Presentation Transcript

1. By SenthuranSivasambo, RohitJogendran, WalidMasud, SankashKharbanda, Michael Ke, Raman Sehra and Ted Zhang

   Global Warming

   What are the major effects/problems of global warming and how can they be solved?
2. Introduction Global warming is the continuous increase of the temperature of the Earth’s surface. Began during the industrial revolution, in the mid 1900’s. Occurs when an abundance of greenhouse gases traps the sun’s heat in the atmosphere. You can also visit our website at: http://www.heatingearth.webs.com/ .
3. Greenhouse Effect The greenhouse effect is a natural process that occurs on Earth. Caused by gases that trap the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere. This process allows the Earth to a temperatures suitable for human survival. Process: The earth receives energy from the sun. About half is absorbed by the earth. As the sun’s rays reach our atmosphere, there are both reflected and absorbed. Some of the radiation is emitted into space. The rest is reflected to earth. The absorption causes the Earth to warm which then releases the heat outward.
4. Greenhouse Effect (cont.) Gases that cause this effect are called greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas examples: Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide, water vapour. Enhanced Greenhouse Effect: Caused by too much greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. More heat is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. Causes an increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface.
5. Greenhouse Effect (cont.)
6. Black Body Radiation A black body is an object that absorbs all the electromagnetic radiation (e.g. Sun’s rays) which touches it’s surface. From this comes black body radiation — thermal radiation which is radiated back out . Measurement of black body surfaces are determined by their emissivity on a scale from 0-1 . 1 being a perfect black body (i.e. Dark and dull surfaces-coal, ocean water, etc.) . 0 being complete opposite (i.e. Shiny surfaces- metal, ice, etc.). Over 2/3 of the world is covered by oceans - adds to thermal radiation which adds to global warming. Dry land has a relatively high scale on emissivity - another factor which adds to heat forming on earth. Although ice has a low emissivity, the water which comes from the ice when it melts has a black appearance and absorbs much of the electromagnetic radiation – goes in a continuous circle (can be seen in the north/ south poles).
7. Causes Almost all human activities contribute to global warming. Some major causes include: Fossil fuel combustion Used to produce electricity. Produces carbon dioxide. Examples: Producing electricity with coal, transportation systems. Burning waste products. Used to get rid of garbage. Produces Carbon Dioxide when garbage is incinerated. Agriculture. Use fertilizers to yield better crops. Produces nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. As the population increases, more animals are needed as a source of food. This creates more waste products and thus, more methane.
8. Causes (c0nt.) Other causes include: Deforestation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. By cutting down trees, more carbon dioxide would be in the atmosphere. General home electronics. Examples: lamp, television, computers (a server computer may produce as much carbon dioxide as an SUV). Mining coal and oil. Allows methane to escape into the atmosphere. Methane gas being released from tundra and wetlands (generally a natural phenomenon).
9. Global Warming Effects Comparisons between changes in global average surface area, global average sea level, and Northern Hemisphere snow cover from 1850-2000. Representing the serious changes caused by Global Warming, which is affecting many different aspects on Earth.
10. Effect on the Environment The extinction of many animals and plants that cannot adapt. Cause an imbalance in the food web. May cause overpopulation and starvation of certain species. Some species may flourish due to the increased temperature. Cause a lot of competition for other species. Insufficient food sources. Many animals may migrate to cooler areas. An ecosystem may lose certain species.May cause entire ecosystem to collapse. Example: birds are migrating later into the season compared to the past . Example: Deer and other land animals are migrating further north due to each increasing warm season.
11. Effect on Environment (cont) Depletion of Ozone Layer. Scientists believe that Global Warming will result in a weaker ozone layer. The Ozone layer protects all life on earth from the harmful Ultraviolet radiations coming from the Sun. The Ozone prevents illnesses and diseases to occur due to UV radiation. Since CO2 is trapped in water due to the oceans' temperature rise, the pH level is increased harming the inhabiting fish. Increased precipitation. Caused by the melting glaciers. Desalinization of the ocean. Caused by melting of polar ice caps. Interrupt many ecosystems. Forest fires are likely to become more frequent and severe as the soil becomes drier.
12. Effect on the Environment (cont) Example: the Alaskan ecosystem has undergone a transition from tundra to wetland due to melting glaciers.
13. Effect on the Environment (cont) Some consequences for the arctic ecosystem include: Decay of micro-organisms of the accumulated detritus. Once released from its permafrost state, it releases a huge amount of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. Previously locked in dead organic matter. Contributes to further global warming. Appearance and growth of conifers. Forms boreal forests (also known as taiga). There areas absorb radiant heat energy from sunlight and contribute to further warming of the region, since they replace ice, snow and frozen tundra. Increased presence of pathogens that parasitize the expanded range of animal and plant life the changing habitat supports.
14. Effect on Environment (cont) Change in latitude and altitude of plant or animal species’ habitat For example:
15. Effect on Human Lives Increase in sea level. Caused by the melting of glaciers. Drowns many coastal cities. Seawater may seep into some freshwater sources. Increase in temperature. Cause many health problems. Examples: heatstroke, diseases spread quicker (many disease-carrying insects flourish in warm weather). Increase in respiratory illnesses due to changes in atmosphere. Natural disasters. Draughts (irregular precipitation patterns). Hurricanes (warmer waters). Heat waves. Floods (increased evaporation due to higher temperature). Longer periods of intense heat or rain on different regions of earth.
16. Effect on Human Lives (c0nt.) Many people would immigrate to areas with a more comfortable temperature, cause overpopulation in some areas. Transportation. May need to be changed as they are subject to more extreme weather changes. Example: pipeline, cars, bus, plane, ships. Agriculture. Some areas may no longer be suitable for agriculture due to climate change. Some areas may become better suited for agriculture. Many types of food my become unavailable as those species may become extinct. Changes in soil quality, temperature, and nutrients present. Change in weather conditions (rainfalls and floods). Increase crop destruction. According to the IPCC, "Climate change is likely to have wide-ranging and mostly adverse impacts on human health with significant loss of life."
17. Economic Impacts Real Estate, construction, recreation, and tourism will be negatively affected by changes. Insurance companies will be affected due to an increase in severe weather conditions (hurricanes). Poor nations will be affected greatly by global warming. Dependent on agriculture (food, exports, GDP). Lack of water resources to cope with high temperatures. Financial resources to deal with Global Warming.
18. The Kyoto Protocol An international agreement to attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emission. 187 countries have signed AND ratified. Some less advanced countries are allowed to increase emission. Example: Greece (+25%), Spain (+15%), Ireland (+13%) The protocol puts a heavier burden on developed countries. Developed countries had a greater impact on the environment due to 150 years of industrial development and activities. Commits37 developed countries and the general European community to reduce greenhouse gas.
19. The Kyoto Protocol (cont.) Emission Trading (Carbon Market). Participants are allowed to have a limited amount of greenhouse gas emissions (emission reduction units). If a participating country have emission to “spare”, the leftover emission can be sold to another participating country whose emission exceeds the limit. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Allows a participating country with emission-reduction/limit commitment to establish emission-reduction projects in developing countries. Joint Implementation. Allows a country to earn emission reduction units from an emission-reduction project. Project must result in reduction in emission that reduces the amount that would have occurred without it.
20. Canada and the Kyoto Protocol Under former Prime minister Jean Chretien, Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. Current Prime minister and former leader of the opposition Stephen Harper was against this notion. Labeled the treaty as a ‘socialist scheme designed to suck money out of rich countries’. After coming into power, Harper was accused of neglecting the accord. Since then, the Canadian government has realized the importance of Global warming and is now participating in several programs similar to the Kyoto protocol such as the Asia-Pacific partnership on Clean Development and climate.
21. Possible Solutions Use clean energy sources. Burning fossil fuels create carbon dioxide. Example: electricity, solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy. Real life examples. Niagara falls is used to generate hydroelectricity. Many countries are beginning to adopt electric-powered cars. 70% of the energy needs of Solar Valley Micro-E Hotel in china is provided by solar panels. Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) technologies-preventing greenhouse gases from entering into the atmosphere through the use of technological methods. Neutralizing Carbon Dioxide. Carbon dioxide is acidic, and so can be neutralized with a base. Sodium hydroxide can react with carbon dioxide to create water and sodium carbide. Sodium carbide has industrial uses so it is not wasted. Limits can be put on the carbon dioxide emission of factories.
22. Possible Solutions (cont.) Transportation is a major cause of Global Warming. Possible solutions: Fuel efficient vehicles. Hybrid vehicles. Changes from road transportation to rail and public transit. Alternatives such as walking or cycling. Urban planning - essential to promote the use of alternatives . Energy efficient buildings can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. include efficient lighting (fluorescent light bulbs). energy efficient appliances. heating and air conditioning (clean the filters, and refrigerants). solar heating and cooling (ceiling fans, evaporative cooler, solar panels). Recycling (minimally packaged goods; choose reusable products over disposable ones. efficient electrical equipment.
23. Possible Solutions (Cont.) Forestry. Reduced. deforestation. Improved Forest Management. Reforestation. Use of forestry products to replace fossil fuels. Agriculture. carbon stored away in carbon sinks (reservoir that can absorb Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere). producing crops for energy use. manure management to reduce methane emissions. improving fertilizer application to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Plant Trees- helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
24. Possible Solutions (cont.) Establish more international agreements concerning global warming. For example Kyoto Protocol, which attempts to make a balance with the emission. In future if every carbon emission has an offset, we can maintain the level of carbon we have reached and probably even reduce as we progress. Driving more eco-friendly cars. Breaking our oil addiction and retooling plants to manufacture the fuel-efficient cars that consumers are demanding, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
25. Possible Solutions (cont.) Create green homes and buildings in our community. New buildings should meet strong new energy-efficiency standards that maximize energy savings. Existing homes and commercial spaces can be retrofitted to save energy by weatherizing and installing energy efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. Build better communities and transportation. Building walkable communities near transportation hubs instead of far-flung, car-dependent suburbs. Invest in and expand public transit ,such as commuter rail to give people real transportation choices.
26. Government Solutions Taxes and charges can be set on greenhouse gases (cost for each unit of greenhouse emissions). Subsidies and tax credits can provide financial incentives for the development of new technologies. Agreements between industry and governments can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and raise awareness to other companies and individuals. Awareness campaigns can possibly affect decisions of individuals regarding greenhouse gas emissions positively. Government funding could create incentives for companies to invest into products, and technology that are energy efficient. Climate Change policies that promote energy efficient and renewable energy resources can benefit the economy. Decrease in air pollution. Increase in biodiversity (decrease in natural habitat loss, and deforestation) as a result of implementing climate change policies.
27. Problems with Solution Renewable energy sources are expensive. For example wind power is a renewable energy source which is expensive, unreliable and won’t save very much natural gas. In U.K. electricity customers were forced to pay a total of over $1 billion to the owners of wind turbines. That figure is due to rise to over $6 billion a year by 2020 given the government's plan to build a nationwide infrastructure with some 25 gigawatts of wind capacity. When the wind drops or blows too hard, turbines stop spinning and you get no power. By putting limits on carbon dioxide emissions manufacturers may risk the development of products in the factories. Factories will have to find a way in which they can reduce carbon dioxide emissions which will cost time and money. This can result in the factor to be financially unstable, putting a risk to the development of their products.
28. Problems with Solutions (cont.) Our world today has a high demand for energy needs. rapid industrialization, growth and current life style has brought us to a point where our demand for high energy needs is growing every day, making the primary source of this demand to be fulfilled by coal and petroleum. Despite all the research we have failed to find any alternate reliable sources of energy other than the fossil fuels. Even after decades of research and innovations we still haven’t been able to find any other source of energy which can remove dirty fuels from their dominance. Wind, Solar, Bio, Nuclear all exist but they haven’t been able to come out and make a mark since they show more problems than they solve.
29. Problems with Solution (cont.) Cleaner public transportation methods are available to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However due to the growth of our economy, and barriers such as consumer preferences, individuals will continue to choose their choice of transportation. There are no policies present to solve the problem with transportation and its contribution to Global Warming New buildings are installed with energy efficient products, and the latest technology to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will cost a lot of money and work to update older buildings that release large amounts of greenhouse gases in developing and industrialized countries. Our population continues to increase significantly, which is a major cause of Global Warming.
30. Future Predictions According to http://www.greenfacts.org/climate-change/global-warming/global-warming.htm, the future predictions that are caused as a result of global warming are: global mean temperature should increase by between 1.4 and 5.8°C (2.5 to 10°F). the Northern Hemisphere cover should decrease further, but the Antarctic ice sheet should increase. the sea level should rise by between 9 and 88 cm (3.5" to 35"). other changes should occur, including an increase in some extreme weather events. Solutions to achieve Stabilization. Use of current technology along with future development technology. Increased energy efficiency measures. World wide investments. Installing low emission technologies. Research into new energy resources.
31. Influential Figures: Al Gore A promising leader who is striving to help save the Earth. He started his efforts by writing the book Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit. During his time as vice-president he preached to protect the environment which could also aid the economy. He also wrote the best-selling book and now a film, An Inconvenient Truth which helped raise the awareness of Global Warming. Campaigned for the president of the US in 1999 with the intention of reducing global warming. Lost campaign.
32. Influential Figures: David Suzuki Japanese Canadian, born March 24, 1936 Award winning scientist, environmentalist, broadcaster. Produced much influential work focusing on sustainability of the earth. Some works include Its a Matter of Survival (1991), and David Suzuki's Green Guide (2008). Hosted many radio/TV shows, such as The Nature of Things, A Planet for the Taking and Quirks and Quarks. Recognized as a world leader in sustainable ecology as he won “United Nations Environment Program Medal”. Co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation - to raise awareness of climate change .
33. Influential Figures: Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, (born 13 October 1925) served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She is the only woman to have held either post. She was a former chemist She became publicly concerned with environmental issues in the late 1980s. In 1988, she made a major speech communicating the problems of global warming. She was one of the first women to come and publicly discuss the issue of global warming.
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