Global Warming

And the U.S.

What is Global Warming?

*An increase in the average temperature of the Earth

*Recent debate, but has been looked at by scientists for centuries

What causes it?

*CO2

*methane

*nitrous oxide

*fluorinated compounds

Greenhouse Gases:

Human Impacts-

What causes it? Natural Impacts:

*Volcanoes*Water vapor

*clouds

*Change in sun’s energy output

Who’s Responsible? Burning of fossil

fuels is main cause

•U.S. is leader in greenhouse gasses

•Human impacts are changing the composition of the atmosphere

What are Causes of Global Warming?

Air Pollution

What is air pollution?-The presence in the air of substances which pose a potential threat to human health and/or the environment. -The presence of particles in the air which decrease visibility-The U.S. EPA estimates that 50 percent of the U.S. population is exposed to air pollutants exceeding current federal standards.

Sources and Types of Air Pollution

Energy production from fossil fuels

-Carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, particulates

-Increase in greenhouse gases, acidic precipitation

Sources and Types of Air Pollution

Automobiles, other transportation sources

-Carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides, products of incomplete combustion

-Increase in greenhouse gases, acidic precipitation

Sources and Types of Air Pollution

Refrigeration devices including home, commercial, and vehicles

-Chlorofluorocarbons

-Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer

The Carbon Cycle

Effects of Air Pollution and Global Warming

-Rising Sea Level

-Change of precipitation and local climate conditions; acid rain

-Alteration of forests and crop yields

-Expansions of deserts into existing rangelands

-More intense rainstorms

-Not all long-term effects can be determined

What Is Being Done: Alternatives

http://www.snre.umich.edu/greendana/images/solar_array_southfield.jpg

http://cs.baylor.edu/~forbes/personal/joshuatree/wind-generators.1.jpg

Renewable Energy Sources

Solar EnergiesWind Power

http://www.wrenuk.co.uk/images/biomass.jpg

Biomasshttp://www.ca.blm.gov/news/images/geothermal.gif

Geothermal

Changes In Vehicle Systems

Hybrid

Fuel Cell

Battery-Electric

http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_school/engine/tech_pic_eng_prius.jpg

http://www.redjellyfish.com/newimages/merlin.jpg

http://www.evworld.com/archives/testdrives/carpicts/ecom_sm.jpg

Are These Feasible?

© 2002 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (p296)

Comparative Costs of Renewable Energy Technologies

Conclusion Responsibility to improve

environmental conditions lies upon all of us as individuals

Concentrate on preventing environmental degradation before it starts

Alternatives ARE feasible and Can be Used