_______________________________About Our Project
Welcome to FrostedPhysics' Webpage. We are doing a Physics Project on renewable energy, more specifically, fuel cells.
Energy deregulation is in full swing across the world and there is a rapid depletion of fossil fuels,
essential for generating energy. The excessive use of fossil fuels has caused the global warming problem to escalate.
One of the most obvious major contributors to the deteriorating situation is the 750 million
registered vehicles worldwide that emit roughly 4 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year.
There is also a need for us to explore and start looking out for alternative energy sources other than fossil fuels,
as they will run out some day. When renewable energy sources are used, the demand for fossil fuels is reduced,
hence ultimately reducing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere.
On this webpage, we will be exploring hybrid cars and hydrogen cars and their effectiveness in recuding carbon dioxide emissions.
We hope this webpage raises your awareness of global warming. We also hope you will do your part to reduce global warming. :)
____________________________________Information
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Causes of global warming
{
A summary of how global warming occurs: It is the result of increasing amounts of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, nitrous oxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) being released into the atmosphere.
Many greenhouse gases occur naturally. However, with the increase in human activities, the amount of greenhouse gases has risen. The increase is due to the following factors:
i. Increase in agricultural activities
This results in the increase in three different gases in the atmosphere.
In nature, carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis. When large tracts of forests are cleared for agricultural activities, less carbon dioxide is absorbed by the remaining natural vegetation. At the same time, more carbon dioxide is as trees and fossil fuels are burnt.
Methane is a flammable gas produced by bacteria in wet ground and in the digestive systems of animals. For example, methane is produced when stalks of wet rice plants rot in flooded fields during cultivation, and when cattle and sheep digest their food.
More nitrogen-based fertilizers are also being used to increase crop yield, in an effort to produce more food for the world’s growing population. Nitrous oxide is released when these fertilizers are used, thus worsening the situation.
ii. Increase in motor vehicles
Nitrous oxide is released from vehicle exhausts. Use of motor vehicles has increased, and the amount of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere increases with it.
iii. Increase in the use of products containing CFCs
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are synthetic (man-made) gases composed of chlorine, fluorine and carbon. Although the use of CFCs has been banned, they can still be found in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam packaging and aerosol products in some countries.
Liew Beng Teck.
Inspiring Discovery in Geography 2D: Pollution, Global Warming and Ozone Depletion, Pg 26-27.
Singapore, Star Publishing Pte. Ltd., Year 2007
____________________________________________________________
Consequences of global warming
Global warming has serious consequences such as climate change and rising sea levels.
i. Climate change
Global warming affects both the weather and the climate. In coastal regions, extreme weather events such as cyclones, storms and floods, are likely to occur frequently. Why? A warmer climate increases the amount of evaporation, resulting in more condensation and rainfall.
Arid and semi-arid areas, on the other hand, may face more frequent and prolonged droughts as a result of intense evaporation. The impact of climate change may include the following:
1. In cooler regions, a warmer climate will boost agricultural productivity. But in hotter regions, it may destroy crops.
2. Widespread epidemics such as malaria and dengue fever, caused by pests like flies and mosquitoes, which are likely to multiply and thrive.
3. Deaths, particularly to the old and very young, may be caused by frequent flooding and heat waves due to global warming.
4. Creatures may become endangered, if they cannot adapt to changes in temperature or the salinity of seawater.
ii. Rising sea levels
Sea levels are likely to rise if global warming continues. This is due to the warmer seawater expanding, as well as melting of ice caps. The impacts of rising sea levels may include the following:
Flood in low-lying areas: Massive waves could wipe out coastal communities and submerge low-lying islands. In fact, rising sea levels have already affected some people living in the Pacific Ocean. (E.g. resettlement of people on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific.)
Contamination of fresh waters: Rising sea levels can contaminate rivers and streams, worsening the problem of water constraints.
Reduced food supplies: As arable land in coastal and low-lying areas will be submerged, food supplies might be affected.
Liew Beng Teck.
Inspiring Discovery in Geography 2D: Pollution, Global Warming and Ozone Depletion, Pg 27-29.
Singapore, Star Publishing Pte. Ltd., Year 2007
____________________________________________________________
UP NEXT: Ways to Curb Global Warming
Now that you know the causes of global warming, stay tuned for what countries across the globe are doing and insights on how you can do your part to minimise this problem! Every effort counts and surely, you do not want to see our dear home, Earth, depleting the way it is!
This entry was compiled by all members of The Frostings.
Post a Comment
|_FrostedFhysics_|
