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Quality of the air
Published on November 3, 2018 |
by the beam
November 3, 2018 by The Ray
This article was published in The Beam # 6 – Subscribe now for more on the subject.
Carbon dioxide emissions from cars, trucks, coal-fired power plants and other sources of fossil fuels are the biggest sources of air pollution and not only pose a threat to our health, but also play a role. important role in global warming and climate change. Air pollution is becoming a hot topic, especially for China and India, but also for the countries of Southeast Asia (SEA). Air pollution can travel long distances and can therefore lead to environmental pollution in cities, affecting the growing middle class.
Air pollution and climate change are closely linked. The main sources of CO2 emissions – the extraction and burning of fossil fuels – are not only the main drivers of climate change, but also the main sources of air pollutants. Many air pollutants harmful to human health and ecosystems also contribute to climate change by affecting the amount of incoming sunlight reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere, with some pollutants heating up and others cooling.
This raises the question of why climate change and pollution are not prioritized for clean air in a thriving South East Asia.
The EES is very vulnerable to the future impact of climate change. A study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicts that an average increase of 4.8 degrees Celsius could result in a sea level rise of 70 centimeters by 2100 in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This will pose serious problems for many of the largest coastal cities in ASEAN, such as Jakarta, Bangkok, Manila, as well as in the Mekong Delta, including Ho Chi Minh City, which is one of the largest cities in the world. food production areas of the region.
All SEA countries are party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and have submitted their National Specific Contributions (NDCs) in support of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Europe and North America, it is understood that the EES will have a fair share in the fight against climate change. however, the peak emission will be in the future. This may not be ambitious enough to keep global warming well below 2 degrees but will certainly have negative impacts on air quality in the region.
According to a study conducted in early 2017 by Harvard University, emissions from only coal in the region will be tripled compared to planned coal plants and / or already under construction. The largest increases will occur in Indonesia and Vietnam, although they have reduced the number of newly built and planned units. However, the big picture of the study remains the same.
Hanoi, Vietnam. Image: Rogier Schutte
According to the study, it is estimated that there are currently an average of 19,880 additional deaths per year due to the SEA's coal emissions, which will reach 69,660 by 2030. L & # 39; 39, Indonesia and Vietnam together account for 67% of the total increase. Indonesia plans to build 176 new coal plants by 2030, of which 75 are already under construction; with relatively lax emission standards.
In highly populated areas of the SEA coastline, after breathing unhealthy air and suffering from health problems related to air pollution, sea level rise could lead to unpredictable threats to the quality of life in the big cities.
Air pollution is an important topic, especially in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The annual average air pollution in Hanoi in 2017 was four times higher than those deemed acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO). Identifying the main sources of urban air pollution and energy production in cities, immediately raising emission standards and ensuring the proper functioning of existing regulations must be the first steps. This would give a little more time to put in place alternatives and better regulation for newly constructed industrial infrastructure.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Image: Ruslan Bardash
Alternative solutions are already available, especially for energy production, as Southeast Asia has abundant renewable energy resources. Solar irradiance (solar energy) is very important in the region, with an average of 1,500 to 2,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per square meter per year. Wind resources are more modest, but there are coastal and inland areas in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar where wind speeds are reasonable. Some countries, namely Indonesia and the Philippines, have significant geothermal potential, one of the best in the world. Finally, the potential for bioenergy supply is very important throughout the region.
Linking the points and prioritizing the main sources of air pollution will reduce the negative health impacts at the national and regional levels while reducing GHG emissions. The links between greenhouse gases, climate change and air quality should be sufficient to move towards an effective Clean Air Act at the regional and national levels in South East Asia.
By Lars Blume, Center for Green Innovation and Development (GreenID) Vietnam
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The Beam The Beam Magazine is a quarterly print publication that takes a modern perspective on the energy transition. From Berlin, we publish a report on the people, businesses and organizations that shape our sustainable energy future around the world. The team is led by journalist Anne-Sophie Garrigou and designer Dimitris Gkikas. The Beam works with a network of experts and contributors to address topics ranging from technology to art, from politics to sustainability, from venture capital funds to clean tech start-ups. Our language is the energy transition and it is spoken everywhere. The beam is already distributed in most European countries, but also in Niger, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Japan, Chile and the United States. And that's just the beginning. So stay tuned for future developments and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Medium.
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