OLUSEGUN AGAGU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

APPLIED THERMODYNAMICS

CAN A SWITCH TO RENEWABLE ENERGY HELP COMBAT GLOBAL

WARMING?

OGUNESAN ELIJAH DAMILOLA

MEE/19/051
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to the Almighty for His guidance and wisdom throughout
the research process on this topic. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Prof. Bisi
Akinola for their invaluable mentorship and support in shaping this study. His expertise and
dedication have enriched the depth and quality of this research.
 ABSTRACT

Global warming, driven primarily by the combustion of fossil fuels, remains one of the most
pressing challenges facing humanity today. This paper explores the critical question of whether
transitioning to renewable energy sources can effectively mitigate the adverse impacts of global
warming. To address this inquiry, the study examines the current state of renewable energy
technologies and their environmental implications, evaluates their potential to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, and considers the socio-economic factors influencing their adoption. Additionally,
the paper delves into the challenges and obstacles associated with the transition to renewables,
including technological limitations, economic considerations, and political barriers. The research
synthesizes evidence from both global and regional case studies to provide a comprehensive
analysis of the viability and potential effectiveness of renewable energy as a tool to combat
global warming. The findings suggest that transitioning to renewable energy sources can
significantly contribute to mitigating global warming, but successful implementation hinges on a
coordinated effort involving technological innovation, policy support, and public engagement.
Ultimately, this paper underscores the urgent need for a concerted global commitment to
accelerate the transition to renewable energy as a key strategy in the fight against global
warming.
 Introduction

Global warming is a term that describes the phenomenon of increasing average air temperatures
near the surface of Earth over the past one to two centuries. It is caused by the accumulation of
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, in the
atmosphere. These gases trap heat that would otherwise escape into space, creating a greenhouse
effect that warms the planet. Global warming is one of the main drivers of climate change, which
refers to the complex shifts affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change
encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting
wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts.

The main source of global warming emissions is the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and
gas, for electricity, transportation, industry, and other human activities. According to the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a scientific body that assesses the state of
knowledge on climate change, human activities have been responsible for a worldwide average
temperature increase between 0.8 and 1.2 °C (1.4 and 2.2 °F) since preindustrial times¹.
The IPCC also projects that global warming will likely reach 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above preindustrial
levels by 2030 if current emission trends continue². This level of warming is considered a critical
threshold to avoid some of the most severe and irreversible consequences of climate change,
such as widespread loss of biodiversity, increased risk of droughts and floods, reduced food
security, and more. This article explores the evolution of global warming over the years and
emphasizes the pivotal role that renewable energy sources can play in mitigating its adverse
effects.

The concept of the greenhouse effect, which is the trapping of heat by certain gases in the
atmosphere, was first described by Joseph Fourier in 1824. He realized that the Earth's
temperature was influenced by the presence of the atmosphere, which allowed sunlight to pass
through but blocked some of the heat from escaping back to space. The first scientist to suggest
that human activities could increase the greenhouse effect and cause global warming was Svante
Arrhenius in 1896. He calculated that doubling the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2), one
of the main greenhouse gases, would raise the Earth's temperature by a few degrees Celsius. He
thought this might be beneficial for future generations, as it would prevent another ice age.

The first systematic measurements of atmospheric CO2 were started by Charles David Keeling
in 1958 at Mauna Loa in Hawaii and Antarctica¹. He discovered that CO2 levels were rising
steadily every year, creating a curve that became known as the Keeling Curve³. This showed that
human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, were adding more CO2 to the
atmosphere than natural processes could remove. The first international organization to assess
the scientific evidence and impacts of climate change was the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC), which was formed in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The IPCC has produced six
assessment reports so far, synthesizing the findings of thousands of peer-reviewed studies from
around the world.

The latest report, AR6, was published in 2021 and stated that human influence is the dominant
cause of global warming since the pre-industrial period. The first global treaty to address climate
change was the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which
was adopted in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro¹. The UNFCCC aimed to stabilize
greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the
climate system. Under the UNFCCC, several agreements have been made to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, such as the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and the Paris Agreement in 2015.

The most striking evidence of climate change at regional and global scales has appeared since
the late 20th century, such as the decline in Arctic sea ice extent, the rise in sea level, the
increase in extreme weather events, and the warming of oceans and land surfaces. According to
AR6, the global average surface temperature has increased by 1.07 °C (1.9 °F) between 1850 and
2019, and it is likely to reach or exceed 1.5 °C (2.7 °F) above pre-industrial levels by 2040 under
all emission scenarios³. This level of warming is considered a threshold for avoiding some of the
worst impacts of climate change, such as widespread coral bleaching, loss of biodiversity, and
food insecurity.

One of the most effective ways to combat global warming and its effects is to transition from
fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are those that are derived
from natural processes that are replenished constantly, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric,
biomass, and geothermal power. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy sources produce little to
no greenhouse gas emissions when generating electricity or heat. They also have other benefits
for the environment, such as reducing air pollution and water consumption, enhancing energy
security and diversity, creating jobs and economic opportunities, and improving public health³⁴.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy

accounted for about 26% of global electricity generation in 2018⁵. However, this share needs to
increase significantly to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, a global treaty that aims to limit
global warming to well below 2 °C (3.6 °F), preferably 1.5 °C (2.7 °F), above preindustrial
levels by 2100⁶. IRENA estimates that renewable energy would need to supply at least 86% of
global electricity by 2050 to achieve this target⁷. This would require a rapid and sustained
expansion of renewable energy capacity, as well as improvements in energy efficiency, grid
integration, storage technologies, and policy frameworks.

Renewable energy is not only a solution to global warming but also an opportunity for
innovation and development. By harnessing the power of nature, we can create a cleaner, safer,
and more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.
 CHAPTER 1

GLOBAL WARMING AND THE THREAT IT POSES

Global Warming Effects

Global warming is a serious issue that affects the Earth's climate and ecosystems. It is caused by
the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from human activities such as
burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. Some of the effects of global warming are:

1. Rising temperatures: The global average surface temperature has increased by about 1.1
degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. This warming is unevenly distributed across
the globe, with some regions experiencing more heat than others. Higher temperatures
can lead to heat waves, droughts, wildfires, reduced snow cover, and melting glaciers and
ice sheets.

2. Changing precipitation patterns: Global warming alters the distribution and intensity of
rainfall and snowfall around the world. Some areas may experience more frequent and
severe floods, while others may face water shortages and crop failures. Extreme
precipitation events can also increase the risk of landslides, soil erosion, and waterborne
diseases.

3. Rising sea levels: As the oceans absorb heat from the atmosphere, they expand and cause
sea levels to rise. Additionally, melting glaciers and ice sheets add more water to the
oceans. Sea level rise threatens coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems with
flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm surges.

4. Ocean acidification: The oceans also absorb about a quarter of the carbon dioxide emitted
by human activities, which lowers their pH and makes them more acidic. Ocean
acidification affects the growth and survival of marine organisms, especially those that
build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as corals, mollusks, and plankton².
This can have negative impacts on marine food webs, fisheries, and biodiversity.
 5. Loss of biodiversity: Global warming poses a major threat to the diversity of life on
Earth. Many species are unable to adapt or migrate fast enough to cope with the changing
climate and habitats. Some may face extinction or population decline due to habitat loss,
fragmentation, invasion, disease, competition, or predation. Biodiversity loss can reduce
the resilience and productivity of ecosystems and affect the provision of ecosystem
services such as pollination, pest control, water purification, and carbon sequestration.

6. Human health and well-being: Global warming can also affect human health and well-
being in various ways. Some of the health risks include heat stress, respiratory problems,
infectious diseases, malnutrition, mental stress, and displacement. Global warming can
also exacerbate social and economic inequalities, conflicts, migration, and human rights
violations.

Fig 1 – global warming effects

According to NASA, the Earth average temperature has increased about 1 degree Fahrenheit
during the 20th century (Global Climate Change: Effects). That might sound like it isn’t a great
change, but its effects on our environment have proven otherwise. The impacts of this small
change in the temperature are many, from longer drought seasons and heat waves to more
aggressive hurricanes (Global Climate Change: Effects). Furthermore, the increase in the earth’s
average temperature created a variety of problems that left a lasting scar on our environment
(Global Climate Change: Effects)

According to Holli Riebeek, the author of “Global Warming,” nature also contribute to climate
change by emitting CO2 from volcanos. Don Wuebbles, a coordinating lead author and
contributor to a number of the reports of the International Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, and a Professor of
Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, stated, “Volcanos used
to release CO2 many millions years ago. Back where dinosaurs existed, we had levels of CO2
that is approximately similar to what we have now because of the CO2 emitted by volcanos.
Climate change has affected many aspects of our planet. One aspect that has been greatly
affected by climate change is the weather. In Romania, for instance, extreme weather events
have multiplied since 2002. Burghila et al. stated in “Climate Change Effects- Where to Next?”,
that the country’s 2007 drought was the severest in 60 years (408). By increasing the
concentration of the greenhouse gases, we are increasing the amount of heat that is in our
atmosphere (NASA). Hurricanes have also become more aggressive largely because of warmer
temperatures that mainly resulted from the emission of greenhouse gases. Warmer temperatures
result in warmer water in the oceans. As the result of warmer oceans, hurricanes and tornados
become more intense. Wuebbles stated, “Warmer atmosphere result in more energy in the
atmosphere.

When hurricanes start, they usually pick up energy from the oceans and as the result of warmer
water in the oceans because of greenhouse effect, hurricanes have more energy. Therefore,
hurricanes become more intense. Now if the water was colder that gives less energy to hurricanes
and make it less intense” (phone interview). Also, warmer temperature means the atmosphere
holds more water vapor and that makes rainfalls more extreme and intense (Riebeek). Climate
change also resulted in playing a major role in shrinking of ice sheets (Riebeek). The melting of
ice results in the rise of sea levels and that endangers many islands to disappear completely
(Riebeek).

According to NASA, up to 10 percent of the world’s population lives in areas where there about
30 feet above sea level (NASA). Furthermore, Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets are
melting about 125 billion tons of ice per year (Riebeek). Wuebbles said, “As the earth warming
its leading to melting more ice and glaciers. We could see as much as 6 feet sea level rise in this
century” (Phone interview).
According to Weiwei Mo, Haiying Wang, Jennifer M. Jacobs in “Understanding the influence of
climate change on the embodied” the energy of water supply is commonly perceived that climate
change has a negative impact on water quantity and quality as well as drinking water treatment.

However, some issues such as, geographical locations, local water resources, and water
technologies that could potentially influence the effect of climate change on drinking water
supply are still unsettled.

Weiwei, Haiying, and Jacobs also stated that their study was performed on a selected water
supply system located in northeast US. Multivariate regression analyses were implemented to
test the statistical correlation, among monthly life cycle energy consumptions, three indicators of
water quality (UV254, PH and water temperature) and five climate indicators (monthly mean
temperature, monthly mean maximum/minimum temperature, total precipitation, and total snow
fall) (221).
The study also concluded that most of the variations in chemical and energy uses were attributed
to water quality and climate variations except for the use of soda ash. The study also found that
future climate change might slightly reduce energy and chemical uses under both the highest
emission and the lowest emission levels generated by the intergovernmental panel on climate
change (IPCC). Another major finding of this study that the effects of climate change on the
volumetric life cycle energy use in the water supply (reduction by 3-6%) could outweigh the
increase in demand for water due to a warmer climate in the case of study system by the end of
the century.
 CHAPTER 2

THE ROLE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN COMBATING THESE PROBLEMS

Renewable Energy Development in Recent Years

Renewable energy development is the process of expanding the use of renewable energy sources,
such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power, to generate electricity, heat, or fuel.
Renewable energy development has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by various
factors such as environmental concerns, technological innovations, policy support, and cost
reductions.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy accounted for about
26% of global electricity generation in 2018. However, this share needs to increase significantly
to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, a global treaty that aims to limit global warming to
well below 2 °C (3.6 °F), preferably 1.5 °C (2.7 °F), above preindustrial levels by 2100. The IEA
estimates that renewable energy would need to supply at least 86% of global electricity by 2050
to achieve this target.

To reach this level of renewable energy deployment, the IEA projects that annual additions to
global renewable electricity capacity will average around 305 GW per year between 2021 and
2026 in its main case forecast³. This implies an acceleration of almost 60% compared to
renewables’ expansion over the last five years. Solar PV and wind are expected to contribute
two-thirds of renewables growth, followed by hydropower and bioenergy. The IEA also expects
renewable electricity generation to expand by more than 8% in 2021 to reach 8 300 TWh, the
fastest year-on-year growth since the 1970s². The rapid growth of renewable energy development
is supported by various factors, such as:

- Technological innovation and learning-by-doing effects that have reduced the costs and
improved the performance of renewable energy technologies. For example, the leveled cost of
electricity (LCOE) from utility-scale solar PV has fallen by more than 80% since 2010⁴.
- Policy support and incentives that have created favorable market conditions and regulatory
frameworks for renewable energy deployment. For example, many countries have adopted feed-
in tariffs, auctions, tax credits, quotas, or net metering schemes to promote renewable energy
development⁴.

- Environmental awareness and social acceptance that have increased the demand for clean and
sustainable energy sources. For example, many consumers, businesses, and governments have
set voluntary or mandatory targets to increase their share of renewable energy consumption or
production.

Renewable Energy as a Solution to Global Warming

Energy diversification as one of the action plans in an effort to overcome the government's
climate change is contained in Presidential Regulation Number 61 concerning action plans for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesia's target is to reduce GHG emissions by 26% by
2020 based on the “business as usual” scenario. The term greenhouse gas refers to emissions that
are a result of activities carried out in the forestry, peatland, agriculture, energy, industrial and
transportation sectors. From the energy and transportation sector, the government targets an
emission reduction of 0.038 Giga Ton C02e through demand-side management, energy
efficiency, and renewable energy development [16]. In 2019 the Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources targets a reduction in CO2 emissions through energy diversification of 28.48 million
tons. In the period from 2010 to 2016, the achievement of reduced emissions from the energy
sector amounted to 33.95 million tons of CO2.
In 2017, the development of renewable energy sources through the construction of electricity
generation using geothermal energy contributed the highest number with a capacity of 128 MW,
followed by a plant from biomass of 138.6 MW, solar power of 24,745 MW, mini hydro of 20
MW, Micro hydro of 6.33 MW, and hybrid sources of 3,673 MW. This development showed a
positive trend compared to the previous years. Emission reduction from the construction of
renewable energy sources also showed an increase where in 2017, the reduction of emissions
from geothermal plants was 621,718, 72 TonsCO2, followed by emissions reductions from micro
hydro plants of 88,529.44 TonsCO2. Likewise, the plants from the source of Mini hydro, Solar
Cell, Biomass and Hybrid showed an increase in the amount of emission reduction.
 CHAPTER 3

The Transition to Renewable Energy

Within the overall structure of the preparations for the High-level Dialogue on Energy, the
energy transition theme focuses on why a major transformation of the energy sector is required
and how it can be implemented in a just manner that reflects different national circumstances and
opportunities. Energy access issues are addressed in a separate thematic paper, as are links to
other SDGs and cross-cutting issues such as technology, innovation, and finance. These aspects
are thus referenced here, but not addressed in depth manner.

A transformation of the energy sector offers opportunities for sustained economic development,
social inclusion, energy security, improved health, job creation, and other societal benefits. Such
opportunities will be achieved only if the transformation is implemented in a just and inclusive
manner. Although governments need to take the lead on goalsetting and process, involvement of
the private sector, cities, and wider civil society, including youth, is essential for the design of a
balanced and just transition process that is aligned with SDG7 and meets multiple economic and
social priorities.

The need to address climate change is the major driver for a transition from an energy sector
dominated by fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy sources. The energy sector is
currently the main emitter of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). To meet the goals of the Paris
Agreement, GHG emissions from that sector need to be reduced quickly and eliminated by mid-
century.

Fundamental technology changes and rapid reductions in technology costs are providing a
foundation for emerging energy-sector transitions in many countries. This process is supported
by market-driven growth of renewable energy installations and increased focus on energy
efficiency, including in end-use sectors like industry, agriculture, buildings, appliances, and
transport. Digital technology solutions provide new opportunities for integrating supply and
demand, thereby accelerating the shift towards electrification of more end uses, including parts
of the transport sector.

The energy sector is facing a series of interlinked challenges:

• Rising populations and economic growth are increasing demand for energy services.
• Providing access to modern energy for the roughly 700 million people who are currently
unserved will require new power capacity and infrastructure expansion in countries with
limited means of financing the required investments.
• The energy sector accounts for approximately 65% of total global GHG emissions;2 these
need to be reduced dramatically, and eventually eliminated, to meet the goals of the Paris
Agreement.
• Energy systems must become increasingly resilient to future economic and environmental
shocks.
• A massive shift from a highly centralized energy sector to increasingly decentralized
energy production brings new participants into the energy value chain—including
citizens—who can both produce and consume energy.
• Increased electrification of end-uses, such as transport, will significantly increase
electricity demand.

To meet these challenges, a major transition of the energy sector is required in all countries.
Massive efforts will be needed to increase energy efficiency and productivity, facilitate changes
in consumption patterns and lifestyle choices, and expand renewable energy for power supply
and direct use within and across regions. Simultaneously, there is a need to change and expand
the electricity sector infrastructure to allow for increased use of variable sources, system
flexibility, and electrification of new services, mainly for transport. The good news is that many
solutions already exist, and in some countries and regions, transitions are already under way and
being expanded and scaled up. It is recognized, however, that the pace and scale of transition is
country-specific, reflecting each country's circumstances, including the finance available.
Moreover, expanded innovation in technologies, business models, and market solutions is needed
to continuously improve the existing options and fill the gaps for a decarbonized energy system
by 2050.

Energy sector goals for 2030 have generally been defined in SDG7:

• Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

• Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

• Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

To support the transformation processes, enhanced international cooperation is essential to

facilitate the sharing of experiences and access to clean energy research and technology,
including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and advanced hydrogen and biofuel technologies.
Regional collaboration on integrated power markets and investment in regional integration of
energy infrastructures is emerging in several parts of the world and needs to be strengthened. In
this regard, South–South cooperation can play a significant role, especially in the exchange of
experiences and best practices.

It is vital for concrete progress towards the SDG7 goals to be achieved by 2025, as the ability to
advance other sustainable development goals hinges on energy. A successful energy sector
transition stimulates economic growth and creates new employment opportunities.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the transition to renewable energy sources emerges as a pivotal strategy in the
global effort to combat the pressing issue of global warming. As our study has highlighted,
renewable energy technologies offer significant promise in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. However, this transition is not without its
challenges, including technological limitations, economic considerations, and political barriers.

To successfully harness the potential of renewable energy, concerted efforts are needed on
multiple fronts. This includes continued research and development to enhance the efficiency and
affordability of renewable technologies, supportive policies and incentives to facilitate their
widespread adoption, and public engagement and awareness campaigns to foster a culture of
sustainability.

Ultimately, the question of whether a switch to renewable energy can combat global warming is
not one of capability but of commitment. It requires a collective global dedication to address
climate change, recognizing that the switch to renewables represents a critical step towards a
more sustainable and resilient future for our planet.
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