Abstract
The burning of fossil fuels has contributed not only to pollution in all spheres of life, but also increased the Earth’s surface temperature. Another problem with fossil fuels is that they are randomly distributed across the world, and that causes the need for transportation of oil barrels, thus resulting in more pollution. Moreover, in poor countries that extract petrol, like Nigeria, theft and vandalism of pipes is common. Many wars can also be attributed to the hunt for oil, as is the case in the Middle East. In 2015, 179 nations signed the Paris Agreement whereby major emitting countries, committed to cut their greenhouse gas pollution, in order to limit global temperature increase of 1.5 - 2 C above preindustrial levels. Developed nations also committed to help developing nations mitigate their impacts and adapt through a framework. This is essential because many countries that have substantial biomass for fuels often lack the infrastructure necessary for biotechnology research, and this is how developed nations can intervene by growing themselves and helping other countries grow. In this paper we discuss the role of research and development in the areas of biofuels and waste management, both key challenges of climate change as expressed in the Paris Agreement, and how they can actually be solved simultaneously with environmental biotechnology methods in alignment with SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). Specifically, the new generations of biofuels which employ waste as an input, rather than food crops, are preferrable.
Presenters
Mahnaz Mazaheri AssadiLecturer, Engineering for Professionals, Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Maryland, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Biofuel,Sustainable Development Goal, Climate Change
