Climate Change andClimate Change andhow to help slow it how to help slow it down down

Dr. Sandra Cruz-Pol•ECE UPRM•Director - CLiMMATe Lab (CLoud Microwave Measurements of ATmospheric Events) • PI @ UPRM- for the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA)

Climate ChangeClimate Change

Scientific consensus: is caused mainly because of human activity, such as

CO2 emissions.*

* According to the report from the UN-IPCC 2007.

IPCCIPCCIntergovernamental Panel on Intergovernamental Panel on Climate ChangeClimate Change

www.ipcc.ch

En estas gráficas se compara los modelos naturales y antropogénicos con las medidas reales.

Human Human ActivitiesActivities

For example:

• CO2 emissions to the atmosphere: cars, electricity, water

• Deforestation – construction

• Contamination

• other greenhouse gases like methane(22x), nitrous oxides (310x)

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

ConsequencesConsequences

• Extreme weather– Storms – Floods, droughts– Cold winters, heat waves– Sea level – Impact on agriculture, species, economy, health, etc

Social impactsSocial impacts

• Sub-Saharan Africa produces about 3% of the world’s greenhouse gases, yet…

• Its climate and ecological systems have already been altered by global warming and will undergo further damage in the years ahead.

Demonstrators in Nairobi,

Kenya, protest failure of

developed countries to curb

emissions of greenhouse

gases.

www.un.org

A 2006 report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern suggests that global warming could shrink the global economy by 20%!

Global average Global average temperaturetemperatureYears: 1860-2000Years: 1860-2000

Cold due to sulfuric emissions: (1940-1970) which caused lung cancer, asthma & acid rain

Clean Air Act

}

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/sci_nat/04/climate_change/html/climate.stm

Costa RicaCosta Rica

First official lost species due to Global warming:

golden toad

Also corals are bleaching All over the world.

Some of its consequences are irreversible

Permafrost

Glaciers

Worst case scenario: Ocean conveyor belt stops

Due to change in salinity, if Artic keeps melting, this current could stop, creating a small ice age in Europe and North America. [IPCC]

It took all human history to reach 1 billion in 1800.

World Population Growth 2000

1987

1975

1960

1930

1800

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

10,000 BC 5,000 BC Year 0 1000 2000

billi

ons

On top of this…On top of this…

New blooming economies want to live their own version of the

“American Dream”.

Example: in China, the traditional bicycle lane was closed to lay way to an extra automobile lane. India is now also flourishing economically and greatly increasing their CO2 emissions.

The Good News is that…The Good News is that…

we can make a difference …

while saving $$$

Solution?Solution?

• You just have to turn a bit GREEN!

Save $$$, andSave $$$, and…help the …help the planetplanet

Every time we use:•electricity•gasoline•products•waterWe send emissions to the

atmosphere that warms it more.

Water

Puerto Rico

Dry Season

Puerto Rico

Wet Season

In PR global warming is expected to decrease rain by 10-20%!

WaterWater

• When we save water, we save $ and CO2 emissions

• Buy shower head of 1.5-2gpm

Saving water…Saving water…

Water saving kits like this from the EcoStore can save up to 40% of water bill!

In PR this is equivalent to $15-$20 per month for a typical family.

Saving water…Saving water…

Cost: $1/gallon (tipical use 40 gallons/ 2 month)

Cost filter: $4-$6 is equivalent to 40 gallons!

Total Cost: $40/ 40 gallons

Total Cost: $5/40 gallons

Difference; $40- $5 = $35 more expensive(And you save the effort of recycling the 40 bottles!)

Savings: $35 (every 2 mo.)Environmental Savings; 40 bottles derived from petroleum!

Paper usePaper use

• Print on both sides, minimize color.

• Use recycle paper, 100% post-consumer

• Cancel Catalogs

• Subscribe to online magazines, Pay online

Avoid millions of tree from being chop down

Zinio.coZinio.comm

ReforestatiReforestationon

• Plant trees– Lower your home temperature up to

10F!,– Increase value of your property!

– Reduce CO2 emissions

Natural Resources gives you up to 200 free trees!

Small changes, make a big difference:Small changes, make a big difference:

ProductsProducts

Effect on the Planet…Effect on the Planet…

Every time we buy plastic, glass, aluminum and paper, and other products, we are indirectly emitting more greenhouse gases like CO2 to the atmosphere that warms it even more.

Be a wise consumer• Buy less!• Give away what you don’t use.

Don’t through batteries Don’t through batteries to the trash!to the trash!• They contain many toxics,

heavy metals like mercury that poison our water bodies, when it rains of the landfills.

• Recycle them!. • Use rechargeable batteries..Same with cell phones, and

other electronics

Busca la lista de centros de acopio de baterías en http://campusverde.uprm.edu

Rechargeable BatteriesRechargeable Batteries (4 AA + 4 AAA(4 AA + 4 AAA))

Save $100+ for each one!

*

Eat less MeatEat less Meat

• Methane is 20x stronger than CO2 in capturing IR

• Could be capture and use to generate energy.

Landfills produce methane gas

Mass Animal Farming produces methane gas

Effect of What we Eat to Effect of What we Eat to Climate ChangeClimate Change

According to a 2006 study by U. of Chicago;Eating a vegan diet prevents the equivalent

of 1.5 tons of CO2 emissions every year, more than the 1 ton of CO2 emissions prevented by switching from a typical large sedan to a Toyota Prius.

“…raising animals for food generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined”. 2006 U.N. report

Eat less Meat to help the Eat less Meat to help the Planet…Planet…So why does meat cause so much global warming?

• Growing feed for farmed animals requires intense use of

synthetic fertilizer, which releases N2O– a far stronger

greenhouse gas than even CO2 . • The tens of billions of farmed animals of the world produce

massive amounts of flatulence and liquid manure, which release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere as well as forming nitrous oxide, both of which are powerful green house gases.

• Heating buildings that house farm animals – emission of green house gases

"Rearing Cattle Produces More Greenhouse Gases Than Driving Cars, UN Report Warns," UN News Centre, 29 Nov. 2006.

Is it Sustainable?Is it Sustainable?

70-90% of all planted cereals are destined to feed animals of consumption

100 acres of land yield enough to feed– 28 meat-eating humans– 400 vegetarians

Necessary WATER to produce a pound of:

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

meat potatoes wheat corn rice

Po

un

ds

of

Wat

er

StyrofoamStyrofoam

• Generates many toxic gases & CO2 during their production.

• NOT biodegradable, are prohibited in many cities in the U.S.

• Releases styrene, which related to cancer.

• More expensive than reusable dinnerware.

Sell your “Trash”Sell your “Trash”Recycle, Recycle, ReuseReuse , , ReduceReduce::

• cardboardcardboard• PlasticPlastic• Aluminum cansAluminum cans• GlassGlass• BatteriesBatteries• WaterWater• Cooking oilCooking oil• leavesleaves• Methane Methane • MBytesMBytes

If we don’t recycle…If we don’t recycle…

• More emissions of methane, CO2 and other toxic and greenhouse gases

• Which contribute to climate change.

• Waste of virgin material – limited material in the planet, so not sustainable!

Recycle correctly:

NO straws NO cups*Only #1 y #2

About materials…About materials…

• Plastics consume energy when– fabricated– transport

• Steel and aluminum emit CO2 when produced

• Mass animal Farming and landfill emit methane

• Paper production decreases absorption of CO2 in the atmosphere due to deforestation.

What should I buy?What should I buy?

• Reduced packaging• Concentrated Products

*All packages need large amounts of energy to be produces, and many emit tons of CO2 in the atmosphere annually.

X3 x1

CompostCompost

• Recycle leaves, and other waste

• It’s better for your health and the environment.

• Organic food (better health, less Br)

What should I What should I buy?buy?• A fiberglass pool

employs 1/3 of the energy than a concrete pool.

Save Mbytes!Save Mbytes!

• Saves materials & energy

OR> Right-click on figure, press Format Figure, Compress , All, or change with Paste Special to Jpeg or gif Format. Save

a lot of space on your USB memory sticks! Up to 20x!!

How? Cut each Picture, then Paste Special in JPG or GIF Format.

Great for d

ial-up

connection!

GasolineGasoline

Increase your MPGIncrease your MPG[MPG[MPG = miles per gallon] = miles per gallon]

Don’t press gas pedal too much.Learn to drive at optimum acceleration.

optimum

MPG

Car

Acc

eler

atio

n

Pressure on pedal

smaller MPG

Increase your Increase your MPGMPG

1. Use minimum acceleration

2. Drive less, combine trips, use mass transport

3. Don’t leave motor running > 1min

4. Remove excess equipment

5. Park in the shade

6. Keep your car tune-up & tires inflated

7. Consider a Hybrid vehicle

8. Turn off A/C when going uphill & when not needed

9. Avoid holes

10. Use Overdrive*http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/fuel_economy/practical-driving-tips.html

*Every gallon saves 20 pounds of CO2 from being emitted!

Optimum speed?Optimum speed?

• Respect maximum speed, & save $

Optimum speed

55

Hybrid carsHybrid cars

Real Cost of Car

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Años

Cos

to T

otal

Prius

SmallCar

Alternative Alternative Transportation Transportation

ElectricitElectricityy

DMSP

Electric appliances use electricity even when turned off.

They’re called Phantom Loads!

Some examples

5%-23% of electric bill

Represents $3B in the U.S.

Inside of an adapterInside of an adapter

Save $: unplug appliances when not using them.

Use a power strip to connect several appliances then you can turn them off all at the same time.

• Turn off printer & speakers when not in use.

• Unplugged them every night.

• Turn off breakers from washing machines and others

Computers Computers

• Turn off PC if you will not use it in 1hr or more.

• ¡Don’t let the adaptor plugged in!!!

Cell phone Cell phone chargerschargers

• Don’t leave the charger connected!

• Uses 70-95% of the energy as if charging.

Myth vs. Reality:Myth vs. Reality: turning on and turning on and off an appliance with reduce its off an appliance with reduce its life.life.

FALSE!FALSE! Appliances are Appliances are designed different today!designed different today!

Turn-off and SAVE!Turn-off and SAVE!

What should I What should I buy?buy?• a laptop uses 1/3 of the electricity of a desktop!

versus

And it doesn’t need a UPS.

What should I buy?What should I buy?

LCD uses 1/3 less energy than a Plasma TV!

LCDPlasma

Compact fluorescent Lights Compact fluorescent Lights (CFL)(CFL)

Save $150 per lightbulb during its life

• Use 1/4 electricity.

• Last 10 times more.

www.energystar.gov/ia/business/bulk_purchasing/bpsavings_calc/Calc_CFLs.xls

LED lightsLED lights

• Use even less electricity than CFL

• Last longer

• Have NO mercury

• Cost more

A/CA/C

If you use air conditioner, set the temperature 1-2 degrees less cold, this will save $ and many emissions.

A window fan brings in fresh air from

outside.

Save $25 /month for each A/C unit!

What should What should I buy?I buy?It’s worth buy appliances that are energy efficient.

¡Compare!

Saves

$10-60/ mo. each!!

What should I What should I buy?buy?A solar water heater• Saves $40-$100/mo.• Lasts 30+ years!

Israel banned…

What should I What should I buy?buy?• GAS appliances save

$25-$50/month!• Using a clothlines, saves

even more.

Electric Bill: AEE…(house of 4)

Average Consumption: $260

1390 kWh

Electric Bill: :After eliminationg Electric

phamtons & changing some CFL

$195

(1160 kWh)

Electric Bill:

$113

(690 kWh)

After using 3 fans instead of 3 A/C

Factura de AEE:After installing a solar water heater

$74

(400 kWh)

Electric Bill:

Many solutions

Native Americans knew Native Americans knew about about SustainabilitySustainability

We do not inhering the Earth from our Fathers …

We borrow it from our children

Web References…Web References…

• www.nasa.gov• www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming• www.povertymap.net• www.unmillenniumproject.org• www.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk• www.noaa.gov• www.ucsusa.org• www.borgenproject.org• www.unicef.org• www.energyhog.org FUN!! (PC games)• cacique.uprm.edu/aceer