- 2.5 gallons: The amount of water per person much of the world is allocated.
- 400 gallons: The amount of water per person used by the average American citizen; 30 percent of this is used for outdoor purposes, such as watering the lawn.
- 70 percent: The amount of worldwide water use that is allocated to farming; most of these farming irrigation systems operate at only 40 percent efficiency. According to a 2002 article by Lester Brown, aquifers are depleting all over the world—in China by 2-3 metres per year. In the US, the Ogallala aquifer is shrinking rapidly. In India, aquifers are going down by 3 metres per year, in Mexico by 3.3 meters per year.
- 263: The number of rivers that either cross or demarcate international political boundaries, in addition to countless aquifers. According to the Atlas of International Freshwater Agreement, 90 percent of countries in the world must share these water basins with at least one or two other states. Major conflicts such as Darfur have been connected to water shortages, and lack of access to clean water.
- 1430: Gallons of water per capita in the United States; only 100 gallons of that is household use per person as most is used for agriculture, according to water expert Peter Gleick.
- 88 percent: Of deaths from diarrhea are caused from unsafe drinking water, inadequate availability of water for hygiene, and lack of access to sanitation; this translates to more than 1.5 million of the 1.9 million children under five who perish from diarrhea each year. This amounts to 18% of all under-five deaths and means that more than 4,000 children are dying every day as a result of diarrhoeal diseases.
- $11.3 billion: The amount of money required to provide basic levels of service for drinking and waste water in Africa and Asia.
- $35 billion: the amount of money spent on bottled water in the most developed countries in the world.
- 1.5 million: Barrels of crude oil used for making PET water bottles, globally. This is enough oil to fuel 100,000 American cars for a year.
- 2.7 tons: The amount of plastic used to bottle water. 86 percent become garbage or litter.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Water conservation fact
Give credit to planet green
Water conservation
Give credit to planetgreen .discovery.
Where does it come from?
The water cycle is the process by which water circulates around, over, and through the Earth. It is driven by the sun, evaporating water from the oceans, rising through the atmosphere and condensing as pure water or snow. About 505,000 cubic kilometers of water fall on the earth each year, 398,000 over the oceans. The pure water is stored as ice, as water in lakes, and in aquifers that have taken thousands of years to fill. 97% of water is stored in the oceans; 2% in the ice caps; only 1% is in lakes, groundwater or other useable sources. We draw on surface water (lakes and rivers) subsurface (groundwater through pumping) and a small amount is made (very expensively) through desalination. Read more about the water cycle at Wikipedia.
What is done to it?
Sometimes very little. Where the water sources are pure, like in New York City, very little is actually necessary. Other municipalities put their water through a three stage system of Primary Treatment (collecting and screening), Secondary Treatment (removal of solids and contaminants using filters and coagulation), and Tertiary Treatment (carbon filtering and disinfection). It is then stored in reservoirs or water towers so that it can be gravity-fed through the system.
Is it really pure?
While the consensus is that, overall, tap water is better than bottled water for you and the environment, there are some concerns. Older houses and apartment buildings may have lead plumbing which can contaminate it via pipes, solder, and old brass fittings. There is also a growing convern about low levels of antibiotics from agriculture and people disposing of medication down the toilet. Gender-bender hormones from birth control pills, along with phthalates from vinyl, are entering the water system and changing the sex of fish http://www.raysapoint.com/contra.html , lowering the sperm count of men, and doubling the number of annual male breast reduction surgeries.
Where does it go?
Too often, waster is just dumped. Often it enters combined systems that are overwhelmed when it rains. Where there is sewage treatment it is of variable quality, but a properly run modern plant can produce results that are fairly effective. The systems are designed to mimic natural treatment processes where bacteria consume the organic contaminants, and it can then be returned to lakes or as groundwater. Unfortunately, in sub-Saharan Africa almost no waste water is treated; in Latin America only about 15% is. The price is paid in diarrhea, typhus and cholera.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Total energy optimization
Give credit to megtac.com
MEGTEC offers heat recovery systems to improve equipment performance, process improvements and reliability with efficiency:
MEGTEC offers heat recovery systems to improve equipment performance, process improvements and reliability with efficiency:
- Minimize plant energy consumption through optimized air flow management
- Increase productivity through process machine enhancements
- Reduce operating costs
- Improve performance
- Energy audits to help maximize process capacity and optimize process integration
- Secondary heat recovery
- Process and plant heating/cooling
Building energy optimization program
Give credit to pse.com
Building owners and managers can take advantage of PSE’s program for Building Energy Optimization which offers funding to evaluate the operation of existing building systems to provide you with cost-effective energy-efficiency recommendations. PSE’s Building Energy Optimization can make existing buildings more energy efficient without any major capital expense.
Building Energy Optimization program for commissioning of existing buildings
Overview
Changes in occupancy and use can challenge the original operation of building systems. System settings and changes made to address small problems and comfort issues can create inefficiencies that impact your energy bill.Building owners and managers can take advantage of PSE’s program for Building Energy Optimization which offers funding to evaluate the operation of existing building systems to provide you with cost-effective energy-efficiency recommendations. PSE’s Building Energy Optimization can make existing buildings more energy efficient without any major capital expense.
Process
Professional commissioning agents, working as a team with your operating staff, will investigate energy use patterns, lighting and HVAC system performance, along with operational and maintenance practices to identify efficiency recommendations. Implementing these recommendations will often be so cost effective that payback is less than two years.PSE’s Building Energy Optimization program consists of six components, with the greatest financial incentives for building owners who complete the entire process:
- Scoping (is Building Energy Optimization appropriate for your building?)
- Investigation and recommended improvements
- Implementation of improvements
- Verification of improvements
- Systems manual and training for facility staff
- First year energy performance monitoring and persistence of improvements
Benefits and incentives
- Incentives of up to 100 percent of commissioning fees
- Low-cost improvements with payback of less than 2 years
- Expected energy reduction of 5-20 percent
- Systems manual and training to help facilities staff maintain efficient operations over time
- Improve your building’s ENERGY STAR® rating
- Reduce your annual energy costs
How to turn your facilities green
Give credit to maintenance world.com
How to turn your facility green
By Cassie Quaintance, Energy Market Segment Manager, Schneider Electric
posted 1-26-09
Industrial facilities are going “green” in increasing numbers. This is good news for the environment, but with energy prices the way they are, it’s more likely that many sustainability initiatives in the industrial market are being driven by companies’ bottom lines. In many cases, internal sustainability projects won’t get senior management approval based solely on a positive environmental impact. Going green very often must mean saving green, and this is possible when you successfully implement energy efficiency initiatives that reduce energy consumption.
Front-End Analysis And Setting Goals
A good first step in any energy optimization project is to perform a comprehensive energy analysis, where energy experts examine the energy usage patterns and demands of a facility and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Projects are then prioritized based on the initial cost and expected payback period, and those with the greatest potential savings and quickest payback should be among the first to be undertaken. Another factor to consider is that with higher energy prices, the expected payback time of energy efficiency initiatives has dropped by 30 percent in the last five years, expanding the list of viable projects to implement.
Getting management approval to undertake those identified energy efficiency projects is not always an easy task. Find out ahead of time what financial model your company uses to make investment decisions, then present projects within that framework. If this isn’t possible, explain other advantages such as reduced maintenance costs, increased comfort, and indoor air quality, and translate proposed savings into environmental goals such as potential greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. Documenting these side benefits increases your chances of getting a project approved.
After projects begin, facility managers should report new energy usage patterns and the resulting savings on a monthly basis. Schedule a quarterly conference call where energy teams at each of the facilities share information or set up meetings once a year to discuss best practices that have been established and how they can be replicated companywide. Don’t be shy about communicating results from energy efficiency initiatives companywide in order to generate support for future projects.
Fix The Basics: “Passive” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Typically, a complete energy analysis will include recommendations to improve the most basic electrical issues. Examples of this may be to replace existing equipment with lower consumption devices and to fix leaks and add insulation. Oftentimes energy efficient lighting upgrades are among the first projects undertaken, largely because of their quick return on investment. Also, adding insulation in major heat loss areas is one of the easiest and most effective areas for improvement.
Power reliability also remains a major concern among industrial manufacturers as electrical supply disruption can cost a plant millions of dollars due to lost production time and equipment damage. It’s important to ensure all upgrades improve the efficiency and maintain or even increase the system reliability. Of course, power reliability means more than just a steady supply of electricity, it also means ensuring a high level of power quality, free of spikes, sags, swells, harmonics, or other transients that can damage equipment or cause it to fail prematurely.
Maximizing Savings Through “Active” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Some of the first energy-saving steps a facility can take are also some of the simplest and least expensive. Often requiring little or no investment, a focus should be placed on possible behavioral changes such as shutting down production equipment and lighting when not in use to reduce energy. However, you may find that asking people to modify their behavior does not return reliable results. Instead, consider installing devices that automate the control of equipment, such as turning off devices when not needed and regulating motors or heating at the optimized level. This is known as implementing active energy efficiency initiatives, and typical energy savings for these initiatives can be up to 30 percent.
For example, lighting controls can represent significant savings in your facility. Consider installing occupancy and light-level sensors in conjunction with lighting control software so that lights are automatically turned on and off using either a predetermined schedule or based on input devices.
Motor loads often represent the largest opportunity for energy savings and it is a good idea to look at ways to reduce the power consumption of the motors used in HVAC systems and manufacturing processes. Consider installing variable frequency drives, which provide improved control over motor operations and the ability to run at only a percentage of the motor speed, resulting in less power being used in the application.
Use Monitoring For Better Energy Management: “System” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
It’s likely that numerous energy efficiency projects will be considered and implemented in your facility to contribute to overall energy savings. In order to maximize these savings and know which projects to implement first, it is vital to benchmark energy consumption and track savings by project. Be sure to install circuit monitors, which allow for up-to-the-minute energy usage and quality readings in addition to long-term trending. Metering is critical to identifying demand savings opportunities and gives managers the data necessary to identify energy efficiency opportunities and validate savings.
If you already have a power monitoring system, one way to take it to the next level is to integrate those devices into an energy management software system. For plant managers, such software can help manage energy in financial terms, as well as benchmark and compare facility performance across all its operations to identify energy inefficiencies or losses. This type of software is also beneficial in meeting corporate environmental stewardship goals and even has the ability to monitor greenhouse gas emissions – by collecting pertinent data and converting energy reductions to equivalent carbon emissions.
A Case Study In Energy Efficiency
In 2004, Schneider Electric began an energy optimization project employing the actions and ideas above, focusing primarily on 21 of its facilities spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The program set out with an ambitious goal of reducing energy consumption per employee by ten percent from 2004 to 2008.
Using many of its own products and solutions, Schneider Electric was able to realize an energy savings from 2005 through August 2008 that totaled more than $5.1 million. In addition, the company’s goal of reducing energy consumption per employee by ten percent by 2008 was met two years ahead of schedule.
Beyond the cost savings, Schneider Electric looked at its results and equated the savings into something other than money. It was figured that the energy initiatives avoided 5,454 tons of CO2 emissions and a ten percent reduction in greenhouse gases. In other words, the company saved enough electricity to power 655 average homes, or the equivalent of annual emissions from 906 passenger vehicles, or 11,506 barrels of oil.
For companies willing to invest the time and resources to energy efficiency initiatives, the payback can be dramatic to both your bottom line, but also to your impact on the environment
Energy Optimization
How to turn your facility green
By Cassie Quaintance, Energy Market Segment Manager, Schneider Electric
posted 1-26-09
 Going green very often must mean saving green, and this is possible when you successfully implement energy efficiency initiatives that reduce energy consumption. |
Front-End Analysis And Setting Goals
A good first step in any energy optimization project is to perform a comprehensive energy analysis, where energy experts examine the energy usage patterns and demands of a facility and identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Projects are then prioritized based on the initial cost and expected payback period, and those with the greatest potential savings and quickest payback should be among the first to be undertaken. Another factor to consider is that with higher energy prices, the expected payback time of energy efficiency initiatives has dropped by 30 percent in the last five years, expanding the list of viable projects to implement.
Getting management approval to undertake those identified energy efficiency projects is not always an easy task. Find out ahead of time what financial model your company uses to make investment decisions, then present projects within that framework. If this isn’t possible, explain other advantages such as reduced maintenance costs, increased comfort, and indoor air quality, and translate proposed savings into environmental goals such as potential greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions. Documenting these side benefits increases your chances of getting a project approved.
After projects begin, facility managers should report new energy usage patterns and the resulting savings on a monthly basis. Schedule a quarterly conference call where energy teams at each of the facilities share information or set up meetings once a year to discuss best practices that have been established and how they can be replicated companywide. Don’t be shy about communicating results from energy efficiency initiatives companywide in order to generate support for future projects.
Fix The Basics: “Passive” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Typically, a complete energy analysis will include recommendations to improve the most basic electrical issues. Examples of this may be to replace existing equipment with lower consumption devices and to fix leaks and add insulation. Oftentimes energy efficient lighting upgrades are among the first projects undertaken, largely because of their quick return on investment. Also, adding insulation in major heat loss areas is one of the easiest and most effective areas for improvement.
Power reliability also remains a major concern among industrial manufacturers as electrical supply disruption can cost a plant millions of dollars due to lost production time and equipment damage. It’s important to ensure all upgrades improve the efficiency and maintain or even increase the system reliability. Of course, power reliability means more than just a steady supply of electricity, it also means ensuring a high level of power quality, free of spikes, sags, swells, harmonics, or other transients that can damage equipment or cause it to fail prematurely.
Maximizing Savings Through “Active” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Some of the first energy-saving steps a facility can take are also some of the simplest and least expensive. Often requiring little or no investment, a focus should be placed on possible behavioral changes such as shutting down production equipment and lighting when not in use to reduce energy. However, you may find that asking people to modify their behavior does not return reliable results. Instead, consider installing devices that automate the control of equipment, such as turning off devices when not needed and regulating motors or heating at the optimized level. This is known as implementing active energy efficiency initiatives, and typical energy savings for these initiatives can be up to 30 percent.
For example, lighting controls can represent significant savings in your facility. Consider installing occupancy and light-level sensors in conjunction with lighting control software so that lights are automatically turned on and off using either a predetermined schedule or based on input devices.
Motor loads often represent the largest opportunity for energy savings and it is a good idea to look at ways to reduce the power consumption of the motors used in HVAC systems and manufacturing processes. Consider installing variable frequency drives, which provide improved control over motor operations and the ability to run at only a percentage of the motor speed, resulting in less power being used in the application.
Use Monitoring For Better Energy Management: “System” Energy Efficiency Initiatives
It’s likely that numerous energy efficiency projects will be considered and implemented in your facility to contribute to overall energy savings. In order to maximize these savings and know which projects to implement first, it is vital to benchmark energy consumption and track savings by project. Be sure to install circuit monitors, which allow for up-to-the-minute energy usage and quality readings in addition to long-term trending. Metering is critical to identifying demand savings opportunities and gives managers the data necessary to identify energy efficiency opportunities and validate savings.
If you already have a power monitoring system, one way to take it to the next level is to integrate those devices into an energy management software system. For plant managers, such software can help manage energy in financial terms, as well as benchmark and compare facility performance across all its operations to identify energy inefficiencies or losses. This type of software is also beneficial in meeting corporate environmental stewardship goals and even has the ability to monitor greenhouse gas emissions – by collecting pertinent data and converting energy reductions to equivalent carbon emissions.
A Case Study In Energy Efficiency
In 2004, Schneider Electric began an energy optimization project employing the actions and ideas above, focusing primarily on 21 of its facilities spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The program set out with an ambitious goal of reducing energy consumption per employee by ten percent from 2004 to 2008.
Using many of its own products and solutions, Schneider Electric was able to realize an energy savings from 2005 through August 2008 that totaled more than $5.1 million. In addition, the company’s goal of reducing energy consumption per employee by ten percent by 2008 was met two years ahead of schedule.
Beyond the cost savings, Schneider Electric looked at its results and equated the savings into something other than money. It was figured that the energy initiatives avoided 5,454 tons of CO2 emissions and a ten percent reduction in greenhouse gases. In other words, the company saved enough electricity to power 655 average homes, or the equivalent of annual emissions from 906 passenger vehicles, or 11,506 barrels of oil.
For companies willing to invest the time and resources to energy efficiency initiatives, the payback can be dramatic to both your bottom line, but also to your impact on the environment
Total nergyconcept
Give credit to totalenergyconcept
HOW TOTAL ENERGY OPTIMIZATION WORKS
VOLTAGE SIDE
In every electrical system, there exists what are called Transient Voltage Surges, which are simply INCREASES in voltage, or pressure due to any disruption in the normal flow of electricity. Voltage equals Pressure, so we can think of a water hose for an analogy. Think of a water hose with the water turned on. If you step on the water hose momentarily and then step off, you will see a quick INCREASE in the flow of water coming out the end before it returns to normal. That same phenomena is happening within all the electrical wires in your facility and are called Transient Voltage Surges. In facilities with even moderate activity, there can be as many as over 100,000 Transient Voltage Surges per hour. Since we are talking about pressure, what would you feel like if your blood pressure spiked up from 120/80 to 200/100 over a hundred times a day? It would take more energy for you to function and all of your internal components would gradually fail from damage. The same thing is happening inside your electrical system. Because of Transient Voltage Surges, your electrical system is having to overcome extra resistance to keep the equipment running, which causes an INCREASE in energy usage. The VBlox Power Protection System or Transient Voltage Surge Suppression Equipment completely addresses the Transient problem and provides your electrical system with Transient or Resistant free operation.
CURRENT SIDE
Electrical equipment depends on Amperage or Current to operate, or make the motor run. Amperage equals Flow, so we can use the same water hose as an analogy. The amount of water coming out of the hose, or the flow, is what is going to spin the water wheel, which is our motor. We want to make sure that the optimum amount of water is coming out of the hose to ensure that our water wheel is running at its peak efficiency. What happens if the hose is bent, and the flow of water is restricted? It is the same effect if your arteries and veins are clogged in your body, you will use more energy to operate, your heart (source of energy) will have to work harder, and eventually it will fail. Your electrical equipment is as dependent on a clean, efficient electrical system for the energy as your internal organs are as dependent on clean and efficient arteries and veins. What we are talking about in the electrical world is the Power Factor or the efficiency of the distribution in your electrical system. A poor Power Factor is like having clogged arteries and veins in your body.
On the graph below, the power factor is the difference between the Voltage and the Current, or how far behind is the Current from the Voltage. Ultimately, you want the Voltage and Current to be almost the same line. Our transient voltage surge suppressors protect your electrical system.
Our Transient Voltage Surge Suppression Equipment does not produce an Uninterruptible Power Supply, but rather protects you equipment and system when there is an interruption in your power
SUMMARY
Total energy optimization
Give creditTo energy optimization
There are TWO products that make up electricity – VOLTAGE AND CURRENT. Together, they yield WATTS or KILOWATTS, which is what your utility meter reads and ultimately, what you pay for. Our energy optimization system, or what some call an energy sustainability unit, addresses both the VOLTAGE and the CURRENT, meaning your electrical system will be nearly 100% efficient and you will use less energy.You are probably thinking there is nothing wrong with your electricity so why should you look at this system? Electricity is invisible, you can’t see it so most people don’t even think about it, other than the fact your electric bill is high. It all boils down to how much energy is your facility using and what is being read by the utility meter. If you look into the electrical system, you would see the problems which cause such things as:
- Increased Maintenance and Downtime
- Electrical Equipment Failure
- High Electric Bills
- Utility Company Penalties
- Power Surge Problems
- Lightning Strike Problems
Top water conservation tips
Give credit to planet green
- No drips
A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day. A leaking toilet can use 90,000 gallons of water in a month. Get out the wrench and change the washers on your sinks and showers, or get new washerless faucets. Keeping your existing equipment well maintained is probably the easiest and cheapest way to start saving water.
- Install new fixtures
New, low-volume or dual flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, water-efficient dishwashers and clothes washing machines can all save a great deal of water and money. Aerators on your faucets can significantly reduce water volume; water-saving showerheads can cut the volume of water used down to 1.2 gallons per minute or less, and some even have a "pause button" to let you stop the water while soaping up or shampooing. Our interns recently pointed out that "spending about $30 on low-flow showerheads and faucets is estimated to save 45 gallons of that 260 gallons of water [used in a typical household per day], almost 18% of your usage. Splurging on a low-flow toilet could save another 50-80 gallons of water a day. Together, those changes nearly cut in half the household's daily use, saving a considerable amount of water ? and passing that savings on to your water bill, as well as your water heating bill."
- Cultivate good water habits
All the water that goes down the drain, clean or dirty, ends up mixing with raw sewage, getting contaminated, and meeting the same fate. Try to stay aware of this precious resource disappearing and turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving and always wash laundry and dishes with full loads. When washing dishes by hand, fill up the sink and turn off the water. Take shorter showers or, as the old joke goes, shower with a friend: Treehugger TV shows you how. To put things in perspective, take a quick look at your next water bill when it arrives. It probably won't be costing you too much, but the average household consumes multiple thousands of gallons each month. See if you can make this number go down. If you're the graphing type, go nuts.
- Stay off the bottle
By many measures, bottled water is a scam. In most first-world countries, the tap water is provided by a government utility and is tested regularly. (You can look up your water in the National Tap Water Quality Database) Taste tests have shown that in many municipalities, tap water actually tastes better. Bottled water is not as well regulated and studies have shown that it is not even particularly pure. A four-year study of bottled water in the U.S. conducted by NRDC found that one-fifth of the 103 water products tested contained synthetic organic chemicals such as the neurotoxin xylene and the possible carcinogen and neurotoxin styrene. (Grist) Much bottled water doesn"t come from a "Artesian springs" and is just tap water anyhow. (Coca-Cola adds salt to its Dasani water to make it taste better, just like fast food.) Not only is it more expensive per gallon than gasoline, bottled water incurs a huge carbon footprint from its transportation, and the discarded bottles are a blight. It's no wonder that some people even think it?s a sin. If you want to carry your water with you, get a bottle and fill it. (Look here for some advise on durable, non-toxic container options.) If your water at home tastes funny, try an activated charcoal or ceramic filter. Here is a comparison of home-use water filters from Grist.
- Go beyond the lawn
Naturalize it using locally appropriate plants that are hardy and don't need a lot of water. If you have to water, do it during the coolest part of the day or at night to minimize evaporation. Here is a useful calculator to figure out landscape water use. Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that utilizes only native and low water plants. It is an especially appropriate approach for states like California and Arizona where people often plant lawns like they live in Florida despite living in the desert.
- Harvest your rainwater
Put a rain barrel on your downspouts and use this water for irrigation. Rain cisterns come in all shapes and sizes ranging from larger underground systems to smaller, freestanding ones. Some even glow!
- Harvest your greywater
Water that has been used at least once but is still clean enough for other jobs is called greywater. Water from sinks, showers, dishwashers, and clothes washers are the most common household examples. (Toilet water is often called "blackwater" and needs a different level of treatment before it can be reused.) Greywater can be recycled with practical plumbing systems like the Aqus, or with simple practices such as emptying the fish tank in the garden instead of the sink. The bottom line? One way or another, avoid putting water down the drain when you can use it for something else.
- At the car wash
Car washes are often more efficient than home washing and treat their water rather than letting it straight into the sewer system. But check to make sure that they clean and recycle the water. Better yet, try the waterless car wash. If you live in Manchester, the Levenshulme Baptist Church is recycling water from its Baptistery pool for charity car washes http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/08/baptismal_water.php .
- Keep your eyes open
Report broken pipes, open hydrants, and excessive waste. Don't be shy about pointing out leaks to your friends and family members, either. They might have tuned out the dripping sound a long time ago.
- Don't spike the punch
Water sources have to be protected. In many closed loop systems like those in cities around the Great Lakes, waste water is returned to the Lake that fresh water comes out of. Don't pour chemicals down drains, or flush drugs down toilets; it could come back in diluted form in your water.
How to save water
Give credit to planet green.discovery.com
Toilets
GE?s Profile SmartDispense dishwasher And find some practical tips hereThe University of Bonn pits the dishwasher against handwashing. The winner here.
Showerheads
Some showerheads that TreeHugger has investigated include: the Neco, the Tiara shower for two (or one, if you?d like), Bricor offers 1 gallon-per-minute heads, the Aqua Helix squeezes out an impressive .5 gallons per minute, and Real Goods has an affordable unit with a "pause" button. And if you have a tendency to lose yourself in the moment, a shower timer might also be a good idea.
Water heating
Point of use water heaters save water by delivering hot water almost immediately rather than making you wait for it while the tap runs. Some even use microwaves, and this Thermostatic fixture cuts the waiting time and looks sharp in the process. More solid tips on greener water heating can be found here.
Purifying water
See some of the neat developments in water purification for third world communities, including the LifeStraw, the UV Tube, the coffeground water filter. It has even been suggested to make water filters from old tires. Before he segwayed into transportation, Dean Kamen developed a water purifier: "If you could take all the diseases you could name, 80 percent would be wiped out if you just gave people clean water." Hydro-Dis is a new three-stage disinfection system from Australia; Julie Frost, an Australian student, developed a clever pasteurization tool. To learn more about your city?s water quality, check out National Tapwater Database.
Bottled water
If you have your doubts about the harm of everyday bottled water, wait until you see our coverage of strange waters: water that makes you skinny, water for dogs, water that is sung to and infused with good intentions, and water with gold in it. Some bottled waters like Biota and Jivita are now using containers made from cornstarch, also known as polylactic acid (PLA). While these are non-petroleum products and are, in theory biodegradable, they are not recyclable and most likely will never break down in your backyard compost pile. Some companies like Ethos and HtoO are doing constructive things with their profits, but they still are responsible for the many ecological impacts of bottled water.
- Dual-flush options are available from Caroma, and numerous others. This Argentine toilet design lets the sink water do the flushing.
- Here we have a link to a review of low-flow toilets To learn about test methodology for low-flow toilets (you?ll never guess) and the results of the rigorous trials, look here (test results here).
- Composting toilets that TreeHugger has covered include the Bio-lux, a pricey Japanese throne.
- Here you?ll find a review of more composting toilet options.
- The Propelair uses vacuum action to flush itself.
- The Athena replacement handle saves water by controlling flush quantity.
- Waterless urinals are made by many companies now, including Falcon and Waterless, and look here for a case study of the water saving potential of flushless urinals.
- The TwoFlush can turn any standard toilet into a dual flush fixture.
- LG?s steam cleaning, front loading clothes washer boasts 35% less water consumption than a conventional model.
- This clothes washer from Sanyo doesn?t use water at all, but creates ozone and fires it at your laundry.
- This washer from Bosch has earned high marks from Energy Star, and the sleek and efficient Washerman was a winner in the Electrolux Design Competition.
- Check out our eco-laundry tips here and green appliance comparison shopping here.
GE?s Profile SmartDispense dishwasher And find some practical tips hereThe University of Bonn pits the dishwasher against handwashing. The winner here.
Showerheads
Some showerheads that TreeHugger has investigated include: the Neco, the Tiara shower for two (or one, if you?d like), Bricor offers 1 gallon-per-minute heads, the Aqua Helix squeezes out an impressive .5 gallons per minute, and Real Goods has an affordable unit with a "pause" button. And if you have a tendency to lose yourself in the moment, a shower timer might also be a good idea.
Water heating
Point of use water heaters save water by delivering hot water almost immediately rather than making you wait for it while the tap runs. Some even use microwaves, and this Thermostatic fixture cuts the waiting time and looks sharp in the process. More solid tips on greener water heating can be found here.
Purifying water
See some of the neat developments in water purification for third world communities, including the LifeStraw, the UV Tube, the coffeground water filter. It has even been suggested to make water filters from old tires. Before he segwayed into transportation, Dean Kamen developed a water purifier: "If you could take all the diseases you could name, 80 percent would be wiped out if you just gave people clean water." Hydro-Dis is a new three-stage disinfection system from Australia; Julie Frost, an Australian student, developed a clever pasteurization tool. To learn more about your city?s water quality, check out National Tapwater Database.
Bottled water
If you have your doubts about the harm of everyday bottled water, wait until you see our coverage of strange waters: water that makes you skinny, water for dogs, water that is sung to and infused with good intentions, and water with gold in it. Some bottled waters like Biota and Jivita are now using containers made from cornstarch, also known as polylactic acid (PLA). While these are non-petroleum products and are, in theory biodegradable, they are not recyclable and most likely will never break down in your backyard compost pile. Some companies like Ethos and HtoO are doing constructive things with their profits, but they still are responsible for the many ecological impacts of bottled water.
How to Go Green: Water
Give credit to planet green.discovery.com
There is no resource more precious than water. There is also no resource that is misused, abused, misallocated, and misunderstood the way water is. Safe drinking water, healthy and intact natural ecosystems, and a stable food supply are a few of the things at stake as our water supply is put under greater and greater stress.
The picture might look grim, but opportunities to be more efficient abound. Many people have had water-saving etiquette pumped into them at one point or another, so hopefully we can make a good case for conserving the stuff with practical, everyday water-saving strategies as well as some more high-tech approaches
There is no resource more precious than water. There is also no resource that is misused, abused, misallocated, and misunderstood the way water is. Safe drinking water, healthy and intact natural ecosystems, and a stable food supply are a few of the things at stake as our water supply is put under greater and greater stress.
The picture might look grim, but opportunities to be more efficient abound. Many people have had water-saving etiquette pumped into them at one point or another, so hopefully we can make a good case for conserving the stuff with practical, everyday water-saving strategies as well as some more high-tech approaches
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation for Energy Efficiency
Give credit to dieselforum
Technologies and actions which promote energy efficiency, energy independence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions are increasingly attractive to national, state and local policymakers. Although diesel power, like other fossil fuel-based technologies, contributes to GHG emissions, its 20-40 percent greater efficiency also offers a viable and readily available strategy to help reduce these same emissions and the amount of fossil fuels used in the transportation sector.
Clean diesel is one of many technologies – including the use of biodiesel, ethanol and hybrid-electric power – that have potential for reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. The following are some basic facts about diesel power and its relevance to these issues as policymakers consider options for addressing these national challenges.
2</sub>Emissions.gif/image_preview" alt="Petro Based Emmisions"/>According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the transportation sector is responsible for just over one-quarter of total domestic GHG emissions. Almost all of these CO2 emissions come from the consumption of petroleum products: gasoline (60 percent), middle distillates (diesel fuel – 22 percent), jet fuel (12 percent) and residual oil (mostly marine – 3.1 percent).
When viewed by mode of travel, 62 percent of U.S. transportation-related GHG emissions came from light-duty vehicles used for personal transport:
There are many ways to reduce GHG emissions generated by light- and heavy-duty vehicles, including energy efficiency improvements, the use of alternative fuels and the adoption of operational modifications such as anti-idling measures.
Diesel is the most efficient of all internal combustion power systems. Because of the superior efficiency of the engine and higher energy content of the fuel, diesels typically deliver 20-40 percent more miles per gallon and 10-20 percent fewer GHG emissions than comparable gasoline vehicles.
According to the EPA (www.fueleconomy.gov) a simple comparison between the diesel and gasoline versions of the Volkswagen Jetta demonstrate that the diesel model would travel 36 percent more miles on a tank of fuel and save $321 annually on fuel costs, while using nearly two fewer barrels of oil and emitting one less ton of GHG emissions each year. A similar comparison between the 2007 Mercedes E320 Bluetec diesel and its E350 gasoline equivalent finds even greater savings. The diesel model travels 43 percent more miles on a tank of fuel and saves $492 annually on fuel costs while using 3.2 fewer barrels of oil and emitting 1.5 fewer tons of GHG emissions each year.
More Clean Diesel Cars, Pickups and SUVs equals…
…Less Oil Consumption
The European Union has sought to capitalize on diesel’s inherent energy efficiency by offering tax incentives for the purchase and operation of diesel cars and trucks. Today diesel vehicles account for more than 40 percent of new vehicles purchased in the EU marketplace. Although EU transportation related GHG emissions grew 26 percent from 1990 to 2004, the average carbon dioxide emissions of new passenger cars were reduced by about 12 percent from 1995 to 2004. According to the European Environmental Agency, “The main reasons for the reductions since 1995 are fuel efficiency improvements, mainly in diesel-fueled vehicles, and a shift in fleet composition from petrol to diesel passenger cars.”
For this reason, advanced clean diesel technology must remain a viable option for light-duty vehicles in the United States. In 2005, diesel vehicles accounted for 3.6 percent of the light-duty market in the U.S. This percentage is expected to triple, reaching more than 10 percent of the U.S. market by 2015 according to JD Power and Associates.
Nevertheless, an expanding market for clean diesel cars will depend on a number of factors including regulatory stability for manufacturers, and continued research and development on improving exhaust control systems, particularly for smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. Some manufacturers are indicating that the 2009 and later year diesel vehicles will utilize a new emissions control technology known as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) which requires the use and replenishment of a chemical additive (urea). Other manufacturers will use lean-NOx traps with a hydrocarbon reductant based SCR which does not use urea. All options have challenges, but a variety of technologies are being developed to meet stringent U.S. and California emissions standards.
In October 2006, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel became available nationwide, providing an immediate 10 percent reduction of fine particle emissions. The move to clean diesel fuel also enables the use of advanced engine controls and new particulate trap technology. By 2010, clean diesel technology will bring a 98 percent reduction in heavy-duty emissions since 1998, down to almost imperceptible levels. The first such vehicle to meet these standards, a Dodge Ram with a Cummins engine, is already available. Many older heavy-duty diesel vehicles can also benefit from clean diesel’s technological advancements, with retrofit options enabling emissions reductions from 25–85 percent.
One such concern is quality assurance. Any fuel that does not meet strict quality standards can hamper the performance of sensitive engine components and emissions control technologies. Most engine and vehicle manufacturers today permit the use of a B5 blend of bio-fuels — 5 percent soy-based biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel. Efforts are underway between the National Biodiesel Board and vehicle and engine manufacturers to extend permitted fuel blends up to 20 percent bio-fuels in diesel (B20). Current biodiesel production levels remain insufficient to support even a national B2 standard, but if production continues to grow, a national B5 transportation fuel standard could result in a 4 percent reduction in CO2 life cycle emissions, while still avoiding most technology-based concerns.
In the heavy-duty sector, the technology challenges of meeting new 2007-2010 emissions requirements have reduced the potential for achieving substantial further fuel efficiency improvements from the engine. As a result, lowering the amount of energy necessary to move the vehicle by reducing weight, aerodynamic drag, and rolling resistance offers the largest potential to increase fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from trucks.
This fact has been recognized by EPA, resulting in its voluntary SmartWay program, which combines emissions reduction and fuel efficiency improvements through vehicle modifications and emissions technology upgrades to existing vehicles. SmartWay is working with the truck and rail industries to promote many of these modifications and new cleaner diesel vehicles to reach its goal of eliminating 33 to 66 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, 200,000 tons of NOx emissions and save as much as 150 million barrels of oil per year by 2012 – enough oil to heat 17 million houses for a year.
Reduction in discretionary idling of commercial diesel engines is also an area of great potential for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The EPA estimates that long-duration truck and locomotive engine idling is responsible for 11 million tons of CO2, 5,000 tons of particulate matter and 200,000 tons of NOx annually. As a result, the diesel industry has developed auxiliary power units and other idle reduction technologies to help vehicle operators reduce idle time, fuel consumption and emissions.
Diesel hybrids have also demonstrated significant efficiency gains in transit buses and is now the technology of choice for many transit districts around the country. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report comparing hybrid diesel buses with standard diesel-powered and CNG buses found a respective fuel economy improvement of 37 percent and 88 percent. Similar gains have been found when combining these technologies in certain truck markets such as the utility sector.
Greenhouse Gas Reductions
Energy Efficiency, Energy Independence & Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions: The Role of Diesel
Why Diesel?
Because of its unique combination of energy efficiency, power, reliability, and durability, diesel technology plays a vital role in important sectors of the U.S. economy. More than 90 percent of commercial trucks are powered by diesel engines, as are two-thirds of all farm and construction equipment, and 100 percent of all freight locomotives, river barges and other marine work vessels. Diesel engines also power electric generators used for distributed generation or as emergency back-up power such as those used by hospitals.Technologies and actions which promote energy efficiency, energy independence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions are increasingly attractive to national, state and local policymakers. Although diesel power, like other fossil fuel-based technologies, contributes to GHG emissions, its 20-40 percent greater efficiency also offers a viable and readily available strategy to help reduce these same emissions and the amount of fossil fuels used in the transportation sector.
Clean diesel is one of many technologies – including the use of biodiesel, ethanol and hybrid-electric power – that have potential for reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. The following are some basic facts about diesel power and its relevance to these issues as policymakers consider options for addressing these national challenges.
Transportation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of six major GHGs recognized by the International Panel on Climate Change. Many of these gases are produced by both natural and human activities; however, particular attention has been given to CO2 emissions since they account for the vast majority of manmade GHG emissions (83 percent in the U.S.). Because CO2 is the most prevalent of all manmade GHGs, the other five greenhouse gases — methane; nitrous oxide; hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and sulfur hexafluoride (SF) — are typically reported in terms of a CO2 equivalent based on their global warming potential to provide a common unit of measure.2</sub>Emissions.gif/image_preview" alt="Petro Based Emmisions"/>According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the transportation sector is responsible for just over one-quarter of total domestic GHG emissions. Almost all of these CO2 emissions come from the consumption of petroleum products: gasoline (60 percent), middle distillates (diesel fuel – 22 percent), jet fuel (12 percent) and residual oil (mostly marine – 3.1 percent).When viewed by mode of travel, 62 percent of U.S. transportation-related GHG emissions came from light-duty vehicles used for personal transport:
- passenger cars – 35 percent;
- light-duty trucks – 27 percent (including SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks); and
- motorcycles – less than 1 percent.
Diesel’s Inherent Efficiency
There are many ways to reduce GHG emissions generated by light- and heavy-duty vehicles, including energy efficiency improvements, the use of alternative fuels and the adoption of operational modifications such as anti-idling measures.Diesel is the most efficient of all internal combustion power systems. Because of the superior efficiency of the engine and higher energy content of the fuel, diesels typically deliver 20-40 percent more miles per gallon and 10-20 percent fewer GHG emissions than comparable gasoline vehicles.
According to the EPA (www.fueleconomy.gov) a simple comparison between the diesel and gasoline versions of the Volkswagen Jetta demonstrate that the diesel model would travel 36 percent more miles on a tank of fuel and save $321 annually on fuel costs, while using nearly two fewer barrels of oil and emitting one less ton of GHG emissions each year. A similar comparison between the 2007 Mercedes E320 Bluetec diesel and its E350 gasoline equivalent finds even greater savings. The diesel model travels 43 percent more miles on a tank of fuel and saves $492 annually on fuel costs while using 3.2 fewer barrels of oil and emitting 1.5 fewer tons of GHG emissions each year.
More Clean Diesel Cars, Pickups and SUVs equals…
…Less Oil Consumption
The European Union has sought to capitalize on diesel’s inherent energy efficiency by offering tax incentives for the purchase and operation of diesel cars and trucks. Today diesel vehicles account for more than 40 percent of new vehicles purchased in the EU marketplace. Although EU transportation related GHG emissions grew 26 percent from 1990 to 2004, the average carbon dioxide emissions of new passenger cars were reduced by about 12 percent from 1995 to 2004. According to the European Environmental Agency, “The main reasons for the reductions since 1995 are fuel efficiency improvements, mainly in diesel-fueled vehicles, and a shift in fleet composition from petrol to diesel passenger cars.”
For this reason, advanced clean diesel technology must remain a viable option for light-duty vehicles in the United States. In 2005, diesel vehicles accounted for 3.6 percent of the light-duty market in the U.S. This percentage is expected to triple, reaching more than 10 percent of the U.S. market by 2015 according to JD Power and Associates.
Nevertheless, an expanding market for clean diesel cars will depend on a number of factors including regulatory stability for manufacturers, and continued research and development on improving exhaust control systems, particularly for smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. Some manufacturers are indicating that the 2009 and later year diesel vehicles will utilize a new emissions control technology known as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) which requires the use and replenishment of a chemical additive (urea). Other manufacturers will use lean-NOx traps with a hydrocarbon reductant based SCR which does not use urea. All options have challenges, but a variety of technologies are being developed to meet stringent U.S. and California emissions standards.
Clean Diesel’s Environmental Progress
In addition to CO2, the use of diesel power contributes to the formation of several compounds such as carbon monoxide, sulfates and black carbon or soot particles. The reflective impact and atmospheric lifetime of these emissions are still being studied, but they are already subject to stringent government regulations. Diesel engine, equipment, fuel and emissions control technology manufacturers are working with EPA, state and regional governments and environmental organizations in a collaborative effort to reduce diesel-related emissions.In October 2006, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel became available nationwide, providing an immediate 10 percent reduction of fine particle emissions. The move to clean diesel fuel also enables the use of advanced engine controls and new particulate trap technology. By 2010, clean diesel technology will bring a 98 percent reduction in heavy-duty emissions since 1998, down to almost imperceptible levels. The first such vehicle to meet these standards, a Dodge Ram with a Cummins engine, is already available. Many older heavy-duty diesel vehicles can also benefit from clean diesel’s technological advancements, with retrofit options enabling emissions reductions from 25–85 percent.Compounding Environmental and Efficiency Gains
Increased reliance on cars, trucks and SUVs powered by clean diesel engines instead of gasoline is but one of many ways to reduce light-duty GHG emissions. Greater use of bio-fuels can also contribute to reductions in petroleum use and GHG emissions. However, it is important to consider the operational ramifications, market potential and life cycle costs of such efforts.One such concern is quality assurance. Any fuel that does not meet strict quality standards can hamper the performance of sensitive engine components and emissions control technologies. Most engine and vehicle manufacturers today permit the use of a B5 blend of bio-fuels — 5 percent soy-based biodiesel and 95 percent petroleum diesel. Efforts are underway between the National Biodiesel Board and vehicle and engine manufacturers to extend permitted fuel blends up to 20 percent bio-fuels in diesel (B20). Current biodiesel production levels remain insufficient to support even a national B2 standard, but if production continues to grow, a national B5 transportation fuel standard could result in a 4 percent reduction in CO2 life cycle emissions, while still avoiding most technology-based concerns.
In the heavy-duty sector, the technology challenges of meeting new 2007-2010 emissions requirements have reduced the potential for achieving substantial further fuel efficiency improvements from the engine. As a result, lowering the amount of energy necessary to move the vehicle by reducing weight, aerodynamic drag, and rolling resistance offers the largest potential to increase fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from trucks.
This fact has been recognized by EPA, resulting in its voluntary SmartWay program, which combines emissions reduction and fuel efficiency improvements through vehicle modifications and emissions technology upgrades to existing vehicles. SmartWay is working with the truck and rail industries to promote many of these modifications and new cleaner diesel vehicles to reach its goal of eliminating 33 to 66 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, 200,000 tons of NOx emissions and save as much as 150 million barrels of oil per year by 2012 – enough oil to heat 17 million houses for a year.
Reduction in discretionary idling of commercial diesel engines is also an area of great potential for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The EPA estimates that long-duration truck and locomotive engine idling is responsible for 11 million tons of CO2, 5,000 tons of particulate matter and 200,000 tons of NOx annually. As a result, the diesel industry has developed auxiliary power units and other idle reduction technologies to help vehicle operators reduce idle time, fuel consumption and emissions.
The Promise of Diesel Hybrids
One area of significant promise for efficiency gains from commercial vehicles is the utilization of diesel hybrids. Fuel efficiency gains of 30-50 percent are possible by combining a smaller, fuel-efficient clean diesel engine with an advanced electrical or hydraulic system that uses regenerative braking and energy storage. Diesel electric hybrid commercial trucks are in the demonstration and early implementation phases in the school bus, package delivery, local trucking and utility sectors.Diesel hybrids have also demonstrated significant efficiency gains in transit buses and is now the technology of choice for many transit districts around the country. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report comparing hybrid diesel buses with standard diesel-powered and CNG buses found a respective fuel economy improvement of 37 percent and 88 percent. Similar gains have been found when combining these technologies in certain truck markets such as the utility sector.
Continous Improvement Meeting Industry and National Challenges
The diesel industry’s commitment to continuous improvement is bringing significant efficiency and emissions benefits. As a result, the performance of diesel vehicles and equipment is greater than ever before. These investments were sparked by stricter emissions standards for particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Thanks to these performance enhancements, diesel vehicles and equipment can now be part of the solution to the challenges of energy security and growing GHG emissions, making this economic workhorse into an environmental workhorse.Entergy and the Environment
Give credit to Entergy and the enviroment
Energy efficiency is the use of a particular technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. For example, a compact fluorescent light bulb uses less energy compared to a traditional incandescent light bulb. Replacing one 75-watt incandescent light bulb with a 20-watt compact fluorescent light bulb, which produces the same amount of light, will save a consumer more than $30 in energy costs (using average U.S. residential electric rates). It could also prevent more than 300 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
A number of scientists and organizations, including the Electric Power Research Institute, have identified energy efficiency as one important way to achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions.
Individual consumer awareness of everyday decisions is equally important not only because it significantly contributes to fighting climate change, but because it also results in saving the consumer money.
The Waxman-Markey bill sets forth a series of energy efficiency programs that target energy reductions and efficiency standards in buildings, lighting and appliances, industrial facilities and public institutions.
Entergy's most recent Strategic Resource Plan, which is the company's long-term plan for meeting customer electricity needs, incorporates approximately 650 megawatts of cost-effective energy efficiency potential over the next 10 years. In addition, the plan identifies 1,050 MW of energy efficiency potential over a 20 year horizon, which is equivalent to two large gas or solid fuel generation units.
The plan calls for more than 2.2 million megawatt-hours of cumulative energy efficiency in 10 years and over 2.8 million MWHs of cumulative energy efficiency in 15 years. This amounts to nearly 1 million metric tons of CO2 reductions over 15 years and is one tool that will help Entergy cost-effectively meet future greenhouse gas emission caps.
However, aggressive policy initiatives from state and federal government are required to tap the full potential of energy efficiency. Such actions must include better building codes, better appliance standards and, most important, the ability for utilities to earn a reasonable return on energy efficiency investments that are made to specifically assist customers with lowering their energy costs.
Energy efficiency presents a win-win scenario where consumers enjoy lower energy bills and the world enjoys reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the reduced generation of electric power. For utility companies and other industries, increased energy efficiency also results in lowering compliance costs associated with the Waxman-Markey bill.
The Energy-Efficient Route to Lower CO2 Emissions
Energy efficiency is an effective tool that could play an important role in solving the climate change problem while holding customer and utility costs down in a CO2 constrained world. Cost-effective energy efficiency can and should be a valuable resource for meeting the greenhouse gas reduction goals outlined in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey bill.Energy efficiency is the use of a particular technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. For example, a compact fluorescent light bulb uses less energy compared to a traditional incandescent light bulb. Replacing one 75-watt incandescent light bulb with a 20-watt compact fluorescent light bulb, which produces the same amount of light, will save a consumer more than $30 in energy costs (using average U.S. residential electric rates). It could also prevent more than 300 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
A number of scientists and organizations, including the Electric Power Research Institute, have identified energy efficiency as one important way to achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions.
Individual consumer awareness of everyday decisions is equally important not only because it significantly contributes to fighting climate change, but because it also results in saving the consumer money.
The Waxman-Markey bill sets forth a series of energy efficiency programs that target energy reductions and efficiency standards in buildings, lighting and appliances, industrial facilities and public institutions.
Entergy's most recent Strategic Resource Plan, which is the company's long-term plan for meeting customer electricity needs, incorporates approximately 650 megawatts of cost-effective energy efficiency potential over the next 10 years. In addition, the plan identifies 1,050 MW of energy efficiency potential over a 20 year horizon, which is equivalent to two large gas or solid fuel generation units.
The plan calls for more than 2.2 million megawatt-hours of cumulative energy efficiency in 10 years and over 2.8 million MWHs of cumulative energy efficiency in 15 years. This amounts to nearly 1 million metric tons of CO2 reductions over 15 years and is one tool that will help Entergy cost-effectively meet future greenhouse gas emission caps.
However, aggressive policy initiatives from state and federal government are required to tap the full potential of energy efficiency. Such actions must include better building codes, better appliance standards and, most important, the ability for utilities to earn a reasonable return on energy efficiency investments that are made to specifically assist customers with lowering their energy costs.
Energy efficiency presents a win-win scenario where consumers enjoy lower energy bills and the world enjoys reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the reduced generation of electric power. For utility companies and other industries, increased energy efficiency also results in lowering compliance costs associated with the Waxman-Markey bill.
Entergy’s energy efficiency efforts
To date, 26 energy efficiency and demand side management programs or pilots are under way across the Entergy system. These efforts include:- Entergy Arkansas offers 10 energy efficiency programs to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
- Entergy Texas’ energy efficiency programs have been in place since 2002. Today there are nine programs for residential and commercial customers.
- Entergy New Orleans launched five energy efficiency pilot programs for residential, commercial and industrial customers in 2009. These “Quick Start” programs are intended to begin to transform the energy market and build a workforce in New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans will also develop energy efficiency programs for the city’s Energy Smart Plan that is scheduled to launch in 2010.
- Entergy Gulf States Louisiana is piloting advanced metering programs as well as a new Web portal that allows customers to monitor their energy use over the Internet on a near real- time basis.
- Entergy Louisiana’s Web site includes a series of energy efficiency tips and a home energy calculator that offers an online energy audit.
- Through Entergy’s ENsight Web page, customers can estimate their electricity usage, learn how much energy certain appliances use and explore ways to better manage their electricity costs.
- The Make an Impact Web site, in partnership with the Pew Center for Climate Change, offers users a personalized CO2 footprint analysis and action plan for a more energy efficient lifestyle.
- Through the "Change A Light, Change The World" campaign, Entergy helped purchase 10,000 compact fluorescent bulbs, which are expected to reduce more than 1,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Efficiency Quick Facts
- The U.S. uses nearly $1 million worth of energy each minute, 24 hours a day and every day of the year.
- Even with less than 5 percent of the world’s population, Americans consume slightly fewer than 25 percent of the world’s energy resources.
- The average American consumes six times more energy annually than the world average.
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation for Energy Efficiency
Give credit to Hari Srinivas
Global warming arises from the release into the atmosphere of gases that absorb the infrared radiation emitted by the earth, thus preventing the escape of the radiation into space. Examples of greenhouse gases (GHGs) include CO2, CH4, NOx and HFCs. The fact is that humans have produced substantial quantities of these greenhouse gases, leading to continuously degrading global environment.
As a result, GHG emissions and energy demand have risen high on the global environmental agenda - given the magnitude of GHG emissions from cities, urban energy efficiency is a significant challenge that requires special consideration. The role of city planners and the construction industry is essential as they create the necessary pre-conditions for energy savings opportunities to be realized.
Implementation of measures that are resource-efficient and mitigate negative environmental impacts are needed in all areas of human activity. The built environment is a clear example of this - buildings have a significant impact on the environment, accounting for one-sixth of the world's freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows. Structures also impact areas beyond their immediate location, affecting the watersheds, air quality, and transportation patterns of communities.
A deeper understanding of the issues involved is leading to changes in the way the building industry and building owners approach the design, construction, and operation of structures. Incorporation of sustainability principles within such processes is becoming a key goal in not only reducing and preventing negative environmental impacts, but also to implement energy-efficiency in buildings and construction processes. Some important aspects of energy efficient in urban areas include (a) maximizing the energy efficiency of building and infrastructure operations through the use of renewable resources, decentralized co-generation and energy cascading techniques in a manner which optimizes integrated energy flows and minimizes potential global environmental impacts such as GHG emissions, and (b) linking producers and consumers of energy and materials throughout the community, city and surrounding regions to facilitate resource exchanges and recycling networks.
Therefore, the environmental implications of man-made structures - buildings, infrastructure etc. and the urban activities and consumption patterns that go into their design, construction, use, maintenance and demolition, need to be comprehended in greater detail. These issues are indeed the local beginnings of global environmental problems, and have resulted in a rethinking of how we look at cities and urban areas - and of the built environment within these areas.
The increasing focus being placed on incorporating the concept of sustainability within the built environment, particularly on the impact of buildings and the construction process on the environment, has resulted in the development of a series of codes, standards, regulations and decision-support systems. These tools help in working with a range of stakeholders to achieve sustainability in the built environment.
What is missing however is a mechanism to link building and construction processes to the larger global environmental problems through a framework of goals and objectives laid against available codes, standards and regulations. We need greater focus on sustainability and environmental issues in the development of building codes and standards in light of the entire life-cycle of buildings. Built into such initiatives should be a coherent approach for energy-efficiency in the built environment, with the ultimate goal of reducing GHGs.
Adapting appropriate codes, standards and regulations for sustainability in the built environment, particularly in developing countries, requires a methodology for their scaling to different levels of economic development.
Global warming arises from the release into the atmosphere of gases that absorb the infrared radiation emitted by the earth, thus preventing the escape of the radiation into space. Examples of greenhouse gases (GHGs) include CO2, CH4, NOx and HFCs. The fact is that humans have produced substantial quantities of these greenhouse gases, leading to continuously degrading global environment.
As a result, GHG emissions and energy demand have risen high on the global environmental agenda - given the magnitude of GHG emissions from cities, urban energy efficiency is a significant challenge that requires special consideration. The role of city planners and the construction industry is essential as they create the necessary pre-conditions for energy savings opportunities to be realized.
Implementation of measures that are resource-efficient and mitigate negative environmental impacts are needed in all areas of human activity. The built environment is a clear example of this - buildings have a significant impact on the environment, accounting for one-sixth of the world's freshwater withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows. Structures also impact areas beyond their immediate location, affecting the watersheds, air quality, and transportation patterns of communities.
A deeper understanding of the issues involved is leading to changes in the way the building industry and building owners approach the design, construction, and operation of structures. Incorporation of sustainability principles within such processes is becoming a key goal in not only reducing and preventing negative environmental impacts, but also to implement energy-efficiency in buildings and construction processes. Some important aspects of energy efficient in urban areas include (a) maximizing the energy efficiency of building and infrastructure operations through the use of renewable resources, decentralized co-generation and energy cascading techniques in a manner which optimizes integrated energy flows and minimizes potential global environmental impacts such as GHG emissions, and (b) linking producers and consumers of energy and materials throughout the community, city and surrounding regions to facilitate resource exchanges and recycling networks.
Therefore, the environmental implications of man-made structures - buildings, infrastructure etc. and the urban activities and consumption patterns that go into their design, construction, use, maintenance and demolition, need to be comprehended in greater detail. These issues are indeed the local beginnings of global environmental problems, and have resulted in a rethinking of how we look at cities and urban areas - and of the built environment within these areas.
The increasing focus being placed on incorporating the concept of sustainability within the built environment, particularly on the impact of buildings and the construction process on the environment, has resulted in the development of a series of codes, standards, regulations and decision-support systems. These tools help in working with a range of stakeholders to achieve sustainability in the built environment.
What is missing however is a mechanism to link building and construction processes to the larger global environmental problems through a framework of goals and objectives laid against available codes, standards and regulations. We need greater focus on sustainability and environmental issues in the development of building codes and standards in light of the entire life-cycle of buildings. Built into such initiatives should be a coherent approach for energy-efficiency in the built environment, with the ultimate goal of reducing GHGs.
Adapting appropriate codes, standards and regulations for sustainability in the built environment, particularly in developing countries, requires a methodology for their scaling to different levels of economic development.
| Strategy | Outputs/Outcomes |
| 1. Create enabling environments for green construction in developing countries |
|
| 2. Stimulate the development and use of appropriate building codes and standards for sustainable building and construction. |
|
| 3. Build required capacity to apply codes and standards among defined - institutional and professional - stakeholders. |
|
Monday, October 11, 2010
Clark Atlanta University, Social Media Revolution 2.0
Repost from Supply Chain Trends:
It’s amazing how fast the world of social media moves! As many of the statistics from the original Social Media video have changed, I took a moment to refresh the video with a few new statistics and graphics. Thanks to all of you for your support in making the first Social Media Revolution and Social Media ROIvideos such a huge success and I hope that you enjoy this refresh!
Stats from Video (sources listed below by corresponding #)
- 80% of companies use social media for recruitment; % of these using LinkedIn 95%
- Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30-years-old
- 96% of them have joined a social network
- 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations
- Only 14% trust advertisements
- Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI
- There are over 200,000,000 Blogs
- 25% of search results for the World’s Top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content
- We don’t have a choice on whether we DO social media, the question is how well we DO it.”
- If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest ahead of the United States and only behind China and India
- We no longer search for the news, the news finds us.
- We will non longer search for products and services, they will find us via social media
Additional Sources:
- Facebook and world population data
- Jobvite Social Recruitment Survey
- Mashable by Ben Parr
- Facebook Stats
- Calculated based of Wikipedia article data found at www.wikipedia.org
- “Marketing to the Social Web,” Larry Weber, Wiley Publishing 2007
- Hitwise Intelligence Heather Dougherty
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Greenhouse gases and society
Give credit to Nick Hopwood and Jordan Cohen
Greenhouse gases naturally blanket the Earth and keep it about 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would be without these gases in the atmosphere. This is called the Greenhouse Effect. Over the past century, the Earth has increased in temperature by about .5 degrees Celsius and many scientists believe this is because of an increase in concentration of the main greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons. People are now calling this climate change over the past century the beginning of Global Warming. Fears are that if people keep producing such gases at increasing rates, the results will be negative in nature, such as more severe floods and droughts, increasing prevalence of insects, sea levels rising, and Earth's precipitation may be redistributed. These changes to the environment will most likely cause negative effects on society, such as lower health and decreasing economic development. However, some scientists argue that the global warming we are experiencing now is a natural phenomenon, and is part of Earth's natural cycle. Presently, nobody can prove if either theory is correct, but one thing is certain; the world has been emitting greenhouse gases at extremely high rates and has shown only small signs of reducing emissions until the last few years. After the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the world has finally taken the first step in reducing emissions.
The Greenhouse Effect The "greenhouse effect" is the heating of the Earth due to the presence of greenhouse gases. It is named this way because of a similar effect produced by the glass panes of a greenhouse. Shorter-wavelength solar radiation from the sun passes through Earth's atmosphere, then is absorbed by the surface of the Earth, causing it to warm. Part of the absorbed energy is then reradiated back to the atmosphere as long wave infared radiation. Little of this long wave radiation escapes back into space; the radiation cannot pass through the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The greenhouse gases selectively transmit the infared waves, trapping some and allowing some to pass through into space. The greenhouse gases absorb these waves and reemits the waves downward, causing the lower atmosphere to warm.(www.eb.com:180)
Diagram to help explain the process of global warming and how greenhouse gases create the "greenhouse effect" www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/images/diagrampage.html
Greenhouse Gases 
This graph shows the distribution of GHG in Earth's atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide is clearly the majority. www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html Carbon Dioxide Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless non-flammable gas and is the most prominent Greenhouse gas in Earth's atmosphere. It is recycled through the atmosphere by the process photosynthesis, which makes human life possible. Photosynthesis is the process of green plants and other organisms transforming light energy into chemical energy. Light Energy is trapped and used to convert carbon dioxide, water, and other minerals into oxygen and energy rich organic compounds. (Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume 25) Carbon Dioxide is emitted into the air as humans exhale, burn fossil fuels for energy, and deforest the planet. Every year humans add over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by these processes, and it is up thirty percent since 1750 (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html). An isolated test at Mauna Loa in Hawaii revealed more than a 12% (316 ppm in 1959 to 360 ppm in 1996) increase in mean annual concentration of carbon dioxide. Mauna Loa, located in Hawaii, is the worlds largest volcano at 40,000 cubic km and 4,170 meters above sea level. (Encyclopedia Britannica Volume 27) . Ice core samples have also shown a dramatic increase in carbon dioxide levels. Drilling deep into glaciers and polar ice caps and taking out samples of ice, then melting the ice and capturing the gas has shown an increase in carbon dioxide concentrations over the past 100 years. Ice core samples are essentially "drilling through time", because the deeper the ice is, the older the ice is.
In 1996, carbon dioxide world emissions increased by 2.8%. The U.S. reported a 3.3% increase in CO2
concentrations. The U.S. continues to emit more than any other country in the world, accounting for 25% of all emissions. The European Union had an increase of 2.2%, much larger than a small increase of 1.1% in 1995. Eastern Europe had a decreasing rate of -2.4%. China's increase in 1996 was 4.7%.(http://infoweb.magi.com/~dwalsh/wfsesr.html)
Fossil Fuels were created chiefly by the decay of plants from millions of years ago. We use coal, oil and natural gas to generate electricity, heat our homes, power our factories and run our cars. These fossil fuels contain carbon, and when they are burned, they combine with oxygen, forming carbon dioxide. The two atoms of oxygen add to the total weight. The World Energy Council reported that global carbon dioxide emissions from buring fossil fuels rose 12% between 1990 and 1995. (www.eb.com:180) The increase from developing countries was three times that from developed countries. Middle East carbon dioxide emissions from burning of fossil fuels increased 35%, Africa increased 12%, and Eastern Europe increased rates by 75% from 1990-1995.
This graph shows the increase of carbon dioxide in the air over the past few centuries 
Ice Core samples and samples at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, reveal an increase CO2 concentrations 
Pie chart shows how CO2 is produced www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html 
Cars also contribute to CO2 in the atmosphere. www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106/index.html Deforestation is another main producer of carbon dioxide. The causes of deforestation are logging for lumber, pulpwood, and fuel wood. Also contributing to deforestation are clearing new land for farming and pastures used for animals such as cows. Forests and wooded areas are natural carbon sinks. This means that as trees absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen, carbon is being put into trees. This process occurs naturally by photosynthesis, which occurs less and less as we cut and burn down trees. As the abundance of trees declines, less carbon dioxide can be recycled. As we burn them down, carbon is released into the air and the carbon bonds with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, adding to the greenhouse effect. About 860 acres, the size of Central Park in New York, is destroyed every 15 minutes in the tropics.
Deforestation and Forest Fires contribute to an increase in CO2 levels www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html 
The Amazon Rain Forest, which is in parts of Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, is subjected to a great deal of deforestation www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html
Methane Methane is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas. It is formed when plants decay and where there is very little air. It is often called swamp gas because it is abundant around water and swamps. Bacteria that breakdown organic matter in wetlands and bacteria that are found in cows, sheep, goats, buffalo, termites, and camels produce methane naturally. Since 1750, methane has doubled, and could double again by 2050. Each year we add 350-500 million tons of methane to the air by raising livestock, coal mining, drilling for oil and natural gas, rice cultivation, and garbage sitting in landfills.(www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) It stays in the atmosphere for only 10 years, but traps 20 times more heat than carbon dioxide.
Methane is on the rise since 1750 www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html Rice cultivation has developed into a large business; farmland has doubled in the past 45 years.(www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) It feeds 1/3 of the World's population. It grows mostly in flooded fields, where bacteria in waterlogged soil releases methane.
Livestock such as cows, sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes, and termites release methane as well. Bacteria in the gut of the animal break down food and convert some of it to methane. When these animals belch, methane is released. In one day, a cow can emit ½ pound of methane into the air. Imagine 1.3 billion cattle each burping methane several times per minute!
Cows such as these contribute a large amount of methane to the air. www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Nitrous Oxide Nitrous oxide is another colorless greenhouse gas, however, it has a sweet odor . It is primarily used as an anesthetic because it deadens pain and for this characteristic is called �laughing gas.� This gas is released naturally from oceans and by bacteria in soils. Nitrous oxide gas risen by more than 15% since 1750. Each year we add 7-13 million tons into the atmosphere by using nitrogen based fertilizers, disposing of human and animal waste in sewage treatment plants, automobile exhaust, and other sources not yet identified. It is important to reduce emissions because the nitrous oxide we release today will still be trapped in the atmosphere 100 years from now. (World Book Volume 13)
Nitrous Oxide has been on the rise since 1750 www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitmap.html Nitrogen based fertilizer use has doubled in the past 15 years. These fertilizers provide nutrients for crops; however, when they breakdown in the soil, nitrous oxide is released into the atmosphere. In automobiles, nitrous oxide is released at a much lower rate than carbon dioxide, because there is more carbon in gasoline than nitrogen.
Fluorocarbons Fluorocarbons is a general term for any group of synthetic organic compounds that contain fluorine and carbon. Many of these compounds, such as chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs), can be easily converted from gas to liquid or liquid to gas. Because of these properties, CFCs can be used in aerosol cans, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Studies in the 1970s showed that when CFCs are emitted into the atmosphere, they break down molecules in the Earth's ozone layer (World Book). Since then, the use of CFCs has significantly decreased and they are banned from production in the United States.
The substitute for CFCs are hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's). HFCs do not harm or breakdown the ozone molecule, but they do trap heat in the atmosphere, making it a greenhouse gas, aiding in global warming. HFCs are used in air conditioners and refrigerators. The way to reduce emissions of this gas is to be sure that in both devices the coolant is recycled and all leaks are properly fixed . Also, before throwing the appliances away, be sure to recover the coolant in each.
Refrigerators and Air Conditioners using CFC's were a huge problem for the ozone layer, but now HFC's are a problem for the climate. www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Global Warming is Here Naturally, if there are more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, this greenhouse effect will be more significant and raise the temperature of Earth more than if humans didn't emit as much greenhouse gases. Peter Tans, a physicist with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Lab says, There is no doubt that both land and ocean surface temperatures have gone up significantly in the last 100 years or so. (www.abcnew.com/sections/us/global106.html) This statement supports the trend of global warming, but does not acknowledge the source. The director of NOAAs Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab at Princeton, Jerry Malhan, says, The Earths surface temperature has warmed about one degree Fahrenheit in the last 100 years, and there is no credible hypothesis for this, other than the net effect of greenhouse gases." (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.index.html) Jerry Malhan offers a quote supporting the theory of global warming and also states that it is directly related to the increase of greenhouse gases. The planet is heating up and the evidence suggests that human activities are having a significant impact, Jane Lubchenco said. (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106/index.html) Jane was the past President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, who briefed President Clinton on global warming in July, 1997. The world's leading authority on global warming, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is a United Nations sponsored organization made up of 2500 scientists from around the world. They have concluded by consensus that "The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate." They project that global warming will have severe impacts on human health, natural ecosystems, agriculture, and coastal communities. (www.toowarm.org./factsheets/basfact.html)
This evidence supports the common belief that Global Warming is occurring due to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and HFCs. 
Average yearly temperature rise: 1860-1998 www.evirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Effects of Global Warming on Environment There are many environmental problems coming from the increase concentration of greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere. As Jeff Rubin of ABC NEWS reported, Several signs indicate that we've begun changing Earth's climate: increased water vapor in the atmosphere, glaciers and polar ice caps appear to be melting, floods and droughts are becoming more severe, and sea levels have risen, on average, between 4 and 10 inches since 1990. (www.abc.com/sections/us/global106.html) Experts concur, We are already beginning to see this (global warming) taking place - a lot more flooding, a lot more droughts, Jane Lubchenco said. Jerry Malham added, By 2100, we might get a 2 foot sea level rise, but the catch is, levels might continue to rise 2 or 3 feet per century, for 1000 years.(www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html) These rises in sea level can increase the salinity of freshwater throughout the world, and cause coastal lands to be washed under the ocean. Warmer water and increased humidity may encourage tropical cyclones, and changing wave patterns could produce more tidal waves and strong beach erosion on the coasts.
Flooding form global warming may be already happening. www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html 
Picture of a typhoon from space www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html 
The effects of droughts on crops www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html
Effects of Global Warming on Society Agriculturally, Dr. Sylvan H. Wittwer believes that global warming is good for the human race, because it helps increase food production. "The most determinant factor in agriculture production is climate. History reveals that for food production, warming is better than cooling." Dr. Wittwer says that carbon dioxide is an essential nutrient for the production of food, and food is one of the most important things in our lives. As the temperature rises, more farmland will be open towards the poles and the length of the growing season will also lengthen. With all the people who go hungry each day, Dr. Wittwer believes food production should be one of our main concerns. Dr. Wittwer is the scientific pioneer who conducted the original studies on atmospheric CO2 enhancement of the production of food crops.(www.comnett.net/~wit/food.html) Increasing amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global warming could also lead to more health concerns. A statement released from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said, "Climate change is likely to have wide-ranging and mostly adverse impacts on human health, with significant loss of life." As temperatures increase towards the poles, similar to farmland, insects and other pests migrate towards Earth's poles. These insects and pests could be allowed to migrate up to 550 Km or 550 miles. Some insects carry diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Thus, an increase in these particular insects and pests closer to the poles results in an increase in these diseases. This could lead to 50 to 80 million additional cases of Malaria annually, a 10-15% increase. "Malaria and dengue fever are already beginning to spread pole wards", said Jane Lubchenco, past president of American Association for the advancement of science. (www.epa.gov/oppeoeel/globalwarming/impacts/health/index.html) Physician Paul Epstein, of Harvard's School of Public Health, says "Climate change is already a factor in terms of the distributions of malaria, dengue fever, and cholera." (www.aloha.net~jhanson/page70.htm)
The most obvious health effect is directly from the heat itself. With an increase in heat waves, there will be more people who will suffer from heatstroke, heart attacks and other ailments aggravated by the heat. According to the EPA, "In July 1995, a heat wave killed more than 700 people in the Chicago area alone." (www.epa.gov/oppeoeel/globalwarming/impacts/health/index.html) If this is happening already from heat, imagine what would occur in the future with global warming. Hot conditions could also cause smoke particles and noxious gases to linger in the air and accelerate chemical reactions that generate other pollutants. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) This leads to an increase in risk of respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma.
Global warming causes the oceans to warm and expand, inducing a rise in sea level. Eventually, the rising waters could take away land inhabited by people, forcing them to move. Dr. Robert Buddemieir, of the Kansas Geological Survey said, "Bangledesh is massively populated, achingly poor, and something like a sixth of the country is going to go away" (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) Bangladesh cannot afford to build barriers to hold back the sea, so people would have to move inland, increasing the populations density and leading to an increase in hunger and disease. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) The Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean have the same problem They are a nation of 1190 islands with an average height of about 1.5 meters above sea level. If the sea level rises, more than 200,000 people will have to abandon their homes. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitmap.html) Warming of the oceans could also promote toxic algae which can lead to cholera.
Graph showing history of sea level and extrapolating possible increases in sea level over the next century The blue line represents the history of sea level. The yellow line is a high estimate of sea level extrapolated. The red line a central estimate, and the green line is a low projection. www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
The Present ways of Producing Energy 
This pie graph shows the breakdown of how the world produces its energy www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html Fossil fuels, chiefly coal, oil and natural gas, now supply most of the world's energy. Only a small amount comes from renewable sources , which do not release gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. If we could get more of our energy from renewable sources, we could reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn. By the year 2050, renewable sources could provide forty percent of the energy needed in the world. Use of renewable energy can help both to slow global warming and to reduce air pollution. (www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/gcc/cell.html#pos6) These fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas also emit greenhouse gases when burned. Coal emits high amounts of greenhouse gases, and the world may be supplied with enough of it to last over 100 years. Oil emits high amounts of greenhouse gases and also other types of air pollution harmful to the environment. The world's oil supply is also estimated to last over 100 years. Natural Gas is the lowest of all fossil fuels in greenhouse gas emissions; supplies are projected to last over 100 years. (www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/gcc/cell.html#pos6)
1996 Processes Carbon Dioxide was Produced
This chart shows what percentage of CO2 comes from Oil, Natural Gas, and Coal. For example, in 1996, 44.7% of the world's CO2 emissions came from the combustion of oil. http://infoweb.magi.com/~dwalsh/wfsesr.html
This chart shows how much coal different areas of the world have produced and consumed over time 
Coal accounts for 24% of the worlds energy; Natural gas 18% www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Solutions for Producing "Cleaner"Energy
Hydro power, currently supplying only six percent of the world's energy, is a renewable energy source. Energy is produced by hydraulic turbines that rotate with the force of rushing water (higher to lower elevation). It is one of the most clean and cheapest way of producing energy, but it can also change the flow of rivers and increase sediment which kills fish. It is a large
investment for developing countries. (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106)
]Hydro Power plant on a river www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Denmark is currently the world leader in wind power. By 2030, fifty percent of Denmark's energy could be produced by wind power. Randall Swisher, executive director of the American WInd Energy Association says, "If this country made an aggressive development push, by 2020 eighteen percent of the country's energy could be supplied by wind power." (www.abc.com/sections/us/global106.html) Wind power emits no greenhouse gases, but it takes up large amounts of land. In order for it to be a reliable source, scientists must develop better power storage techniques. Another concern of people is noise pollution that the large windmills produce along with the reliability of wind. 
A field of wind mills www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Solar power uses photovoltaic cells (PV's) to gather thermal energy directly from the sun and use it to produce electricity. One community could be supplied by one field of PV's . Passive solar cells could also be used to heat water, replacing the need for today's hot water heaters. PV's do not emit any greenhouse gases, but they are very expensive and more development is needed in order for this to be realistic energy source for the future. (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html)
A field of PV's gathering sunlight to produce power www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html
Nuclear power plants have had success in Europe, but not in the United States www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html
Kyoto Protocol
The United States proposed a plan to have these levels cut over a five year period between 2008-2013. The United States also said it will not sign the protocol if other developing/undeveloped countries do not sign it as well, fearing the economy will falter. The U.S. was successful in emissions trading with other countries who have less emissions. This means that the U.S. or other developed countries can purchase emission permits from other countries who have extra permits. This stresses the importance of flexibility the U.S. was looking for when it said it cannot lower the emission levels until at least 2008. Again, the U.S. is trying to look out for it's own economy first. If a country shall fail in completing its goal, the country will then not be able to receive joint implementation projects. However, this Protocol is not yet law; it must be ratified by at least 55 countries, accounting for 55% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions.. It can be signed by countries starting in March of 1998. The next convention is in November 1998, in Buenos Aires. (www.state.gov/global/oes/fs_kyoto_climate_980115.html)
If the Kyoto Protocol becomes the law of the land, there are potential economic problems that may lead to a change in quality of life for many Americans. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, people will be more healthy due to better air quality and water quality. However, there may be a reduction in the rate of economic development because industries will have to adapt and find different ways of producing goods. People will have to drive smaller, lighter cars, ride bicycles more often, and increase efficiency in many ways.
In 1996, carbon dioxide world emissions increased by 2.8%. The U.S. reported a 3.3% increase in CO2
concentrations. The U.S. continues to emit more than any other country in the world, accounting for 25% of all emissions. The European Union had an increase of 2.2%, much larger than a small increase of 1.1% in 1995. Eastern Europe had a decreasing rate of -2.4%. China's increase in 1996 was 4.7%.(http://infoweb.magi.com/~dwalsh/wfsesr.html)
Fossil Fuels were created chiefly by the decay of plants from millions of years ago. We use coal, oil and natural gas to generate electricity, heat our homes, power our factories and run our cars. These fossil fuels contain carbon, and when they are burned, they combine with oxygen, forming carbon dioxide. The two atoms of oxygen add to the total weight. The World Energy Council reported that global carbon dioxide emissions from buring fossil fuels rose 12% between 1990 and 1995. (www.eb.com:180) The increase from developing countries was three times that from developed countries. Middle East carbon dioxide emissions from burning of fossil fuels increased 35%, Africa increased 12%, and Eastern Europe increased rates by 75% from 1990-1995.
Livestock such as cows, sheep, goats, camels, buffaloes, and termites release methane as well. Bacteria in the gut of the animal break down food and convert some of it to methane. When these animals belch, methane is released. In one day, a cow can emit ½ pound of methane into the air. Imagine 1.3 billion cattle each burping methane several times per minute!
The substitute for CFCs are hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's). HFCs do not harm or breakdown the ozone molecule, but they do trap heat in the atmosphere, making it a greenhouse gas, aiding in global warming. HFCs are used in air conditioners and refrigerators. The way to reduce emissions of this gas is to be sure that in both devices the coolant is recycled and all leaks are properly fixed . Also, before throwing the appliances away, be sure to recover the coolant in each.
This evidence supports the common belief that Global Warming is occurring due to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and HFCs.
The most obvious health effect is directly from the heat itself. With an increase in heat waves, there will be more people who will suffer from heatstroke, heart attacks and other ailments aggravated by the heat. According to the EPA, "In July 1995, a heat wave killed more than 700 people in the Chicago area alone." (www.epa.gov/oppeoeel/globalwarming/impacts/health/index.html) If this is happening already from heat, imagine what would occur in the future with global warming. Hot conditions could also cause smoke particles and noxious gases to linger in the air and accelerate chemical reactions that generate other pollutants. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) This leads to an increase in risk of respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma.
Global warming causes the oceans to warm and expand, inducing a rise in sea level. Eventually, the rising waters could take away land inhabited by people, forcing them to move. Dr. Robert Buddemieir, of the Kansas Geological Survey said, "Bangledesh is massively populated, achingly poor, and something like a sixth of the country is going to go away" (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) Bangladesh cannot afford to build barriers to hold back the sea, so people would have to move inland, increasing the populations density and leading to an increase in hunger and disease. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitemap.html) The Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean have the same problem They are a nation of 1190 islands with an average height of about 1.5 meters above sea level. If the sea level rises, more than 200,000 people will have to abandon their homes. (www.envirolink.org/orgs/edf/sitmap.html) Warming of the oceans could also promote toxic algae which can lead to cholera.
| World | 18.4% | 36.9% | |
| Canada | 51.8% | 30% | 18.2% |
| United States | 45% | 21.3% | 33.7% |
| European Union | 56.2% | 19% | 24.8% |
| China | 17.4% | 1.1% | 81.5% |
| Japan | 64.6% | 9.9% | 25.5% |
Hydro power, currently supplying only six percent of the world's energy, is a renewable energy source. Energy is produced by hydraulic turbines that rotate with the force of rushing water (higher to lower elevation). It is one of the most clean and cheapest way of producing energy, but it can also change the flow of rivers and increase sediment which kills fish. It is a large
investment for developing countries. (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106)
]Denmark is currently the world leader in wind power. By 2030, fifty percent of Denmark's energy could be produced by wind power. Randall Swisher, executive director of the American WInd Energy Association says, "If this country made an aggressive development push, by 2020 eighteen percent of the country's energy could be supplied by wind power." (www.abc.com/sections/us/global106.html) Wind power emits no greenhouse gases, but it takes up large amounts of land. In order for it to be a reliable source, scientists must develop better power storage techniques. Another concern of people is noise pollution that the large windmills produce along with the reliability of wind.
Solar power uses photovoltaic cells (PV's) to gather thermal energy directly from the sun and use it to produce electricity. One community could be supplied by one field of PV's . Passive solar cells could also be used to heat water, replacing the need for today's hot water heaters. PV's do not emit any greenhouse gases, but they are very expensive and more development is needed in order for this to be realistic energy source for the future. (www.abcnews.com/sections/us/global106.html)
Kyoto Protocol
The United States proposed a plan to have these levels cut over a five year period between 2008-2013. The United States also said it will not sign the protocol if other developing/undeveloped countries do not sign it as well, fearing the economy will falter. The U.S. was successful in emissions trading with other countries who have less emissions. This means that the U.S. or other developed countries can purchase emission permits from other countries who have extra permits. This stresses the importance of flexibility the U.S. was looking for when it said it cannot lower the emission levels until at least 2008. Again, the U.S. is trying to look out for it's own economy first. If a country shall fail in completing its goal, the country will then not be able to receive joint implementation projects. However, this Protocol is not yet law; it must be ratified by at least 55 countries, accounting for 55% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions.. It can be signed by countries starting in March of 1998. The next convention is in November 1998, in Buenos Aires. (www.state.gov/global/oes/fs_kyoto_climate_980115.html)
If the Kyoto Protocol becomes the law of the land, there are potential economic problems that may lead to a change in quality of life for many Americans. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, people will be more healthy due to better air quality and water quality. However, there may be a reduction in the rate of economic development because industries will have to adapt and find different ways of producing goods. People will have to drive smaller, lighter cars, ride bicycles more often, and increase efficiency in many ways.
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