Climate Change and Oil Industry : Oil Companies Strategies

Preface

After reading some books, journals about every kind of issues, novel, science fiction, poet, etc. In last 2 days i started to write every little things that i know about it.I wrote in my social media, my blog, or even in my electronic note. I cited every information even if the journal seems old enough for today. Because i think the information still needed to know. Even though i realize that this information just a little, like a single water drop in the middle of the ocean. I hope it will useful for others and everyone can shared their information about the issues.

Climate Change and Oil Industry : Oil Companies Strategies 

In 2016, we know that oil companies has many problems which related with climate change.  They want to sell oil and gas with highest price as possible. In glance, some oil companies like Shell, ExxonMobil and Statoil reveals significant differences in their perceptions of climate change. Oil companies have to please their clients, consumers and employees. In the other side, they also have to has acknowledgement of the prospective problem of a human-induced climate change, know their position with regard to Kyoto Protocol, Their self-imposed targets and measures to reduce GHG emissions rom their own operations, and the long-term implication of their strategy. In addition to face the climate change, every oil companies must has their own strategies, it’s usually known as climate strategies. 

Specifically, we will discuss about climate strategies in one of oil companies called ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil or Exxon corporation started out as standart oil company in 1882 and now Exxon already conduct business in gas, oil, coal, and chemicals in more than 200 countries. ExxonMobil has 3 fundamental environmental policy. First, the company places a strong emphasis on being in compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This does not necessarily mean that ExxonMobil is less likely to implement self-imposed environmental standards exceeding the level of ambition in existing environmental laws. Second, the scientific basis of environmental regulations is a central element for ExxonMobil. It is a stated policy for the corporation to work with government and industry groups toThe climate strategies of the oil industry develop environmental laws and regulations that are ‘based on sound science’. Third, an important point for ExxonMobil is that environmental policies and regulations should be developed and reviewed with a view to the broader context of environmental issues. In particular, policies should be seen in relation to the economic dimensions of environmental protection measures, including a consideration of risks, costs and benefits, and effects on energy and product supply. To ensure that policy commitments are transformed into ‘appropriate’ action, Exxon developed its Operations Integrity Management System (OIMS) in the early 1990s.

Through his newsletter, (Flannery, 1999)  said that ExxonMobil thus opposes the Kyoto Protocol as a ‘premature international initiative’ that has ‘the potential to cause economic harm for most nations, severely impacting some, while doing very little to influence the climate’. There are three main arguments underlie ExxonMobil’s opposition to the Protocol:

1 It is too expensive. ExxonMobil presents an economic analysis that shows that the targeted reduction in fossil-fuel use would mean a 45 per cent increase in petroleum prices and cost an average American family of four about US$2,700 a year. It is maintained that some developed countries probably would have to impose ‘significantly higher fossil fuel taxes, rationing, or lifestyle changes such as mandatory car-pooling’.

2 It is unfair. The company maintains that projections show that developing countries, including China, Mexico, Brazil and India, will account for almost 70 per cent of total carbon emissions growth from 1990 to 2025. These countries are not included in the Kyoto agreement. This, ExxonMobil maintains, ‘raises the question of whether that agreement is fair’.

3 It will not work. The company maintains that the warming projected by 2100 would be delayed by only some 10 years as an effect of the Kyoto Protocol and that ‘far more onerous emissions reductions would be necessary if climate change proves to be serious’.

References :
(contact me at adzimhilman@gmail.com for further information about the references)

1. Skjaerseth, J.B. 2003. Climate Change and Oil Strategies. Manchester University Press. Manchester: Palgrave

2. Flannery, B. P. (1999), ‘Global climate change’, International Association for Energy Economics, Newsletter, Third Quarter, 4–10

3. Ghobadian A., Viney, H., Liu, J. and James, P. (1998), ‘Extending linear approaches to mapping corporate environmental behaviour’, Business Strategy and the Environment, 7, 13–23.

4. Gleckman, H. (1995), ‘Transnational corporations’ strategic responses to “sustainable development”’, Green Globe Yearbook, Oxford, Fridtjof Nansen Institute and Oxford University Press.

To be continued...

Today Lecture : Kyoto Protocol

 

3 living things that you see right now is a crazy college student

Today my lecturer told me about ISPU (Indeks Standar Pencemaran Udara) or usually known as API (Air Polluting Index). In his lecture, my lecturer often mentioned about Kyoto Protocol, Do you ever heard about it? If you never heard about it before dont worry, that’s will be the main topic of this post. After surfing the internet around 1,5 hours, actually I don’t get the point of this agreement (not yet). But overally I can understanding it a little bit. 

Well, the Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement linked to the united nations framework convention on climate change, which held in Kyoto, Japan and commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. 

Recognizing that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity. This convention adopted on 11 December 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005. The detailed rules for the implementation of the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012.

In Doha, Qatar, on 8 December 2012, united nations frameword held the advanced of the Kyoto protocol called "Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol". The amendment includes:

• New commitments for the parties to the Kyoto Protocol who agreed to take on commitments in a 2^nd commitment period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020 (continuesly)
• A revised list of greenhouse gases (GHG) to be reported on by Parties in the second commitment period. (keep on progressing)
• Amendments to several articles of the Kyoto Protocol which specifically referenced issues pertaining to the first commitment period and which needed to be updated for the second commitment period. (updating)

The targets for the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of the six main greenhouse gases, namely:
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂);
• Methane (CH₄);
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O);
• Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);
• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and
• Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆)

Kyoto Protocol affect many things in another united nations agreement and politic. One of that known as ‘Carbon Emission Trading’ which involve my country Indonesia as the main seller. Even it seems that there is a profitable chance during the agreement but the fact is very contrast.

Have you realize about it(the effect to the seller country? 

If you have any question you can ask me directly on ask.fm/HilmanAE.

"I think that's enough for today, have a wonderful Friday, fellas !!"

Tomorrow's Course (Probably)

Monday~ Monday~ Welcome back to Monday !!! Say hello to Mr. Monday~

Yesterday I had a graduate party in my department, maybe I'll post about it later. But first I 'll post about my prediction (#ngeh). Yes, like just I said before and it also written in the tittle. Tonight I 'll post about tomorrow's course. Tomorrow I will have 'animal's development' course. So lets get start !

Embryology was the formal term that used to explain a progressive development in organism. That term have different meaning in each animal classes. For the example, amphibian used that term from the fertilization until it has metamorphosed. Another example, Aves use the term until the eggs hatched (since Aves won't metamorphosed).

Basically there is two of old scientist's arguments about embryology.

Karl Ernst von Baer's Law

"Very simple but little difficult to be memorized"

1. General characteristics of the group to which an embryo belongs develop before special characteristics.
2. General structural relations are likewise formed before the most specific appear.
3. The form of any given embryo does not converge upon other definite forms but, on the contrary, separates itself from them.
4. Fundamentally, the embryo of a higher animal form never resembles the adult of another animal form, such as one less evolved, but only its embryo. 

Cell Lineage Mechanism

Pangenesis (Darwin)

Genetic material named 'Gemulla' formed by somatic cell which transmigrated into gammete cell (generative part of human cell).

Germplasm(Weissmann)

Germplasms is a collection of genetic resources (genetical unit) for an organism. Somatic cell are the result of differentiation process from gamete cells.

Period of embryonic development

1. Preparation stage

gamete cell's development in the gonads

2. Fertilization stage

fusion of male gamete cell (sperm) and female gamete cell (ovum)

3. Cementation stage

Division of the cell without significant growth, producing a cluster of cells that is the same size as the original zygote, is called cleavage. At least four initial cell divisions occur, resulting in a dense ball of at least sixteen cells called the morula. The different cells derived from cleavage, up to the blastula stage, are called blastomeres. The cleavage can be total (holoblastic) or partial (meroblastic) depending on the amount of yolk.

4. Cell shell formation 

 

Ectoderm - Nervous system, skin, organ on the entire surface of the skin, etc

Mesoderm - Bone, Muscle, Blood, Blood vessel, gamete cell, etc

Endoderm - Digestive cell, respiratory cell, lung, etc 

5.  Organogenesis
Each cell shell will a complex system that consist of cells with similar characteristic

6. Growth and Differentiation
Cell will growth and differentiate by it function.

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Thank you for reading my post. See yaa next time, fellas ^_^

 

Tuesday's course, Animal Taxonomy 1 !!

In animal taxonomy there are two ways to divide an animal into different classes. The old ones is with Apparent Differences method and  the newest ones with Reproductive Isolation method. Both method are can be used to indentify an animal classes.

Apparent Differences

Taxonomy method that use an animal apparent which can be seen or can be observed. Such as animal morphology , including external and internal morphology and animal physiology. Animal referred in one species if it has less of differences. There are some case that CAN NOT be solved with apparent differences method.  e.g. case between Alder flycatcher with Willow flycatcher.

Alder flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum )

Willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii )

Both Alder flycatcher and Willow flycatcher are look like the same. Since they have the same morphology. They only can be distinguished by their sound (tweet). So they can’t be identified by apparent differences method easily. More description about their difference can be checked here

Reproductive Isolation

Taxonomy method which observe the results of breeding between two organisms.  An animal can be called in one species when it could produce fertile offsprings. Just like previous method There are some case that CAN NOT be solved with reproductive isolation method. e.g. case between Baltimore oriele with Bullock's oriele.

Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula)

Bullock's oriole (Icterus bullockii)

Both Baltimore oriele and Bullock's oriele have different morphology but they can be bred and produce fertile offspring . So they can be identified easier than use reproductive isolation method. The reason why they could produce a fertile offsprings is because of their DNA and Molt timing.

• Molt Timing: Baltimore Orioles typically molt their plumage in summer after breeding but before migrating. Bullock's Orioles molt during migration and on their wintering grounds. One hybrid was found on its wintering grounds undergoing a molt, as Bullock's normally do, but it was molting out of brand new feathers! It was molting a second time after apparently already molting on its summer grounds. Molting takes a LOT of energy. Ornithologists believe that perhaps one reason why oriole hybrids don't increase is because they don't survive or reproduce as well as pure Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles do thanks to that wasted energy molting twice a year
• DNA: Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA (the DNA in the mitochondria of cells, which many scientists use to show relationships among various animals) show the Baltimore and Bullock's Orioles are not even very closely related! The Baltimore Oriole shows more genetic similarities to the Altamira Oriole (which lives in Mexico, northern Central America, and a tiny part of Texas) and especially to the Black-backed Oriole (from Mexico). Bullock's Oriole is more closely related to the Streak-backed Oriole (from Central America, Mexico, and rarely southern Arizona and California).

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Generaly, from today's lecture I catch a conclusion that Reproductive Isolation method is more accurate than the Apparent Differences method to identify the animal origin of the most species. Even In some case, there is a miss direction between reproduction isolation and apparent differences. 

Thank you so much for wasting your time here to read my post. I really appreciated your presence.
See yaa next time, fellas~ ^_^