bad boy
- 1. GLOBAL WARMING Presented by Tushar harjai Aerospace engineer consultant Problem Solver
- 2. Introduction • Is the world getting warmer? • If so, are the actions of mankind to blame for earth’s temperature increases? • What can/should be done about these issues?
- 3. History of Earth’s Climate • Earth formed ~4.6 billion years ago • Originally very hot • Sun’s energy output only 70% of present • Liquid water present ~4.3 billion years
- 4. History of Earth’s Climate • Life appeared ~3.8 billion years ago • Photosynthesis began 3.5-2.5 billion years ago – Produced oxygen and removed carbon dioxide and methane (greenhouse gases) – Earth went through periods of cooling (“Snowball Earth”) and warming • Earth began cycles of glacial and interglacial periods ~3 million years ago
- 10. Earth’s Atmospheric Gases Nitrogen (N2) Oxygen (O2) Water (H2O) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Methane (CH4) Non- Greenhouse Gases 99% Greenhouse Gases 1%
- 12. The U.S. emits about 6.4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases annually, 25% of the world’s total. Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for approximately 100 years, methane lasts about 12 years. Other greenhouse gases last even longer. As these gases continue to raise surface temperatures, they trigger the release of even greater quantities of carbon dioxide and methane that are currently trapped in frozen Arctic permafrost and tundra soils, further increasing temperatures. …potentially causing “runaway global warming”. 6.4 billion metric tons CO2/yr These greenhouse gases last a long time… Warming begets more warming… A feedback mechanism ensues…
- 13. Worldwide Carbon EmissionsCarbon(109 metrictons) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 Year Liquid fuel Total Gas fuel Solid fuel
- 14. Annual Carbon Emissions Annual carbon emissions Atmospheric CO2 Atmospheric CO2 average 1955 1965 1975 1985 1995 2005 0 4 6 8 2 Year Carbon(109 metrictons)
- 15. Future Carbon Dioxide Levels • Increasing CO2 emissions, especially in China and developing countries • Likely to double within 150 years: – Increased coal usage – Increased natural gas usage – Decreased petroleum usage (increased cost and decreasing supply)
- 16. Of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from households: • Vehicles • Home Heating • Electricity Households are Big Contributors to Climate Change
- 17. So how can each of us slow global warming now?
- 18. Because greenhouse gas emissions are tied very closely to our energy consumption, using less fossil fuel based energy puts fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This will help slow global warming. Reduce our consumption of fossil fuels Mountaintop removal for coal mining near Rawl, West Virginia. 50% of electricity in the United States is produced from coal. (
- 19. Average Electricity Emission Factors Region/State CO2 lb/kWh CO2 tons/MWh CO2 Metric tons/MWh CH4 lbs/MWh NO2 lbs/MWh South Atlantic 1.35 0.674 0.612 0.0127 0.0207 North Carolina 1.24 0.621 0.563 0.0105 0.0203 Virginia 1.16 0.582 0.528 0.0137 0.0192 West Virginia 1.98 0.998 0.897 0.0137 0.0316
- 20. Small changes really add up Replace your old refrigerator with a new Energy Star: Annual savings: $90; 700 pounds CO2 Set your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter Annual savings: $135; 1400 pounds CO2 Wash clothes in cold water only Annual savings: $70; 500 pounds CO2 Drive JUST 10 fewer miles per week Annual savings: $80; 520 pounds CO2 Reduce your garbage by 10% through greater recycling or reduced packaging Annual savings: 1200 pounds CO2 Caulk and weather-strip around doors and windows Annual savings: $80; 650 pounds CO2 * These are mid-range estimates from published sources; your savings may vary.
- 21. do as I say to protect the earth Each of us must take steps to protect our Earth's climate.
Editor's Notes
- #3: In examining global warming, we will be looking at questions such as Is the world getting warmer? If so, are the actions of mankind to blame for earth’s temperature increases? What can or should be done about global warming? Are the potential resolutions to global warming worth the cost to implement them?
- #4: This is a big picture examination of the earth’s climate The Earth was formed around 4.6 billion years ago And was originally very hot However, the Sun’s energy output was only 70% of what it is presently Liquid water was present on the surface around 4.3 billion years ago
- #5: The first life forms appeared ~3.8 billion years ago Photosynthesis began 3.5-2.5 billion years ago, which produced oxygen and removed carbon dioxide and methane, which are greenhouse gases, from the atmosphere As a result, the Earth went through periods of cooling, commonly referred to as “Snowball Earth” and subsequent warming Earth began its current cycles of glacial and interglacial periods around 3 million years ago
- #6: The temperature of the earth is directly related to the energy input from the Sun. Some of the Sun’s energy is reflected by clouds. Other is reflected by ice. The remainder is absorbed by the earth.
- #7: If amount of solar energy absorbed by the earth is equal to the amount radiated back into space, the earth remains at a constant temperature.
- #8: However, if the amount of solar energy is greater than the amount radiated, then the earth heats up.
- #9: If the amount of solar energy is less than the amount radiated, then the earth cools down.
- #10: To a certain degree, the earth acts like a greenhouse. Energy from the Sun penetrates the glass of a greenhouse and warms the air and objects within the greenhouse. The same glass slows the heat from escaping, resulting in much higher temperatures within the greenhouse than outside it.
- #11: Likewise, the earth’s atmospheric gases affect the ability of the earth to radiate the Sun’s energy back into space. Nitrogen and Oxygen make up 99% of the earth’s atmospheric gases and are non-greenhouse gases. Water, Carbon Dioxide, and Methane make up 1% of the earth’s atmosphere, but are greenhouse gases, since they cause the earth to retain heat.
- #14: This spike is due to the exponential increase in the use of fossil fuels over the last 150 years. Shown here are emissions of carbon from gas, solid, liquid fuels, and the total carbon emissions.
- #15: Despite this rapid increase in carbon emissions, only about half the carbon can be detected in the atmosphere. The remainder of the carbon dioxide is being dissolved in the oceans or incorporated into trees.
- #16: Future Carbon Emissions will probably increase, especially in China and developing countries This will result in a likely doubling of carbon dioxide levels within 150 years, due to Increased coal usage And increased natural gas usage, although petroleum usage is likely to decrease due to increased cost and decreasing supply