Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change
Fossil fuel combustion
generates 70% of the
electricity used in the
United States.
Use and Production of Electricity
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon footprint: The amount of
carbon dioxide for which an individual or
group is responsible
Most electricity is generated by burning
fossil fuels.
Reducing electricity use reduces carbon
footprints.
Ways to reduce electricity use:
a) Use energy-efficient technologies,
which lessen the electricity needed
to do a job.
b) Reduce the use of electrical
devices and appliances.
Alternate Sources of
Electricity
1. Nuclear power
2. Solar power
3. Wind power
4. Hydroelectric power
5. Geothermal power
Wind turbines
Advances in Vehicle
Technology
Transportation is the second largest source of
greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, second
only to electricity.
Alternatives to fuel-only
cars include:
1. Gasoline-electric
hybrid vehicles
2. Vehicles that use
alternative fuels such as
gasahol
3. Vehicles that use
hydrogen fuel cells.
Energy Loss in a Car
Reducing Dependence on Cars
1. Biking, walking, and using public transportation
are all ways to reduce fossil fuel use.
2. Many communities lack good
public transportation.
Did You Know? The
average American family
makes 10 trips by car each
day.
Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse
Gases
1.
Agriculture / forestry: Reduce soil erosion
and replace cut trees, to curb CO2 emissions
2.
Cap-and-Trade: System of emission
allowances that can be sold or traded, gives
companies incentive to reduce emissions
3.
Carbon tax: A tax per unit on emissions
4.
Carbon offsets: Instead of directly reducing emissions,
companies can make a voluntary payment to a group that
reduces or curbs greenhouse gases.
5.
Carbon sequestration: Technology is used to trap and
store carbon dioxide emissions.
Cooperation Among Nations
1. The Kyoto Protocol is a
binding international effort to
reduce greenhouse gases to
below 1990 levels.
2. The United States did not
sign the Kyoto Protocol.
3. Many nations are planning to
develop a new binding
agreement to address global
climate change some time in
the future.