Our Changing Earth

Global climate change, carbon cycle, and energy

Evidence TypesType Significance

Dropstones Glaciers in “odd” placesFossils Presence/absence &

types indicate climateCoral growth rate Faster = hotter

(acidification?)Ice cores Ancient atmosphere

bubbles show CO2

Quarries Bands show moisture levels and temperatures

Evidence Types

Type Significance

Sun Spots Fewer = colder climateMethane hydrate

release ratesWarmer = more, greenhouse gas

Orbital patterns Effect seasonsInferred: ocean

sediments and oxygen isotopes

Higher temps = more “light” oxygen in ocean

sediments, colder = less

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.

What else do we need to know about CO2?

Carbon cycles through Earth’s systems naturally.INTO ATMOSPHERE

VolcanoesFormation of rocks - Cellular respirationBurning of fossil fuels and decay of biomass

60% of this CO2 stays in atmosphereOUT OF ATMOSPHERE

PhotosynthesisWeathering of graniteBurial 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

Carbon Cycle (pg 85)

Carbon Cycle

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.

US Energy Consumption

How much fossil fuels are left?

It is easier to find anything if there is a lot of it to find!Direct relationshipThe 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.)

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.

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

as 3X.• Keystone Pipeline

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!

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.

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.

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.

Gas Prices Last year

Gas Prices Last 5 years

SustainabilitySustainability - balance between conservation of resources and quality of life

SustainabilityPeople

Makes life easier & more pleasantbetter quality & better relationships

PlanetUses resources effectively & efficientlyConsiders direct & indirect impact on planet

ProfitAffordable or saves moneyCreates jobsGenerates profit and/or improves economy

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?

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.

Renewable & NonrenewableNonrenewable: 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

Alternative Fuels (ALL renewable)

Solar EnergyFree & non-polluting, lots of energy availablePassive = 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 costlyBack up system needed for night, cloudy days, shorter winter days.

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!

WindNot new! Ever see a windmill? Electricity generated from wind turning a turbineWind 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 unevenlyIssues =

Noise pollution?Cost of land & technology (recent expiration of federal subsidies)Consistency of windTechnology (size/transportation)

HydroelectricPower 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 locationsMajority of US locations already developed

HydrogenHydrogen is an energy carrier (remember ATP?)

Can be produced by wind, solar, geothermal, etc.

Fuel cell = battery of sortsH2 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)

Hydrogen challengesTechnology

Storage on vehicles (Hindenburg, gas H2 demo)Hindenburg footage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiAT9xvTVKI)Lifetime of fuel cells short

Like a rechargeable batteryCost

True zero CO2 production neededCurrently use fossil fuels to make and transport H2. Does that solve the problem or add to it?

Cold start (water freezes!)

GeothermalEnergy 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

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)

Biofuel benefitsLower 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/animalsPossible 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).

What now?Oil needs to go!

Costly environmentally and supply/demand

Other fuels are out there and need to be utilized.

Logistics - Chicken and eggLow demand due to availabilityLow availability due to demand

Project: (proficiency this week)Done: topic, sources, rough draftThis week: Rough Draft due 3rd Small for Peer ReviewsPresentations begin 2nd small after spring break.Quiz Friday over last THREE LARGE GROUPS.

USGS estimations

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

Impact on SpeciesHabitats 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.

So What? Why should I care about extinction and

diversity?If this insect goes extinct,

And it feeds that bird,

That eats this bug,

that affects humans. . .we would then ask, “Who let the ball drop?” We did.

that carries this disease

Impact on HumansWater 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/currentsImpact on local climates = changes precipitation globallyFishing and trade routes change= impact communitiesFood shortage due to decreased nutrient supply(fishing), decreased pH harms hard shelled organisms.

Impact on Humans (cont.)

Coastal communities & Sea level riseApprox 10% of world population lives below 33ft elevation. (Omaha elevation = 1,090 ft)

Tundra thawingIncreases erosion & methane release

Damages towns/homes/water lines/etc

PhysiologyWhat range can our bodies function well in? (Tuna hearts)

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.