Climate Change

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions have increased significantly since the Industrial Revolution, coinciding with a sharp increase in global temperatures and extreme weather events that threaten many ecosystems. While many activities contribute to this increase in CO₂, fossil fuels are one of the primary stressors as energy demand is constantly rising. Governments commonly attempt to reduce emissions by setting caps and allowing companies to buy credits from one another, to encourage CO₂ reduction practices. Another way to reduce emissions is by moving electricity generation to renewable energy sources that includes wind energy and marine renewable energy instead of oil and gas. The environmental risks associated with these renewable energy devices must be balanced against the risk of climate change. Beyond significant reductions in CO₂ emissions, offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices may contribute further benefits, including reductions in coastal erosion and coastal flooding.