Dylan West, Tylor Mansur, Brittany Davis, Shawn Blazer

GROUP OF 77: SCIENCE ADVISERS

EFFICIENT VEHICLES

THE NEED FOR EFFICIENCY

As a nation develops, its economy relies increasingly upon the use of vehicles.

These vehicles are cheap and inefficient.

Carbon emissions from older vehicles is high

Many vehicles emit more than 200% more carbon dioxide than current, modern vehicles

Even in developed countries, up to 85% of the fuel put into a car is lost either through idling or engine inefficiency.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Retrofitting older vehicles with modern parts is a possible way to reducing fuel waste and carbon emissions.

These parts include an automated system which turns the engine off while the car is idling.

Some older vehicles must be removed from the roads completely and replaced.

This project could be expensive but would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

OTHER SOLUTIONS

Governments can encourage the use of public transit systems.

These include trains and buses.

If the distance is short enough, carbon-free vehicles like bicycles should be used.

These solutions alone are insufficient because of the need for personal cars in developing nations.

REDUCED DEFORESTATION, PLUS REFORESTATION, AFFORESTATION, AND NEW PLANTATIONS

DEFORESTATION

Among other services, forests provide a carbon sink

It is estimated that up to 3 million square miles of forest have been destroyed since 1947, and that by 2030 only 10% of the currently undisturbed forest area will remain.

THE WORLD’S FORESTS

DEFORESTATION IN DEVELOPING NATIONS

Human pressures on forests are great in tropical developing nations, because the lumber industry is vital to the survival of many people

Forests are also cleared for agriculture and urbanization

ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM

Following America’s national park model – closing off areas of land for preservation – is not economically viable in developing nations

In order to save rainforests from destruction, the methods must be financially beneficial for local governments and people

VIABLE SOLUTIONS

Current agriculture practices should be improved using alternative cultivation techniques, increasing the productivity of existing farms

This would diminish the need to clear more land Funding for these

efforts would come from:

Ecotourism

Carbon credits

Corporate sponsorship

Once funding is in place:

Expand protected areas

Promote sustainable use

Promote ecotourism and entrepreneurship

Compensate displaced people

Train local scientists and guides

EFFICIENT BASELOAD COAL PLANTS

COAL USAGE

To produce one megawatt hour of electricity, coal creates 2249 lbs of carbon dioxide.

It is currently the largest source of anthropogenic CO2.

Nearly 30% of the world’s electricity comes from coal.

Coal use is especially prevalent in developing nations because it is inexpensive.

Currently, coal plants – even in developed countries – lose about 66% of the energy stored in coal to heat.

MAXIMIZING COAL EFFICIENCY: COGENERATION

When coal is burned, a lot of heat is released into the environment.

Cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP): a method of recapturing thermal energy and using it for heating purposes

Energy that would otherwise be lost is put to use.

This process is already used in developed nations, and the cost of building a heat-recycling coal plant is comparable to the cost of a regular coal plant, making it a cost-effective way to improve efficiency.

Cogeneration can increase power plant efficiency from the current 33% to as much as 80%.

COGENERATION/CHP

UtilityUtility and

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OTHER SOLUTIONS

Clean coal technology uses carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal.

This solution does not improve the efficiency of coal, but rather mitigates the environmental effects of burning fossil fuels

This solution is also very costly and will likely not be adopted even in developed nations until around 2020, so for the G-77 cogeneration is likely the most effective method

SOURCES

http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/vehicle-efficiency-wedge.htmlhttp://www.kelcroft.com.hk/img/cogeneration_chp.gifhttp://

www.forbes.com/2008/07/03/energy-efficiency-cogeneration-biz-energy_cx_jz_0707efficiency_horror.html

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Electric-Power-Utilities-2405/efficient-power-plant.htmhttp://cleantechnica.com/2008/06/26/electricity-generation-efficiency-its-not-about-the-technology

/http://www.cogeneration.net/terms.htmhttp://

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Coal_power_plant_Datteln_2_Crop1.png

http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section9group4/files/picture1.jpghttp://www.money-zine.com/Financial-Planning/Leasing-or-Buying-a-Car/Fuel-Efficient-Car-Technologies

/http://www.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/uu17ee/uu17ee06.htmhttp://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/deforestation.htmhttp://news.mongabay.com/2005/1127-rainforests.html