Carbon Zero
Global climate change can no longer be denied. Effects that scientists predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea-level rise, and longer, more intense heat waves. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gases produced by human activities. The IPCC, which includes more than 1,300 scientists from the United States and other countries, forecasts a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit over the next century.
The Fourth National Climate Assessment makes clear that human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. For the warming over the last century, there is no convincing alternative explanation supported by the extent of the observational evidence.
In the area of scientific research, AISMA intends to direct efforts to understanding and developing solutions for our warming planet. This will include methods to reduce CO2, which contributes to Greenhouse gases. Mitigation strategies include technologies that allow for the effective retrofitting of buildings to make them more energy efficient; adopting renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and small hydro; helping cities develop more sustainable transport such as bus rapid transit, electric vehicles, and biofuels; and promoting more sustainable uses of land and forests as well as oceans.
About 1.4 billion people around the world rely on traditional fuels like coal and wood to meet their basic energy needs. This is not only harmful to the environment; it can also led to premature deaths for millions of people, especially women and children.
There is an existential threat facing all life on our planet. It is human stewards that are in a unique position to bring change through varying technologies. It is to this ideal that AISMA must dedicate itself.
So what can we do?