What is the Climate Crisis?
Climate change, as defined by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992), principally refers to ‘a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods’.1
The phenomenon is now no stranger to us – globally, we see governments draft green policies, hear about alarming scientific discoveries, and experience the omnipresence of environmental activism on social media. However, how much do we actually know about it, and how serious is it? Let’s find out:
Impacts of Climate Change
Besides the selected effects on temperature, rainfall and sea-level rise borne by our island nation, Climate Change manifests other serious ramifications globally – such as changes in crop yield due to alterations in seasonality, and food and water scarcity.3,4
The impacts of Climate Change are disproportionately borne by developing countries, and will be amplified if we do not revolutionise our ways of life.5 By 2050, if humanity carries on its present course, the Climate Crisis could displace 216 million people and encourage the spread of water borne and zoonotic diseases, as well as engender the extinction of up to half of Earth’s biodiversity.6,7,8,9 Overall, the global economy is set to lose 18% of its Gross Domestic Product.10
Causes of Climate Change
The current and projected ramifications of Climate Change are undeniably dire and unprecedented. However, before pondering solutions, we must first understand the cause of climate change.
While the phenomenon can be attributed to natural factors such as volcanic eruptions and sun activity, there is irrefutable evidence that anthropogenic climate change is driven by our emissions of greenhouse gases (Fig 2).11
With CO2 contributing the most significantly to the greenhouse effect, the reduction of its atmospheric concentration is of paramount focus.13 Ranging from exponential rates of industrialisation, to affluent lifestyles, and greater consumerism, developed countries are responsible for 79% of the world’s emissions and bear the greatest responsibility to reduce them.14 Is there a feasible source we can target?
Ecoline’s Role in The Urgent Need for CO2 Reduction
Air-conditioning as a Feasible Target for CO2 Reduction
Deemed necessitous with increasing ambient temperatures, air conditioning is yet a luxury mostly enjoyed by affluent nations. Unbeknownst to most, air-conditioning is extremely carbon intensive:
‘annual emissions generated from AC use in an HDB flat with four AC units is [nearly 1 tonne] greater than yearly emissions generated from driving a car’ (Muruganathan, 2020 on air-conditioning use in Singapore).15
As a tropical city, air-conditioning accounts for a whopping 20% of Singapore’s carbon emissions.16 The use of air conditioning as a cooling solution has also become highly paradoxical – while the technology does maintain cool indoor temperatures, its soaring consumption spurred by global warming has precipitated greater carbon emissions that exacerbate climate change, ironically driving outdoor temperatures even higher and thereby creating a vicious cycle long-term.17
Despite being a huge contributor to climate change, convincing the population to make changes to their air-conditioning consumption might not be the most feasible way to reduce emissions, especially in affluent and tropical nations. Could there be another solution?
Introducing Ecoline’s Technology
Here at Ecoline, we aim to revolutionise the culture of air-conditioning. Shortly put, our award-winning innovation significantly improves the energy efficiency of air-conditioning, thereby reducing fuel burnt for energy generation and resultant carbon emissions. Here is how our technology works:
- Our patented thermal collector collects released heat from the condenser and harnesses solar and ambient heat to preheat the refrigerant
- Energy required for the compressor to preheat the refrigerant is reduced by 30-55%
- 30-55% reduction in carbon emissions
Though a simple innovation, Ecoline’s solar-thermal cooling system demonstrates huge potential in combating climate change. Since inception in 2014, the installation of over 2000 units has contributed to 15 kilotons of decarbonisation as compared to other household brands, which is equivalent to planting 90,000 trees.18
As a green product, many may think that cost is a barrier to uptake our thermal-comfort solution.19 Is that really the case?
Saving Money with Greener Technologies – Is it Possible?
Surprisingly, our air-conditioning has been proven to trump established brands in terms of cost-efficiency too. This can be explained simply – lower energy consumption means less energy to pay for. In comparison to conventional single/multisplit/VRF inverter systems, with Ecoline you can expect:
- 30-55% electricity savings
- Energy savings over life-cycle equivalent to 75% of the cost price
- ROI of 2 years
Let’s take a look at some testimonies:
Killing two birds with one stone as a cleaner yet highly cost-effective cooling solution, Ecoline’s air-conditioning is a feasible avenue both companies and households can invest in to engage Social Responsibility.
HOW ECOLINE SAVE ENERGY & REDUCE WASTE HEAT
Conclusion
With only 9 years left to prevent a set of irreversible and cataclysmic chain reactions induced by climate change, we must work together to reduce our carbon emissions.20 Choose Ecoline, your green yet cost-effective air-conditioning option!
Besides being a solution to combat the broad, global issue of climate change, can Ecoline serve to target local challenges such as Urban Heat Island? Find out the next post!
References
1 – UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE. (1992). United Nations. https://unfccc.int/files/essential_background/background_publications_htmlpdf/application/pdf/conveng.pdf
2 – Impact of Climate Change in Singapore. (2021). National Climate Change Secretariat. https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/impact-of-climate-change-in-singapore/
3 – Cornrow, J. (2020). Global crop yields projected to drop as temperatures rise, new study finds. ALLIANCE FOR SCIENCE. https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/11/global-crop-yields-projected-to-drop-as-temperatures-rise-new-study-finds/#:~:text=The%20warmer%20temperatures%20associated%20with,decrease%20as%20the%20planet%20warms.
4 – Misra, A. (2014). Climate change and challenges for water and food security. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221260901400020X
5 – Unprecedented Impacts of Climate Change Disproportionately Burdening Developing Countries, Delegate Stresses, as Second Committee Concludes General Debate. (2019). United Nations. https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/gaef3516.doc.htm
6 – Gallucci, M. (2017). Half of the world’s species could become extinct, biologists say. Mashable. https://mashable.com/article/biological-diversity-vatican-conference#inDsUMaICkqO
7 – Tasker, A. & D, Braam. (2021). Positioning zoonotic disease research in forced migration: A systematic literature review of theoretical frameworks and approaches. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0254746
8 – Dakaak, A. (2020). Water Crisis in Refugee Camps. EcoMENA. https://www.ecomena.org/water-crisis-in-refugee-camps/
9 – Climate Change Could Force 216 Million People to Migrate Within Their Own Countries by 2050. (2021). The World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/09/13/climate-change-could-force-216-million-people-to-migrate-within-their-own-countries-by-2050
10 – Marchant, N. (2021). This is how climate change could impact the global economy. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/impact-climate-change-global-gdp/
11 – Denchak, M. & Turrentine, J. (2021). Climate Change: What You Need to Know. The National Resources Defense Council. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/global-climate-change-what-you-need-know#causes
12 – Kunowsky, M., Marco-Lozar, J., & Linares-Solano, A. (2013). Material Demands for Storage Technologies in a Hydrogen Economy. Journal of Renewable Energy. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236331802_Material_Demands_for_Storage_Technologies_in_a_Hydrogen_Economy
13 – Why Does CO2 get Most of the Attention When There are so Many Other Heat-Trapping Gases? (2009). Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/why-does-co2-get-more-attention-other-gases
14 – Developed Countries Are Responsible for 79 Percent of Historical Carbon Emissions. (2015). Centre for Global Development. https://www.cgdev.org/media/who-caused-climate-change-historically
15 – Muruganathan, K. (2020). Commentary: Air-conditioning – the unspoken energy guzzler in Singapore. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/air-con-unit-electricity-energy-carbon-emissions-climate-change-1339326
16 – Hee, J. (2021). Sustainability in Singapore: Eco-friendly aircon alternatives that save on electricity bills too. asiaone. https://www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/sustainability-singapore-eco-friendly-aircon-alternatives-save-electricity-bills-too
17 – Powell, S. (2021). Air conditioning adds to global warming, making us use it more. How to break the vicious cycle. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3120213/air-conditioning-adds-global-warming-making-us-use-it-more-how-break
18 – Reduce your carbon footprint by Planting a tree. (2019). CO2Living. https://co2living.com/reduce-your-carbon-footprint-by-planting-a-tree/
19 – Ivanova, I. (2019). Buying “green” is too pricey for the average consumer. CBS NEWS. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/buying-green-is-too-pricey-for-the-average-consumer/ 20 – Only 11 Years Left to Prevent Irreversible Damage from Climate Change, Speakers Warn during General Assembly High-Level Meeting. (2019). United Nations. https://www.un.org/press/en/2019/ga12131.doc.htm
