Greenhouse gas emissions

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Title: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Reservoir Water Surfaces: A New Global Synthesis
Description: "Collectively, reservoirs created by dams are thought to be an important source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere. So far, efforts to quantify, model, and manage these emissions have been limited by data availability and inconsistencies in methodological approach. Here, we synthesize reservoir CH4, CO2, and N2O emission data with three main objectives: (1) to generate a global estimate of GHG emissions from reservoirs, (2) to identify the best predictors of these emissions, and (3) to consider the effect of methodology on emission estimates. We estimate that GHG emissions from reservoir water surfaces account for 0.8 (0.5?1.2) Pg CO2 equivalents per year, with the majority of this forcing due to CH4. We then discuss the potential for several alternative pathways such as dam degassing and downstream emissions to contribute significantly to overall emissions. Although prior studies have linked reservoir GHG emissions to reservoir age and latitude, we find that factors related to reservoir productivity are better predictors of emission."
Creator/author: Bridget R. Deemer, John A. Harrison, Siyue Li, Jake J. Beaulieu, Tonya DelSontro, Nathan Barros, José F. Bezerra-Neto, Stephen M. Powers, Marco A. dos Santos, J. Arie Vonk
Source/publisher: BioScience (2016) 66 (11): 949-964.
Date of publication: 2016-10-05
Date of entry/update: 2017-04-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: COAL BURNS BURMA: A COMPENDIUM ON DIRTY ENERGY - POWER PLANTS AND MINING
Description: Contents: Introduction... Coal Mining in Burma... Coal Mines... Pending Coal Mining Projects... Coal Fired Power Plants... Coal Fired Power Plants in Operation... Pending Coal Fired Power Plants... Opposition to Coal in Burma... List of NGOs Against Coal in Burma... Links to Articles/Reports About Combined Coal Mines + Coal... Fired Power Plants... Links to Articles/Reports About Coal Mines... Links to Articles/Reports About Coal Fired Power Plants......Introduction: "In recent years, as Burma (Myanmar) has moved toward democracy a particular four letter word has repeatedly made an appearance in news stories on the country?s commerce and environment: coal. Lignite coal (soft, highly polluting) is one of a vast array of minerals, from platinum to tin, mined in Burma. Two coal-fired power plants have been established in Burma, and many more are in the works, even as much of the rest of the world (including neighboring China) seeks to close down coal powered facilities and switch to better energy sources. Severe effects on the health and environment of communities near the Tigyit mine and power plant in Shan State and the Ban Chaung mine in southern Burma have been documented. There is very strong local opposition to the coal projects proposed in several regions. During the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, Burma was portrayed as innocent of contributing to Global Warming through emission of greenhouse gasses. There are relatively few petrol-using vehicles and little need to heat buildings. But Burma?s rampant deforestation (the 3rd highest rate in the world, according to the 2015 Global Forest Resources Assessment) constantly decreases the country?s role as beneficial forested "carbon sink." And a turn to coal fired power plants will drastically change the country?s climate impact for the worse. This is particularly unfortunate when Burma has been identified as one of the nations most affected by Climate Change. According to Greenpeace, "Coal fired power plants are the biggest source of man made CO2 emissions. This makes coal energy the single greatest threat facing our climate." In 2015 the think tank Germanwatch ranked Burma second on its Global Climate Risk list due to extreme weather events from 1994 to 2013. Burma?s vulnerabilities include disastrous floods and cyclones as well as fragile habitats, agriculture and watersheds. Respected weather expert Dr. Tun Lwin has warned against coal-fired power plants as a potential contributor to severe climate effects in Burma. This compendium includes links to news articles and reports in English from 2010 to March 2016 regarding coal mining and coal fired power plants in Burma. Links are also provided to some of the organizations opposing coal in Burma. Brief introductions about coal mining and coal fired power plants in Burma are provided, with lists of operating and pending coal projects. This material is intended as a convenient public resource for NGOs, INGOs, journalists and other researchers interested in Burma?s environmental issues, energy sector and mining sector. Project Maje is not responsible for the content of any of the news articles and opinions cited in this report and does not vouch for the accuracy of any of them. Journalists and other researchers needing further information and advice regarding Burma?s environmental issues can contact Project Maje."
Source/publisher: Project Maje
Date of publication: 2016-03-00
Date of entry/update: 2016-05-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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