CONSERVATIONALIST

 
1.
 Describe the phenomena of Global Warming and Ozone Depletion.		 Global Warming is the theory that the world is getting hotter and hotter every year because of the buildup in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide gases produced largely by the burning of fuels. Basically, gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide create a greenhouse effect. In other words, these gases trap heat in the lower atmosphere that will make the Earth warmer. Temperatures have been the highest recorded in recent years especially in the Middle East like Bahrain, etc. Within the next 100 years, it is projected that ice caps at the Poles will melt and raise sea level 1.6 feet and this could threaten Mississippi to Bangladesh. Extreme weather conditions are expected such as droughts in dry places and hurricanes in coastal areas. Crops could dry out in Southern Asia and Southern America. Tropical diseases like malaria, cholera, and dengue may move to new places both south and north of existing tropics. 
The Earth's atmosphere is made up of different layers. The layer closest to the surface is called the troposphere. The ozone layer is located above the troposphere in the stratosphere (10 km to about 50 km high). The ozone layer is depleted by certain industrial chemicals including chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) and methyl bromide, a deadly pesticide used on crops. Ozone depletion gets worse when the stratosphere is very cold. It has been cold in the stratosphere in the last few years since all the heat gets trapped by the greenhouse effect in the troposphere and never heats the ozone layer. Therefore particularly bad ozone depletion has taken place recently. This past winter, ozone depletion reached some of the severest levels ever recorded over the Northern Hemisphere. Western United States ozone levels continue to drop 3-4 percent per decade. There is evidence that  UV-B causes skin cancer, cataracts and immune suppression in both animals  and humans. UV-B appears to harm amphibian eggs, midge larvae and trout.  There is also evidence that UV-B damages plants including hardwood forests,  and phytoplankton (algae is a type of phytoplankton and it produces much of the world's oxygen supply and takes in much of the carbon supply). 
2.
 What choices do we have concerning these two phenomena? What are the consequences of each choice?		 Two choices regarding the two phenomena wear warm attire which elimates the need for a heating system. Likewise, in the summer, wear light apparel and open windows. Conserve energy by riding the bicycle, jogging, walking, and turning off appliances after use. 

 3.
 What effect has rain forest destruction had on CO2 levels?		 Rain forest destruction on CO2 levels-- as rainforests destruction increases, CO2 levels raise. This occurs because humans natural produce CO2 during respiration and there are fewer plants/trees to consume this CO2 waste and to produce 02 in return during photosynthesis. 
4.
 What is the role of energy conservaton in the reduction of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?		 The role of energy conservation in the reduction of the concentration of greenhouse gases is that the more energy conservation, the less emission of greenhouse gases there is. In the meantime, it makes sense to use fossil resources such as oil more efficiently to reduce environmental impacts and buy time to develop new and better energy sources. Two-thirds of the oil we consume powers transportation vehicles, and half goes to passenger cars and light trucks. Being a fuel-economy conscious consumer will not only help conserve fuel today, but will signal carmakers to use advanced technology to make cars even more energy efficient in the future. One of the most important things you can do to reduce global warming pollution is to buy a vehicle with higher fuel economy. This is because every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas pollutant, into the atmosphere. Choosing a vehicle that gets 25 rather than 20 miles per gallon will prevent 10 tons of carbon dioxide from being released over the lifetime of your vehicle.
5.
 What energy sources are available as alternatives to fossil fuel? Explain each giving both the positive and negative aspects of its use as an alternate energy source.		 Alternatives: The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The carbon dioxide gets fully combustedElectrofuels: Motive power is produced from electricity by an electric motor. Electricity used to power vehicles is commonly provided by batteries, but fuel cells are also being explored. No tailpipes emissions are involved in electrofuel use and after the initial high costs, the maintenance and fuel is relatively cheap.

Ethanol: Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic, agreeable odor.  It has properties of oxygenated gasoline and reformulated fuels. The benefits are that is less polluting and it is a renewable fuel and does not require that there be nearly as much foreign oil. 

Hydrogen: Is renewable and will make the US self sufficient and most importantly will stimulate jobs in the American economy.

Methanol can be enhanced to create oxgenated gasoline and the benefits are that it is cleaner and more efficient since it also may be added to create oxygenated gasoline.

Other alternatives include natural gas, propane, p-series, and solar power. The negative side of some of the alternative fuels is that some are odorless like hydrogen and maybe harmful in concentrated inhaled amounts.
6.
 What is the role of electric vehicles in the reduction of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Discuss the current status of electric vehicle development.
Naturally electric car reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. All the batteries were deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. They keep down cost and are proven reliable technology, even if it sacrifices some range. Basic EVs, such as the Hyundai and the VW Cabriolet, have a range of 60 miles and recharge overnight through standard wall sockets.  I think top speeds were limited on their base EVs to somewhere around 50 mph. All of these are modest figures, but they're all based on keeping down cost and going with non-exotic technology. If you want one of these base-level vehicles, it should be considered a second car, to get you to work, to the market, and back. 
7.
 What steps have been taken, in the United States and globally, to limit the use of CFCs? In what applications have their use been eliminated? For what purposes are they still in use?		 Elimination and use of CFC's
1)  The worst ozone depleting chemical still in use is called methyl bromide.  Methyl bromide is a toxic pesticide used most often on strawberries and tomatoes. Don't buy strawberries and tomatoes unless they are organic. 
2) Recycle your fire extinguisher if it contains halons. Halons are also ozone depleting chemicals.
3)  In order to stabilize carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, the IPCC  states that carbon emissions would have to be cut by 50-70% immediately, with  further reductions later. The most effective way to start reducing emissions is to  improve energy efficiency. Carpool or bike to school.

The US government encourages the decrease in use of aerosol hair spray and harmful refrigerants and pesticides. 
 
 

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