Research

I found most of my information from www.epa.gov, or the website for the environmental protection agency of the federal government. I found the site both comprehensive and credible and I think it will be a good resource in the future.

Sustainability
"meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" This is the definition adopted by the UN.

"This concept of sustainability encompasses ideas, aspirations and values that continue to inspire public and private organizations to become better stewards of the environment and that promote positive economic growth and social objectives. The principles of sustainability can stimulate technological innovation, advance competitiveness, and improve our quality of life."


So basically sustainability is reducing our affect on the planet and trying to meet our daily needs in ways that do not leave a lasting negative impact on the environment.

The term "green"

From my research I found that the term "going green" and sustainability are basically inter-changeable.

Things we can do to "go green:"
promote scientific research
use more advanced technology
reduce-reuse-recycle
be efficient with water
increase energy efficiency in your household
preform an enery audit
purchase energy star products
purchase green electricity, carbpn offsets and/or generate your own energy
include more vegetable protein in your diet (makes best use of limited land resources)
enjoy local food (reduce tranportation of food)
teach the youth about energy issues
make it profitable to provide clean energy
use proper insulation
make cars more energy efficient
elect passionate leaders ready to make change

Climate Change

climate change is “any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time.”

Global warming is the increase in temperature in the earths atmosphere

the climate has always been changing- prior ice ages

3 main changes in last 2,000 years= medieval climate anomaly (between 900-1300 AD Europe, Greenland and Asia have slight temperature increase,) little ice age (1500-1850,) and the industrial era (1900-now= relative warmth.)

the climate has also been changing at different rates: the climate usually has periods of stability and then rapid change (rapid change is when we change from an ice age to a period like now) "Interglacial climates tend to be more stable than cooler glacial climates

many different things cause climate change namely natural factors, natural processes and human activities.

causes of climate change prior to 1780 include: changes in the Earths orbit (affects amount of sunlight that hits earths surface,) change in the suns intensity,changes in ocean currents and volcanic eruptions (cause aerosol and co2 emissions.)

causes today include the use of fossil fuels. Using fossil fuels result in the green house effect in that they trap heat in the atmosphere.

Also “a change in land use and cover can affect temperature by changing how much solar radiation the land reflects and absorbs.” Land use has change recently due to deforestation, reforestation and urbanization.

The big issue: the global average temperature in the last few years has most likely been higher than the global average temperature in the past 400 years. In fact, “the Earth’s everage surface temperature has increased by about 1.2 to 1.4 degrees F in the last 100 years. This increase in temperature can also result in a change in precipitation, storms and sea level. This climate change results in “rising sea levels, shrinking glaciers, changes in the range and distribution of plants and animals” and many other issues

What is the U.S. doing about it? “A) slowing the growth of emissions B) Strengthening science, technology and institutions C) enhancing international cooperation.

Alternate Forms of Energy
Wind power- could provide 1/3 our or electricity needs
Solar thermal power- a small region of this power could fulfill all of the U.S.’s electricity needs
Solar photovoltaics- could provide ¼ of our electricity needs
Geothermal power- electricity from underground hot rocks

The Energy Theory
Momentum is always conserved
Sum of kinetic, potential and heat energy always conserved
Measured in Joules (1 watt per second)
Kinetic energy- energy of motion
Potential energy- stored energy
Heat- energy that is flowing as a result of temperature difference