Why the Global Warming Skeptics Are Wrong

March 22, 2012

William D. Nordhaus

Suppose we were thinking about two policies. Policy A has a small investment in abatement of CO2 emissions. It costs relatively little (say $1 billion) but has substantial benefits (say $10 billion), for a net benefit of $9 billion. Now compare this with a very effective and larger investment, Policy B. This second investment costs more (say $10 billion) but has substantial benefits (say $50 billion), for a net benefit of $40 billion. B is preferable because it has higher net benefits ($40 billion for B as compared with $9 for A), but A has a higher benefit-cost ratio (a ratio of 10 for A as compared with 5 for B). This example shows why we should, in designing the most effective policies, look at benefits minus costs, not benefits divided by costs.

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams (mg). By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.  Most makers of light bulbs have reduced mercury in their fluorescent lighting products. Thanks to technology advances and a commitment from members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the average mercury content in CFLs has dropped at least 20 percent or more in the past several years. Some manufacturers have even made further reductions, dropping mercury content to 1 mg per light bulb.

What are mercury emissions caused by humans? EPA estimates the U.S. is responsible for the release of 103 metric tons of mercury emissions each year. More than half of these emissions come from coal-fired electrical power. Mercury released into the air is the main way that mercury gets into water and bio-accumulates in fish. (Eating fish contaminated with mercury is the main way for humans to be exposed.)  Most mercury vapor inside fluorescent light bulbs becomes bound to the inside of the light bulb as it is used. EPA estimates that the rest of the mercury within a CFL – about 11 percent – is released into air or water when it is sent to a landfill, assuming the light bulb is broken. Therefore, if all 272 million CFLs sold in 2009 were sent to a landfill (versus recycled, as a worst case) – they would add 0.12 metric tons, or 0.12 percent, to U.S. mercury
emissions caused by humans
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

Minamata Convention

Update on UN Negotiations towards the Minamata Convention on Mercury

The 3rd round of discussions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC3) took place at the UN HQ in Nairobi, Kenya from 30th October - 6th November 2011. Over 160 country delegations were present, working together to establish a legally binding global instrument on mercury, to be known as the Minamata Convention. Fernando Lugris, Chair of the UN Negotiations, says he is looking forward to having a finalised global treaty in his hand when he launches our festivities at the ICMGP opening ceremony in Edinburgh in 2013.

The negotiations aim to produce a legally binding and comprehensive convention that will reduce mercury emissions from all sources. This includes gold mining, dental practices, chlor-alkali plants, coal combustion, medical uses as well as waste management, storage, fate and transport in the atmosphere and other related issues. Reaching global consensus on such a complex issue is a significant challenge but one which is unifying nations. The Minamata Convention will be a significant and historic document which will include legal requirements for mercury control as well as a financial aspect to ensure that emerging countries and economies in transition can be assisted in their participation.

What is cross cutting

What is a cross cutting issue?

A cross-cutting issue is a complex development challenge that interacts with (cuts across) and compounds core development areas of work.

How to obtain results

To solve any problem in society we need to understand its causes so we can take appropriate action to address it. First, however, the problem must be clearly defined

Great for business CSR

We believe that the following is rather true and is a great for business CSR:

One of the most obvious and surprisingly untapped ways that large companies can support development objectives in the countries and communities in which they operate is through spreading economic opportunity through a variety of small enterprise development, training and business linkage initiatives. Depending on the industry sector and the company’s business model, such initiatives can be supported through all three spheres of company influence: core business activities: social investment and philanthropy; and engagement in the public policy agenda.

Core business activity

Procurement

Agricultural outgrowers schemes

Manufacturing and subcontracting

Outsourcing non core functions and services

Distribution and retail

Franchising and leasing

Financial services provision

Utilities services provision – energy, water, technology

Social investment and philanthropy

Offering basic business training

Technical and vocational training

Volunteering management time

Donating premises, equipment, discards, cut offs

Innovative community financing

Funding research and development

Enterprise education in school

Source: UNIDO

How to buy LED Lighting

Before you embark on changing all your lights in your house to LED we urge that you take the time to learn what a good product is. A good LED light has the following features:

•transient voltage suppression chip

•certified to ROHS/CE/TUV/VDE standards where applicable

•high power factor where applicable

•Impose a certain IPXX rating where applicable

•Lifetime is not ideal as there is no validated way to translate the lumen maintenance curve of an individual LED module or LED luminaire.

•Complaince to IEC 62031 edition 1 publication 2008 for safety standards for LED modules for general lighting

•Compliance to IEC 60598-1 for LED luminaires