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Our Changing Earth

Our Changing Earth. Global climate change, carbon cycle, and energy. Evidence Types. Evidence Types. Implications and Significance. All together, the pieces of evidence are used to create climate change models.

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Our Changing Earth

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  1. Our Changing Earth Global climate change, carbon cycle, and energy

  2. Evidence Types

  3. Evidence Types

  4. Implications and Significance • All together, the pieces of evidence are used to create climate change models. • Models are accurate when they are run to show past history. (Starting in the past and run to present time.) • Models also show current trends/observations when they include human impacts. • Models are NOT accurate for current trends/observations when human influence is removed.

  5. What else do we need to know about CO2? • Carbon cycles through Earth’s systems naturally. • INTO ATMOSPHERE • Volcanoes • Formation of rocks - • Cellular respiration • Burning of fossil fuels and decay of biomass • 60% of this CO2 stays in atmosphere • OUT OF ATMOSPHERE • Photosynthesis • Weathering of granite • Burial of biomass- • once into the earth, it stays there, unless burned as a fossil fuel • Dissolves in seawater- active reservoir that stores CO2 for 108 years. • Carbonate sediments deposited into ocean

  6. Carbon Cycle (pg 85)

  7. Carbon Cycle

  8. US Energy Use (Fossil Fuels) • U.S. energy consumption in perspective. • Think of what you do in a day that requires energy. . . (lights, driving, doors, windows, entertainment, etc.) • Compared to a more agricultural society where those things were luxuries. . .(Washing machine today = washer woman of yesterday.) • All require fossil fuels: gas, coal, oil • U.S. energy consumption per capita is equal to having 100 energy servants. (You have 100 people bowing to your every whim.) • China’s energy consumption per capita is equal to having 10 energy servants.

  9. US Energy Consumption

  10. How much fossil fuels are left? • It is easier to find anything if there is a lot of it to find! • Direct relationship • The more oil there is, the easier it is to find. • The less oil available, the harder it is to find. • March of 2006 Saudi Arabia stated they were at maximum output of about 9 million barrels of oil per day. (confirmed by America/Kuwait) • Peaked at 9.5 million as of 2006. (Dropped to 9.2 million as of 2009.)

  11. How long will they last? • Depends on how much you start with. • More to start = lasts longer. • Oil found as of today = 94% of total global oil. • The more people using a nonrenewable resource = the faster it will run out. • Developing countries vs. Developed • The faster the rate of use = the faster it will run out. • Want it to last longer? Use less or have fewer people use it.

  12. Is that all? • Redevelopment: • Using oil we didn’t use before. • Possibly multiplies oil reserves by as much as 3X. • Keystone Pipeline

  13. So What? Effects on Economy Benefits of Fossil Fuels include: • Infrastructure present • Infrastructure is the “stuff” that makes us go! • Pipelines, gas tanks, streets, tanker trucks, refineries, etc. • All present, in place, & working well • Makes the cost of fossil fuels CHEAP!

  14. No simple solution! • Infrastructure • The systems and supports in place to get products to the consumers. • For example, gas = pumped as crude oil, transported to the refinery, refined, transported to gas stations, stored, distributed to consumer. • All the equipment used along the way, including the roads along the way are infrastructure. • Any change to our current system requires some infrastructure changes. • For example, electric cars vs. gas powered.

  15. Effects on Economy: Supply and Demand • Waterfall effect. • For example if gas prices go up. . . . • Effects the automotive industry because gas prices increase • Effects the agricultural industry and food prices increase. • Pay more to drive the machinery to produce and deliver the food. • THEN effects the price of ethanol and makes the price of gas increase.

  16. Effects on Economy: Swinging prices • Ripple effect. . . Swinging prices. • Prices driven by the limited supply and high demand for it. • Prices kept in check by how much we think we can afford.

  17. Gas Prices Last year

  18. Gas Prices Last 5 years

  19. Sustainability • Sustainability - balance between conservation of resources and quality of life

  20. Sustainability • People • Makes life easier & more pleasant • better quality & better relationships • Planet • Uses resources effectively & efficiently • Considers direct & indirect impact on planet • Profit • Affordable or saves money • Creates jobs • Generates profit and/or improves economy

  21. One day’s trash at WHS • Does NOT include RR trash. • Does NOT include some kitchen trash. • How much do you use? How much do you NEED?

  22. Renewable & Nonrenewable • Renewable: resources that can be replaced over a short period of time (months/years/decades) • plants, animals, wind energy, solar power • Cleaner, decrease CO2, won’t run out • Infrastructure changes needed, high cost to establish, supply/demand issues.

  23. Renewable & Nonrenewable • Nonrenewable: resources that take long periods of time to replace. • hundreds/thousands/millions of years • fossil fuels, mineral deposits, nonmetallic minerals • Infrastructure is in place, easy to use, cheap/affordable • Can run out, CO2 emissions, rising costs

  24. Alternative Fuels (ALL renewable) • Solar Energy • Free & non-polluting, lots of energy available • Passive = radiation heats objects • For example, standing in the sun to warm up • Active solar collectors = heat water or air that circulates; photovoltaic cells. • To heat homes, or generate electricity • Currently equipment is costly • Back up system needed for night, cloudy days, shorter winter days.

  25. Nuclear • Currently nuclear fission provides 7% of energy for U.S. (opposite of what the sun does!) • Splitting of nucleus releases energy. (heat) • On demand: more needed = more generated • Safety issues (chain reaction) • Nuclear waste hazards (Japan, NE disposal facility fiasco) • Further development is hard. • Not the silver bullet that was hoped!

  26. Wind • Not new! Ever see a windmill? • Electricity generated from wind turning a turbine • Wind has the possibility of providing 80% of U.S. electrical energy (ND, SD alone). • The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that almost 92% of Nebraska has suitable conditions for wind-powered electricity generation. • Dependable = Earth is heated unevenly • Issues = • Noise pollution? • Cost of land & technology (recent expiration of federal subsidies) • Consistency of wind • Technology (size/transportation)

  27. Hydroelectric • Power due to falling water • Change potential energy into mechanical energy. • Falling water turns a turbine that generates electricity. • Hydroelectric dams have limited lifetimes • Water rights of those downstream must be considered • Limited locations • Majority of US locations already developed

  28. Hydrogen • Hydrogen is an energy carrier (remember ATP?) • Can be produced by wind, solar, geothermal, etc. • Fuel cell = battery of sorts • H2 in, breaks apart, we use the electrons for energy, hydrogen combines with oxygen to make water. • Zero emissions, no CO2 (when made without fossil fuels!) • Very efficient(1.5-2.5X mi/gal gasoline), fast refueling, automakers ready by 2015-2020. • How much energy is available in H2? (Demonstrations)

  29. Hydrogen challenges • Technology • Storage on vehicles (Hindenburg, gas H2 demo) • Hindenburg footage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiAT9xvTVKI) • Lifetime of fuel cells short • Like a rechargeable battery • Cost • True zero CO2 production needed • Currently use fossil fuels to make and transport H2. Does that solve the problem or add to it? • Cold start (water freezes!)

  30. Geothermal • Energy due to the heat of the Earth’s core. • 2 kinds: Heat pump and steam • Steam = Hot water/steam from geysers, fractures in crust, used to turn turbines &/or heat water to generate electricity. • Limited by amount of water/steam in area, & locations of “hot spots” • WHS has a heat pump. • Ground stays around 50oF • 20o warmer than winter air • 30-40o cooler than summer air

  31. Biofuels • Appear to be the most promising for replacing fossil fuels in transport industry • This is what makes ethanol, biodiesel. • Uses cellulose of plant matter. (Crunchy stuff) • Energy balance (100 units, never 100% efficient) • Oil = 1 unit to create, transport, store, etc; 8 units to consumers to use (91 units to waste) • Biofeuls = 7 units to create, transport, store, etc; 71 to consumers to use (22 to waste)

  32. Biofuel benefits • Lower use of pesticides • because they are perennials (grow back every year) • a.k.a. organic • Lower erosion (land conservation) • Enhance habitat and diversity of plant/animals • Possible to recycle (after plants are processed, use leftovers to fertilize the fields) • Plants use CO2 for photosynthesis. (reduce CO2 while reducing production of CO2) • BUT, land would possibly not be available for food/other usage AND contains more water so it is more corrosive to transport (infrastructure).

  33. What now? • Oil needs to go! • Costly environmentally and supply/demand • Other fuels are out there and need to be utilized. • Logistics - Chicken and egg • Low demand due to availability • Low availability due to demand • Project: (proficiency this week) • Done: topic, sources, rough draft • This week: Rough Draft due 3rd Small for Peer Reviews • Presentations begin 2nd small after spring break. • Quiz Friday over last THREE LARGE GROUPS.

  34. USGS estimations http://cegis.usgs.gov/video/1Km/sealevel_us.avi

  35. Impact on Species • Habitats will change altitudes. • Cooler climates at higher altitudes will warm • Species will migrate up to higher altitudes. • Species that prefer cool climates migrate. . where? • Increase of invasive species • Current rate of ~3oC = ~25-50% of species lost (Nobel 2008) • Nobel 2012 = rate of change more like last global warming event that had 92% species lost. • Slow to <1oC = ~<10% of species lost • Lowers diversity and subjects survivors to extinction.

  36. that carries this disease If this insect goes extinct, And it feeds that bird, that affects humans. . .we would then ask, “Who let the ball drop?” We did. That eats this bug, So What? Why should I care about extinction and diversity?

  37. Impact on Humans • Water shortage • Huh? Water for much of Tibet and California comes from snow pack melting or glacial melting. (decrease in precipitation = less snowfall) • Increased evaporation = more irrigation for food production = less water in Ogallala Aquifer • Change in ocean chemistry/currents • Impact on local climates = changes precipitation globally • Fishing and trade routes change= impact communities • Food shortage due to decreased nutrient supply(fishing), decreased pH harms hard shelled organisms.

  38. Impact on Humans (cont.) • Coastal communities & Sea level rise • Approx 10% of world population lives below 33ft elevation. (Omaha elevation = 1,090 ft) • Tundra thawing • Increases erosion & methane release • Damages towns/homes/water lines/etc • Physiology • What range can our bodies function well in? (Tuna hearts)

  39. Carbon Cycle Application • What does that mean in terms of daily life? • Where does the carbon go? • How does it get there? • What are our contributions? • Label each arrow of the next carbon cycle diagram with what is happening. • For example: Respiration, waste, etc.

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