Reducing Global Warming

Assignment 2: Reducing Global Warming

1. Five alternative renewable energy sources are solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass. Solar power is produced by collecting sunlight (mostly using solar panels) and converting it into electricity. The energy from the wind can be harnessed by wind turbines and windmills to generate electricity and pump water. The water pressure created by falling water is used to turn the blades of a turbine which is connected to a generator that converts the energy into electricity. Heat from the Earth and a heat pump system create geothermal energy. The chemical energy created by photosynthesis can be extracted from biomass through combustion, to produce energy that can be used as heat or power. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are measurably increasing. These increases cause a heating effect, also known as the greenhouse effect. By using alternative energy sources, we can greatly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming. These alternative energy sources produce little to no air-pollutants and emissions which allows us to continue to produce energy without increasing the greenhouse effect.

2. Hybrid cars help reduce GHG emissions by producing 80% less harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases than comparable gasoline cars. By using less fuel, their carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, and using electricity allows for no emissions at all.

3.The difference between incandescent and fluorescent lights is that incandescent bulbs emit light by heating the filament present in the bulb, while fluorescent lights generate light by sending an electrical discharge through an ionized gas. Fluorescent lights last longer, reduce replacement costs, save energy, and last 10 to 20 times longer than the incandescent bulb. However, they contain mercury, which, when the light bulbs are disposed of, evaporates and causes air and water pollution. Incandescent bulbs, however, contain tungsten which is not hazardous to the...