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?
Human Impacts-
Greenhouse Gases:

*CO2

*methane

*nitrous
oxide

*fluorinated
compounds
 What causes it?
 Natural Impacts:

*Change in sun’s
energy output

*Volcanoes
*Water vapor

*clouds
 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
Renewable Energy Sources

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

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

Solar Energies
Wind Power
http://www.wrenuk.co.uk/images/biomass.jpg

http://www.ca.blm.gov/news/images/geotherm

Biomass
Geothermal
 Ch anges I n V ehic le
Syst ems

http://autozine.kyul.net/technical_school/engi
ne/tech_pic_eng_prius.jpg

Hybrid
http://www.redjellyfish.com/newim
ages/merlin.jpg

Fuel Cell http://www.evworld.com/archives/te

stdrives/carpicts/ecom_sm.jpg

Battery-
Electric
Are These Feasible?

001

© 2002 Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (p296)

Comparati ve Cost s of Renewable
Energy T echnol ogies

001
 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