IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2019 - 35

FIG 2 The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average.
(Source: Kim Holmén; used with permission.)

"Global Climate Change-A Svalbard Perspective,"
warned attendees of the climate changes taking place in
Svalbard and surrounding areas. Although greenhouse
gases released by human activities is just one of the factors
causing this change, it is the most significant contributor.
According to Norwegian scientists, much of the melting of
ice (up to 30%) in the Arctic is natural, but the remaining
is attributed to a rise in the temperature caused by human
activities (Figure 1). The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) report shows that global temperature rise by even 0.5 °C can have a devastating effect on
the planet.
Holmén's presentation showed that monthly mean
CO 2 emissions prior to 1970 were below 320 parts per million (ppm) and reached close to 410 ppm by 2018, resulting
in a rise in global air temperature by +0.60 °C. But in the
Arctic, it is warming twice as fast as the global average,
stated Holmén (Figure 2). The impact of warming and ice
melting in the Arctic region has affected the life of polar
bears in some regions, as seen in Figure 3. However, the
majority of polar bears are healthy, as shown in Figure 4,
but the environment is certainly changing. Interestingly,
he said that such pictures should be taken with a grain of
salt. Not all polar bears are thin and starving, but the fact
is that their habitat is dwindling. In conclusion, Holmén
insisted that Arctic climate change is a matter of concern
for all, telling attendees to keep every option open to meet
this challenge.
Exploiting advances in renewables and the electrification of transportation and other applications can play an
important role in reducing CO 2 emissions. To limit global
warming, the IPCC report indicates that we need to cut
global CO 2 emissions by 45% by 2030 as compared to 2010
levels. Can advances in power electronics help us meet
these goals?
Nevertheless, according to FEPPCON X Chair Prof.
Braham Ferreira, Holmén's presentation lead to two

FIG 3 Not all polar bears are starving but their habitat is certainly dwindling. (Source: Kim Holmén; used with permission.)

FIG 4 The healthy polar bears of the Arctic. (Source: Kim Holmén;
used with permission.)

reactions from the attendees. While some were emotional
because the exploitation of technology is impacting the
planet, others realized the importance of their work in
solving this problem.

About the Author
Ashok Bindra (bindra1@verizon.net) obtained his M.S.
degree from the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Clarkson College of Technology (now Clarkson University), Potsdam, New York and M.Sc. degree in
physics from the University of Bombay, India. He is the editor-in-chief of IEEE Power Electronics Magazine and a
Member of the IEEE. He is a veteran freelance writer and
editor with more than 35 years of editorial experience covering power electronics, analog/radio-frequency technologies, and semiconductors. He has worked for leading electronics trade publications in the United States, including
Electronics, EE Times, Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, and RF Design.

December 2019

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IEEE Power Electronics Magazine - December 2019

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