Global Warming
Wind energy
Advantages: 1) it's non-polluting 2) could meet 5-10% of U.S energy demands Disadvantages: 1) require large areas 2) Noisy and hazardous to birds
Tidal power
Advantages: 1) it's non-polluting 2) the tides are a steady source of energy Disadvantages: 1) limited use (are must have less than 8 ft tidal range) 2) no boats/ animals can pass
What is the biosphere?
All living things in the world
Which sources of alternative energy will work better in each part of the state? (NC)Why?
Coast: Wind- winds are continuously blowing off the coast Large Rivers: Hydroelectric- running water is needed to turn the turbines and generate electricity Eastern: Nuclear- water source needed to cool the reactor Central: Solar- land is flat and many fields are open for radiation to hit solar panels
Ore
Deposits of minerals from which metals and non metals can be removed profitably
How will global climate change impact sea level?
Seal level will rise because water expands as heated. Also ice (glaciers) melting add more water into the oceans and cause a rise in seal level.
Fossil fuels
-Fuel formed from remains of living organisms -Ex: coal, oil, natural gas - Consists of hydrocarbons - non renewable
Goldilocks Planet
-Known to have O2 and water vapor in atmosphere -average temperature is 15°C (59°F)
Effects of global warming
-Rising sea level -Increased temp. -Habitat damage and species affected -Changes in water supply
Global warming
A gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere- generally attributed to the greenhouse effect.
Relative humidity
% saturation with water vapor
Coal disadvantages
1) Soil erosion from strip mining 2) air pollution from suffer dioxide released into the atmosphere (causes acid rain)
Geothermal Energy
Advantages: 1) it's non-polluting 2) there is an abundance of hot water underground Disadvantages: 1) steam in one location only lasts 10-15 years 2) will not produce a high percentage of power
Hydroelectric Power
Advantages: 1) High energy storage 2) It's non-polluting Disadvantages: 1) sediments build up behind the dams 2) too much development to build new dams
Solar energy
Advantages: 1) The "fuel" is free 2) it's non-polluting Disadvantages: 1) expensive to install 2) Need back-up energy
Nuclear Energy
Advantages: 1) it's non-polluting 2) Energy is concentrated Disadvantages: 1) Disposal of hazardous waste 2) can be dangerous
Climate
Average long-term weather conditions
Peat
Brownish- blackish material produced by decomposed plant remains
Why is global warming happening?
Burning of fossil fuels, pollution from coal, natural gas, and oil
What's the difference between global warming and climate change?
Global warming is the increase of the Earth's average surface temperature due to build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Climate change is a broader term that refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.
How does burning fossil fuels contribute to global climate change?
It gives off greenhouse gases (CO2) which allows radiation in but does not allow heat out of the atmosphere warming the earth.
How is global warming measured?
Ice core data
How does change in global temperature affect the biosphere?
It cause the shift in the hydrological cycle (some places have flooding and others drought). Causes habitats to be lost because of altering temperatures and rainfall levels. Species that have lost habitats and areas that are not too cold, hot, wet, dry will migrate or die off.
Coal
Lignite- brown coal; made from peat deposits covered by sediments with gases and water squeezed out (sedimentary rock) Bituminous: soft coal; formed from lignite under pressure (most abundant)(sedimentary rock) Anthracite coal- produced when folding of earth's crust produces high temperature and pressure (metamorphic)
Biotic
Living things Ex: competition, consumption, predation, parasitism, disease
Tar sands
Mixture of clay, sand, water, and thick tar (oil)
Abiotic
Non living things Ex: sunlight, temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation
What's the proof that global warming is happening?
Portage glacier in Alaska and the Colorado River in Arizona
Carbonization
Process in which plant material are changed into carbon
Nonrenewable resource
Resource whose supply is limited and cannot be replaced once used Ex: minerals, metals, fossil fuels
Renewable resources
Resources that can be replaced Ex: air, water, animals, & plants
Oil shale
Rock with waxy mixture of oil
How has seal level been affected by glaciation movement?
Seal level has risen due to more melting and less building of the glaciers.
Weather
Short term atmospheric conditions
What is carrying capacity?
The number of people, other living organisms, or plants that a region can support without environmental degradation.
What's being done now to reduce our emissions?
Wind power, solar power, fuel- Efficient vehicles
