Last year, the amount of wind power grew tremendously. Currently, almost 2% of electricity comes directly from wind turbines. With help from the stimulus package, the wind industry grew at an unbelievably fast pace. Almost as much energy was created from wind as from natural gas last year. This use of renewable resources will decrease the amount of emissions contributing to global warming.
Other natios are considering wind energy as well. America is currently slightly behind Europe which gets 5% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. And, China plans to invest about $14.6 billion to wind power. Both countries have passed mandates requiring a certain amount of electricty coming from renewable sources. The US is working on this as well with 29 states adopting this standard. Also, the US plans to continue this wind power growth.
After reading this article and learning about it in class, I personally think wind is the best enery alternative. This natural phenomenon should be taken advantage of and used. Other resources are being depleted and some are very harmful to the environment. But on the contrary, wind will probably never stop blowing and does not harm the environment. Even though some think wind farms would ruin the "natural beauty" of the land, the result is completely worth it.
Mouawad, Jad. (2010 January 26) Wind Power Has Another Banner YEar. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Heating Oil Polluting Air
New York City is undoubtedly polluted from street cars, buses and taxis but is dramatically affected by heating oil. No. 6 heating oil is mostly the source of air pollution, the cheapest but worst type in the boilers. Also used is No. 4 heavy oil which is also cheap and hardly less polluting. City officials including Mayor Bloomberg and health commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley are working to regulate these oils. A recent survey of air quality done almost 2 weeks ago show the most pollutants around buildings burning No. 4 or No. 6 oils. Along with this survey, the Environmental Defense Fund concluded that these buildings, just 1% of all the buildings in the city, create 87% of the soot pollution from heating oil.
Some building owners are fighting these new regulations while others are becoming even more green. To replace the dirty oil burners and to switch heating systems could cost up to $100,000. And on top of that, the cleaner oil costs more money than the dirty oils; up to 60 cents less a gallon. However, some buildings are converting and even going one step further. A building in Greenwich Village is currently converting to natural gas while installing 2 roods with absorbant vegetation and energy-efficient windows.
If people are going to run large buildings, they should run them right. The environment faces enough stress as it is. Any solutions to try to make the air quality better should be used to matter the cost. It will ultimately do more good in the long run. Polluted air causes irritated lungs, asthma, emphysema and increases the risk of a heart attack. All these conditions could be decreased and maybe eliminated by simply paying 60 cents more a gallon for cleaner burning oils.
Navarro, Mireya (2010 January 1). Studies Find Heavy Heating Oil Has Severe Effect on Air Quality. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Some building owners are fighting these new regulations while others are becoming even more green. To replace the dirty oil burners and to switch heating systems could cost up to $100,000. And on top of that, the cleaner oil costs more money than the dirty oils; up to 60 cents less a gallon. However, some buildings are converting and even going one step further. A building in Greenwich Village is currently converting to natural gas while installing 2 roods with absorbant vegetation and energy-efficient windows.
If people are going to run large buildings, they should run them right. The environment faces enough stress as it is. Any solutions to try to make the air quality better should be used to matter the cost. It will ultimately do more good in the long run. Polluted air causes irritated lungs, asthma, emphysema and increases the risk of a heart attack. All these conditions could be decreased and maybe eliminated by simply paying 60 cents more a gallon for cleaner burning oils.
Navarro, Mireya (2010 January 1). Studies Find Heavy Heating Oil Has Severe Effect on Air Quality. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Birds vs. Planes
As shown by Captain Sullenberger's flight in last January, the amount of birds at airports is unsafe. Kennedy International Airport in particular has increased bird populations because it was built on wetlands. The wildlife there interferes with the planes. Sea gulls especially invade Kennedy, leaving their clam shells on the runway. Laura C. Francoeur, the chief wildlife biologist for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and other wildlife supervisors patrol the runways using shotguns to try to get them out of the sky.
According to Francoeur, many new techniques are being used to keep the birds away. The ones mentioned include pyrotechnics, traps, birds of prey, clippers, laser, helikite, noise, cabbie control and yankee ingenuity. Some scare the birds away and others strategically keep them from coming. For example, pyrotechnics look like guns but are simply noisemakers with screeching and banging sounds. And, a helikite is used to scare smaller birds. This part balloon, part kite floats in the air to represent a predatory bird. On the other hand, clippers are used for grass on the runway to maintain a 6 to 10 inch height. If the grass is too long, small mammals appear which attract raptors. If the grass is too short, birds sit and watch for predators, especially sea gulls.
In this situation, I can understand why they need to keep the birds away from airplanes. Aside from being harmed themselves, humans could potentially be harmed as shown in last January. However, it is ultimately Kennedy Airpoirt's fault for the amount of birds in the area. They build the airport directly on a natural habitat for birds. Where did they expect them to go? They should certainly not be harmed or killed for trying to find a place to live. If they were so concerned about keeping the birds away, they should have reconsidered their location.
Wilson, Michael. (2010, January 3) Working to Separate Big and Small Fliers. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
According to Francoeur, many new techniques are being used to keep the birds away. The ones mentioned include pyrotechnics, traps, birds of prey, clippers, laser, helikite, noise, cabbie control and yankee ingenuity. Some scare the birds away and others strategically keep them from coming. For example, pyrotechnics look like guns but are simply noisemakers with screeching and banging sounds. And, a helikite is used to scare smaller birds. This part balloon, part kite floats in the air to represent a predatory bird. On the other hand, clippers are used for grass on the runway to maintain a 6 to 10 inch height. If the grass is too long, small mammals appear which attract raptors. If the grass is too short, birds sit and watch for predators, especially sea gulls.
In this situation, I can understand why they need to keep the birds away from airplanes. Aside from being harmed themselves, humans could potentially be harmed as shown in last January. However, it is ultimately Kennedy Airpoirt's fault for the amount of birds in the area. They build the airport directly on a natural habitat for birds. Where did they expect them to go? They should certainly not be harmed or killed for trying to find a place to live. If they were so concerned about keeping the birds away, they should have reconsidered their location.
Wilson, Michael. (2010, January 3) Working to Separate Big and Small Fliers. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Global Warming Affects Sea Turtles
To add to the list of effects of global warming, the amount of sea turtles are declining. Just a few short years ago, Leatherback Sea Turtle National Park in Costa Rica used to be a popular tourist location filled with thousands of sea turtles. Now, they are facing extinction. This decline is traced back to warmer temperatures, rising seas and violent storm surges all produced by the phenomenon of global warming. Unlike some marine life, Leatherback sea turtles are directly affected by this change. As the water temperatures rise, the coral reefs are dying which a huge source of food for these turtles. Plus, they lay their eggs on beaches, continuously being harmed by the rising seas and storms. And most drastically, because their egg's genders are determined by temperature during development, an all-female population can be a result.
These sea turtles depend on temperature to produce male turtles and repeat the cycle of reproduction. However, if the sand around the eggs reaches 30 degrees Celsius, their gender turns female. To help this problem, scientists are trying to cool nests with shade and irrigation and protect all areas with eggs. A recent experiment has been conducted where a turtle's eggs were collected and shaded until hatched. Then, they will be released into the water again. But, even finding places to protect these eggs will be a challenge as Costa Rica's Pacific Coast has been industrialized. The coast has been filled with restaurants, hotels, trees and homes which interferes with the egg hatching.
Without a doubt, this shows how much we have affected the environment. Because of our role in global warming, sea turtles and other animals are facing extinction. I know many people who greatly care for animals, like Rachel Martinez, who would find this completely unfair. And, we are completely to blame. Fortunately, our generation is trying to help our planet and becoming "green." We are definitely stepping in the right direction but have a long way to go.
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. (2009, November 14) Turtles Are Casualties of Warming in Costa Rica. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
These sea turtles depend on temperature to produce male turtles and repeat the cycle of reproduction. However, if the sand around the eggs reaches 30 degrees Celsius, their gender turns female. To help this problem, scientists are trying to cool nests with shade and irrigation and protect all areas with eggs. A recent experiment has been conducted where a turtle's eggs were collected and shaded until hatched. Then, they will be released into the water again. But, even finding places to protect these eggs will be a challenge as Costa Rica's Pacific Coast has been industrialized. The coast has been filled with restaurants, hotels, trees and homes which interferes with the egg hatching.
Without a doubt, this shows how much we have affected the environment. Because of our role in global warming, sea turtles and other animals are facing extinction. I know many people who greatly care for animals, like Rachel Martinez, who would find this completely unfair. And, we are completely to blame. Fortunately, our generation is trying to help our planet and becoming "green." We are definitely stepping in the right direction but have a long way to go.
Rosenthal, Elisabeth. (2009, November 14) Turtles Are Casualties of Warming in Costa Rica. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.nytimes.com
Trying To Make Use of Saltwater
As learned in a previous chapter, saltwater undoubtedly affects the production of crops. The salty water leaves the soil and crops contaminated with a harmful amount of salt. But, scientists are trying to see this situation as advantageous. Farmers struggle with this problem because they cannot produce their crops in a sufficient quantity. Currently, Professor Greg Leslie at the University of New South Wales is working on a project to turn salty groundwater into a usable resource.
In this plan, a subsurface drip irrigation system is using a reverse osmosis membrane. In this irrigation system, plants draw saltwater through the membrane, removing the salt. Previously, irrigation techniques required high energy consumption for desalination. But with this reverse osmosis, the root systems provide enough of a pressure gradient so the water can move through the memrbrane without high energy consumption.
Because we recently leaned about this subect, I personally hope this system will prevail. Farmers stuggle everyday because of salt in their water. It degrades their soil and harms crops which are essentially their main source of income. People do not realize this is a huge problem in the US as our amount of freshwater is rapidly decreasing. Not one person can argue with the fact that water is overused and wasted. And this problem leads to more problems, like saltwater intrusion into the limited supply of freshwater left. Because the usage of water is not declining, people are just going to have to find ways to work with salty water.
University of New South Wales (2008, September 15). Saltwater Solution To Save Crops. ScienceDaily. Retrived November 28.
In this plan, a subsurface drip irrigation system is using a reverse osmosis membrane. In this irrigation system, plants draw saltwater through the membrane, removing the salt. Previously, irrigation techniques required high energy consumption for desalination. But with this reverse osmosis, the root systems provide enough of a pressure gradient so the water can move through the memrbrane without high energy consumption.
Because we recently leaned about this subect, I personally hope this system will prevail. Farmers stuggle everyday because of salt in their water. It degrades their soil and harms crops which are essentially their main source of income. People do not realize this is a huge problem in the US as our amount of freshwater is rapidly decreasing. Not one person can argue with the fact that water is overused and wasted. And this problem leads to more problems, like saltwater intrusion into the limited supply of freshwater left. Because the usage of water is not declining, people are just going to have to find ways to work with salty water.
University of New South Wales (2008, September 15). Saltwater Solution To Save Crops. ScienceDaily. Retrived November 28.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Electric Cars: New and Improved
Because of the increase anxiety of oil supplies and air pollution, electric cars are quickly being sold again. When they first appeared, the demand was high; since the prices are astronomical, the amount of these cars sold has dramatically decreases. Hybrid cars like the popular Toyota Prius, however, are favorable because the gas is cheaper and help the environment. These cars have a combination of a small battery with a small electric motor. Currently, these are almost 1 million Priuses driving, while thousands of other hybrids are being made. And, not to mention, these hybrid cars will soon become plug-in hybrids, where the electricity comes straight from the grid instead of gasoline. But, again these prices are expensive whereas an extra battery pack sells for about $10,000.
Recently, the display of a new plug-in Chevrolet has been shown. This small car will sell for about $35,000. The Volt has been announced to go the first 40 miles purely on electricity – less than what most people drive per day. After the 40 miles, the generator turns on to make electricity for the motor. This car will have a 16 kilowatt-hour battery, probably lasting over 120,000 miles. People are surely interested, however. With just a view of the car, people were said to be “drooling” over it. And even though many are interesting in it’s looks, they are happy with it’s impact on the environment. A gallon of gasoline can produce about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide but with these electric cars, a little more than half as much will be burned.
Personally, through my newfound knowledge of global warming, I feel as though I want to do everything I can to help the environment. (Hopefully I can reduce the amount of planets needed to support my lifestyle!) With new technology, like the electric cars, people will feel inclined to make the right choice. I know if I had the money, I would be the first one in line for a new Volt. The amount of CO2 emissions is so greatly reduced which can substantially affect the declining atmosphere.
Wald, Matthew. (2009, October 29) Fill It Up With Electricity, Please. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.newyorktimes.com/
Recently, the display of a new plug-in Chevrolet has been shown. This small car will sell for about $35,000. The Volt has been announced to go the first 40 miles purely on electricity – less than what most people drive per day. After the 40 miles, the generator turns on to make electricity for the motor. This car will have a 16 kilowatt-hour battery, probably lasting over 120,000 miles. People are surely interested, however. With just a view of the car, people were said to be “drooling” over it. And even though many are interesting in it’s looks, they are happy with it’s impact on the environment. A gallon of gasoline can produce about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide but with these electric cars, a little more than half as much will be burned.
Personally, through my newfound knowledge of global warming, I feel as though I want to do everything I can to help the environment. (Hopefully I can reduce the amount of planets needed to support my lifestyle!) With new technology, like the electric cars, people will feel inclined to make the right choice. I know if I had the money, I would be the first one in line for a new Volt. The amount of CO2 emissions is so greatly reduced which can substantially affect the declining atmosphere.
Wald, Matthew. (2009, October 29) Fill It Up With Electricity, Please. The New York Times. Retrived from http://www.newyorktimes.com/
Tragic Tsunami Occuring In The US?
The Cascadia Subduction Zone, ranging from Northern California to British Columbia, lines a huge fault system marked with volcanoes. The last major earthquake along this fault was recorded on January 26, 1700 which produced a record-breaking tsunami. Yumei Wang, geotechnical engineer for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, worries that the next earthquake could be sometime very soon. Wang says this massive tsunami will ultimately flood the Pacific Northwest which will destroy unprotected homes and cause many casualties. The area is a prime region for the next earthquake-triggered tsunami, probably growing up to 50 ft. or more in a mere time of 10-20 seconds.
To try to help this region, Wang has been working hard. She has talked with public officials about setting up evacuation buildings up and down the Northwest coast. These buildings will be made of reinforced concrete, a deep foundation, strong columns, an 18-foot tall first floor and many other safety precautions. Also, she believes it is a good idea to raise awareness as well. She presented a session called “Risks and Realities: Current Advances in Understanding Societal Risk and Resilience to Natural Hazards” in Portland, Oregon. However, all these measures will be costly; the added cost could be between 1-2 million dollars.
Although expensive, I think Yumei Wang definitely has the right idea in mind. This could ultimately change the course of history of the U.S. and people should be informed. Any precautions that could be done now positively should be. There are many ways, like the evacuation buildings, that could save thousands of lives. I don’t think people really realize the severity of something like a tsunami. Many Americans don’t think anything could actually happen to them until something tragic occurs. But, the money put towards this is definitely worth it in everyway. Wang says the quake could occur tomorrow or in a couple years; it’s simply up to fate.
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