Energy

1
Energy

• An Overview of the Problem

2
Global Warming
Three Quarters of humans greenhouse gas
emissions are from energy-related activities.
These are mostly carbon dioxide emissions from
burning fossil fuels
3
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.
4
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
5
Coal Production
Sulfur can mix with oxygen and moisture to
create acid rain
When coal is burned, it gives off carbon
dioxide, the main green house gas associated with
global warming.
Nitrogen oxide can create smog and mercury will
eventually settle in water and build up in fish
and shellfish
It also produces emissions of sulfur, nitrogen
oxide, and mercury
6
Oils Effect On the Environment
When oil products are burned they give off
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides,
particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons
Exploring and drilling for oil can disturb the
surrounding area
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
7
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
8
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
9
Energy

• Examples of the problem

10
Depleted Uranium
Depleted Uranium is used in the military for
armor and 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
problems such as cancer and birth defect.
11
Children effected by asthma
Nearly 7 million children in the United
States have 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.
An Asthma inhaler
7 year old Hannah Austin
12
Energy sources
The resources that we use for energy are limited
like oil, gas, coal, and uranium. When we could
use other renewable resources.
13
Coal
Without its proper care mining can destroy
the land 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.

14
What Causes Energy Problems
15
Energy causes

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

16
Causes of oil

• 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.

17
Solar energy causes
Solar energy causes ocean Currents. When
absorbing solar energy, water level increases. It
also causes winds. As the sun energy heats
Earths surface, the surface heats the air above.
That creates low air pressure.
18
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.

19
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.

20
Energy

• UN views on energy.

21
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).

22
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.

23
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.

24
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.

25
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.

26
Solutions

• What the community, activists, and the
  government is doing to help

27
United Sates Department of Energy
The DOE is also trying to reduce our dependence
on foreign oil
The DOE is committed to developing
energy-effiecient technologies for buildings,
homes, transportation, indudustries, and power
systems
The DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
has three major goals 1. Enhance energy
efficiency and productivity 2. Bring
energy-efficient technology into the
marketplace 3. 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
28
Fight Global Warming
At fightglobalwarming.com you can learn about the
science and dangers of global warming
http//www.fightglobalwarming.com/index.cfm
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
29
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
30
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 Americas energy to
100 renewable sources within the next 10 years
We Can Solve It is a project of the Alliance
For Climate Protectiona nonprofit group founded
by Al Gore and Nobel Laureate
http//www.wecansolveit.org/
31
Personal Solutions

• What YOU can do to help!

32
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
33
Transportation
Whenever its possiblewalk, 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
34
Home Improvements
Plant trees! They absorb 25 pounds of carbon
dioxide form the air each year
Insulate your walls and ceilingsit can save 20
to 30 of home heating bills
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!
Replace current windows with argon-filled,
double glaze windows because they trap heat
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
35
Appliances and Water Heater Tips
Set your refrigerators temperature as close to
37F as possible and your freezer as close to 3F
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 its full and
manually dry the dishes or let them air dry
Turn down your water heater thermostat to 120F
instead of 140F. 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.
36
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 youre not interested in buying a whole new
toilet, the old saying If its yellow, let it
mellow, if its brown, flush it down. always
works too...
In the winter, set your themostat for 68F
during the day, and 55F at night. In the
summer, keep it at 78F. Also, regularly clean
or replace your air filter.
37
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 dont use more energy then your panels
generate, you wont have to pay a thing!
38
We need to use renewable energy resources, and
save the environment.
39
The End!!!