What is the greenhouse effect?

The greenhouse effect is"a naturally occurring process that aids in heating the Earth's surface and atmosphere[1]." Essentially it is a glass house that traps heat and warms whatever is inside. Some gases that are emitted from the earth are reflected back to the earth; whereas some go off into space.


What are greenhouse gases?
These gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. Some gases like carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted through natural processes. The main greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and  fluorinated gases (hydrodcarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride) [2]. Below is a schematic that shows the percentages of greenhouse gases emitted into the environment.

 [3]

Perhaps by knowing where these gases from we can help minimize the emission, which could then help reduce rising temperatures.

What are the sources of greenhouse gases?
About three quarters of human-made carbon dioxide emissions were from burning fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is regulated in a movement known as carbon cycle. Natural processes can absorb 6.1 billion metric tons of CO2 produced each year, but about 3.2 billion metric tons are added to the atmosphere.This imbalance create the greenhouse effect[4]. The schematic below shows a simple process of some of the sources of greenhouse gases.

However, more of the gas emissions come from energy use--economic growth, fuel for electricity, heating and cooling. For example methane comes from landfills and agriculture where nitrous oxide is from burning fossil fuels and some fertilizers[4]. Therefore there is an increasing number of greenhouse gases being produced due to the increase of energy use.

 In fact, several of the greenhouse gases have increased by 25 percent since the past 150 years [4]. A chart below shows how greenhouse emissions are rising.

If we do not stop changing our habits for energy use age, we will continue to warm our planet.

What is Global warming potential (GWP)? 
Global warming potential is "a relative measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere[5]." It basically compares the amount of heat trapped by the mass of a certain gas to the amount of heat trapped by carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases  have a global warming over different time periods that includes 20 years, 100years, or 500 years. The GWP usually declines over the time period because the greenhouse gases are gradually removed from the atmosphere through natural mechanisms [6].


Overall, the greenhouse effect has become more noticeable and it has always been a topic of conversation. However, we still have yet to make a difference in our energy consumption and use of fossil fuels. We are gradually trying new sources of energy like solar, wind, and nuclear but there has not been a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. To put it bluntly, something needs to be done to save our planet from "over-heating".


[1] Physical Geography.2006. Chapter 7: Introduction to the Atmosphere.The Greenhouse Effect. 8/30/2011. Retrieved from http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/7h.html
[2]U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 8/31/2011. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.html.
[3] Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences.2011.CO2 and Other Greenhouse Gas Variations. 8/31/2011. Retrieved from http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/causes02.jsp
[4]Energy Information Administration. 2004. Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, and Energy. 8/32/2011. Retrieved from http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/1605/ggccebro/chapter1.html.
[5]Wikipedia. 2011.Global-warming potential. 9/1/2011. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global-warming_potential
[6]Global Greenhouse Warming.Global Warming Potential.9/1/2011. Retrieved from http://www.global-greenhouse-warming.com/global-warming-potential.html

If the current energy profile of the world is sustained what impact will it have on the environment?

The effect of energy consumption can be physically seen all around the world. The climate is constantly getting warmer causing glaciers to melt. This then leads to a rise in sea level. Ultimately this could lead to a loss of homes for animals and death.

In fact it is estimated that temperatures are expected to rise 1.4-5.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st Century. A simulation predicted that a 4 degree Celsisus rise would eliminate nearly all the world's glaciers[1]. The melting of glaciers then triggers the rise in sea levels, which is estimated to be between 1 and 2 mm/yr [2]. Water dwelling animals could then become extinct, killing off a lot of the food chain. Obviously this is an extreme case right now, but green house gases and energy consumption effects need to be studied in order to prevent this situation from happening. 

Below are some pictures of melting glaciers over the years [3].

Glacier National Park, Montana

 Pedersen Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Qori Kalis Glacier, Peru

[1] Morgan, Jennifer. 2011. WWF. Going, Going,Gone!: Climate Change & Global Glacier Decline.Retrieved from https://icon.uiowa.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=1372240&tId=1925439.

[2]Douglas, Bruce. 1997. Department of Geography, University of Maryland. Global Sea Rise: A Redetermination. Retrieved from https://icon.uiowa.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=1372240&tId=1925439 

[3]Treehugger,2011. Glacier Pictures. 8/30/20011. Retrieved from http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/04/5_stunning_before_after_pictures_melting_glaciers.php 

Can the current energy consumption profile last?

In order to answer this specific question we need to answer some other questions first:
Is there going to be profit if we continue to consume  energy the way we do?

 [1]

The simple answer would be no. As seen by the chart above, the world energy consumption greatly increases from year to year; thus contributing to more money being spent to maintain the demand to supply this energy. Even  the demand of nuclear energy is increasing, which is a form of energy conversion alternatives that is greatly considered by industry. So instead of focusing on our current energy consumption condition, will there be a greater profit if we switch to renewable "greener" energy as opposed to fossil fuels?

 [2]

Yes, perhaps the use of renewable energy will help decrease the debt of energy consumption because renewables are essentially free. Referring to both pictures above, there is an increase in renewable energy. Limiting the amount of fossils fuels can help contribute to a higher profit as well.

 [3]

Already by 2006, there was a greater cost in fossil fuels compared to 2000. To reiterate, limiting the amount of fossil fuels could help create a bigger profit for energy consumption.

Another question to answer is as follows: how will the economic growth effect energy consumption?

Two countries (India and China) were relatively not affected by the economic recession in 2008-2009, compared to countries like the United States. Instead, an increase in economic growth since 1990 had contributed to using up to 10 percent of the world'd total energy consumption [4]. This can be shown by the figure below.

This figure shows the energy consumption in the years to come. It is also predicted that oil prices will remain high and the total energy demand will increase 1.4% per year--increasing costs and the demand for fossil fuels. On the other hand, renewables are the fastest growing source of the world energy (increasing 2.6% per year) [4].

So more research and technology needs to be developed before the world can totally rely on renewables, but it can be concluded that the current energy consumption will not last if we continue to use fossil fuels.

[1] TechEco.Pty. The Way Forward-Carbon Sequestration and Waste Utilization in the in the Built Environment-A synopsis. 8/30/2011. Retrieved from http://www.tececo.com/gaiaengineering.synopsis.php
[2]Green Energy. Solar Panels. 8/30/2011. Retrieved from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4bU1VJpNQKdAZEYVWwuXaugZhtXpCGUiDLS7sV68kdIk2y0fyTJixQ9rJzshOEPcgD_TcpXjcRrCan6b_uBFsgc0uPfLEVlhE1EpKEbxN5X3EL1QErqAKV59B8_3GOlCH_ALGcMXkR8j/s1600-h/Renewable+Energy+Production.png
[3] Harding, Mike. 2006. Energy.Musings from the Coast.8/30/2011. Retrieved from http://montaraventures.com/blog/2006/10/10/fossil-fuel-costs-for-electric-generation/
[4]U.S. Energy Information Administration. EIA. World Energy Demand and Economic Outlook. 8/30/2011. Retrieved from http://205.254.135.24/oiaf/ieo/world.html

What is the carrying capacity of the earth?

Carrying capacity of the earth "is the maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment [1]". In short, the earth is able to provide everyone with basic needs. 

In fact an equation developed by  Paul R. Ehrlich displays the impact the carrying capacity has on the earth:
I=P *A * T where I is the impact due to energy consumption, P is population, A is the consumption per capita, and T is the technology factor. For example the use of fossil fuels has increased the carrying capacity to the world via sunlight [1].
The image below is an accurate depiction of the carrying capacity if we do not watch our consumption levels.

[2]

Our carrying capacity not only affects humans, but animals and the environment as well.  For instance, hunters have to consider the carrying capacity of animals and how many they are able to shoot. The limited amount of fossil fuels will continue to diminish leading to things shown above flowing out of the bucket.




[1] Wikipedia, 2011. Carrying capacity. 8/27/11. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrying_capacity.
[2] Department of Natural Resources, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/eco_carryingcapacity.htm

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is "the capacity to endure" [1].   Also, sustainability creates and maintains the relationship between nature and humans in harmony fulfilling the social and economic conditions of present and future generations [2]. For humans, it is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, meaning a human is responsible for planning and managing their resources. "The degree of human progress toward sustainability will depend upon the continuation of innovation toward greener technologies, economic incentives, consumer incentives, and sustainable living" [1].  As mentioned in the first post, it is important to focus our attention on how to make our energy sources greener. If we want to sustain our planet with longevity, more incentives and technologies will have to be established. In essence, we want future generations to have a better life than us.
Furthermore, sustainability can be broken down into three components: environmental, economic, and social/cultural.  The price of consuming energy the way we do currently could lead to bad environmental effects, like deforestation and rising sea levels. Economically, the budget continues to grow and the more expensive it is to maintain such habits we participate in now.  Finally,  humans will be affected if we do not start doing something soon. Those countries that are poor and ill educated will be the first population to decline slowly as the energy demand begins to rise.  In order to protect these three things, we need to help make the world a more sustainable place.

--Brinnie






[1] Wikipedia, 2011. Sustainability. 08/24/2011. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability.
[2] Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2011. What is sustainability?. 8/24/2011. Retrieved from http://epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm.

Why should we think about energy?

The United States and the world as a whole is constantly growing in population. Thus, more energy is needed to meet the needs of everyone around the world. Developed nations, such as United States are using predominately more energy than third world or developing countries. We need to focus our efforts on decreasing our consumpation of energy. Without it, we would not have electrcity, new devloping technologies, transportation, and food production among other things. Although we need energy to develop such things, we are using way to much and that is why we are beginning to think of ideas about being "green". Currently, most of our power is coming from power plants and it seems it should be able to still provide energy. However, as the demand increases another form of providing energy must be used or possibly developing a way that excess energy could be stored for later use. Everyone should consider the use of windmills, solar panels, or nuclear energy to help make our world a "greener" place.

Another issue to consider is the limited amount of fossil fuels like carbon and oil. For example, according to the global education project, the United States finds one barrel of oil for every four we consume(http://www.theglobaleducationproject.org/earth/energy-supply.php). It can also be noted that using such fossil fuels causes pollution and then the earth traps a lot of  energy that should be irradiated towards space. With more gases, the temperature of our planet begins to rise. Again if we look at alternative sources of energy we could help decrease the amount of energy needed from fossil fuels.

To reiterate, energy consumption should be seriously considered if we want our future generatrions to continue to improve technology.

-Brinnie