The Environment
CMap
Food
Water
Materials
Pollution and its Effects on our Environment
http://www.iea.org/ieaenergy/
Carbon Dioxide
Emissions
The largest human source of carbon
dioxide emissions comes from the
combustion of fossil fuels.
Three major types of fossil fuels
Coal
Natural gas
Oil
CO2 Emissions on a Global Scale
Apart from being created by human activities, carbon dioxide is also released into the atmosphere by
natural processes. The Earth's oceans, soil, plants, animals and volcanoes are all natural sources of
carbon dioxide emissions.
At the beginning of the 18th century, human sources of carbon dioxide upset this natural balance with
the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/global.html
Our Transportation Sector, the Second Largest source of CO2 Emissions
A large percentage of our CO2 emissions come from our road vehicles
Smog hanging over highways gives off an eerie yellow haze
http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/06/04/los-angeles-air-pollution-decline
Another significant polluting source
The number of ships navigating between U.S. and China is contributing to many of our
environmental problems.
14 percent of all transport emissions
are caused by marine shipping.
Air pollution from cruise ships is
generated by diesel engines that burn
high sulfur content fuel.
http://www.rtcc.org/2012/12/17/eu-targets-air-pollution-with-tightened-shipping-rules/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_Cycle_-_ln.svg
Types of Water Pollution
Wastewater from commercial and industrial waste
(intentionally or through spills)
Urban and agricultural runoff
Surface runoff flowing to public waterways
http://www.ustudy.in/node/1890
Soil contamination
The most significant soil contaminants are:
Hydrocarbons
Herbicides
Pesticides
Insecticides
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/s/soil_contamination.htm
Soil Contamination in Agriculture
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/wastsite/soilspil.htm
Environmental Impact of Nuclear Power
uranium processing
nuclear power generation
Routine health risks and greenhouse gas
emissions from nuclear fission power are small
relative to those associated with coal,
oil and gas.
However, there is a "catastrophic risk" potential
when nuclear containment fails, which can
result in releasing large amounts
of fission products into the environment.
geological disposal
uranium mining
Waste and Garbage
http://www.cleanair.org/Waste/wasteFacts.html
Together we can
http://www.mobilecommons.com/blog/2011/04/earth-day-goes-mobile/
Power Sustainability
by: Riley Fukuji
http://dyh9a7dlvr8qp.cloudfront.net/going-green/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/print-city-sustainability-energy-environment.jpg
Not Sustainable
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Oil
Natural Gas
Coal
Any other thing that can not be naturally replenished in duration of your life
http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/images/Snippets/Smoke05.jpg
Sustainable Energy
•
•
•
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Solar
Wind
Hydroelectric
Landfill gas
Nuclear
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/sun-gallery/
Nuclear
Pro:
Energy is abundant
Cons:
Fukushima
Nuclear Waste
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Nuclear_Pow
er_Plant_Cattenom.jpg
Landfill Gas
Pros:
Use the methane from waste
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/image
s/2006/05/08/us/08landfill.xlarge1.jp
g
Cons:
Combustion of methane
Emitting greenhouse gases
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1RKMMpRRHY 30sec-3min
Wind
Cons:
Not accurately predictable
Scenery
Pros:
Cost: Free
No dangerous materials involved
http://reneweconomy.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2012/11/wind-turbines17.jpg
Hydroelectric
Pros:
Efficiency is high
16% of energy produced in the world
http://ak9.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/833590/preview/st
ock-footage-hydro-electric-dam-in-the-mountains.jpg
Cons:
Wildlife is destroyed
http://rosyfinch.com/DeadFish.jpg
http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1199833634_1362975598.jpg
Solar
Efficiency: 20%
Recycle: 80% recyclable material
Lifetime: 20 years
Cost of fuel: FREE
Energy Usage
Average US family uses 940 kWh per month
Math:
Average area of solar panel: 1.6sq meters
Solar Panel Efficiency: 20%
Calculations: (power from sun per day)(days per month)
South West
(6kWh)(30day)=(180kWh per month per sq meter)(.2)=36 kWh
(940 kWh a month)/(36 kWh a month)= 26 sq meters needed
17 panels
Other areas:
(4kWh)(30day)=(120kWh per month per sq meter)(.2)=24 kWh
(940 kWh a month)/(24 kWh a month)= 39 sq meters needed
25 panels
Average United State plot of land: 185 sq meters
Work Cited
http://www.desktoplemming.com/ocean-hd-desktop-wallpaper/
www.anh-usa.org
blogs.worldwatch.org
www.biologicaldiversity.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollution
http://www.whatsyourimpact.eu.org/co2-sources.php
http://www.nofrackingway.us/2012/11/09/epa-water-pollution-study/
http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=97&t=3
http://solar.gwu.edu/FAQ/solar_potential.html
http://www.census.gov/const/C25Ann/sftotalmedavgsqft.pdf
http://www.thesolarelectricitycompany.com/downloads/sunpowerE20.pdf
http://www.ecology.com/2013/03/28/hydro-power-in-china/
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/non-hydro.html