To do this, it would only be necessary to establish a municipal regulation that requires solar water heaters to be installed on the roof of new constructions.
Taken from Listín Diario
SANTO DOMINGO.- Planet Earth is close to reaching the temperature limit established in the Paris Agreement in 2015. This is the dreaded 1.5 degrees Celsius that would cause a destabilization of the climate system , which in turn would generate more heat, rising sea levels, more diseases, more extreme natural phenomena, and many other events that represent a risk to humanity.
Recent studies indicate that the Earth's current average temperature is between 1.1 and 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This means that global warming could soon reach a point of no return.
“If we continue with the current emissions pattern, we could possibly reach 1.5 degrees between 2030 and 2040,” predicted Michela Izzo, executive director of the organization Guakía Ambiente, during a meeting at Listín Diario.
Izzo was accompanied by María Eugenia Morales, Environment Officer of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); María Alicia Urbaneja, Executive Director of the National Business Support Network for Environmental Protection (Ecored); and Stephany Morillo, from the Federation of Farmers Towards Progress of Bonao, Monseñor Nouel province.
Recently at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Glasgow, Scotland, an agreement was reached that establishes the guidelines to follow at the global level to contain the increase in temperature; however, each country in particular has the commitment to adopt measures to contribute to this objective.
Izzo explained that despite all the agreements made so far, greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow steadily. He also indicated that while achieving the goal requires a joint effort, each country has a responsibility to contribute individually.
Small actions
Although the Dominican Republic's contribution to global warming is minimal (less than 1%), with small actions, combined with those of other countries, it can help mitigate climate change.
One of these solutions is replacing electric water heaters with solar-powered heating systems, Izzo explained. Izzo questioned why, given the significant solar potential in various parts of the country, such as Santo Domingo, electric water heaters continue to be installed.
“There are changes that are structural and need time, but there are others that are simple and one doesn't understand why they haven't been implemented yet,” he said.
He indicated that to do this it would only be necessary to establish a municipal regulation that would require solar water heaters to be installed on the roof of new constructions.
“We have a problem cooling our buildings, and by installing electric heaters we're converting a valuable form of energy into heat,” he explained. Izzo believes that measures like this don't require a large investment or substantial changes, but simply a decision and its implementation.
A larger, but more complex, measure is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the energy sector, considered one of the most polluting. Izzo noted that the Dominican Republic's energy matrix relies on fossil fuels for more than 70% of its energy needs.
The gases will remain
UNDP Environment Officer Maria Eugenia Morales emphasized the urgency of reducing emissions now because even if humanity were to stop emitting greenhouse gases, those already in the atmosphere could remain there for thousands of years and continue to have effects on the climate.
“ Climate change scenarios present us with a more complex future than the one we have today. We must be prepared. We must also factor into that preparation the risk that is going to increase or is already growing,” he suggested.
Ecored
The executive director of the National Business Support Network for Environmental Protection (Ecored), María Alicia Urbaneja, highlighted that the country has made considerable progress in transforming its energy matrix and that the business sector is now more aware of climate change.
However, he considered it necessary to create public policies on adaptation, educate consumers, and encourage companies to take preventive actions.
