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Global Warming
What is Global Warming?
Global warming is the term used to describe the increase of the Earth's temperature over time due to the emmission of what are called Greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses are the gasses that increase the temperature of the Earth's surface. These gases cause polluation that build up in the Earth's lower atmosphere. They prevent heat from escaping and cause the Earth to become hotter and hotter. Out of the past twelve years, eleven of them have been ranked as the warmest on record. The main reason that global warming is getting worse and worse is none other than humans.
How Humans Impact Global Warming
It is said that most of the global warming that has taken place over the last 50 years has been caused by humans creating greenhouse gases and by them burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are formed in the ground from the remains of dead plants and animals. Examples of these fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. Another factor is the clearing of land that has increased over the last few hundred years.
The gases that are emitted from these products trap heat, which warm up the Earth. Two of those gases are carbon dioxide and methane. Scientists say that the level of these gases are the highest they have been in almost 50,000 years.
Unless people make a change to their lifestyles, the ozone layer is going to continue to deplete. There are fortunately some things we can do to conserve energy and help our environment.
Green Power
What is Green Power
Green Power is electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources and is purchased voluntarily by consumers, including both residential and non-residential consumers. Green energy includes natural and renewable energetic processes which can be utilyzed with little pollution.
Examples of Renewable Energy
Solar Power
Solar power is the technology of gathering valuable energy from sun light. It is used in locations in outer space. It forms from nuclear reactions in the sun's core and its outer levels. It is used for heating, electricity, and the de-salination of seawater.
Solar Power is energy from the sun. Solar power puts off radiation known as solar radiation. One thousand three hundred and sixty six watts per square meter is the amount that is reached in the Earth's upper atmosphere. It reflects 6% and absorbs 16%. Conditions in the atmosphere reduces insolation by 20% of reflectivity and 3% of absorption. North America has an average insolation between 12% and 37% W/ Sq. m at its ground level in a year. Photovoltaic panels convert 15% of sunlight into electricity.
Most of the sun's energy comes from visible and infrared radiation. Some concerns that come with radiation are global diming and global warming. Global diming happens when pollution causes less sunlight to reach the Earth's surface. Global warming is when the pollution breaks down the Earth's ozone layer and as a result, becomes warmer than it should be. Types of solar heating systems are solar cooking, solar hot water, solar lighting, and solar thermal electrical power plants.
Wind Power
Wind Power is the conversion of energy from the wind into useful forms such as electricity. Wind Power is a renewable and clean source of energy that reduces toxins in the atmospehere as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Wind Power is an excellent alternative to electricity derived from fossil-fuels. Power from the wind is generated through wind turbines. Before the explosion of technology, wind energy was generated predominitely by windmills. The more modern way to convert wind into wind power is through turbines via an electrical generator.
Energy from the wind is found best at high altitudes where there is continuous movement of wind speed that averages at about 160 miles per hour. Through friction, the tall wind turbines convert kinetic energy into wind energy.
Wind energy can be used for small or large scale use. Although wind energy is becoming more and more common, turbines and windmills are placed where there is a consistant winds of around 10 miles per hour. Sites are selected by the reading of wind atlases. Germany, Spain, the United States, India, and Denmark have the largest investments of wind generated electricity with China, Italy, and the United Kingdom following close behind.
What can we do to Save Energy?
There are many things that we as humans can do to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A few of the things that we have already done include the creatation of the EPA and the passing of treaties such as the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act.
The Montreal Protocol entered into effecct on January 1, 1989. It was the first international treaty that was designed to protect the ozone layer. They did this by phasing out the production of certain substances that they believed may have been responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
The Clean Air Act was a set of laws passed in 1970 to regulate air pollution in the United States. The goal of this act was to improve air quality, and it was revised in 1990 to be more detailed about issues such as the hole in the ozone layer and acid rain.
The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency was established by President Richard Nixon on December 2, 1970. Its purpose was to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment (including air, water, and land).
Other ways we can help reduce greenhouse emissions is to drive less. Driving a car is the most polluting act an average citizen can commit. It releases carbon monoxide from car exhaust that pollutes the air that we breathe and helps contribute to global warming.
Another way to help the environment is to plant trees. This increases the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere.
Obviously one of the best ways to help decrease the amount of greenhouse gases is to support Green Power and renewable energy!
Frequently asked Questions and Answers about Green Power
Courtesy of MLGW.com
Q: Why should I participate in Green Power Switch?
A: Customers have many different reasons for participating in Green Power Switch. Some people want to help protect natural resources for future generations. Others get involved because it’s good for the community or they have strong commitment to environmental causes. Some businesses participate because it helps them show corporate leadership and community goodwill. Other businesses enroll because it is a way for them to stand apart from their competition.
Q: How much does it cost for a residential customer to participate?
A: When you agree to enroll in Green Power Switch, you are authorizing MLGW to add a certain dollar amount to your monthly bill. (Green power purchases are an added expense; they do not reduce your normal electric costs.) The amount depends on the number of units you decide to buy. Each unit, or “block,” adds $4.00 to your bill. One “block” equals 150 kilowatt hours (kWh), which represents 10-12% of the average household’s monthly electric use. You can buy as many blocks as you wish.
Q: How much does it cost for a business to participate?
A: Business customers have a minimum participation level, starting at five blocks ($20 per month), based on their electric load.
Q: Why does green power cost more?
A: Due to the technologies and materials involved, the cost to construct green power generation facilities is more expensive than generation plants that run on fossil fuels, such as coal. In addition, green power generation facilities rely on energy sources that are not available 24 hours per day, so they only generate part of the day. (Solar facilities generate only during daylight hours and windmills are dependent on sustained winds.) To help alleviate this added expense, TVA created the Green Power Switch program—allowing customers who support the concept of green power to help fund availability.
Q: How do I know TVA is spending my money to generate green power?
A: TVA’s Green Power Switch program is certified by the Center for Resource Solutions, an independent nonprofit organization that verifies that the electricity generated from green power sources is sufficient to supply the amount of green power sold by the program. This certification verifies that the money collected for Green Power Switch is actually used to generate green power.
Make the Switch in Tennessee!
Switching to Green Power is very simple! All you have to do is fill out the Green Power Switch Enrollment Form. On your regular MLGW bill, there is a number that you can call for more information on Green Power or you can visit the Tennessee Valley Authority website and make the switch there! Switch to Green!
Conclusion
More and more people have begun to change their behvaior concerning our environment everyday. Humans can have the most impact on global warming because we are the main source of it! The best way to do this is to be informed on what is going on with the environment. The environmental treaties and laws that have been established are only the beginning in making our atmosphere less polluted. If everyone would support Green Power and other renewable sources of energy, it is gaurenteed that we would see a tremindous decrease of atmospheric pollution and greenhouse emissions.
References
1. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_power ]
2. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Warming ]
