How can we fight climate change by reducing the amount of energy from buildings and transportation? This is what a recent study published in Nature Energy hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated how demand-side techniques, which focus on how energy is used, from buildings and transportation could help cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study has the potential to help researchers, climate scientists, legislators, and the public better understand the steps we can take to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing our carbon footprint.
For the study, the researchers used a series of global Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) to simulate how three demand-side approaches could reduce GHG emissions: human discipline in energy use, technological advancements in efficiency, and electrical output advancements, along with incorporating input obtained from climate experts and policymakers. In the end, the researchers found that GHG could be reduced for buildings and transportation by 51 to 85 percent and 37 to 91 percent, respectively.
“Demand-side strategies are essential for achieving both rapid and significant emission cuts,” said Dr. Alessio Mastrucci, who is a senior research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and a co-author on the study. “Such strategies could help governments address the root causes of emissions directly, as well as lower energy demand and reduce the need for costly supply-side investments and infrastructure.”
Demand-side strategies essentially emphasize human responsibility and discipline in energy use with the long-term goal of reducing GHG emissions. Specific steps that can be taken include encouraging individuals to use public transportation and cycling over automobiles while increasing production of electric vehicles (EVs) over gas-powered vehicles.
How will demand-focused strategies help fight climate change in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Nature Energy, EurekAlert!