Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Problem & solution (Task 7 )
Global warming
Global Warming is caused by many things. The causes are split up into two groups, man-made or anthropogenic causes, and natural causes(Dr. Mark Maslin). One natural cause is a release of methane gas from arctic tundra and wetlands. Methane is a greenhouse gas which traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. Another natural cause is that the earth goes through a cycle of climate change that usually lasts about 40,000 years.
On the other hand man-made causes include the biggest problem which is pollution made by mankind. Pollution has many shapes such as burning fossil fuels, population and their needs for more food and methods of transportation and industrial emissions of carbon dioxide.(Time for change, 2007)
Away from the causes, the world had set many solutions for this complex problem. First, the European Union led by Angela Merkel tries to get rid of 20 per cent of her continent’s emissions by 2020 from the 1990 level. Depending on the renewable sources of power such as, water, air, tidal power, biofuel and nuclear power. Secondly, China imposed bitter penalties and taxes against people who use plastic sacks in order to reduce the consumption of plastic; the thing that leads to reducing the pollution of water, air and land. Thirdly, the UN’s convocation for a meeting in December 2007 in Indonesia, to discuss what treaty will succeed Kyoto. (World Resource Review, 1998)
Many countries started to develop technology that saves CO2 such as replacing old water heaters by new developed heaters: companies started to manufacture new fuel efficient-cars that will reduce the amount of CO2 emissions, switching to the green power. Choosing an energy-efficient central air conditioner, depending on public methods of transport instead of individual cars, reduction of driving speed and driving evenly, tuning up and maintaining cars regularly, replacing regular bulbs with compact fluorescents and , carpool or telecommute to work are ways of helping to eache co2 problem. Therefore, people started to classify the garbage according to their raw materials.
Finally, we all have to cooperate to keep our planet in which we live peacefully. We have to think more about new probable problems that may appear in the future and make fast decisions for the solutions.
Bibliography:
1-"Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and the Future" by Dr. Mark Maslin, Feb 15, 2007.
2- "The main cause of global warming." Time for change. 19 Mar. 2007. 24 May 2009 http://timeforchange.org/main-cause-of-global-warming-solutions.
3-"World Resource Review", Global Warming Science & Policy, Proceedings of 9th Global Warming International Conference & Expo (GW9), June 8-11, 1998, Hong Kong, China (3 Volume Set) by Sinyan Shen, October 1, 1998, Supcon International
Cool City (Task 6)
According to the Cool City video which we saw last weekm there are several problems that have happened since the industrial revolution started. The video shows some of them like: The population growth - The traffic congestion - The carbon dioxide emissions.
If we don’t find solutions of this problem we will never decrease the CO2 emissions which need to decreased by 50%.
Since 30 years ago the GDP of Japan has doubled and the energy efficiency has increased by 37%, also the oil consumption decreased by 8%. Most of the emissions comes from the buildings & transport.
There are 3 main zones in Cool city:
Business, Commercial or Cultural and Residential.
Cool city provides three types of transportation :
Hybrid cars, Monorail or Light rail and Solar water taxis.
The solutions which the video mentions to reduce the heat with zero CO2 emissions are by planting trees, water ways and roof membranes.
Cool cityks expected CO2 reductions: for eco-towers 50% & for eco-residences 30%.
In my opinion the people in the UAE must change their life same as the lifestyle in the video. As we know the UAE has the highest rate per kead in carbon footprint in the world. Cool city will solve an important problem. Finally, my hope is to change my country to a cool country and it will be a better life for us and the future.
225 words
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Task "5"
What does carbon footprint mean?
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the atmosphere mainly climate change which we individually produce. In other words the amount of greenhouse gases produced on a daily basis through burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation and from other well known issues.
The individual carbon footprint is the greenhouse gas emissions which I’m responsible for. I had measured mine in the http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ I got 3.76.
The three ways I contribute most to greenhouse gases:
1-food = 12%
2-travel=43%
3-stuff=33%
My personal footprint is 3.76. Of course companies, institutions (e.g. ADMC), and countries all have footprints. According to “Heroes of the UAE”, the UAE has the largest per capita footprint in the whole world.
What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint?
The highest main factor on my footprint was Travel. I don't travel many times. Approximately twice annually. The second factor on my footprint was stuff. This factor I think is important for me and I can't reduce it, I'm intersted in electronic devices, I usually look for the new. However the lowest factor is the food. This factor is important and I like to change the kinds of food. Finally I can reduce the travel and a little in food.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the atmosphere mainly climate change which we individually produce. In other words the amount of greenhouse gases produced on a daily basis through burning fossil fuels for electricity, transportation and from other well known issues.
The individual carbon footprint is the greenhouse gas emissions which I’m responsible for. I had measured mine in the http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ I got 3.76.
The three ways I contribute most to greenhouse gases:
1-food = 12%
2-travel=43%
3-stuff=33%
My personal footprint is 3.76. Of course companies, institutions (e.g. ADMC), and countries all have footprints. According to “Heroes of the UAE”, the UAE has the largest per capita footprint in the whole world.
What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint?
The highest main factor on my footprint was Travel. I don't travel many times. Approximately twice annually. The second factor on my footprint was stuff. This factor I think is important for me and I can't reduce it, I'm intersted in electronic devices, I usually look for the new. However the lowest factor is the food. This factor is important and I like to change the kinds of food. Finally I can reduce the travel and a little in food.
summary "3"
Summary
In this article the writer defined a very important global warming problem. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions increasing, the world takes two fast steps; the first is European and the second is global. The European Union led by Angela Merkel tries to get rid of 20 per cent of her continent’s emissions by 2020 from the 1990 level.
Depending on the renewable sources of power, such as, water, air, tidal power, biofuel and nuclear power. Nuclear power, clean coal and renewables are vital responses to weaning the Continent off its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and Russian gas.
Renewable energy’s expensive prices, environmental dilemmas, wind farms’ disturbance of natural habitats, mass biofuel farming and its destruction of the rain forest and European business’ complaint about higher energy costs are the main problems for achieving this plan.
The global step is by the UN’s convocation for a meeting in December in Indonesia, to discuss what treaty will succeed Kyoto. In conclusion it needs to be tougher on targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and it needs to include the Indians, Chinese and Americans. The EU agreement can help the other countries to follow it.
Main idea
The main idea is about carbon dioxide emissions decreasing by the European Union and worldwide. Second the complaint about higher energy costs. They also try to depend on the renewable sources of power such as, water, air, tidal power and others.
comments
I think it’s a very important problem to talk about because it’s our future life. My opinion about this article is it should define different ways about the carbon dioxide emission risks. Also I hope to know about the news in the decreasing of carbon dioxide emissions. Finally I will keep updated with this project after the convocation for a meeting in December in Indonesia.
In this article the writer defined a very important global warming problem. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions increasing, the world takes two fast steps; the first is European and the second is global. The European Union led by Angela Merkel tries to get rid of 20 per cent of her continent’s emissions by 2020 from the 1990 level.
Depending on the renewable sources of power, such as, water, air, tidal power, biofuel and nuclear power. Nuclear power, clean coal and renewables are vital responses to weaning the Continent off its dependence on Middle Eastern oil and Russian gas.
Renewable energy’s expensive prices, environmental dilemmas, wind farms’ disturbance of natural habitats, mass biofuel farming and its destruction of the rain forest and European business’ complaint about higher energy costs are the main problems for achieving this plan.
The global step is by the UN’s convocation for a meeting in December in Indonesia, to discuss what treaty will succeed Kyoto. In conclusion it needs to be tougher on targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and it needs to include the Indians, Chinese and Americans. The EU agreement can help the other countries to follow it.
Main idea
The main idea is about carbon dioxide emissions decreasing by the European Union and worldwide. Second the complaint about higher energy costs. They also try to depend on the renewable sources of power such as, water, air, tidal power and others.
comments
I think it’s a very important problem to talk about because it’s our future life. My opinion about this article is it should define different ways about the carbon dioxide emission risks. Also I hope to know about the news in the decreasing of carbon dioxide emissions. Finally I will keep updated with this project after the convocation for a meeting in December in Indonesia.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Task "4"
Brandon Fibbs disliked the way that Al Gore introduces the global warming issue with a brief scientific explanation at the starting of the documentary, which reminded him of Darwinian evolution or Einstein's theory. He thinks that the global warming is not controversial because of the huge number of articles published before the film and it will not be beneficial unless the person who is watching is interested in global warming. He also sees that global warming is not a new issue.
On the other hand he agreed with Gore’s ideas when he says, “Gore got the science right”. In addition, Fibbs thinks that Gore had enough graphs, charts, time-lapsed photographs and scientific studies to convince people about the seriousness of the issue and it is sufficient to take a federal step towards it. By the examples provided by Gore he shows that global warming isn’t just a theory, it is an issue which affects many aspects of life.
It’s clear that this is a criticism for the movie presented by Al Gore and the skeptical attitude of Al Gore’s undocumented thoughts and pictures of glaciers’ melting which the main cause in the Global Warming. Pictures and graphs are illogical and they are taken at different times.
His vague usage of vocabulary and pun instead of researchers’ names contributes to more doubt about things he presents. Therefore, the movie won’t persuade audiences anymore. It’s likely a biased politics provided by the word “facts”
I think the film was a serious step to take care of the global warming. It makes us aware about the consequences and destruction which will happen from this phenomenon. It was great in editing that shows the scientific issue in a story of the doctor's life. The examples provided and the test of CO2, which Al Gore made in the middle of the film were convincing. Finally I like the idea of representing global warming in a film which takes us from reading long articles.
On the other hand he agreed with Gore’s ideas when he says, “Gore got the science right”. In addition, Fibbs thinks that Gore had enough graphs, charts, time-lapsed photographs and scientific studies to convince people about the seriousness of the issue and it is sufficient to take a federal step towards it. By the examples provided by Gore he shows that global warming isn’t just a theory, it is an issue which affects many aspects of life.
It’s clear that this is a criticism for the movie presented by Al Gore and the skeptical attitude of Al Gore’s undocumented thoughts and pictures of glaciers’ melting which the main cause in the Global Warming. Pictures and graphs are illogical and they are taken at different times.
His vague usage of vocabulary and pun instead of researchers’ names contributes to more doubt about things he presents. Therefore, the movie won’t persuade audiences anymore. It’s likely a biased politics provided by the word “facts”
I think the film was a serious step to take care of the global warming. It makes us aware about the consequences and destruction which will happen from this phenomenon. It was great in editing that shows the scientific issue in a story of the doctor's life. The examples provided and the test of CO2, which Al Gore made in the middle of the film were convincing. Finally I like the idea of representing global warming in a film which takes us from reading long articles.
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