Mars' climate is a tale of two planets. Evidence suggests a warm and wet early Mars. A thicker atmosphere, likely rich in carbon dioxide, trapped heat and allowed liquid water to flow, carving river valleys and potentially vast oceans. This era may have been fueled by volcanic eruptions or a strongeRead more
Mars’ climate is a tale of two planets. Evidence suggests a warm and wet early Mars. A thicker atmosphere, likely rich in carbon dioxide, trapped heat and allowed liquid water to flow, carving river valleys and potentially vast oceans. This era may have been fueled by volcanic eruptions or a stronger sun.
Over billions of years, Mars lost its magnetic field, leaving it vulnerable to solar wind stripping away the atmosphere. The planet turned frigid and dry, with remaining water locked as ice caps or underground. The thin atmosphere now allows dramatic temperature swings and dust storms.
The sculpted surface reflects this history. Cratered plains hint at heavy bombardment early on. Dried-up riverbeds and lakebeds are ghostly reminders of a watery past. Volcanic giants like Olympus Mons tower over the landscape, a testament to past activity that may have influenced Mars’ climate.
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Balancing global energy demand with the need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change while ensuring energy access for developing countries is a tough ask. Transition to Renewable Energy: -Scale up: Rapidly deploy solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower. -Grid modernization: Invest in smaRead more
Balancing global energy demand with the need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change while ensuring energy access for developing countries is a tough ask.
Transition to Renewable Energy:
-Scale up: Rapidly deploy solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower.
-Grid modernization: Invest in smart grids and energy storage (batteries, pumped hydro) as renewables increase.
Energy Efficiency:
Improve energy efficiency: Implement policies and technologies to improve energy efficiency in buildings, transport and industry. This includes energy efficient appliances, building insulation and electrification of transport.
Nuclear Power:
-Advanced nuclear: Take advantage of advanced nuclear technologies (small modular reactors) to provide low carbon baseload power.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
Deploy CCS: Invest in carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions in existing fossil fuel power plants and industrial processes.
SDGs
Ensure universal access to energy for all. It’s one of the SDGs we need to act on apart from climate.
Energy equity: Make sure the benefits of this transition are more equitably shared particularly between developing countries.
International Cooperation:
International cooperation: Promote international cooperation in research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies and technology transfer to developing nations.
Financial support: Developed nations may provide financial and technical assistance to help developing nations transition to clean energy and deal with climate change impacts.
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