Environmental Issues

Part 1 Energy Use Review

Make a list of all the ways you use energy on an average day.  Be specific about the activities you do.  For example make toast, cook dinner, use the phone, drive car, heat house, etc.  Once you have a list of ten things, determine what type of fuel is being used (oil, coal, natural gas, solar, etc).  If you dont know, take a guess.

Activity you do Fuel Type

1. use microwave coal

2. use cell phone   solar

3. use computer nuclear

4. heat the house natural gas

5. use public transport              bio fuel

6. drive a car                        gasoline

7. use the stove     natural gas

8. lit the house                oil

9. do laundry         oil

10. watch TV oil

Using this information, create a bar graph of how many times you use a particular type of fuel.  Combine your  information with that of at least two other individuals.

1.  Is the information you got from your group similar to the average energy use in the US (see graph below)  If not, what could be the reason for the difference
The information on energy consumption by sources of our group is slightly different from the data on the average energy use around the country. Renewable energy has a bigger share in amount of energy consumption of members of the group than of the USA in general. This share is 20 and 7 respectively. Difference in use of petroleum (oil) and natural gas is not notable, while share of nuclear and coal sources of energy of our group is 5 higher and 10 lower respectively.

This reason might be generated by industrial factories that are responsible for relatively big share in energy use of the country. And ratio of different source of energy used by them may vary from that of households. Moreover average citizens become more and more aware of the negative influence that energy waste may cause to the environment. Thats why they are willing to increase share of energy from renewable sources while for some factories it might be more complicated.

httpwww.eia.doe.govemeumeroverview.html to answer the following questions.

2.  How has Americas energy usage changed over the past 40 years  What source is used more often now and what is used less often
Total amount of energy used in the USA has been rising steadily over past 40 years. It has increased up to more then 100 Quadrillion Btu in 2008 while in 1970 it was between 70 and 80 Quadrillion Btu. At the same time use of energy becomes more efficient. Level of primary energy consumption per real USD of GDP has declined from a 15 to less than 10 Thousand Btu per chained USD. As to use of energy by source amount of petroleum used for energy production has always predominated. There was a jump from 30 to 35 Quadrillion Btu in the mid 70th and drop back to 30 in 80th with following steady growth in the next 25 years. This increase in the amount petroleum was accompanied by slight decrease of the amount of natural gas. Notable is amount of energy from renewable sources. It stays relatively steady while energy amount from other sources is increasing. Thats why no growth in its share can be observed.

What impact has this had on Americas energy supply  What do you think will happen to Americas domestic energy supply over the next 20 years

Because of the growth in the amount of energy used in the USA more energy has to be supplied yearly. To satisfy demand some of the fuels have to be imported since the country is not able to cover them from its own sources. In order to decrease funds spent on energy country is trying to use it more efficient and lower the prices on energy by using energy from more reasonable sources.
It is supposed that within next twenty years renewable sources will have had bigger share in the domestic energy supply. Otherwise the country will not be able to cope with growing energy demands.

Part 2  Individual Emissions Calculator

Go to the following website and calculate your household CO2 emissions.
HYPERLINK httpwww.epa.govclimatechangeemissionsind_calculator.html httpwww.epa.govclimatechangeemissionsind_calculator.html

Answer the following questions after you complete 4 of the current emissions section.

1.  What is your households total CO2 emissions
Our households total CO2 emissions per year is 103,809 lbs. Each household member causes 20,763 pounds of CO2 emissions yearly.

2.  How does that compare to the average US household of the same size  (this should be listed with your total emissions number)
The amount of CO2  emissions of the household is about average for the US household of 5 people.

3.  Why do you think your number is different than the average (if it is)
Continue with the next section and select options you have already taken or would be willing to try in the near future.

4.  What was your CO2 reduction and how much did it cost you
If we took some action in order to reduce the households CO2 emissions we it level would decrease by 18,088 pounds of CO2 per year and our savings would be 2,253 per year.

5.  What were some of the actions you took or could take to reduce your household emissions
We could turn down households heating thermostat on winter nights and households air conditioner thermostat in summer by just 5 degrees. That would lead to around 500 annual saving and decrease in
CO2 emissions by 4,5000 pounds. Reducing number of miles that are driven on both vehicles that we posses and their regular maintenance will also leas to some saving and decrease in level in CO2 emissions. Other activities that could be taken to reduce CO2 emissions are substituting some of the households current electricity use with Green Power, replacing old gas boiler with a more efficient Energy Star model, start recycling newspaper and magazines. These actions will help decrease our total emissions by up to 5.   Part 3  Statewide emissions

Go to the following website
 HYPERLINK httpwww.epa.govclimatechangeemissionsstate_energyco2inv.html httpwww.epa.govclimatechangeemissionsstate_energyco2inv.html and click the link for the State CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion.  This will give you the emissions by each state from 1990-2007.

1.  Which 2 states have the highest emissions  Which 2 states have the lowest emissions
Texas and California have the highest emissions level. South Dakota and Vermont have the lowest emissions.

2.  What do you think contributes to the differences between these states  (ie.  Why are the top 2 at the top and why are the bottom 2 at the bottom)
In 2007 level of CO2 emissions in Texas was 676 million metric tons ranking it firs among other states. This amount is caused equally by high level of emissions in industrial, transportation and electrical power sectors. Texas is followed by California where emissions of transportation sector are on the same level, yielding to Texas in industrial and electrical power emissions. They are respectively 3 and 4 times lower in California.
Level of CO2 emissions in transportation sector of the two top states is up to 50 times higher than in Vermont and South Dakota which are at the bottom. This difference is due to the difference in the population the lives in mentioned states. While Texas and California have the highest amount of citizens Vermont and South Dakota are among the least populated states. Moreover number of cars per Capita in both Texas and California are higher than in other states. Texas and California are also known as industrial states while South Dakota is mostly agricultural.

Find your home state and one other state of interest.  Answer the following questions.

3. Describe the trend in CO2 emissions from 1990-2007 for each state.  What do you think led to this trend
Michigan has an average level of CO2 emissions among other American states. Total amount is 292 million metric tons which was same in 1990. CO2 emissions of the state peaked in 1999 reaching 199.69 million metric tons. Downfall took place the next year with constant decrease and two more downfalls in the following years. Such trend is due to the industrial development of the state that took place in the second part of the 20th century and further decline caused by outsourcing that led to decreased economy of the, number of its citizens and their well-being .

Level of CO2 emissions in California has been rising constantly since 1996. Sharp rise has happened twice in 2000 and 2006. These years are known for growth of the economy in general and US economy in particular. California has constant growth in the population and industrial output, number of cars per capita is growing as well. All these tendencies lead to the increase in energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

4.  What sector of the economy is the biggest contributor to emissions in each state  Why do you think they contribute the most
Transport is the biggest contributor to emission in California and second biggest in Michigan. As has been mentioned population and number of cars per capita in California as well as cargo turnover are very high. Thats why theyre responsible for the greatest share in CO2 emissions.
In Michigan the biggest contributor is Electric Power.

Part 4  Whats being done

Go to the following website  HYPERLINK httpwww.pewclimate.orgstates-regions httpwww.pewclimate.orgstates-regions

1.  Use the map to check on the 2 states you used above and briefly describe some of the actions they are taking to counteract climate change.
The USA has the highest level of CO2 emissions in comparison with other industrial countries. The amounts are high not only due to the higher population but due to the inefficient energy use as well. Authorities have become very concerned by the problem and want to take urgent actions. Climate Action Plan has been adopted by most of the states and has to be completed in the nearest future.

In California, for example, it is required that 33 of electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2020. In order to decrease emissions from transportation thorough transportation planning is needed, new low-carbon fuel standards are to be developed as well as light-duty vehicles are to be used more widely.
In Michigan Among the state policies are initiatives to increase the use of distributed electric generation. Due to the plan share of nuclear energy in general energy consumption should increase. Others action that need to be taken include adopting more stringent building codes and creation of a system that encourages more efficient utilities.

Go to  HYPERLINK httpwww.nature.orginitiativesclimatechangeissues httpwww.nature.orginitiativesclimatechangeissues

What are some of the implications of climate change  Describe at least 5.

The most obvious implications of climate change are melting ice caps and rising sea level, increase of the average temperatures, increased frequency of droughts, floods and other natural cataclysms, changing landscapes and extinction of spices.

Increasing levels of CO2 emissions lead to the increase of temperatures all over the globe. High temperatures have direct impact on the climate change, cause droughts in some areas, evaporating moisture, and at the same time floods and rains in others. Global warming has its impact all over the globe and on the poles as well. Because of the warmer weather ice caps melt and sea level rises as a result. All these negative effects are closely interconnected. Changes of climate put under a threat many animal spices worsening their living conditions.