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The Impact of Global Warming on the State of Texas

The Impact of Global Warming on the State of Texas. Steven Huynh Department of Chemical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin November 24, 2008. Presentation Outline. Introduction Effects of Global Warming on the State of Texas Sea Rise Temperature Rise Possible Solutions

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The Impact of Global Warming on the State of Texas

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  1. The Impact of Global Warming on the State of Texas Steven Huynh Department of Chemical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin November 24, 2008

  2. Presentation Outline • Introduction • Effects of Global Warming on the State of Texas • Sea Rise • Temperature Rise • Possible Solutions • Wind Energy • Transportation • Future Research and Development • Conclusions

  3. What is Global Warming? • Global warming is the heating of the Earth’s surface due to the trapping of thermal infrared radiation by greenhouse gases. • More radiation is being trapped due to the increased number of greenhouse gases caused by human activities. Image from www.terradaily.com, June 26, 2006.

  4. The State of Texas • 2nd largest state by area and population • Diverse economic portfolio • Processes 27% of the total number of barrels of oil used per day • Leads in nation in livestock production • Possesses large amounts of natural resources Images from Flicker.com

  5. Effects of Sea Level Rise • Many species could be destroyed due to salt water intrusion. • Many businesses could be lost due to damages. Image from Washington Post, 2005. Image from Flicker.com, October 20, 2007.

  6. One Foot Sea Rise Images from Environmental Defense Fund, August 27, 2007

  7. 10 Foot Sea Rise Images from Environmental Defense Fund, August 27, 2007

  8. Effects of Temperature Rise • Increase in number and length of heat waves • Decrease in precipitation • Increase in harmful diseases Image from staffwww.fullcoll.edu, 2002. Image from www.justritepestcontrol.com, 2002.

  9. Wind Energy Solution • Texas currently is the nation’s leader in installed wind energy capacity. • An estimated amount of 8.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution per year is averted through wind power. • One disadvantage of wind energy is transporting the energy to populated areas. Image from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, May 11, 2004.

  10. Transportation Solution • Encourage the development and sale of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) • Average approximately twice the fuel economy than a conventional vehicle and 30% to 50% better fuel economy than a standard hybrid • Contains a low charge capacity for long range trips Image from Environment America Research & Policy Center, June 2008.

  11. Transportation Solution • Using a light rail system similar to the system in place in Dallas, Texas can help reduce greenhouse emissions caused by automobiles. • In 2006, the Dallas light rail reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 144k metric tons while saving the city more than 20.5 million gallons of oil. • There a few technological disadvantages of a light rail system. • Installation of the system • Raising support of using the light rail system

  12. Image from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, May 11, 2004.

  13. Future Research and Development • Research and development is not a responsibility of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC), R&D is done by private groups. • Groups that do research can be sponsored by the government or from private institutions. • The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) • Global Warming Research Program

  14. Conclusions • Steps need to be taken to reduce the effects of global warming. • Greenhouse gas reductions • Governmental policies • The IPCC concluded that “the longer emissions continue at present-day rates, greater reductions would have to be made for concentrations to stabilize at a given level.”

  15. References • Bolivar Peninsula Picture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Flickr Web site: http://www.flickr.com • Global Warming. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Global_warming • Global Warming Solutions that Work. (2008, June). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Environment America Research & Policy Center Web site: http://www.pennenvironment.org/‌uploads/‌sE/‌SM/‌sESMMOvwT2M51ORMB6tXtg/‌Global-Warming-Solutions-that-Work.pdf • Refinery Picture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2008, from Flickr Web site: http://www.flickr.com • Renewable Energy Development in Texas. (2004, May 11). Retrieved November 11, 2008, from Public Utility Commission of Texas Web site: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/‌about/‌commissioners/‌parsley/‌present/‌epp/‌sbc_renew051104.pdf • Texas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Texas • Texas Almanac. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://www.texasalmanac.com/‌environment/ • Wind Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Wind_energy • Wind Power in Texas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Wikipedia Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/‌wiki/‌Wind_power_in_Texas

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