mali has to pay a much greater price than many of its neighbors to provide electricity and fuel. Encouraging the use of proposed alternative energy technologies could also help Mali to reduce its rate of desertification which is caused by farming and overgrazing. Droughts are common in Mali, worsening environmental conditions could cause droughts to not only occur more often, but have a longer duration as well. As a result of the technology being underdeveloped and expensive in its current state, Mali would have a hard time funding research in to these technologies or even promoting their use for that matter. If assistance could be provided to Mali and other underdeveloped countries, then it could appropriately take advantage of renewable energy resources.

Climate change has several main causes which can be fixed through the proper planning and use of technology. The first being the widespread use of the combustible engine and carbon-based fuels. Instead of burning coal and similar resources, governments should promote the use and development of alternative fuels such as electricity, solar power, hydroelectric power, wind energy, or kinetic energy returning systems in automobiles. Funds from UN member countries should be allotted to developing countries who cannot promote the use of new technology on their own. The best possible way to utilize technology to combat climate change is by every country discovering for themselves which technologies work best. For example, due to Mali's geography it can make full use of various alternative energies, it has excellent solar exposure from the sun that is critical to efficient solar production. The Niger river flows through many parts of the lower half of the country, which could potentially be used to produce hydroelectric energy. In many parts of the country Mali has prevalent winds which wind turbines could take advantage of. Despite the fact that solar panels require a large amount of space in order to generate adequate amounts of electricity, Mali,and other countries that inhabit parts of the Sahara, posses large expanses of pure dessert land. Therefore this empty space could be utilized in order to generate plentiful amounts of energy. This same dessert space could be used to house wind energy turbines alongside solar panels to truly maximize energy production by capitalizing on frequent dust storms. Companies could then buy up this land and use it to produce electricity to sell to the citizens who cannot do so themselves. Countries that share flowing bodies of water could collaborate to manufacture hydroelectric power plants, for example countries such as Colombia, Peru, and Brazil could jointly use the Amazon create a hydroelectric dam and split the energy that is produced. Through analysis,proper funding, and collaboration, global climate change can be dealt with and prevented. Mali is just one country of many with great potential to harness renewable energy sources, some countries just require funding, while others need joint support and guidance form the global community.

Climate change is an important issue that affects everyone and needs to be dealt with. Not only does the human race depend largely on an unreliable, limited supply of petroleum based fuel, this same supply of fuel is harmful to both humans, and the Earth they inhabit. In order to ensure the longevity of the planet and those that live on it, action must be taken. Mali is eager to engage in discussion with other countries on how to effectively deal with climate change through the use of technology. While many countries and companies world wide have embraced the use of renewable energy, there are many however who have not and have no plans to change. Hopefully by explaining the problem and the long term benefits of changing energy sources countries will change their position.