6
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
1.3 Environmental Pollution
Presently the world is confronted with the twin crisis of fossil fuel depletion
and environmental concern. Environmental pollution is an important public health problem in most cities of the developing world. Epidemiological
studies show that air pollution in developing countries accounts for tens
of thousands of excess deaths and billions of dollars in medical costs and
lost productivity every year. These losses, and the associated degradation in
quality of life, impose a significant burden on people in all sectors of society,
but especially the poor (Faiz 1996).
Burning of any hydrocarbon fuel produces carbon dioxide, which is accumulated in the atmosphere. CO 2 is a greenhouse gas that is slowly building
in quantity in the atmosphere and it is believed this will raise the temperature of the planet, causing dramatic climate changes. The majority of developed countries have committed to targeted emission reduction through the
Kyota Protocol of 1997, which entered into force in February 2005.
Combustion of hydrocarbon fuel generates both “direct” and “indirect”
greenhouse gases. Direct gases emitted by transport include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and carbonate fuel cells are radiatively active.
The indirect greenhouse gases include carbon monoxide, other oxides of
nitrogen, and nonmethanic volatile organic carbons. These do not have a
strong radiative effect in themselves, but influence atmospheric concentrations of the direct greenhouse gases by, for example, oxidizing to form
CO 2 or contributing to the formation of ozone—a potent direct greenhouse
gas.
The Human Development Report of 2007 says that developed countries
should cut their carbon emissions by 20–30% before 2030 and at least by 80%
by the year 2050. If emissions continue to rise following current trends, then
stocks of the greenhouse emissions will be increasing at 4–5 ppm per year;
by the year 2035, it may almost double the current rate. Accumulated stock
will have risen to 550 ppm. Even without further increases in the rate of
emissions, stocks would reach over 600 ppm by 2050 and 800 ppm by the end
of the twenty-first century. India accounts for 5.5% of CO 2 emissions with the
population of 17.2% world share. The report also says that the developing
countries like India should cut their emissions by 20%. It would stabilize CO 2
equivalent concentration at 450 ppm in the atmosphere, which is currently
at 379 ppm (Human Development Report 2007/2008).
It is expected that burning hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of air produces carbon dioxide and water. But, internal combustion engines do not
completely burn petroleum products. Hence, these engines release unburned
or partially burned/oxidized gases and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
The transport sector is a major contributor of air pollution particularly in cities
and the vehicular pollution is the primary cause of air pollution in the urban
areas (60%), followed by industries (20–30%), and fossil fuels. The pollutants
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
1.3 Environmental Pollution
Presently the world is confronted with the twin crisis of fossil fuel depletion
and environmental concern. Environmental pollution is an important public health problem in most cities of the developing world. Epidemiological
studies show that air pollution in developing countries accounts for tens
of thousands of excess deaths and billions of dollars in medical costs and
lost productivity every year. These losses, and the associated degradation in
quality of life, impose a significant burden on people in all sectors of society,
but especially the poor (Faiz 1996).
Burning of any hydrocarbon fuel produces carbon dioxide, which is accumulated in the atmosphere. CO 2 is a greenhouse gas that is slowly building
in quantity in the atmosphere and it is believed this will raise the temperature of the planet, causing dramatic climate changes. The majority of developed countries have committed to targeted emission reduction through the
Kyota Protocol of 1997, which entered into force in February 2005.
Combustion of hydrocarbon fuel generates both “direct” and “indirect”
greenhouse gases. Direct gases emitted by transport include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and carbonate fuel cells are radiatively active.
The indirect greenhouse gases include carbon monoxide, other oxides of
nitrogen, and nonmethanic volatile organic carbons. These do not have a
strong radiative effect in themselves, but influence atmospheric concentrations of the direct greenhouse gases by, for example, oxidizing to form
CO 2 or contributing to the formation of ozone—a potent direct greenhouse
gas.
The Human Development Report of 2007 says that developed countries
should cut their carbon emissions by 20–30% before 2030 and at least by 80%
by the year 2050. If emissions continue to rise following current trends, then
stocks of the greenhouse emissions will be increasing at 4–5 ppm per year;
by the year 2035, it may almost double the current rate. Accumulated stock
will have risen to 550 ppm. Even without further increases in the rate of
emissions, stocks would reach over 600 ppm by 2050 and 800 ppm by the end
of the twenty-first century. India accounts for 5.5% of CO 2 emissions with the
population of 17.2% world share. The report also says that the developing
countries like India should cut their emissions by 20%. It would stabilize CO 2
equivalent concentration at 450 ppm in the atmosphere, which is currently
at 379 ppm (Human Development Report 2007/2008).
It is expected that burning hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of air produces carbon dioxide and water. But, internal combustion engines do not
completely burn petroleum products. Hence, these engines release unburned
or partially burned/oxidized gases and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
The transport sector is a major contributor of air pollution particularly in cities
and the vehicular pollution is the primary cause of air pollution in the urban
areas (60%), followed by industries (20–30%), and fossil fuels. The pollutants