Menu
Overpopulation: Fewer people.
Electricity generation with partial heat utilization causes around 40% of emissions. The solution is solar energy (dominant in this decade), nuclear energy (leading from 2030) and onshore wind energy. CCS and hydropower plants are complementary.
Industry is responsible for around 20% of emissions.
Partial deindustrialization (lower standard of living and fewer people) and the decarbonization of the electricity sector are the right answers.
In the steel industry, hydrogen must replace injection or coking coal (H2 is then an energy source and reducing agent). Natural gas is also possible as an intermediate step, as appropriately equipped plants can be converted to hydrogen at a later date.
In the basic chemicals industry, high-temperature heat pumps should be used in the temperature range of 200 to 600 degrees Celsius and hydrogen at higher temperatures. In addition, H2 can also be used as a feedstock – supplemented by CCU (Carbon Capture and Usage).
Celitement must ensure savings in the cement industry. There is no way around CCS here.
The transport sector also emits around 20% of global CO2 emissions. A radical reduction in mobility, e-cars/cycling and probably nuclear-powered ships could rapidly reduce emissions. Rail transport must of course also be strengthened. Air travel must be radically reduced and or stopped.
The building sector is responsible for at least 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Radical energy refurbishment measures, the heat pump as the most important technology and a severe restriction of comfort requirements (temperature and space) are the inevitable conclusions.
Other sectors emit the remaining 10%. Among other things, waste management must be reduced (lower consumption and closed loops).
In agriculture, the sequestration of carbon in the soil must be strengthened. This will require various approaches, including the use of algae and possibly jellyfish as soil conditioners.
Proper forest conversion must at least limit the death of trees.
Rewetting fens can bind greenhouse gases up to approx. 1.5 degrees Celsius. Algae cultivation could possibly offer a glimmer of hope in the event of higher temperature increases.