Some climate scientists such as Ken Caldeira believe that humans will never reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that the earth will eventually return to the climate of the Cretaceous period due to climate change (How Far Can Climate Change Go?, 2012). There is enough evidence to suggest that this will not happen. Thanks to our individual senses of environmental consciousness, our uses and further research of alternative energy sources and fuels, and the potential for space colonization and exploration. We still have a chance to reverse our impact on the planet because of further advancements in technology and a sense of global consciousness.
Canadians have a good sense of environmental consciousness. We are taught at a young age to be considerate of our impact on the environment. The
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government puts acts and regulations in place to limit our impact on our ecosystem such as The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Canada, 2014). Hefty fines for businesses and individual penalties are given to those caught breaking the rules. Municipal governments are enforcing recycling and waste management programs to help keep our use of landfills to a minimum. We are finding more and more uses for recycled materials from use in children’s playgrounds to common house hold items like clothing, toilet paper or pens. The government issues tax discounts for buying energy efficient fixtures and appliances. Not to mention the number of organizations that refurbish, sell on consignment, or donation/ second hand stores. We are constantly looking for ways to lower our carbon foot print. There are many different types of alternative energy sources.
There is hydro-Electric energy that can be harnessed from waterfalls or dams.” In fact, hydropower accounted for 62.9 percent of Canada’s electricity production in 2011” (CEA, 2012). Geothermal energy is produced from sending water into a deep cavity in the earth creating steam but there is none being produced in Canada. “By 2050, roughly 80 per cent of Canada’s power generation capacity will be geothermal” (Hamilton, 2010). Solar panels are a good source of naturally occurring energy. “Solar thermal power has seen average annual growth of 9.5% since 2000” (Canada, 2014). Wind turbines are becoming more popular as another way to harness a great source of natural energy and create 3% of Canadian’s electricity (CWEA, 2014). Last but not least there is nuclear power created from fission or fusion of uranium atoms. Nuclear power already generates 15% of Canada’s power (WNA, 2014). As well there are new advancements in alternative renewable fuel sources. Propane, ethanol, manure, used oil are all used as renewable fuels over all types of transportation. Electric cars are being offered as an alternative to gas powered
vehicles. All of the elements on the periodic table can potentially be found in space, whether it is on planets, moons, asteroids, etc. There is potential to mine these resources without an environmental impact on the earth. There is great potential for us as a species to colonize space. Such experts like Steven Hawking said he did not think humans would survive another 1,000 years without escaping beyond our fragile planet (Malik, 2013). If this was to come to fruition the human race will survive if the earth met its demise. There are currently six people living and conducting research on the international space station (NASA, 2014). The international space station and the Hubble telescope are the most advanced technology in space collecting data at this point in human history. The first man-made object, a V2 rocket sent into space was in 1942 during WWII by the Germans (RedOrbit, 2014). Since then we have landed people on the moon in 1969, sent telescopes, satellites, and probes into space. Most recently in 2004 Europe's unmanned probe Rosetta was sent to attach a robotic lander Philae on the Comet 67P/Chur/yumov-Gerasimenko. Rosetta became a successful mission on November 12, 2014 (Horowitz, 2014). We also are constantly making advancements in technology, such as being able to accomplish the examples above, it becomes obvious that we can potentially have satellites mining resources or colonize the moon. We can and will survive in outer space. Humanity is constantly working on ways to help reduce harm to the environment though researching alternative energy and fuel sources as well as imposing stricter laws and regulations on businesses and corporations for environmentally harmful acts. We are also looking to the stars for the future possibilities for sustaining life. Since the economic recessions suffered around the world people are unknowingly being more environmentally conscious by buying used or turning off lights. Environmental consciousness has also in a way, turned into a fad. Nevertheless, we as a society realize that even the individual can make a difference and with our constant need to research and explore humanity will only become more advanced and more environmentally friendly.
Pollan even agrees that becoming friendlier to the environment may seem like a bit too much. Scientists may even show that it could even be too late to save the planet from the climate change. One NASA climate scientist, James Hansen, began warning about global warming 20 years ago. According to Hansen, the amount of carbon we are emitting is going to change the world as we know it. Scientists have seen the climate change affect the world on a grander scale as of today and we are seeing ice caps melt at both poles. The sunlight that used to reflect off of the ice back into space is now being absorbed into the soil and creating a warmer environment. This is causing global warming to occur faster than most scientists predicted. There are ways to possibly slow down the carbon footprint each person is leaving on the world. By growing a garden and even making some of your own food can lessen the carbon footprint each person
Solar power in Canada is gaining attention to many people. You will be informed about what solar energy is and how it works, the environmental impacts of solar energy, why you should care about it and what you and others can do to help promote it. You will have a better understanding of solar energy and why you should take the switch.
Canada; known for peacekeeping, multiculturalism and having one the largest ecological footprints in the world. What is an ecological footprint? The ecological footprint is a measurement of the amount of greenhouse gases produced by the activities in a person's daily life. One main source of greenhouse gas is burning fossil fuels. That includes the gas in a person's car and the coal burned at the power plant. Scientists have concluded that humans are producing more greenhouse gases than ever before. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing our planet to warm up and changing our climate. The ecological footprint, therefore, measures the amount of potential impact a person's daily life has on the environment. By reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by people's lifestyle, they can reduce the footprint and help slow climate change on Earth. Canadian's are starting to get accustomed to using a surplus amount of energy when it is never needed and throwing garbage on the ground because the trash can is too far away for them reach. Canadian's are also using up the little natural resources left on this planet for sustainability. Crops, oil, trees are being used so much, that there might not be enough for the future generations. Canada must realize that this is a situation that must be taken seriously and that must be executed properly by meeting the social, environmental and economical standpoints. To reduce the ecological footprint and to regain sustainability, there are many things Canadian's can do to change the current situation. Ecological footprints can be reduced by using alternative energy sources, reducing energy consumption and by using cleaner transport to reach destinations.
With all things considered, the growth of carbon emissions and the effects of global warming can very well be halted and lessened. Individuals have to take action and try some of the strategies to reduce global warming. If we don’t take actions soon then the future effects of global warming could be terrible to catastrophic. Global temperature could increase by 1.4 and 5.8°C. The sea level should rise by 9 to 88 cm. Even more extreme weather events will occur. To sum up, all these changes could be prevented if we take initiative in stopping the effects of global warming.
Former Vice President, Al Gore’s speech, The Climate Emergency, was a highly accurate prediction of the circumstances our planet would be under in coming years. The facts relevant as of 2004 are still true in the year 2015. While many companies and individuals have learned to contribute to helping our plant go greener, the dangers of the climate change are still a pressing issue supported by scientific evidence. With occurrences such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ice cap disappearances, global warming is physically being show on our planet and in order to prevent a complete reversed climate on our hemispheres, the population of Earth as a whole must ban together to reduce our carbon footprint.
...sources cannot be regarded as responsible. It is clear that the answer to our energy troubles is to transition from traditional energy sources to renewable energy sources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ending our dependence on foreign oil, and eliminating our world transfer of wealth to oil producing nations. According to David Suzuki, a Canadian scientist and environmentalist, “we must change for the sake of our health, our children and grandchildren and even our economic well-being, we must make protecting the planet our top priority”. By using these sources for energy, Canadian carbon footprints will be reduced. This will result into a improve air quality for the present and future generations. The transition will create more jobs and help Ontario families’ provincial wide financially. Renewable energy is the answer for a prosperous life and future.
Most of the geothermal heat does not bubble out as magma, water of steam, but instead, it is stored in the mantle, collecting as pockets of heat. By drilling and pumping down water to create steam, this energy can be harnessed.
On behalf of the citizens of Alberta, I am writing this letter to request that you consider the idea of promoting the use of geothermal plants in Alberta. The idea behind this is that Alberta's current system for electricity production is not the most adequate for this province as the environmental and social consequences are very considerable. Burning fossil fuels can pollute the environment by adding smoke particles and other chemicals to the air, water, and soil. Extracting coal from Earth can disturb the environment because large areas of land are ripped up to expose the ore for mining. Removing the top layer (called overburden) to expose the coal also destroys the habitat and food supply for the plants and animals that live in the area. Besides having a serious impact on the environment, coal mining also has many social side effects. Working conditions are poor, the work is dangerous and there are significant health risks for both miners and local residents. Local people are often forced to relocate and there are poor union rights. These are the reason why we are proposing a new source of energy for Alberta's citizens, such as geothermal energy.
“I am not dead yet!” Oh if only that were at least partially true for Earth. The truth is, the Earth is slowly overheating. It’s called Global Warming. It’s caused by greenhouse gases, which come from fossil fuels. Since fossil fuels are a main source of energy, must the world give up energy? No. Because thanks to alternative energy sources, there are other options. And these can change a community. Hydrogen energy and geothermal energy would bring many benefits to California. Hydrogen would work well in California because there are already so many stations there. Geothermal energy would work there because it is best used along the Ring of Fire, which California is on. And together they can both work in California and provide a better source of energy for the community.
Sandoval, Steve. "Valles Caldera Geothermal focus of talk Thursday at Laboratory's Bradbury Science Museum." 26 July 2008 .
Geothermal energy is one of the oldest sources of energy. It is simply using and reusing (reusable energy) heat from the inside of the earth. Most of the geothermal energy comes from magma, molten or partially molten rock. Which is why most geothermal resources come from regions where there are active volcanoes. Hot springs, geysers, pools of boiling mud, and fumaroles are the most easily exploited sources. The ancient Romans used hot springs to heat baths and homes, and similar uses are still found in Iceland, Turkey, and Japan. The true source of geothermal energy is believed to come from radioactive decay occurring deep within the earth.
The warming of the Earth is known more commonly as global warming. Maybe this subject is going to be fought over for centuries while we squander the time we have left, but even if we did stop doing the things that cause global warming, it will not bring it to a standstill. The main cause is pollution, and although scientists say that crude oil will be a thing of the past, alternatives to it will be created. Whether you consider the future to be one hundred years away or just a second, the conception of the future is always the same. There are numerous views on the future, but each one says the identical thing.
An alternative energy source that would provide environmentally friendly electricity would be solar energy. It is good for the environment because in other parts of the world the sun gives less light. Which is bad in some places because you need light to see. How are you supposed to see when you don’t have light? Solar energy is a renewable energy source. Solar energy isn’t the best in Newfoundland but wind energy is. There is wind energy set up in St. Lawrence. Its great for saving energy for electricity. Using renewable energy sources will get more important as our population increases because they are limited. Did you know over 90% of the electrical energy generated in Newfoundland and Labrador is at hydroelectric generating plants. Like an examples is the one at Petty Habour. Another alternative energy source that would...
According to NASA” The industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from 280 parts per million to 400 parts per million in the last 150 years” (NASA). Which will have consequences on the environment which with change temperature and seasons. Climate change has gotten so bad that the ice glaciers are melting at a alarming rate. With that being said there has been warning throughout the years and there have been ways that people have tried to help prevent climate change to slow down a little. We have created ways to save trees and use different there of natural resources to help the environment with destroying it at a slower rate. With all these changes there is a price to pay tho, the amount of money for all the resources is what cause people to rethink if its necessary to help the planet or help their pockets. Helping the planet and slowing down climate changes has always been a goal but it does come with a very high price that not many people want to pay which cause less people to want to be apart of the activities to
Renewable energy sources are the best way to generate electricity because they create little harm to the environment. If wind power, geothermal energy, biomass, nuclear energy, solar energy and hydropower are continuously improved and used throughout the world then there will be absolutely no reliance on fossil fuels in the future.