PROBLEM-SOLUTION SPEECH

TOPIC: Problems and solutions regarding the burning of fossil fuels. PURPOSE: That there are solutions to global warming and the adverse health reactions caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

INTRODUCTION

Lead-in Sentence:Thesis Statement: Scientific experts now believe that we face an epidemic of illnesses made worse by Air Pollution.Credibility Material:Press Release, EHHI (Environment and human Health, Inc) Original Research Report, The Harmful effects of Vehicle Exhaust: A Case for Policy Change, March 1,2006.1) The impact that the burning of fossil fuel has on human health.

A. This affects many residents of major City’s, affecting the mental and physical health of those who are trying to make a living. Many don’t realize the extent that pollution has on the air that we breath.

B. The problem is important because all are susceptible from the young to the infirm.1.The extent of this problem is mainly concentrated in major population centers because

of the number of vehicles per person and the fact that almost everybody drives a car that burns gasoline as a source of energy. Transportation is estimated to contribute to 26% of global Co2 (Carbon dioxide) emissions as the volume of traffic continues to grow.

2.Those who are at risk are people who have respiratory problems like asthma, emphysema and those with heart disease.

C) The bad consequences of this problem is that the burning of fossil fuels releases Air pollutants like: Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide Particulate matter, Sulfur Dioxide, Lead, Toxic Air Pollutants and Green house gases.

1. 1.Authoritive testimony by the lead author of the Research report, JohnWargo, PhD, professor of Risk Analysis and Environmental Policy at Yale University, said, “Although we all have grown to accept the smell of engine exhaust as part of our everyday life, our nation is in an epidemic of illnesses made worse by air pollution. Some of the illnesses exacerbated by Air Pollution are asthma, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory illnesses.”Robert Lacamera, M.D, Clinical professor of Pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine commented, “The American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that the that levels of ozone and particulate matter is enough in many parts of the U.S. to threaten children’s health. With almost 10% of the nation’s children having Asthma, the seriousness of the Air Pollution problem can not be overstated.”“Many of the chemicals in vehicle exhaust are carcinogenic, and yet we are exposed to them each and every day,” says Nancy Alderman, president of Environment and Human Health, Inc. “We simply must reduce our exposures if we are to protect human health.”

2.Ozone near the ground can cause a number of health problems. Ozone can lead to more frequent asthma attacks in people who have asthma and breathing difficulties. It may even lead to premature death. Carbon Monoxide makes it hard for certain body parts to get the oxygen it needs to run correctly. High levels of Nitrogen Dioxide exposure can give people coughs and make them feel short of breath. And its prevalence in the atmosphere causes acid rain. Particulate matter is matter that is small enough to enter the lungs and cause health problems. Some of these problems include: more frequent asthma attacks, respiratory problems and premature death. Sulfur Dioxide exposure and affect people who have asthma and emphysema by making it more difficult for them to breath. High amounts of lead can be

dangerous for small children and can lead to lower IQs and kidney problems. For adults, exposure to lead can increase the chance of having heart attacks of strokes. Toxic Air Pollutants can cause cancer. Some Toxic Air Pollutants can also cause birth defects. Each Toxic Air Pollutant comes from a slightly different source, but many are created in chemical plants, or are emitted when fossil fuels are burned. Many Toxic Air Pollutants can also enter the food and water supply, and people can be exposed when they eat or drink.

SOLUTION/s

2) Alternative fuels. Funded research into energy alternatives to cure our addiction and dependence on foreign oil reserves. A. The solution lies in the future technology market and in alternative fuels that are cleaner and don’t pollute the atmosphere and release environmentally hazardous gases.

1. A primary concern is that the fact that the use of conventional fuels directly contributes to the global warming crisis. Each day almost 200 million gallons of gasoline are used in America. As the demand for gasoline becomes even greater, the price of gasoline will be even higher.

2. Alternative fuels are sources of energy that are renewable, cheaper, cleaner and more or equally efficient as our current fuels. Fuels such as ethanol, biodiesels, butanol, chemically stored electricity such as in batteries and fuel cells, hydrogen, butanol, methane, natural gas, wood gas, vegetable oil, solar powered, and bio mass. Future car engines should be designed to use alternative fuels like in our present fuel-efficient hybrid cars, operating using electricity and gas or a gasoline ethanol mixture known as E85. Another type of technology in development is the Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. And with this technology vehicles would use cells containing compressed of liquefied hydrogen. The hydrogen is mixed with oxygen to produce electrical energy and the only by-product of hydrogen is water vapor. No harmful green house gases are produced.

B. The long delays into the implementation of these alternative technologies happen because the government has to have certain amount of control over a very profitable business, especially in regards to energy. The enormous amounts of profits that the major oil companies make daily would take a hit from any other competitive alterative fuel. Unfortunately, research into the practicability of hydrogen as a fuel is still underway, and the outcome is, at best, is uncertain.