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[[Category:Heidelberg]]
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The climate of the planet we call home is changing. The climate has been changing ever since the earth formed<ref>http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24021772</ref>. However, this period of climate change is different. Due to the fact that humans have been burning fossil fuels at a rapid rate, the levels of, amongst other pollutants, CO2 has increased drastically since the industrial revolution<ref>http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/human-contribution-to-gw-faq.html#.WT6dbROGORt</ref>. A large majority (around 97%) of climate scientists agree that global warming is due to human actions<ref>https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/</ref>. There is a small minority of politicians and other public figures who deny climate change, some going so far as to say climate change is not occurring at all<ref>https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/265895292191248385</ref>.
Stopping the detrimental effects of human-caused climate change is essential for the very existence of humankind and the planet as a whole<ref>https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/effects-climate-change</ref>. The inhabitants of low-lying countries (e.g. Bangladesh, Vietnam and The Netherlands) have to live with the ever increasing danger of the rising seas. But not only low-lying countries face the imminent threat of climate change<ref>https://weather.com/science/environment/news/20-countries-most-risk-sea-level-rise-20140924</ref>. Climate change results in droughts, extreme weather and lower crop yields, all due to the ever-increasing burning of fossil fuels and emission of pollutants by humans<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/climate_change/describing_climatic_trends_rev3.shtml</ref>. It is essential to maintain the liveability of our planet, for humans and the many vulnerable species of animals and plants that provide the basis of ecosystems and our agriculture<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/critical-10-species-at-risk-climate-change-endangered-world</ref> <ref>http://bioenv.gu.se/digitalAssets/1432/1432197_fantahun.pdf</ref>. The consistent increase of greenhouse gas emission <ref>https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/</ref> can only be stopped by human intervention, utilising legislation and international treaties in order to reach various goals concerning global warming. The very livelihood of all that inhabits our planet is at stake, making this issue very impending and pressing to solve on an international basis.
== Key conflicts ==
There are many viable ways to combat climate change, many of which are centralised in the ways we use our energy. Nowadays most of our energy is obtained from oil and other fossil fuels<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_consumption</ref>. Despite the threat that climate change and its detrimental effects pose to us, many conflicts have sprung up that make the energy transition from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources more difficult.
=== Sustainability vs. competitiveness ===
Fossil fuels have been the main suppliers of our energy since the dawn of the industrial revolution. The initial costs of investing in renewable energy sources over the already existing fossil fuel facilities are very high. A high investment is necessary in order to see profits from renewable energy. This makes renewables less attractive for investors, as corporations generally attempt to make as much profit as possible. Another facet to this issue is the immaturity of renewable energy technology. Fossil fuels have been a major part of the energy provision and renewable energy is relatively still in its infancy<ref>http://greenecon.net/understanding-the-cost-of-solar-energy/energy_economics.html</ref>.
=== Political barriers ===
=== Irregularity of supply ===
The weather can vary from day to day, sometimes changing from sunny to overcast within mere hours. This makes it very difficult to rely on a single renewable energy source, the supply may take a downturn whilst the demand remains high. This poses a threat to the reliability of renewable energy and its supply. A solution can be sought in having back-up systems based on fossil fuels or finding a mix of (renewable) energy sources which can make for a steady supply of energy, even on cloudy days without too much wind. However, the advancement of technology may provide us with ways to supply all of our energy using renewable energy <ref>http://www.vanadiumcorp.com/news/blog/168-flow-battery-could-smooth-irregular-wind-and-solar-energy-supply</ref> <ref>https://corporate.vattenfall.com/about-energy/renewable-energy-sources/</ref>.
=== Social objections ===