ENVE test 1
Provide examples from Dave about the kinds of climate impacts/risks facing water systems and strategies for mitigating with those impacts/risks.
"Climate change is projected to continue to follow already observable trends. Temperature rise, shifts in precipitation patterns and timing, and altered hydrologic cycles can be expected." (US EPA, 2015) Climate Change • Extreme Weather Events • Drought • Flooding • Coastal Storm Intensity & Sea Level Rise • Variability & Seasonality Impacts • Physical Infrastructure • Water Quality Degradation • Safe Yield & Available Supply • Managing Uncertainty Climate change Impacts: 1. Physical Infrastructure • Flooding, Hurricane/Coastal Storm Impact, Sea Level Rise • Dam Safety • Supply, Treatment & Distribution System Integrity ✓ Failure, Flooding, Power Loss • Drainage infrastructure overwhelmed during heavy precipitation and high runoff events • Wastewater treatment plant failure 2. Water Quality Degradation • Flooding: erosion, sedimentation, nitrogen, herbicides, pesticides, turbidity and pathogens • Watersheds and natural ecosystems degraded • Salt-Water infiltration and impacts to freshwater systems • Thermal stratification of reservoirs increasing ✓ Mixing may be eliminated in shallow lakes, decreasing dissolved oxygen and releasing excess nutrients, metals, etc. • Reservoirs less likely to freeze ✓ Algae blooms increase • Tap water temperature challenges ✓ Disinfection byproducts 3. Safe Yield & Available Supply • Lower Res Levels • Reduced GW Recharge Water Demand • Increased Seasonal Demand • Environmental Pressures Note: "Water agencies have always faced uncertainty when planning for the future. Traditional planning methods are based on the assumptions of hydrologic stationarity—that future hydrologic conditions will be statistically like those recorded in the recent historical record... Scientific evidence is mounting, however, that future climate and hydrologic conditions will be significantly different from those in the past." - (Water Research Foundation, 2014) Strategies to Mitigate Risk: • Supply & Demand Management • Redundancy ✓ Critical Infrastructure ✓ Interconnections • Emergency Response Planning ✓ ECPs ✓ CT WARN • Managing Uncertainty • Legislative Mitigation 1. Ratemaking Tools for Regulated Companies ✓Water Infrastructure & Conservation Adjustment (WICA) ✓Water Revenue Adjustment 2. State Water Plan Worked collaboratively with environmental interests to achieve shared goals ✓ Adaptive Management
Define ecosystem and ecosystem services and provide examples
Ecosystem: A complex of living organisms and their surroundings (water, soil, minerals) interacting as a functional unit Ecosystem services: Benefits humans obtain from healthy ecosystems .- Cultural (spiritual, aesthetic, and recreation) - Provisioning (food, energy, water) - Regulating (water purification, flood regulation, etc.) - Supporting (nutrient cycling, carbon and nutrient cycling)
What is the leading cause of natural disaster fatalities worldwide?
Floods are the most common natural disaster and the leading cause of natural disaster fatalities worldwide.
What do we mean when we say that climate change may shift the distribution of temperature and precipitation? E.g., shift the mean and/or change the variance
Shift the Mean: A shift in the mean changes the average climate e.g. in increase in the mean results in higher average temperatures. Change in variances: Changes in variance changes the concentration in the extreme tails of the distribution e.g. and increase in variance leads to more extreme weather.
What is sustainability?
Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. avoidance of the depletion of resources in order to maintain an ecological balance
Describe the energy system.
The flow of energy from fuel to consumption. It flows from:Primary Energy > Conversion > Transportation/Distribution > Final Consumption.
Understand an engineer's ethical obligation for sustainability
engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principals of sustainable development to protect the environment for future generations.
three pillars of sustainability
environment, economy, society
How much freshwater is there available globally for human consumption? Readily accessible water?
● 2.5% available globally, <1% readily accessible.
What is aquifer compaction and why does it matter? What drives compaction and how can it be remedied? Is the remedy easy and fast or difficult and slow?
● Aquifer compaction occurs when large amounts of water from an aquifer. This leaves empty pore spaces in the aquifer. Gravity causes the ground compact and fill in these empty spaces, causing the ground to drop in elevation. This not only lowers the holding capacity of the aquifer, but also increases flooding risks. This issue takes a long time to remedy itself as once the compaction takes place, it takes a long time for the aquifer to expand and recover its previous volume.
What are NPDES permits? What is the difference between point source and non-point source pollution and provide examples of each
(NPDES) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit limits for industrial, WWTP, and stormwater (MS4) discharges to navigable waters of the US (think commerce clause). non‐point sources (NPS) such as from lawns, agriculture, roads, atmospheric deposition,
What are the 9 planetary boundaries as described by Johan Rockstrom? Which have we exceeded?
1. Climate change 2. Ozone depletion 3. Freshwater use 4. Biodiversity Loss 5. Chemical pollution 6. Ocean acidification 7. Nitrogen and phosphorus 8. Land use change 9. Aerosols we have exceeded: Biodiversity loss, climate change, nitrogen
What kinds of changes (e.g., leaf out, precipitation, etc.) have been observed in the historical climate?
1. First Leaf Out: 2016 study of national parks around U.S. Olympic National Park (23 days earlier) Grand Canyon (11 days earlier) Sleeping Bear Dunes (12 days earlier) 2. Precipitation Type: % Precip falling as snow vs. rain for Helena, MT (60% in 1950 to 20% in 2015) • Snowfall mostly lower in Oct‐Nov and Mar‐Apr 3. Maclure & Lyell Glacier Retreat Yosemite NP, USA (first mapped in 1883) 4. Warming/acidifying ocean Ø Over the past 300 million years, ocean pH was 8.2. Now it is ~8.1, a 25% increase in acidity 5. Change in Sea Surface Temp, 1901 ‐ 2015 - 0.5-3.5-degree Celsius
Describe state and federal policies help or encourage water systems to improve sustainability and/or resiliency
1. Planning • Individual Water Supply Plan ✓ 1,000 or more persons served ✓ Comprehensive assessment - current & future conditions ✓ Source safe yield adjusted for critical dry period = Conservative estimate of available supply during drought conditions • Water Utility Coordinating Committee (WUCC) Plan ✓ Integrates utility available supply on regional scale ✓ Identifies resiliency opportunities 2. Planning and Response • Utility Emergency Contingency Plans ✓ System Vulnerabilities ✓ Emergency Triggers, incl. drought ✓ Emergency Response Actions ✓ Priority customers • State Interagency Drought Plan ✓ Assesses state/regional conditions 3. Vulnerability Assessment • Vulnerability assessment of community water systems in coastal counties impacted by Superstorm Sandy • Identified options to mitigate risks and improve resiliency statewide • Findings compiled into comprehensive public water system resiliency plan • Development of emergency response plan for the Drinking Water Section
Since 1750, how much of the carbon emissions come from burning fossil fuels? Land use change? Pre-industrial CO2 concentration was 280ppm. What's the concentration now (order of magnitude)? What's the future trend? Why is this likely?
66%; increased deforestation has increased the problem. Current level: 413.65 ppm. Future trend is increasing CO2 concentration. There has been little action to curb emissions, so the trend is likely to continue.
● In the context of natural resources assessment, define a "footprint". Why are footprints valuable tools?
A "footprint" is a quantitative measure showing the appropriation of natural resources or pressure on the environment by human beings. Footprints are valuable tools because it lets us know how much resources and individual or a society is using.
What are stabilization wedges and how do they relate to mitigation? What kinds of wedges does UCONN employ?
A Wedge is a strategy to reduce carbon emissions that grow in 50 years from zero to 1.0 GtC/yr. The strategy has already been commercialized at a scale somewhere. 1. Energy Efficiency & Conservation • Electricity demand management - Lighting replacement; 5 MTeCO2 avoided - VFDs & building envelope upgrades; 13 MTeCO2 avoided - LEED design for new construction • Reduce fleet fuel consumption 2. Fossil Fuel-Based Strategies Replace inefficient oil‐ fired boilers with Co‐gen facility; avoids 30k tons of GHG/yr; nat. gas curtailment means big emissions (5k tons in 2014) 3. Renewable & Bio storage Forest management; sequesters 3,840 MTeCO2/yr Purchase renewable 7 kW solar & 400 kW fuel cell; 831 MteCO2 avoided; 3.9 MG/yr water saved 4. Nuclear Power
What is adaptation and why is considering non-stationarity important? Why is mitigation important to adaptation? Provide examples of adaptation by individuals, sectors, communities, and states. What factors drive/impede adaptation?
Adaptation efforts will be more difficult, more costly, and less likely to succeed if significant mitigation actions are not taken (Karl et al. 2009). Adaptation is not straightforward. The climate continues to change, changes are uncertain, subject to surprise, and a moving target (non‐stationarity) Stationarity assumes that the future climate will be like the past assuming an unchanging envelope of variability. These assumptions no longer hold because of climate change induced‐ non‐stationarity. ‐‐"Stationarity is Dead" (Milly et al. 2008, Science 319: 573‐574)
Understand the goal, strengths and limitations of the Paris agreement
Agreement within UNFCC (United Nations framework Conventions and Climate Change)governing GHG (Greenhouse Gases) emissions from 2020, adopted 12/12/2015 Members promised to reduce their carbon output "as soon as possible" and to do their best to keep global warming "to well below 2° C" ( 3.6 °F) For the UNFCC agreement to go into effect, 55 of 197 (and 55% of emissions) must sign. The United States' withdrew from the Paris Agreement on climate change on June 1, 2017 UNFCC agreement has NO enforcement mechanisms: • No mechanism to force country to see emissions target by specific date • No mechanism to enforce target
Explain how building in the floodplain increases flood risks.
Building in floodplain decrease flood plain storage and increasing the scale or speed of run-off.
What sources provide the most/least energy? What kinds of things did we discuss in class that get in the way of or help with switching fuels?
Coal (14%), Oil (29%), and Gas (37%) provide the most, while Nuclear (9%) and Renewables (11%) provide the least.Stakeholders in status quo energy source, equipment can last 30-50 years, "not in my backyard," environmental/social concerns (e.g. hydro/nuclear), economies of scale and learning (needs investor confidence).
What are cyanotoxins and how are they regulated?
Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria (also known as blue- green algae). Cyanoacteria are found almost everywhere, but particularly in lakes and in the ocean where, under high concentration of phosphorus conditions, they reproduce exponentially to form blooms. Cyanotoxins and other emerging contaminants not regulated under the SDWA.
What sectors are the biggest energy users in the US? Why is this important to consider?
Electricity Generation: 38%Transportation: 29%Industrial: 22%Residential & Commercial: 11%
What are examples of challenges we discussed concerning reducing energy use in different sectors (e.g., transportation and the uptake of electric vehicles, policy change, trends in different kinds of uses within transportation)? Explain why there is a disconnect between greater fuel economy standards and gas consumption. ( electricity generation)
Electricity Generation: It is inefficient. 25% of energy is lost during this process. Losses take place in the form of heat loss from the boiler, steam cooling loss from the condenser, generator losses, transmission losses. Around 35-27% energy in fuel ends up as useful energy.Transportation: 92% of energy in this sector comes from petroleum (biofuel/ethanol 5%). Despite increases in fuel economy, consumption also continues to increase. This is because there are more vehicles on the road (SUVs) and there are more miles traveled per car. Additionally, electric vehicle use is not currently increasing. From the slides, "Greater fuel economy standards eventually decrease gas consumption. However, greater vehicle miles travel will reverse the trend as no additional efficiency increase are required after 2025." Jet fuel use is also on the rise.
● Where are we today with global carbon emissions? Is there any evidence that emissions trajectories can change? If so, what explains emissions reductions?
Global Carbon emmsions are essitaly the same and have not changes. yes trajectories can change, Recent research published in Nature Climate Change (Le Quéré et al. 2019) examined 18 countries where emissions peaked and declined over the 2005 - 2015 period by on average ‐ 2.4%. - Energy use (better efficiency in use) - Share of fossil fuels (more renewables) - Fossil use rate (better efficiency in extraction, conversion, and transmission) - Fossil CO2 intensity (fuel quality They found countries that reduce emissions have more policies on average supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy
What are the goals and objectives of the Clean Water Act of 1972? Have we achieved those goals? What are the main strengths and shortcomings of the Clean Water Act?
Goals- Eliminate discharge of pollutants into navigable waters by 1985 aka zero discharge , Protect fish, shellfish, wildlife, and recreation in/on navigable waters by 1983 aka fishable/swimmable Objectives- Restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. The CWA has been fairly effective at reducing point sources of pollution with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit limits for industrial, WWTP, and stormwater (MS4) discharges to navigable waters of the US (think commerce clause). While the CWA has been fairly effective reducing point sources, it has been less effective at reducing non‐point sources (NPS) such as from lawns, agriculture, roads, atmospheric deposition,
About how much has the global temperature changed from 1951-1980 to 2005 - 2014?
Gradual warming of the planet Global average temperature has increased ~1.4 °F (1951-80 0.5C to 2005-14 3.5C) Ø CT has warmed 2‐3°F between 1880‐2012 We see warming in the historical record We see past changes by looking at long‐term data sources: 1) Instrumental records (weather stations, river flow gages) 2) Observational records (first/last frost, leaf on/off, citizen science records, repeat photographs) 3) Proxies (ice core/sediment/tree rings, etc.)
Who or what is credited with developing the concept of sustainability; what underlying ideas (or examples) drove this new way of thinking?
Grow Harlem Brundtland. The Brundtland Report it sought to put the environmental issues on global political agendas and tie environment and development together
Understand terms like hazard creep, non-stationarity, and high versus low hazard dams and be able to explain some of the reasons why dams are risky. Identify common dam failure mechanisms and remedies to improve dam safety.
Hazard creep, also known as risk creep, is a term describing the gradual increase in anticipated consequences of a dam failure due to infrastructure development either along the drainage below a dam or within the reservoir area upstream of the dam. Dams are risky because they are not up to safety conditions, Vulnerable to hazard creep (more people live in flood plain below than when initially built) and Non‐stationarity - Designs predated considerations for changing precipitation patterns Dam failures- cracking, rodent activity, seepage at abutment contact (groin), concrete failure, low area in crest of dam, erosion at outlet, Stability failures, piping failures. Remedies to improve dam safety- Better dam safety programs, more funding for dam repairs. Risk assessment to evaluate dams in light of flood plain development (high vs. low hazard) and prioritize repairs/modification and Incorporate climate change into analyses.
What do we mean when we say planetary boundaries tightly coupled and what are the implications of this coupling?
If one boundary is transgressed, the resilience of other boundaries will be diminished making it easier to transgress those as well
Discuss the water system industry trends and how they relate to challenges with sustainability.
Industry Trends • Consolidation • Aging Infrastructure • Declining Consumption • Greater Public Interest Challenges: • Reduced Demands = Reduced Revenues • Fixed Costs remain the same • Capital Investment increasing • Negative cash flows / Viability • Tension with Conservation • Enhanced stewardship expectations Note: "The biggest challenges for water utilities are forecasting demand from a growing population, planning for extreme weather events and updating aging infrastructure. At the same time, the industry has to deliver consistent and clean water to its users at an affordable rate." (Barclays and the Columbia Water Center, 2017)
Explain the difference between inherent risk and residual risk in the context of water systems risk management.
Inherent Risk is typically defined as the level of risk in place in order to achieve an entity's objectives and before actions are taken to alter the risk's impact or likelihood. Residual Risk is the remaining level of risk following the development and implementation of the entity's response. Inherent vs. Residual Risk: The difference between the inherent and residual risk may be imagined or visualized as water flowing through a filter. Inherent risk is above the filter, which constitutes management controls. A smaller pool of residual risk remains. Inherent risk is established only after the entity's key objectives have been defined, and steps have been taken to identify what could go wrong to prevent the entity from achieving those objectives. In addition to impact and likelihood, management considers the nature of the risk, whether the risk results from fraud, natural events such as storms, or complex or unusual business transactions. The origin and character of the risk contributes to understanding its potential impact and likelihood of occurrence.
Define mitigation using the terms sources and sinks; understand the basic approach to mitigation and the relationship between mitigation and adaptation (e.g., why mitigation is important to adaptation)
Mitigation‐‐actions that reduce the human contribution to the greenhouse effect. Sources - lower GHG emission sources like CO2 that have a warming effect • Sinks ‐ increase the uptake of CO2 through land‐ use change and forestry Adaptation, actions that adjust natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic changes to reduce harm or increase beneficial opportunities that may arise. No matter what happens (with mitigation), we will have to adapt to some amount of change. This is because of climate momentum. ~20% of CO2 we emitted to date remains in the atmosphere for thousands of years.
What is climate momentum and why is this an important concept to consider in mitigation and adaptation?
No matter what happens (with mitigation), we will have to adapt to some amount of change. This is because of climate momentum. ~20% of CO2 we emitted to date remains in the atmosphere for thousands of years.
Does all the carbon dioxide emitted stay in the atmosphere? Does it stay in the atmosphere for a long time? Explain the bathtub model.
No. It is eventually absorbed by sinks like trees and the ocean. However, it stays in the atmosphere for a long time before being reabsorbed.Bathtub Model: Spigot is emissions, and the drain is carbon sinks. If the rate in exceeds the rate out, then the bathtub will eventually overflow.
How does the concept of planetary boundaries help us consider how to live sustainably?
Planetary boundaries are like road map to help us determine how close we are to destroying the earth.
Explain why low income families are disproportionately exposed to and impacted by floods?
Poor families tend to live in flood‐prone areas and close to industrial sites. Often cannot afford flood insurance (>80% impacted by Harvey could not afford it) and so don't get FEMA recovery funds. Have less capacity to prepare and to withstand the event • Typically cannot access recovery assistance
Who is Charles Keeling? What does the Keeling Curve measure? Draw the keeling curve and explain what it shows.
Prof. Charles Keeling at Scripps Institution of Oceanography was first to develop accurate technique for measuring CO2 in 1958. The curve shows an increase in CO2 concentration.
What are examples of challenges we discussed concerning reducing energy use in different sectors (e.g., transportation and the uptake of electric vehicles, policy change, trends in different kinds of uses within transportation)? Explain why there is a disconnect between greater fuel economy standards and gas consumption.( residential and buildings)
Residential and Buildings: Residential sector uses 11% of energy: 76% from natural gas, 16% from petroleum and 8% from renewables. Energy uses for average Higher Ed/U.S. Homes include: Other (16%/11%), Water heating (25%/18%), Lighting/Electronics (31%/30%), Space Heating (27%/42%). Residential and Commercial Buildings account for 40% of all energy use with upward trends. Some reasons for this trend include: More people - more buildings; Greater size of buildings; Service demands/ plug in loads; Efficiency of energy use. Green building market is increasing due to homeowner concern and energy code changes.
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 and what are some of its major strengths and shortcomings? How has the Safe Drinking Water Act changed over time?
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 applies to Public Water Systems that supply 86% of population. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 focused on water treatment (e.g., filtration, chlorination) to meet Maximum Contaminant Level Limits (MCL) - MCL = highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. 1996 SDWA amendments added multiple‐barrier approach (prevention plus treatment) and more treatment technique (TT). SDWA has reduced incidence of water borne disease
What raised subsidence on the agenda in Houston? What is the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District and what was it created to do? Has it been effective? How do you know?
The 1961 Hurricane Carla, category 4 storm that caused $325 million dollars in damage and widespread flooding raised subsidence on the agenda in Houston. Researchers linked subsidence. The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District is a special purpose district created by the Texas Legislature in 1975. Harris-Galveston Subsidence District was created to cease on‐going and prevent future subsidence. HGSD is very effective by 1976 HGSD began compiling hydrologic information on widely used aquifers, water use and supply information and implemented regulations to reduce GW use.
Understand what is meant by the 2-degree Celsius goal and the implications of our current emissions trajectory
The 2-degree goal is to keep the earths rising temperature below 2-degree Celsius Our current implications indicate that as with the rise in earth's temperature there is rise in the sea level which is harmful for the life on the planet.
What is the Flint Water Crisis and who is most affected? What role does the Safe Drinking Water Act play in the Flint Water Crisis?
The Flint water crisis is a public health crisis that started in 2014, after the drinking water source for the city of Flint, Michigan was changed. The water supply change was also the cause of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the count. Children were most affected by flint.
The cogeneration plant is 60-70% efficient whereas a typical plant is ~30%. What accounts for this difference? Why are conventional plants so inefficient (e.g., where does that 70% of energy source end up)?
The cogeneration plant uses the byproducts of electricity generation (hot exhaust gases) are used for heating and cooling/refrigeration.
What is the greenhouse effect and why is it good? What does it have to do with climate change?
The greenhouse traps energy from the sun within the atmosphere. Incoming heat energy has shorter wave lengths. Outgoing heat energy has longer wavelengths and some of it is trapped within the atmosphere. It is good because it keeps the Earth habitable. Accumulation of CO2, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere increases the amount of heat trapped and therefore causes warming!
● Know about Sierra Club's "Cool Schools" and where UCONN ranks
UCONN ranks 5th, Sierra club is an environmental organization and the Cool Schools is a ranking of the greenest colleges around the U.S and Canada
What are the biggest water uses (USA, world, UCONN)? What are some strategies for reducing water use discussed in class?
USA: Highest withdrawal are for energy and power. World: Biggest water use is agriculture. UConn: The Cogeneration plant .Reducing Water Use: Reduce energy consumption, shorter showers, don't water lawn, having a vegetarian/vegan diet.
What energy uses contribute the most to carbon dioxide emissions?
Transportation: Source - oil, 27% overall, 22% roadElectricity: Source - coal and gas, 32% overall.Industry: Source - gas and oil, 12% overall.Agriculture: 6% overall.Buildings: 27% overall.
Explain the trends in observed heavy precipitation change and interpret what those changes mean for flood risk. What other factors contribute to increasing flood risk such as what was observed in Ellicott City?
Trends in heavy precipitation show that these heavy rain events have increased over time. Future heavy precipitation likely to increase which will increase flooding. Other factors that contributes to increasing flooding risk are houses built in a flood plain, Most structures built without adequate storm drainage and in Ellicott City downtown sits at the convergence of multiple creeks that discharge to the Patapsco River.
What is virtual water? How does virtual water affect an individual's water footprint?
Virtual water is the water required to produce energy, food, and other products. This type of water has a far larger affect on an individual's water footprint than direct water use. 92% of water used is consumed in food products. For meat-based diets, each person consumes ~1,000 gallons of water daily.
Understand the relationships and tensions between water demands and revenue and how the WICA program helps water companies mitigate some of these tensions
WICA Program 2007: WICA in CT • Surcharge to recover water main replacement costs ✓ contributing to unacceptable levels of lost water ✓ negatively impacting water quality/reliability • Subject to Regulatory approval • 2016: Celebrated 100th mile! • Average pipe age 75 years • $150 million investment ✓ conserves water resources by reducing the frequency of distribution system leaks ✓ enhances water quality and fire protection ✓ ensures water systems can sustainability serve future generations Purpose of WICA: Water Revenue Adjustment • Intended to support water conservation • Annual rate adjustments to recover PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) approved revenues • Adjustment could be surcharge or credit depending on revenues collected in calendar year • "Decouples" revenue from consumption
What is water stress and what causes water stress? What does the future hold for stress given the potential impacts of climate change coupled with existing water stress? What is the difference between water scarcity and water stress? Why might we want to think about water stress more so than water scarcity in thinking about sustainability?
Water Stress includes physical availability and water quality, environmental flows, and the accessibility of water. Causes of water stress include: Drought, excessive water use, low groundwater recharge rates. Water stress is likely to increase due more frequent and severe droughts. Water scarcity specifically refers to the volumetric availability of water, while water stress refers to a broader set of issues outlined above. Water stress is generally more common and involves more environmental concerns. Water stress also tends to be a more long-term issue and thus more likely to affect future generations, which is major concern of sustainability.
What is groundwater and is it an important source of water? What are some issues groundwater resources face in the US? Which aquifers in the US are used the most? What tends to drive this use?
Water that is contained below the Earth's surface in pore spaces or rock fractures. Groundwater resources in the U.S. tend to be over pumped, particularly in the southwest. In many states, there is a lack of regulation for groundwater usage, allowing for excessive use and abuse of groundwater. For instance, in Arizona, groundwater may be pumped as long as it is put to "reasonable use." Aquifers that are used the most include the Central Valley Aquifer in CA and the High Plains Aquifer. Both are primarily used for agricultural needs.
Compare and contrast weather and climate.
Weather: What you see outside on a particular, measured in m,h,d, changes quickly Climate: The average of weather patterns over 20-30 years. Changes more slowly.
● Does UCONN have a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? When did that commitment begin? Has the commitment changed over time? Are we making progress on our commitment (e.g., describe actions that UCONN has taken to reduce emissions)? What helps/hinders progress?
Yes UCONN has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emmisions( Climate Action plan), that began in 2008 steam system pipe and infrastructure replacement LED lights Heat recovery insulation Yes there is a change now: Accelerate emissions reductions - 45% by 2030 in order to do this: Increased % of electric and hybrid vehicles in UConn's bus and light duty fleet Bike-friendly Campus Since 2015, all UConn purchased power is 100% renewable (offset by RECs)
● Know the average US environmental footprint and how that compares to the global average environmental footprint; know what kinds of consumption increases environmental footprint of individuals
average is 7 gha in the U.S vs 2.75 gha globally. -food -transportation -housing
Understand the ecological deficit concept - Is our ecological supply growing? Is our ecological demand growing? How much of our planet is biologically productive? What is a footprint?
ecological deficit when your footprint exceeds the bio capacity. Our ecological supply is not growing. Yes our ecological demand is growing. The ecological footprint measures pressure on the environment as the use of bio-productive space (hectares)
Define the Anthropocene; when do scientists consider the start of the Anthropocene and what defines that beginning?
idea that we live in geologic age when human impacts dominate ecosystems over a global scale . Scientist consider the start of the Anthropocene at the industrial revolution
Define sustainability science and provide an example focus area
research dealing with the interactions between natural and social systems and with how those interactions affect the challenge of sustainability
● Understand the goal of C-LEARN homework, how your scenario compared to the achievements of the Paris agreement, the role of assumptions/sensitivities in the simulation, and the importance of considering emissions reductions from developed and developing countries
the goal of C-learn was to see how countries must come together to attack the problem of climate change. I was not able to get my scenario to the pairs agreement which was to have a decline in temperature by 2 degrees. Both developed and developing need to reduce emissions but developing can not reduce emissions by too much because they have no money to do this.
What state agencies regulate Connecticut Public Water Systems? What are the challenges Dave Radka mentioned about having different agencies involved in regulating water systems?
• 365 water companies operate 557 Community Water Systems ✓ 25 or more persons @ least60 days/year ✓ < 100 municipal/public authority ✓ < 25% serve more than 500 people • Public Service Obligation ✓76% of state residents served By the Numbers (USGS Circular 1441) • 557 Community Systems: 34 rely on surface water (150 reservoirs), or mix of surface and groundwater • Average daily production 240 mgd (197 mgd surface; 43 mgd groundwater), with 96 mgd for domestic uses and 144 mgd other • State also regulates ~ 3,000 transient and non-transient noncommunity systems (restaurants, schools, office buildings, etc.) • All told, CT water systems utilize ~ 4,500 sources of supply to meet the daily water needs of its residents, business and industries, with another 31 mgd supplied by individual domestic household wells
Why do we call water a "nexus" resource? Provide some examples that were discussed in class of the water-energy and water-food nexus and how it is possible to reduce water & energy use
● Because it is connected with several other systems. Each connection is referred to as a nexus. Water-energy nexus: Water is required to generate energy (25 gals/kwh; for biodiesel, 144 gals/kwh). Because of this connection, reducing energy use indirectly reduces water use. Energy is required to move and treat water for human consumption .Water-food nexus: Water is required to make food and certain drinks (like milk, which requires 4,000 gallons of water/gallon). This water is embedded in the food. As such, food production can affect water availability.
What ideas did people hold about groundwater in the past that has contributed to its mismanagement? Provide examples.
● It was previous thoughts that groundwater include: separate from surface water and is a "back up" supply to surface water in a drought; limitless, endlessly renewable; clean. This had led to excessive pumping of groundwater in southwest states like Arizona, which has led to the drying of riverbeds. Groundwater is not a good back‐up supply
Describe the relationship between ecosystems and water
● Most ecosystems require water to function properly. Without enough water, the ecosystem will collapse on itself.
Understand what the water reclamation facility produces, where it is used on campus, how the facility itself is sustainable, and about how much freshwater is conserved.
● The Water Reclamation Facility takes waster water and converts into clean, usable water. The water is primarily used to power the Cogeneration Plant. The facility is sustainable because it uses its own water for heating/cooling of the building, a solar array powers the buildings electricity needs, and the interior of the building is painted light colors to maximize light reflection. This process conserves freshwater from the Fenton River, as it allows waster water to be reused for the Cogeneration plant.
