Human Impact on the Human Impact on the BiosphereBiosphere

Human ImpactsHuman Impacts

Humans are using energy and altering Humans are using energy and altering

the environment at astonishing ratesthe environment at astonishing rates

We are altering natural processes before We are altering natural processes before

we even understand themwe even understand them

Developing vs. DevelopedDeveloping vs. Developed

In developing countries, per capita In developing countries, per capita

resource use is high but growing, resource use is high but growing,

as is population sizeas is population size

In developed countries, population In developed countries, population

growth has slowed but per capita growth has slowed but per capita

resource use is already highresource use is already high

PollutantsPollutants

Substances with which an ecosystem Substances with which an ecosystem

has had no prior evolutionary experiencehas had no prior evolutionary experience

No adaptive mechanisms are in place to No adaptive mechanisms are in place to

deal with themdeal with them

Air PollutantsAir Pollutants

Carbon oxidesCarbon oxides

Sulfur oxidesSulfur oxides

Nitrogen oxidesNitrogen oxides

Volatile organic compoundsVolatile organic compounds

Photochemical oxidantsPhotochemical oxidants

Suspended particlesSuspended particles

Chemistry 101Chemistry 101

Acid anhydrides: oxides of nonmetalsAcid anhydrides: oxides of nonmetals COCO22, NO, NO22 and SO and SO33

These react with water to form These react with water to form oxyacids.oxyacids.

COCO2 + 2 + HH22O ---> HO ---> H22COCO33 (carbonic acid) (carbonic acid) HNOHNO33 and H and H22SOSO44 are also formed in are also formed in the atmospherethe atmosphere

Acid Rain and ArchitectureAcid Rain and Architecture

On campus we have some On campus we have some architectural damage attributable to architectural damage attributable to acid rain.acid rain.

The limestone lentils and pillars on the The limestone lentils and pillars on the older building are dissolving away!older building are dissolving away!

HH22SOSO4(aq)4(aq) + CaCO + CaCO3(3(s)s) H H22OO(l)(l) + + COCO2(g)2(g) +CaSO +CaSO4(aq)4(aq)

Industrial SmogIndustrial Smog

Gray-air smogGray-air smog

Forms over cities that burn large Forms over cities that burn large

amounts of coal and heavy fuel oils; amounts of coal and heavy fuel oils;

mainly in developing countriesmainly in developing countries

Main components are sulfur oxides Main components are sulfur oxides

and suspended particlesand suspended particles

Photochemical smogPhotochemical smog

Brown-air smog Brown-air smog

Forms when sunlight interacts with Forms when sunlight interacts with

components from automobile components from automobile

exhaust exhaust

Nitrogen oxides are the main culpritsNitrogen oxides are the main culprits

Hot days contribute to formationHot days contribute to formation

Thermal InversionThermal Inversion

Weather pattern in which a layer of Weather pattern in which a layer of cool, dense air is trapped beneath a cool, dense air is trapped beneath a layer of warm airlayer of warm air

cool air

warm inversion air

cool air

Cities Are Often Plagued with Cities Are Often Plagued with Thermal InversionsThermal Inversions

Acid DepositionAcid Deposition

Caused by the Caused by the

release of sulfur and release of sulfur and

nitrogen oxidesnitrogen oxides

Coal-burning power Coal-burning power

plants and motor plants and motor

vehicles are major vehicles are major

sourcessources

Effect of Ozone ThinningEffect of Ozone Thinning

Increased amount of UV radiation Increased amount of UV radiation

reaches Earth’s surfacereaches Earth’s surface

UV damages DNA and negatively UV damages DNA and negatively

affects human healthaffects human health

UV also affects plants, lowers UV also affects plants, lowers

primary productivityprimary productivity

Ozone ThinningOzone Thinning

In early spring and In early spring and

summer ozone layer summer ozone layer

over Antarctica thinsover Antarctica thins

Seasonal loss of Seasonal loss of

ozone is at highest ozone is at highest

level ever recordedlevel ever recorded

SouthAmerica

Antarctica

Ozone in Earth’s AtmoshereOzone in Earth’s Atmoshere

Ozone ConcentrationOzone Concentration from 1962 to 1996 from 1962 to 1996

http://www.igf.edu.pl/igf/atmosphere.htm

Recipe for Ozone LossRecipe for Ozone Loss ““The polar winter leads to the formation of the The polar winter leads to the formation of the polar polar

vortex which isolates the air within it.vortex which isolates the air within it. Cold temperatures form inside the vortex; cold enough for Cold temperatures form inside the vortex; cold enough for

the the formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs).formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). As the vortex air is isolated, the cold temperatures and the As the vortex air is isolated, the cold temperatures and the PSCs persist. PSCs persist.

Once the PSCs form, heterogeneous reactions take place Once the PSCs form, heterogeneous reactions take place and and convert the inactive chlorine and convert the inactive chlorine and bromine reservoirs to more active formsbromine reservoirs to more active forms of of chlorine and bromine. chlorine and bromine.

No ozone loss occurs until No ozone loss occurs until sunlight returnssunlight returns to the air to the air inside the polar vortex and inside the polar vortex and allows the production allows the production of active chlorineof active chlorine and initiates the and initiates the catalytic catalytic ozone destruction cyclesozone destruction cycles. Ozone loss is rapid. The . Ozone loss is rapid. The ozone hole currently covers a geographic region a little ozone hole currently covers a geographic region a little bigger than Antarctica and extends nearly 10km in altitude bigger than Antarctica and extends nearly 10km in altitude in the lower stratosphere” in the lower stratosphere”

http://www.atm.ch.cam.ac.uk/tour/part3.html

Protecting the Ozone LayerProtecting the Ozone Layer

CFCCFC production has been halted in production has been halted in

developed countries, will be phased developed countries, will be phased

out in developing countries out in developing countries

Methyl bromide will be phased outMethyl bromide will be phased out

Even with bans it will take more than Even with bans it will take more than

50 years for ozone levels to recover50 years for ozone levels to recover

Generating GarbageGenerating Garbage

Developed countries generate huge Developed countries generate huge

amounts of wasteamounts of waste

Paper products account for half the total Paper products account for half the total

volumevolume

Recycling can reduce pollutants, save Recycling can reduce pollutants, save

energy, ease pressure on landfillsenergy, ease pressure on landfills

Garbage Barge SolutionGarbage Barge Solution

LandfillsLandfills

Land UseLand Use

Almost 21 percent of Earth’s land Almost 21 percent of Earth’s land

is used for agriculture or grazingis used for agriculture or grazing

About half the Earth’s land is About half the Earth’s land is

unsuitable for such usesunsuitable for such uses

Remainder could be used, but at Remainder could be used, but at

a high ecological costa high ecological cost

Green RevolutionsGreen Revolutions

Improvements in crop productionImprovements in crop production

Introduction of mechanized Introduction of mechanized

agriculture and practices agriculture and practices requires requires

inputs of pesticides, fertilizer, inputs of pesticides, fertilizer,

fossil fuel fossil fuel

Improving genetic character of crop Improving genetic character of crop

plants can also improve yieldsplants can also improve yields

Data From the UNData From the UN

INDIA REACHING 1 BILLION ON AUGUST 15: NO CELEBRATION INDIA REACHING 1 BILLION ON AUGUST 15: NO CELEBRATION PLANNEDPLANNED

Lester R. Brown and Brian HalweilLester R. Brown and Brian Halweil Falling water tables are now also Falling water tables are now also

threatening India's food production.threatening India's food production. The International Water The International Water

Management Institute (IWMI) Management Institute (IWMI) estimates that withdrawals of estimates that withdrawals of underground water are double the underground water are double the rate of aquifer recharge. rate of aquifer recharge.

As a result, water tables are falling As a result, water tables are falling almost everywhere. almost everywhere.

http://www.worldwatch.org/node/1656

Aquifer DepletionAquifer Depletion

http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/EarthSC202Notes/Grndh2o.htm

DeforestationDeforestation

Removal of all trees from large tracts of Removal of all trees from large tracts of

landland

38 million acres logged each year38 million acres logged each year

Wood is used for fuel, lumberWood is used for fuel, lumber

Land is cleared for grazing or cropsLand is cleared for grazing or crops

Clear Cutting of ForestsClear Cutting of Forests

Effects of DeforestationEffects of Deforestation

Increased leaching and soil erosionIncreased leaching and soil erosion

Increased flooding and Increased flooding and

sedimentation of downstream riverssedimentation of downstream rivers

Regional precipitation declinesRegional precipitation declines

Possible amplification of the Possible amplification of the

greenhouse effectgreenhouse effect

Regions of DeforestationRegions of Deforestation

Rates of forest loss are greatest in Rates of forest loss are greatest in

Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and

ColumbiaColumbia

Highly mechanized logging is Highly mechanized logging is

proceeding in temperate forests of proceeding in temperate forests of

the United States and Canadathe United States and Canada

““A heavy duty tree chopper for cutting down A heavy duty tree chopper for cutting down

trees in a logging operation.”trees in a logging operation.”

RainforestsRainforests

Forests BurningForests Burning

Reversing DeforestationReversing Deforestation

Coalition of groups dedicated to Coalition of groups dedicated to

saving Brazil’s remaining forestssaving Brazil’s remaining forests

Smokeless wood stoves have saved Smokeless wood stoves have saved

firewood in Indiafirewood in India

Kenyan women have planted millions Kenyan women have planted millions

of treesof trees

NAIROBI (AFP) Feb 23, 2005NAIROBI (AFP) Feb 23, 2005

NAIROBI (AFP) Feb 23, 2005NAIROBI (AFP) Feb 23, 2005“Kenyan Nobel peace laureate “Kenyan Nobel peace laureate Wangari MaathaiWangari Maathai on on Wednesday urged developing nations to help fight global Wednesday urged developing nations to help fight global warming and support the Kyoto Protocol on climate change warming and support the Kyoto Protocol on climate change

by joining her tree-planting campaign.”by joining her tree-planting campaign.”

Destroying BiodiversityDestroying Biodiversity

Tropical rainforests have the greatest Tropical rainforests have the greatest

variety of insects, most bird speciesvariety of insects, most bird species

Some tropical forest species may prove Some tropical forest species may prove

valuable to humansvaluable to humans

Our primate ancestors evolved in forests Our primate ancestors evolved in forests

like the ones we are destroying like the ones we are destroying

PrimatesPrimates

Many primate species are threaten or Many primate species are threaten or endangered.endangered.

DesertificationDesertification

Conversion of large tracts of grassland to Conversion of large tracts of grassland to

desertlike conditions desertlike conditions

Conversions of cropland that result in Conversions of cropland that result in

more than 10 percent decline in more than 10 percent decline in

productivityproductivity

Global Desertification VulnerabilityGlobal Desertification Vulnerability

The Dust BowlThe Dust Bowl

Occurred in the 1930s in the Great Occurred in the 1930s in the Great

Plains Plains

Overgrazing and prolonged drought Overgrazing and prolonged drought

left the ground bareleft the ground bare

1934 winds produced dust storms 1934 winds produced dust storms

that stripped about 9 million acres of that stripped about 9 million acres of

topsoiltopsoil

Caption: "Dust Over Texas." Huge boiling masses of dust that blocked out the sun were common sights in Texas during the Dust Bowl years. In: "To Hold This Soil", Russell Lord, 1938. Miscellaneous Publication No. 321, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Human TragedyHuman Tragedy

Ongoing DesertificationOngoing Desertification

Sahel region of Africa is undergoing Sahel region of Africa is undergoing

rapid desertificationrapid desertification

Causes are overgrazing, overfarming, Causes are overgrazing, overfarming,

and prolonged droughtand prolonged drought

One solution may be to substitute One solution may be to substitute

native herbivores for imported cattlenative herbivores for imported cattle

Linear dunes of the Sahara Desert encroach on Nouakchott, the capital of Linear dunes of the Sahara Desert encroach on Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. The dunes border a mosque at left (photograph by Georg Mauritania. The dunes border a mosque at left (photograph by Georg

Gerster).Gerster).

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/desertification/

Water Use and ScarcityWater Use and Scarcity

Most of Earth’s water is too salty for Most of Earth’s water is too salty for

human consumptionhuman consumption

Desalinization is expensive and Desalinization is expensive and

requires large energy inputsrequires large energy inputs

Irrigation of crops is the main use Irrigation of crops is the main use

of freshwaterof freshwater

Mean Annual PrecipitationMean Annual Precipitation

Water DistributionWater Distribution

Negative Effects of IrrigationNegative Effects of Irrigation

Salinization, mineral buildup in Salinization, mineral buildup in

soilsoil

Elevation of the water table and Elevation of the water table and

waterloggingwaterlogging

Depletion of aquifersDepletion of aquifers

Salinization, mineral buildup in soilSalinization, mineral buildup in soil

http://waterquality.montana.edu/docs/methane/irrigation_suitability.shtml

GroundwaterGroundwater

AquifersAquifers - Porous layers of sand, gravel, - Porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock lying below the water table.or rock lying below the water table.– ArtesianArtesian - Pressurized aquifer intersects the - Pressurized aquifer intersects the

surface. (Water flows without pumping)surface. (Water flows without pumping) Recharge ZoneRecharge Zone - Area where water - Area where water

infiltrates into an aquifer.infiltrates into an aquifer.– Recharge rate is often very slow.Recharge rate is often very slow.

Presently, groundwater is being removed faster Presently, groundwater is being removed faster than it can be replenished in many areas.than it can be replenished in many areas.

Depleting GroundwaterDepleting Groundwater

Groundwater is the source of nearly Groundwater is the source of nearly 40% of fresh water in the US.40% of fresh water in the US.– On a local level, withdrawing water On a local level, withdrawing water

faster than it can be replenished leads faster than it can be replenished leads to a to a cone of depressioncone of depression in the water in the water table, table, On a broader scale, heavy pumping can On a broader scale, heavy pumping can

deplete an aquifer.deplete an aquifer.– Ogallala AquiferOgallala Aquifer

Mining non-renewable resource.Mining non-renewable resource.

Depleting GroundwaterDepleting Groundwater

Ogallala AquiferOgallala Aquifer

Extends from southern South Dakota Extends from southern South Dakota

to central Texasto central Texas

Major source of water for drinking Major source of water for drinking

and irrigation and irrigation

Overdrafts have depleted half the Overdrafts have depleted half the

water from this nonrenewable sourcewater from this nonrenewable source

Ogallala AquiferOgallala Aquifer

““The Ogallala Aquifer within the The Ogallala Aquifer within the boundaries of the North Plains boundaries of the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District is Groundwater Conservation District is declining at an average of 1.74 feet declining at an average of 1.74 feet per year (1,082,631 acre ft).”per year (1,082,631 acre ft).”

The aquifer is cut off fromThe aquifer is cut off from natural recharge sources.natural recharge sources.

http://www.npwd.org/Ogallala.htm

Aquifer ProblemsAquifer Problems

Sink Holes and Karst TopographySink Holes and Karst Topography

CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + H2O +CO2

http://www.soils.umn.edu/academics/classes/soil2125/doc/1-snkle.htm

Water PollutantsWater Pollutants

SewageSewage Animal wastesAnimal wastes FertilizersFertilizers PesticidesPesticides Industrial chemicalsIndustrial chemicals Radioactive materialRadioactive material Excess heat (thermal Excess heat (thermal

pollution) pollution)

Groundwater PollutionGroundwater Pollution

Wastewater TreatmentWastewater Treatment

Primary treatment Primary treatment – Use of screens and settling tanksUse of screens and settling tanks

– Addition of chlorine to kill pathogensAddition of chlorine to kill pathogens

Secondary treatment Secondary treatment – Microbes break down organic matterMicrobes break down organic matter

Tertiary treatment removes Tertiary treatment removes additional toxic substances; rarely additional toxic substances; rarely usedused

Sewage TreatmentSewage Treatment

More than 500 pathogenic bacteria, More than 500 pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites can travel viruses, and parasites can travel from human or animal excrement from human or animal excrement through water.through water.

Natural ProcessesNatural Processes– In many areas, outdoor urination and In many areas, outdoor urination and

defecation is the norm.defecation is the norm.When population densities are low, natural When population densities are low, natural

processes can quickly eliminate waste.processes can quickly eliminate waste.

Municipal Sewage TreatmentMunicipal Sewage Treatment

Primary TreatmentPrimary Treatment - Physical separation - Physical separation of large solids from the waste stream.of large solids from the waste stream.

Secondary TreatmentSecondary Treatment - Biological - Biological degradation of dissolved organic degradation of dissolved organic compounds.compounds.– Effluent from primary treatment transferred Effluent from primary treatment transferred

into trickling bed, or aeration tankinto trickling bed, or aeration tankEffluent from secondary treatment is usually Effluent from secondary treatment is usually

disinfected (chlorinated) before release into disinfected (chlorinated) before release into nearby waterway.nearby waterway.

Municipal Sewage TreatmentMunicipal Sewage Treatment

Tertiary TreatmentTertiary Treatment - Removal of plant - Removal of plant nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) from nutrients (nitrates and phosphates) from secondary effluent.secondary effluent.– Chemicals, or natural wetlands.Chemicals, or natural wetlands.

In many US cities, sanitary sewers are In many US cities, sanitary sewers are connected to storm sewers.connected to storm sewers.– Heavy storms can overload the system, Heavy storms can overload the system,

causing by-pass dumping of raw sewage causing by-pass dumping of raw sewage and toxic runoff directly into watercourses.and toxic runoff directly into watercourses.

Municipal Sewage TreatmentMunicipal Sewage Treatment

CSO Tunnels and Treatment CSO Tunnels and Treatment Facilities (Atlanta, GA 2005)Facilities (Atlanta, GA 2005)

““The tunnel is part of a storage and treatment The tunnel is part of a storage and treatment system that involves capturing and storing system that involves capturing and storing combined sewer overflows. The overflows are combined sewer overflows. The overflows are stored in a large underground tunnel in bedrock stored in a large underground tunnel in bedrock similar to the rock that comprises Stone similar to the rock that comprises Stone Mountain. When a storm is over, the captured Mountain. When a storm is over, the captured CSO volume is conveyed to a separate treatment CSO volume is conveyed to a separate treatment system for removal of pollutants and reduction of system for removal of pollutants and reduction of harmful bacteria with sodium hypochlorite harmful bacteria with sodium hypochlorite disinfection followed by dechlorination with disinfection followed by dechlorination with sodium bisulfite before discharge to receiving sodium bisulfite before discharge to receiving waters. The City is building two facilities, the waters. The City is building two facilities, the West Area CSO storage tunnel and the East Area West Area CSO storage tunnel and the East Area CSO underground linear storage facility to handle CSO underground linear storage facility to handle the overflows.”the overflows.”

Milestone Completion Date for Milestone Completion Date for West Tunnel October 2007West Tunnel October 2007

These will collect storm water for treatment.http://www.cleanwateratlanta.org/CSOTunnels/

Oxygen-Demanding WastesOxygen-Demanding Wastes

Water with an oxygen content > 6 ppm Water with an oxygen content > 6 ppm will support desirable aquatic life.will support desirable aquatic life.– Water with < 2 ppm oxygen will support Water with < 2 ppm oxygen will support

mainly detritivores and decomposers.mainly detritivores and decomposers. Oxygen is added to water by diffusion Oxygen is added to water by diffusion

from wind and waves, and by from wind and waves, and by photosynthesis from green plants, algae, photosynthesis from green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.and cyanobacteria.– Oxygen is removed from water by respiration Oxygen is removed from water by respiration

and oxygen-consuming processes.and oxygen-consuming processes.

Oxygen-Demanding WastesOxygen-Demanding Wastes

Biochemical Oxygen DemandBiochemical Oxygen Demand - Amount - Amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by of dissolved oxygen consumed by aquatic microorganisms.aquatic microorganisms.– Dissolved Oxygen ContentDissolved Oxygen Content - Measure of - Measure of

dissolved oxygen in the water.dissolved oxygen in the water. Effects of oxygen-demanding wastes on Effects of oxygen-demanding wastes on

rivers depend on volume, flow, and rivers depend on volume, flow, and temperature of river water.temperature of river water.– Oxygen SagOxygen Sag - Oxygen levels decline - Oxygen levels decline

downstream from a pollution source as downstream from a pollution source as decomposers metabolize waste materials.decomposers metabolize waste materials.

Oxygen SagOxygen Sag

Water Wars?Water Wars?

Per capita amount of freshwater Per capita amount of freshwater

available is decreasingavailable is decreasing

International conflicts over water use International conflicts over water use

and quality have already occurredand quality have already occurred

Building dams or dumping pollutants Building dams or dumping pollutants

effect countries downstreameffect countries downstream

Weiss Lake Organization Declares Weiss Lake Organization Declares War!War!

“Weiss Lake Improvement Association is the environmental and ecological watchdog for Weiss Lake and against ‘Metro Atlanta’ from taking our WATER.” (Coosa River Drainage)

Energy UseEnergy Use

Only 10 percent of energy used in Only 10 percent of energy used in

developed countries is from developed countries is from

renewable sourcesrenewable sources

Less developed countries rely more Less developed countries rely more

heavily on renewable sources heavily on renewable sources

(primary biomass)(primary biomass)

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Coal, oil, natural gasCoal, oil, natural gas

Main energy source of Main energy source of

developed countriesdeveloped countries

Burning of fossil fuels Burning of fossil fuels

contributes to global warmingcontributes to global warming

http://faculty.virginia.edu/setear/courses/globwarm/images.htm

OilOil

Reserves are decliningReserves are declining

Many reserves are in ecologically Many reserves are in ecologically

fragile wilderness areasfragile wilderness areas

Environmental costs of extracting Environmental costs of extracting

and transporting reserves from such and transporting reserves from such

areas are highareas are high

Total Energy ConsumptionTotal Energy Consumption

Domestic ProductDomestic Product

Oil and Gas Injection Wells Oil and Gas Injection Wells

Typically, when oil and gas are extracted, Typically, when oil and gas are extracted, large amounts of salt water (brine) are also large amounts of salt water (brine) are also brought to the surface. This salt water can brought to the surface. This salt water can be very damaging if it is discharged into be very damaging if it is discharged into

surface water.surface water.

CoalCoal

Extensive reserves existExtensive reserves exist

Mining is very destructiveMining is very destructive

Burning coal releases sulfur Burning coal releases sulfur

dioxides that cause acid dioxides that cause acid

depositiondeposition

Coal Strip MiningCoal Strip Mining

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_mining

EPA targets utilities’ EPA targets utilities’ mercury pollution mercury pollution

““Coal-burning power plantsCoal-burning power plants in the in the United States now emit an estimated United States now emit an estimated 48 tons a year of mercury, and the 48 tons a year of mercury, and the EPA rule aims to reduce that to 31.3 EPA rule aims to reduce that to 31.3 tons in 2010, 27.9 tons in 2015, and tons in 2010, 27.9 tons in 2015, and 24.3 tons in 2020.” 24.3 tons in 2020.”

Updated: 3:03 p.m. ET March 15, 2005 (AP)Updated: 3:03 p.m. ET March 15, 2005 (AP)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6448213/did/7185001

How Mercury Gets into the Food How Mercury Gets into the Food ChainChain

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6448213/did/7185001

EPA’s EPA’s Cap and Trade PolicyCap and Trade Policy

EPA sets yearly limits on mercury emissionsEPA sets yearly limits on mercury emissions

Industry is assigned a quantity of tradable mercury Industry is assigned a quantity of tradable mercury emissions certificatesemissions certificates

These are bought and sold by power companies These are bought and sold by power companies (bid/ask system).(bid/ask system).

Some companies “over pollute” and some “under Some companies “over pollute” and some “under pollute”pollute”

Each year the EPA reduces allowable emission Each year the EPA reduces allowable emission quantities leading to an quantities leading to an economic solution to economic solution to pollutionpollution

Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

Used extensively in some energy-Used extensively in some energy-poor developed countriespoor developed countries

Little support in the United StatesLittle support in the United States Emits fewer air pollutants than Emits fewer air pollutants than

burning coal, but creates burning coal, but creates radioactive wastesradioactive wastes

Potential for meltdown Potential for meltdown

Chernobyl Accident - 1986Chernobyl Accident - 1986

Core meltdown at a nuclear power Core meltdown at a nuclear power plant in the Ukraineplant in the Ukraine

31 immediate deaths, radiation 31 immediate deaths, radiation sickness and death for otherssickness and death for others

Cloud of radiation spread by winds Cloud of radiation spread by winds across Europeacross Europe

Long-term health impacts downwindLong-term health impacts downwind

Map of Chernobyl RegionMap of Chernobyl Region

Nuclear Power in FranceNuclear Power in France ““When the Civaux nuclear power plant comes on line When the Civaux nuclear power plant comes on line

sometime in the next 12 months, France will have 56 sometime in the next 12 months, France will have 56 working nuclear plants, generating 76% of her electricity.” working nuclear plants, generating 76% of her electricity.” (Frontline)(Frontline)

http://www.icjt.org/npp/drzava.php?drzava=8

Some Alternatives……Some Alternatives……

Solar-Hydrogen EnergySolar-Hydrogen Energy

Photovoltaic cells use sunlight energy Photovoltaic cells use sunlight energy

to split water to split water

Hydrogen gas produced in this way Hydrogen gas produced in this way

can be used as fuel or to generate can be used as fuel or to generate

electricityelectricity

Clean, renewable technologyClean, renewable technology

Fuel CellsFuel Cells

Farmed HydrogenFarmed Hydrogen

Photobiological Hydrogen Photobiological Hydrogen ProductionProduction

Aquatic algae bio-engineered to Aquatic algae bio-engineered to produce hydrogen gas rather than produce hydrogen gas rather than sugars via photosynthesissugars via photosynthesis

Place algae in a clear tube, reduce Place algae in a clear tube, reduce sulfur, place in sunlight, and collect sulfur, place in sunlight, and collect the hydrogen!the hydrogen!

Hydrogen from AlgaeHydrogen from Algae

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Shec – labs SystemShec – labs System

Mirror array focuses sunlight on a Mirror array focuses sunlight on a hydrogen generator (850 C)hydrogen generator (850 C)

Waste gases (methane, COWaste gases (methane, CO22, etc) are , etc) are heated and converted to hydrogen heated and converted to hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas (plus Ogas. Hydrogen gas (plus O22) is used ) is used to power fuel cells.to power fuel cells.

www.shec-labs.com/press/images.php

Wind EnergyWind Energy

An indirect use of solar energyAn indirect use of solar energy

Wind farms are arrays of turbinesWind farms are arrays of turbines

Can supplement needs of some Can supplement needs of some

regions but is not dependable regions but is not dependable

enough on it ownenough on it own

Giant wind turbines at Aapua, Giant wind turbines at Aapua, Sweden Sweden

http://www.xahlee.org/Whirlwheel_dir/windturbine.html

San Gorgonio Field Near Palm San Gorgonio Field Near Palm Springs, CASprings, CA

Overview of Wind Energy in Overview of Wind Energy in California California

““the year 2004, wind energy in California the year 2004, wind energy in California produced 4,258 million kilowatt-hours of produced 4,258 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, about 1.5 percent of the state's total electricity, about 1.5 percent of the state's total electricity. electricity.

According to the Electric Power Research According to the Electric Power Research Institute, the cost of producing wind energy has Institute, the cost of producing wind energy has decreased nearly four fold since 1980. The decreased nearly four fold since 1980. The levelized cost of energy from wind turbines in levelized cost of energy from wind turbines in 1993 was about 7.5 cents per kilowatt/hour. With 1993 was about 7.5 cents per kilowatt/hour. With current wind research and development efforts, current wind research and development efforts, the Energy Commission estimates that newer the Energy Commission estimates that newer technologies can reduce the cost of wind energy technologies can reduce the cost of wind energy to 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.” to 3.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.”

http://www.energy.ca.gov/wind/overview.html

Electricity Costs (2003)Electricity Costs (2003)

Fusion Fusion

Energy is released when atomic Energy is released when atomic nuclei fuse nuclei fuse

This process produces solar energyThis process produces solar energy Attempts to mimic this process on Attempts to mimic this process on

Earth require use of lasers, magnetic Earth require use of lasers, magnetic fieldsfields

Not yet a commercially viable energy Not yet a commercially viable energy sourcesource

Fusion ReactionFusion Reaction

Note: Fusion tutorial available at Note: Fusion tutorial available at website below.website below.

http://hif.lbl.gov/tutorial/tutorial.html

Changes in the World of Life Changes in the World of Life

Adaptations of species have Adaptations of species have

changed the environmentchanged the environment

Photosynthetic organisms that Photosynthetic organisms that

arose during the Proterozoic arose during the Proterozoic

altered the atmosphere by adding altered the atmosphere by adding

oxygenoxygen

Change is naturalChange is natural

Humans and ChangeHumans and Change

Unlike previous species, human Unlike previous species, human

have the capacity to observe and have the capacity to observe and

make decisions about the changes make decisions about the changes

they bring about.they bring about.

A couple of examples of using A couple of examples of using

misplaced resources….misplaced resources….

Gas for the GreenhouseGas for the Greenhouse

"By transporting CO2 by pipeline "By transporting CO2 by pipeline from the Shell refineries in Pernis to from the Shell refineries in Pernis to the cultivators in the Westland, the the cultivators in the Westland, the emission of greenhouse gas can be emission of greenhouse gas can be greatly reduced. At the same time, greatly reduced. At the same time, the farmers can save a lot of money; the farmers can save a lot of money; there is no more need for them to there is no more need for them to produce their CO2 themselves". produce their CO2 themselves".

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/science/051107rf

OCAP Waste COOCAP Waste CO22 Used in Used in

GreenhousesGreenhouses

6 CO2 + 6 H2O + sunlight C6H12O6 + 6O2

““Anything Into Oil”Anything Into Oil”Changing World Technologies, Inc.Changing World Technologies, Inc.

“Twenty tons of slaughterhouse turkey parts, freshly dumped by a truck, await processing into oil, gas, and minerals at the thermal conversion process plant in Carthage, Missouri. When the plant reaches full capacity in the fall, it will process 10 dump trucks of leftovers, one tanker truck of blood, and one tanker truck of discarded restaurant grease every 24 hours.”

“…Carthage, Missouri, turkey plant accumulates 1.3 million gallons a day of turkey grease, guts, fat, and feathers that is stored in lagoons and sent to waste treatment facilities”Estimated production of fuel oil, 500 barrels a day.

http://www.perc.org/perc.php?id=290