The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Saturday, June 16, 2018

EU deal to end palm-oil transport fuel

Click HERE

Palm oil, being a form of biofuel, is actually considered a solution to global warming as the use of biofuels emits much less carbon dioxide compared to the burning of fossil fuels. However, the problem is that the growing and production of biofuels (i.e. palm oil) actually releases carbon into the air due to deforestation to clear land for planting the crop. It is not just the destruction of trees (esp the peatlands in Indonesia which serve as 'carbon sink' to trap carbon in the ground) but also the method of clearing the land -- think the haze from Indonesia. Also, the planting of biofuels results in the drainage of the peatlands, causing the emission of nitrous oxide -- a greenhouse gas:
"palm oil and soya bean oil had the highest indirect greenhouse gas emissions because of the deforestation and the drainage of peatlands associated with their cultivation."


Useful stats to know about the EU's commitment under the Paris Agreeemnt; Singapore's commitment under the same agreement is to reduce carbon emissions by 37% by 2030:
"Under the Paris climate deal struck in December 2015, the EU pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and make renewable energy account for 27 per cent of energy use."

Qn: Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. (Cam. 2017)