Energy

An Overview of the Problem

Global Warming

Three Quarters of humans’ greenhouse gas emissions are from energy-related activities. These are mostly carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels

Scarcity

We primarily use nonrenewable sources for our energy, such as coal, fossil fuels and oil. As the demand for energy increases, and the supply decreases, the prices of energy (gas for example) rise.

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Nonrenewable energy sources are where we get most of our energy. Recovering and processing these sources can have a negative effect on the environment

Coal Production

* When coal is burned, it gives off carbon dioxide, the main green house gas associated with global warming.

* It also produces emissions of sulfur, nitrogen oxide, and mercury

* Sulfur can mix with oxygen and moisture to create acid rain

* Nitrogen oxide can create smog and mercury will eventually settle in water and build up in fish and shellfish

Oil’s Effect On the Environment* When oil products are burned they give off carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons

* These emissions help create air pollution

* When oil is spilled in bodies of water, wildlife can be harmed. When it is spilled on land, it must be cleaned up immediately, before it can seep into the ground

* Exploring and drilling for oil can disturb the surrounding area

NaTuRaL GaS

* Natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels, but it still produces carbon dioxide

* Natural Gas is made up of mostly methane so when it is stored in sorage tanks, wells, and pipelines, methane can leak into the air

* Exploring and drilling for natural gas disturbs the land and marine habitats around the site

NUCLEAR POWER

* Nuclear power is considered cleaner than any of the fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) because it does not create air pollution or carbon dioxide. However, it does produce a small amount of other emissions

* The real concern with nuclear power is its by-products: used fuels, radioactive waste, and heat

* Radioactive waste has to go through a special disposal process so it does not come in contact with the outside environment

Energy

Examples of the problem

Depleted Uranium

Depleted Uranium is used in the military for armorand is 0.7 more radioactive then natural uranium

Natural uranium in found in rocks and soil, and in rivers and sea water.

Depleted Uranium leads to serious health problemssuch as cancer and birth defect.

Children effected by asthma

Nearly 7 million children in the United Stateshave asthma.

Children spend more time outside than adults do,and their lungs are not fully formed yet. so they Are exposed more to air pollution.

7 year old Hannah Austin An Asthma inhaler

The resources that we use for energy are limited like oil, gas, coal, and uranium. When we could useother renewable resources.

Energy sources

Coal

Without its proper care mining can destroy theland and can pollute Water. And because miners come close to contact with the ground and surface waters.

When coal is burned into fuel, the coal will give off carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that causes global warming.

=

What Causes Energy Problems

Energy causes

• Dark surfaced roofs trap solar heat. It’s held within itself and multiplies its intensity. It can cause energy loss and heat island effect.

• The production of oil causes a great amount of carbon dioxide to be released into the air

• This can cause pollution that harm our environment.

Causes of oil

Solar energy causes ocean Currents. When absorbingsolar energy, water level increases. It also causes winds. As the sun energy heats Earth’s surface, the surface heats the air above. That creates low air pressure.

Solar energy causes

What created energy problems

Climate change, acid rains, nuclear radiation and smog are our current energy habits. If this continues it will threaten all our future generations.

Energy causes

• Water flowing through coal mines and mining spoil can become polluted. This in turn can contaminate any other water sources the polluted water comes into contact with.

Energy

UN views on energy.

UN- Energy

• The Inter Agency mechanism on energy has come to address the importance of access to energy.

• Another way the UN has showed the importance of energy is the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The MDG

• MDG is a report that draws out ideas of UN members such as the World Bank, while discussing the lack of modern fuels.

• DYK 1.6 billion people lack access to electricity, while 2.4 billion lack modern fuel for heat and cooking.

World Summit on Sustainable Development

• The WWSD aims to promote collaboration in the field of energy between the UN groups which handle the topic of energy.

WWSD (continued)

• This group also focuses on substantive and collaborative actions towards energy.

• Working together they come up with solutions that provide better alternatives for our energy.

Energy in the End

• UN- Energy was established to help create alternative energy through modern fuels.

• UN- Energy was also created to get UN- members and even non UN -members to get more involved in conserving energy for a better tomorrow.

Solutions

What the community, activists, and the government

is doing to help

United Sates Department of Energy

* The DOE is committed to developing energy-effiecient technologies for buildings, homes, transportation, indudustries, and power systems

* The DOE is also trying to reduce our dependence on foreign oil

The DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has three major goals:1. Enhance energy efficiency and productivity2. Bring energy-efficient technology into the marketplace3. Encourage Americans to make “greener” everyday chioces

The EERE sponsers many initiatives that biuild awareness of energy efficiency and renewable resources, and try to organize efforts toward certain goals

Fight Global Warming

At fightglobalwarming.com you can learn about the science and dangers of global warming

You can calculate how much carbon pollution you or your entire family creates

This website also provides lots of tips on what you can your family can do to reduce their impact on the environment

http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/index.cfm

EarthTeam * EarthTeam is an organization from the Bay Area, that is committed to educating the community, specifically teens, about the environment. They hope to inspire people to live a “greener” lifestyle, by giving people a hands-on, engaging look at what they can do to help. * EathTeam organizes

restoration projects in local parks and around the bay, organizes a two-day environmental leadership forum for high schoolers, and organizes many other cool projects like solar cooking and water quality testing

We Can Solve It

We Can Solve It is an online group of over a million people who are dedicated to solving the climate crisis and converting America’s energy to 100% renewable sources within the next 10 years

http://www.wecansolveit.org/

* We Can Solve It is a project of the Alliance For Climate Protection—a nonprofit group founded by Al Gore and Nobel Laureate

Personal Solutions

What YOU can do to help!

Lighting

* Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-effiecient fluorescent ones

* Use Watt Watchers that turn out the lights whe you leave the room, or get a light timer that will turn out the lights after a set time. Better yet– just turn out the lights manually when you leave a room!

* Halogen lights (which make good reading lights or other precise lighting), have twice the life and the same or higher efficiency as a non-halogen incandescent light

Transportation* Whenever it’s possible—walk, bike, or use public transportation!!

Doing so is MUCH cheaper and every gallon of gas you save avoids 22 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions

Not to mention walking and biking is healthier for YOU too!

* When buying a new car, pick one that gets good mileage or choose a hybrid or electric car

Home Improvements* Insulate your walls and ceilings—it can save 20 to 30% of home heating bills

* Replace current windows with argon-filled, double glaze windows because they trap heat

“Weatherize” your home by plugging up air leaks around doors and windows with caulk and weather stripping. This can save up to 1100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year!

Paint your house a light color if you live in a warm climate or a dark color if you live in a cold climate. This is because darker colors absorb heat, while lighter colors do not absorb it as readily

Plant trees! They absorb 25 pounds of carbon dioxide form the air each year

Appliances and Water Heater Tips* Set your refrigerator’s temperature as close to 37°F as possible and your freezer as close to 3°F as possible

* Change your washing machine from hot to warm or cold. This could save 500 pounds (two loads a week) of carbon dioxide per year for an electric water heater or 150 pounds per year for a gas heater

* Only run the dishwasher when it’s full and manually dry the dishes or let them air dry

* Turn down your water heater thermostat to 120°F instead of 140°F. If every household did this we could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 45 million tons! Wrapping your water heater in an insulating jacket also reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Fixtures and Air Conditioners

* Buy low-flow shower heads and toilets to reduce the amount of water that is used, and therefore the amount of energy

* If you’re not interested in buying a whole new toilet, the old saying “If it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down.” always works too...

*In the winter, set your themostat for 68°F during the day, and 55°F at night. In the summer, keep it at 78°F. Also, regularly clean or replace your air filter.

S LAR ENERGY

* Changing to solar power is another great option. Once the solar panels are payed for, you can essentially get free electricity. As long as you don’t use more energy then your panels generate, you won’t have to pay a thing!

We need to use renewable energy resources, and save the environment.

The End!!!