Global Warming

& Air Pollution

What is Global Warming?*An increase in the average temperature of the Earth

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

Larson B ice shelf, January 2002 Larson B ice shelf, March 2002

What causes global warming?

• Natural Impacts-

*Volcanoes

*Water vapor

*clouds

*Change in sun’s energy output

What causes it?

CO2

methane

nitrous oxide

fluorinated compounds

Greenhouse Gases:

Human Impacts-

Greenhouse Effect

• Greenhouse gases impede the escape of heat from Earth’s surface

Who’s Responsible?

• Burning of fossil fuels is a 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

The Carbon Cycle

CH4 (methane)

Fig1

N2O (nitrous oxide)

Sources and Types of Air Pollution

Refrigeration devices including home, commercial, and vehicles - Chlorofluorocarbons

- Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer

The ozone layerAbsorbs UV radiation, preventing much of it from contacting organisms in the biosphere.

Has been thinning since 1975 because of the accumulation of chlorofluorocarbons.

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

Note that CFC increase stopped after 1995!

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

Air Quality Air Quality Index (ppm) Protect Your Health

Good 0-50 No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.

Moderate 51-100 Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

101-150 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Unhealthy 151-200

Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, everyone else, especially children should limit prolonged outdoor excertion.

Very Unhealthy (Alert) 201-300 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

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

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