The articles taken for this critique, are three in number, and are relevant to the technologies being used for the solving of climate problems in the world, for the upcoming fifty years. The first article is written by members of the Princeton University, the second is a review only by Pacala and Socolow, and the third article is a collective effort of four authors who have included the technologies available to curb carbon dioxide emissions.
In the first article, the writers have given information about how the world is suffering due to the substantial amounts of carbon dioxide emissions and its various sources. The ‘Stabilization Triangle’ has been illustrated, with two paths, one, showing a consistent path of carbon dioxide emissions, and the other, showing a tripling of that concentration. The ‘wedge’ has been used as the unit of mitigation, and it has been recommended by these authors as a useful unit of activity for visualizing carbon management.
The stabilization triangle has been filled with seven of these wedges, and a triangle can be filled up with a combination of different wedges, it has been told. They have also informed us that it is more difficult to decarbonize fuel, than electric power. There are not many details given on this front, which should have been provided for amateur readers to gain proper knowledge.
The second article is also inclusive of the stabilization triangle, but has provided options that may produce wedges. It is a detailed review, containing matter on fossil fuels, and carbon dioxide emissions, plus a chart has been provided which demonstrates strategies that may be undertaken to reduce emission of carbon dioxide, in the next fifty years. At the end of the article, a viewpoint has been given on ‘Sustainable Hydrogen Production’.
This review includes the advantages of hydrogen, and how easily it can be obtained by water. The author describes how beneficial it would be to have a hydrogen economy, by coal gasification, biomass processing, and by natural gas. It is a good article on the whole, and would prove worthy of reading, to anyone who is interested in carrying out research in such topics.
The third article taken for critique is mainly inclusive of the technologies available for elimination, or reduction, of carbon dioxide production. The authors tell us that they have taken a period of fifty years, as this time span is sufficient for changes to be carried out in infrastructure, and consumption patterns. The strategies that may be used filling up the wedges for carbon mitigation, are divided into five categories, and a detail of the following categories are given:
- Energy conservation.
- Renewable energy.
- Enhanced natural sinks.
- Nuclear management.
- Fossil carbon management.
A detail on the oceans and terrestrial ecosystems has been provided in this article, which illustrates that if the current situation is to persist, the levels of carbon in the atmosphere will rise greatly, and how a difference can be created after the stabilization process. It is an immensely detailed article of how carbon reduction can take place, and how we can exercise with technology, to provide ourselves and our future generations a healthy atmosphere. However, article does not detail any barriers related with implementing such technology and the cost incurred. As today the biggest threat is carbon emulsions in third world country and heavy cost related with use of technology will prevent third world countries to benefit from it.
References
Greenblatt, Socolow, Pacala. “Wedges”: Early Mitigation With Familiar Technology. 2004. Web.
Pacala, Socolow. “Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies” 2004. Web.
Socolow, Hotinski, Pacala, Greenblatt. “Solving the Climate Problem” 2004. Web.