By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Carbon emissions are dangerous such that it threatens the livelihood of our planet, animals, humans and ultimately, life.
The amount of carbon emissions trapped in our atmosphere causes global warming, which causes climate change, symptoms of which include melting of the polar ice caps, the rising of sea levels, the disturbance of animals’ natural habitats, extreme weather events, and so many more negative side effects that are dangerous to the planet, to human and animal life, and to our future.
Taking example from one of Nigeria’s biggest cities, Port Harcourt, industrial emissions are high as a result of various industrial companies involved in activities that contribute to carbon emissions.
NatureNews gathered that a major source of carbon emission that has ravaged the environment of the city is illegal oil refining activities in the state, thereby causing soot.
Another thing contributing to carbon emissions is also industrial activities.
NatureNews correspondent who visited Dufil industry, producers of popular indomie noodles, at Choba, Obio Akpor Local government of Rivers State, made efforts last week Thursday to speak with the spokesman of the company on how they manage industrial emission.
But efforts proved abortive as NatureNews correspondent couldn’t reach the Director of legal, tax and Corporate Affairs.
However, in a report by the U.S. Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions, greenhouse gas emissions also come from industrial sources, such as manufacturing, food processing, mining, and construction.
These direct emissions result from diverse processes, including the on-site combustion of fossil fuels for heat and power, non-energy use of fossil fuels, and chemical processes used in iron, steel, and cement production.
In addition, industry generates indirect emissions from the centrally generated electricity it consumes.
The industrial sector makes up about one quarter of total U.S. electricity sales. If direct and indirect emissions are combined, the industrial sector is the largest emitting sector in the U.S. economy, responsible for 29.3 percent of total emissions.
In Reducing Industrial Emissions, the Centre advised that energy efficiency, fuel switching, combined heat and power, use of renewable energy, and the more efficient use and recycling of materials are ways industries can adopt to control industry emissions.
Also, many industrial processes have no existing low-emission alternative and will require carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions over the long term.
Also, the National Policy on Climate Change 2013, developed by the Nigeria’s Ministry of Environment is a strategic policy response to climate change that aims to fosters low- carbon, high growth economic development path and build a climate-resilient society through the attainment of set targets.
The climate actions strategic climate change action (2011-2020) pillar include among others are:
• Develop a strategic energy plan and investment portfolio.
• Increase the renewable energy mix.
• Partnership with developed countries and private sector to facilitate technology transfer.
• Expand the social forestry programme on government and community lands.
• Review energy and technology polices and incentives.