SUMMARY
This article talks about Cuba, and their low oil supply. Even though there's a shortage in oil, Cuba has very good health care. Their health care system allows everyone to get free health care. Not only do they have good health care, they have a good education system. They turn to their health care and education system because of there low supply of fossil fuels. Cuban families live well and are efficent without the high use of fossil fuels. Cuba may have it's problems with transportation and housing, but they set a good example for us to follow. Which is not relying so much on fossil fuels and worry more about our health or education instead.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Cuba handled the crisis after the Soviet Union well. They used what they had infront of them, and began to live without a dependency on oil. They made it work without the things they had, and grew as a community.
2. Relocalization would be very effective. I think it would bring the communities together and allow them to prosper and grow.
UNKNOWN WORDS
1. Gastronomy- a particular style of cooking.
2. Photovoltaic- capable of producing voltage
QUESTIONS
1. Will Cuba's low production of fossil fuel ever peak again?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Joyride
SUMMARY
In our country, our main way of transportation is automobiles. All means of transportation are powered by fossil fuels. The invention of the tractor made it easier for farming industries to get a lot done at once. The more and more we use these ways of transportation the more we are becoming dependent of fossil fuels. Behind it all, there would be no transportation without the fossil fuels to power them. There is no turning back time now, we are way to dependent of these fuels to do so.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The car made it easy when it came to traveling from a suburban area to the city. It was a fast efficent way to get from one place to the other. Also, the tractor made farming very productive, there was no need for human or animal work. Farming industries were able to produce more and at faster rates.
2. In order to keep up with the constant growing society, we turn to the use of energy. Energy is something that we use alot more because we need to keep up with these growing cities.
VOCAB
espoused- to support a cause or belief or a way of life
In our country, our main way of transportation is automobiles. All means of transportation are powered by fossil fuels. The invention of the tractor made it easier for farming industries to get a lot done at once. The more and more we use these ways of transportation the more we are becoming dependent of fossil fuels. Behind it all, there would be no transportation without the fossil fuels to power them. There is no turning back time now, we are way to dependent of these fuels to do so.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The car made it easy when it came to traveling from a suburban area to the city. It was a fast efficent way to get from one place to the other. Also, the tractor made farming very productive, there was no need for human or animal work. Farming industries were able to produce more and at faster rates.
2. In order to keep up with the constant growing society, we turn to the use of energy. Energy is something that we use alot more because we need to keep up with these growing cities.
VOCAB
espoused- to support a cause or belief or a way of life
Eating Fossil Fuels
SUMMARY
This reading consisted of two articles. The first one being, "The end of Oil age" talked about the idea of oil production and sales peaking in the future. We thought we had more oil than was actually there. The USGS report stated that the world oil production would not peak until 2020. The second article being, "The collapse of Agriculture" talks about how we use energy based off of fossil fuels. Running out of oil will cause the food prices to increase. We wont be able to afford feeding people with the prices of food rising. This can cause serious problems for our country.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. If we run out of fossil fuels there will be no modern agriculture. We are so dependent of fossil fuels that if we run out there is no way to harvest crops fast enough. We need to slow down, because at the rate we're going, we headed to serious problems in the future.
2.After the problem in North Korea, our country should of learned a serious lesson. We can experiece such a problem if we dont do something to change where were at. Once all our sources are gone, we'll possibly face huge agricultural issues.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Is there something else we can use to reduce the use of fossil fuels?
2. How can we reduce the risk of running out of fossil fuels?
VOCAB
1. allocation- to reserve the required amounts of a resource
2.thermodynamics- the study of the conversion of different forms of energy.
This reading consisted of two articles. The first one being, "The end of Oil age" talked about the idea of oil production and sales peaking in the future. We thought we had more oil than was actually there. The USGS report stated that the world oil production would not peak until 2020. The second article being, "The collapse of Agriculture" talks about how we use energy based off of fossil fuels. Running out of oil will cause the food prices to increase. We wont be able to afford feeding people with the prices of food rising. This can cause serious problems for our country.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. If we run out of fossil fuels there will be no modern agriculture. We are so dependent of fossil fuels that if we run out there is no way to harvest crops fast enough. We need to slow down, because at the rate we're going, we headed to serious problems in the future.
2.After the problem in North Korea, our country should of learned a serious lesson. We can experiece such a problem if we dont do something to change where were at. Once all our sources are gone, we'll possibly face huge agricultural issues.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Is there something else we can use to reduce the use of fossil fuels?
2. How can we reduce the risk of running out of fossil fuels?
VOCAB
1. allocation- to reserve the required amounts of a resource
2.thermodynamics- the study of the conversion of different forms of energy.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Steady State/ Jevon's
JEVON'S summary
This article was about how our production of oil and coal changing for the worse part. William Jevon's belived that the use of fuel makes things more efficient. Oil was in high demand when Jevon's law was coming into effect. The more we use these fuels the higher the demand the will, causing the prices to rise. Sooner or later, they will be to expensive for us to afford. People need to be aware of this problem and change there dependency on these fuels slightly.
Steady State summary
Right now our economy is at a serious low. The article explains how our Earth does not have many more resources to give our economy. We are trying so hard to grow, and better our economy but we just end up losing more money, digging our grave even deeper. The article mentions the ten point policy that is meant to help us work through these tough economic times.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Jevon's main concern wasnt about running out of coal, but it was our dependency on fossil fuels, and how our lives will be at a stand still if we were to ever run out.
2. Daly's comparison of an airplane to a helicopter relates to a growing economy and a steady state economy. He basically is saying we are aware of the bad economic times we are in right now, but we can't just stop the way were living and try to change it all at once. It will take time.
UNKNOWN WORDS
1. Allocation-distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose.
2.Frugality- the practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner
3. Subsidies-is a form of financial assistance paid to a business or economic sector.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Is there any way to change a steady state economy?
2.How will we all live, if we were to ever run out of fossil fuels?
This article was about how our production of oil and coal changing for the worse part. William Jevon's belived that the use of fuel makes things more efficient. Oil was in high demand when Jevon's law was coming into effect. The more we use these fuels the higher the demand the will, causing the prices to rise. Sooner or later, they will be to expensive for us to afford. People need to be aware of this problem and change there dependency on these fuels slightly.
Steady State summary
Right now our economy is at a serious low. The article explains how our Earth does not have many more resources to give our economy. We are trying so hard to grow, and better our economy but we just end up losing more money, digging our grave even deeper. The article mentions the ten point policy that is meant to help us work through these tough economic times.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Jevon's main concern wasnt about running out of coal, but it was our dependency on fossil fuels, and how our lives will be at a stand still if we were to ever run out.
2. Daly's comparison of an airplane to a helicopter relates to a growing economy and a steady state economy. He basically is saying we are aware of the bad economic times we are in right now, but we can't just stop the way were living and try to change it all at once. It will take time.
UNKNOWN WORDS
1. Allocation-distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose.
2.Frugality- the practice of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner
3. Subsidies-is a form of financial assistance paid to a business or economic sector.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Is there any way to change a steady state economy?
2.How will we all live, if we were to ever run out of fossil fuels?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Smil- Chapter 6
SUMMARY
The discovery of fossil fuels made the development of transportation possible. This chapter touches base of the transportation methods and how they've devloped throughout time. The way we transport ourselves from place to place is a huge part of our everyday lives. We rely things such as ships trains and cars. Next commercial airplanes came into play, and they were very effiecent. They held larger numbers of people to transport, and cut the traveling time in half in most situations. Also the telephone has made drastic changes sense it was first introduced in the early 1950's. These days we are very dependent on these creations, and we probably would have a very hard time living life without them.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Better transportation made the economy more efficent because it allows use to move faster and transport people and goods in an easier way. Finding cheaper ways of transportation reduce the hassel of things that are in high demand. Having these means of transportation which allow us to move quicker, fufills the need of demand sooner.
2. Better communications can reduce energy use because when people are all connected by just a push of a button, it makes matter so much easier and we don't have to waste energy because phone's run on very little electricity and such things as internet are very reliable.
The discovery of fossil fuels made the development of transportation possible. This chapter touches base of the transportation methods and how they've devloped throughout time. The way we transport ourselves from place to place is a huge part of our everyday lives. We rely things such as ships trains and cars. Next commercial airplanes came into play, and they were very effiecent. They held larger numbers of people to transport, and cut the traveling time in half in most situations. Also the telephone has made drastic changes sense it was first introduced in the early 1950's. These days we are very dependent on these creations, and we probably would have a very hard time living life without them.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Better transportation made the economy more efficent because it allows use to move faster and transport people and goods in an easier way. Finding cheaper ways of transportation reduce the hassel of things that are in high demand. Having these means of transportation which allow us to move quicker, fufills the need of demand sooner.
2. Better communications can reduce energy use because when people are all connected by just a push of a button, it makes matter so much easier and we don't have to waste energy because phone's run on very little electricity and such things as internet are very reliable.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Smil- Chapter 5 Summary
SUMMARY
Due to fossil fuels, there's many social changes. The toll the energy took on us is apparent, for example, the usage of electricity and gasoline. The steam engine played a huge role, it was the first convertor of chemical energy.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. How did we figure out what the fossil fuels would do?
2. Why do all societes use energy as there main source?
UNKNOWN VOCAB
Smelting- form of extractive metallurgy
Austenetic-Relating to metallic non-magnetic solid solution of iron and an alloying element.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The reason that hydro turbines, nuclear reactors, and fertilizer were mentioned in the reading was because they all run on fossil fuels.
2. Over time thermal efficency of power systems will decrease.
Due to fossil fuels, there's many social changes. The toll the energy took on us is apparent, for example, the usage of electricity and gasoline. The steam engine played a huge role, it was the first convertor of chemical energy.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. How did we figure out what the fossil fuels would do?
2. Why do all societes use energy as there main source?
UNKNOWN VOCAB
Smelting- form of extractive metallurgy
Austenetic-Relating to metallic non-magnetic solid solution of iron and an alloying element.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The reason that hydro turbines, nuclear reactors, and fertilizer were mentioned in the reading was because they all run on fossil fuels.
2. Over time thermal efficency of power systems will decrease.
Smil- Chapter 4 Summary
SUMMARY
Energy advances is just one of the different advances that are happening today. The society is constantly becoming better, and Chapter 4 outlines that. The usage of animals was something the hunters and gatherers used in order to get food. Now a days we use machines that can collect a greater mass of product. The chapter also hits the topic of coal and wood, how they create energy.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. In the pre-industrial times the best usage of energy was the usage of animals because they could do more work than manual labor.
2. One inovation from pre- industrial society would be the widmill.
3. Disadvantages of the energy sources was that not everyone can use them. It depended on where you lived.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Did we still use animals, after the machinary was in effect?
2. What animals were found easiest to work with?
UNKNOWN VOCAB
Antiquity- Antique
Sedentary- not moving
Energy advances is just one of the different advances that are happening today. The society is constantly becoming better, and Chapter 4 outlines that. The usage of animals was something the hunters and gatherers used in order to get food. Now a days we use machines that can collect a greater mass of product. The chapter also hits the topic of coal and wood, how they create energy.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. In the pre-industrial times the best usage of energy was the usage of animals because they could do more work than manual labor.
2. One inovation from pre- industrial society would be the widmill.
3. Disadvantages of the energy sources was that not everyone can use them. It depended on where you lived.
UNKNOWN QUESTIONS
1. Did we still use animals, after the machinary was in effect?
2. What animals were found easiest to work with?
UNKNOWN VOCAB
Antiquity- Antique
Sedentary- not moving
Burning Coal issues in the U.S
SUMMARY
The article discusses the current issues with burning coal in the U.S. In solution, IGCC plants have played a role with them. Today there is more then 380 parts per million of CO2 which is more we had around the time of the industrial revolution. To gasify the coal you must heat it to about 2,000 degrees fahrenheit in a sealed chamber and also add some steam and a tiny bit of oxygen. The gas that comes off is mostly made up of carbon monixidem hydrogen sulfer and nitrogen compoundes. Today the gasification plant produces about 200 million cubic feet of carbon dioxide a day. Tampa IGCC plant is a natrual gas power plant. There are many objections to IGCC power plants These plants are expensive to run, but in order to be more energy efficent and create energy to suffice our shortage, the U.S. is making an attempt to switch to all IGCC powered plants.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The IGCC is an efficient solution to lowering the effects of global warming. It reduces pollutants but can't eliminate them. It is capable of bringing global warming under control and slowing it down.
2. Right now the IGCC is not about CO2 emission reduction. Yet, it's capable of being able to do so in the future. The plant in Tampa is equipt to eliminate CO2 emission and will be prepared to do so if a law comes into action against it.
3. The IGCC can also be a solution to the energy shortage because it can create renewable energy. Creating energy can be expensive, meaning that there needs to be some work down to completely fufill the energy shortage.
QUESTIONS
1. How long do we think intill global warming would take effect?
2. How many IGCC plants will they create?
3. Will the goverment end up thinking CO2 is a pollutant?
UNKNOWN WORDS
greenhouse gas- a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation
Gasification- The process of changing into gas.
The article discusses the current issues with burning coal in the U.S. In solution, IGCC plants have played a role with them. Today there is more then 380 parts per million of CO2 which is more we had around the time of the industrial revolution. To gasify the coal you must heat it to about 2,000 degrees fahrenheit in a sealed chamber and also add some steam and a tiny bit of oxygen. The gas that comes off is mostly made up of carbon monixidem hydrogen sulfer and nitrogen compoundes. Today the gasification plant produces about 200 million cubic feet of carbon dioxide a day. Tampa IGCC plant is a natrual gas power plant. There are many objections to IGCC power plants These plants are expensive to run, but in order to be more energy efficent and create energy to suffice our shortage, the U.S. is making an attempt to switch to all IGCC powered plants.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. The IGCC is an efficient solution to lowering the effects of global warming. It reduces pollutants but can't eliminate them. It is capable of bringing global warming under control and slowing it down.
2. Right now the IGCC is not about CO2 emission reduction. Yet, it's capable of being able to do so in the future. The plant in Tampa is equipt to eliminate CO2 emission and will be prepared to do so if a law comes into action against it.
3. The IGCC can also be a solution to the energy shortage because it can create renewable energy. Creating energy can be expensive, meaning that there needs to be some work down to completely fufill the energy shortage.
QUESTIONS
1. How long do we think intill global warming would take effect?
2. How many IGCC plants will they create?
3. Will the goverment end up thinking CO2 is a pollutant?
UNKNOWN WORDS
greenhouse gas- a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation
Gasification- The process of changing into gas.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Acid Rain Issue
SUMMARY
In the late 1970's acid rain in China became a huge environmental problem. The deposition of pollutants occured in forested areas as a result of acid rain. A major cause of acid rain is the extensive use of coal. Acid rain has been a well known environmental problem for decades. Surface water adicification caused the loss of fish populations. In the 1970's the discovery of acidified waters were also found in the Adirondack region of New York. Natural acidity orginated in the terrestial ecosystem.
UNKNOWN WORDS
Anthropogenic- Caused or influenced by humans. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide is that portion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is produced directly by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, rather than by such processes as respiration and decay.
Degradation- the act of degrading
Defoliation- to destroy or cause a widespread loss
The contributors of acid rain issue in China are emmisions and sulfur deposition. Nitrogen from cars, power production and agriculture. Also the use of coal. The lowest pH level was less than 4.0. The impacts are acidification of surface water and oils. Acid rain and the reduction policy are the main focus of research.
QUESTIONS
Why is there such little information about the effects of acid deposition on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in China?
What will actually happen with alkine dust in the future?
The acid-rain production policies are causing so much expense for the countries, why is that?
In the late 1970's acid rain in China became a huge environmental problem. The deposition of pollutants occured in forested areas as a result of acid rain. A major cause of acid rain is the extensive use of coal. Acid rain has been a well known environmental problem for decades. Surface water adicification caused the loss of fish populations. In the 1970's the discovery of acidified waters were also found in the Adirondack region of New York. Natural acidity orginated in the terrestial ecosystem.
UNKNOWN WORDS
Anthropogenic- Caused or influenced by humans. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide is that portion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is produced directly by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, rather than by such processes as respiration and decay.
Degradation- the act of degrading
Defoliation- to destroy or cause a widespread loss
The contributors of acid rain issue in China are emmisions and sulfur deposition. Nitrogen from cars, power production and agriculture. Also the use of coal. The lowest pH level was less than 4.0. The impacts are acidification of surface water and oils. Acid rain and the reduction policy are the main focus of research.
QUESTIONS
Why is there such little information about the effects of acid deposition on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in China?
What will actually happen with alkine dust in the future?
The acid-rain production policies are causing so much expense for the countries, why is that?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Marcellus Shale Assignment 1
SUMMARY
The Marcellus Shale is located in Pennsylvania where the Appalachian Mountains stand. It's a sedimentary rock formation deposited over 350 million years ago. The article discussed the new technologies of drilling, the importance of the shale, and concerns about drilling and water waste. Overtime the shale formed Hydrocarbons including natural gases. Disposal and water waste is one of the main concerns of Marcellus Shale. The Marcellus Shale is being developed now based on two things. One being the low price and second because of the interest in devonian shale was not existent. The large drilling site allowed the reader to decide if they agree with drilling or not. All in all, the article was filled with a lot of facts and data, which was very informative.
QUESTIONS
1. There are some arguments for the support of the opposition of gas drilling. Mainly to avoid hurting local water resources while drilling, and the destruction of moving supplies and machinery.
2. I felt the references were cited fine and gave enough credibility. In a way they showed more of the support of drilling. Besides that, I felt they were fine.
3. I found that Figure 7 can be misleading to many. We as the readers aren't positive of what the substance is in the scientist hand.
QUESTIONS
Why would they want to risk contaminating the water?
What does the U.S department of energy do mainly?
Where does the U.S department stand on the drilling topic?
UNKNOWN WORDS
permeability- the property of something that can't be pervaded by a liquid
borehole- a narrow shift drill found in the ground
Hydrofrac- method used to create fractures that extend from a borehole into rock formations
The Marcellus Shale is located in Pennsylvania where the Appalachian Mountains stand. It's a sedimentary rock formation deposited over 350 million years ago. The article discussed the new technologies of drilling, the importance of the shale, and concerns about drilling and water waste. Overtime the shale formed Hydrocarbons including natural gases. Disposal and water waste is one of the main concerns of Marcellus Shale. The Marcellus Shale is being developed now based on two things. One being the low price and second because of the interest in devonian shale was not existent. The large drilling site allowed the reader to decide if they agree with drilling or not. All in all, the article was filled with a lot of facts and data, which was very informative.
QUESTIONS
1. There are some arguments for the support of the opposition of gas drilling. Mainly to avoid hurting local water resources while drilling, and the destruction of moving supplies and machinery.
2. I felt the references were cited fine and gave enough credibility. In a way they showed more of the support of drilling. Besides that, I felt they were fine.
3. I found that Figure 7 can be misleading to many. We as the readers aren't positive of what the substance is in the scientist hand.
QUESTIONS
Why would they want to risk contaminating the water?
What does the U.S department of energy do mainly?
Where does the U.S department stand on the drilling topic?
UNKNOWN WORDS
permeability- the property of something that can't be pervaded by a liquid
borehole- a narrow shift drill found in the ground
Hydrofrac- method used to create fractures that extend from a borehole into rock formations
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