Let's divide global warming solutions into two areas. The first will be solutions in effect around the world that are reducing carbon dioxide emissions by creating energy without creating accompanying greenhouse gas emissions.
People have been using hydroelectric power generated by dams pretty much since the invention of lightbulbs. Using flowing water to turn a generator is a simple and still effective means of creating electrical power. If there is one drawback to hydroelectric power, even when using huge water driven turbines that are much efficient then water wheels, it is that it takes a great deal of water to generate power this way and natural waterways must be dammed to capture that flow.
People have been using hydroelectric power generated by dams pretty much since the invention of lightbulbs. Using flowing water to turn a generator is a simple and still effective means of creating electrical power. If there is one drawback to hydroelectric power, even when using huge water driven turbines that are much efficient then water wheels, it is that it takes a great deal of water to generate power this way and natural waterways must be dammed to capture that flow.
In sunny Spain solar power is the energy generator of choice. Both parabolic mirrors and photo voltaic cells are used to generate almost 20% of that country's total electricity. Row upon row of specially curved mirrors direct the heat of the sun to the top of huge towers where that heat creates steam which turns a turbine connected to generators.
Modern silicon based photo voltaic cells take a more direct approach by generating electron travel that is immediately converted into energy. 250 acres of solar cells just like the ones you may have seen used to power little radios can create enough electricity to provide for the needs of 20,000 homes. Of course you do need sunny days and places where the sun often shines. People in Arizona and Florida will do fine with this kind of solar power.
Another means of providing clean energy on a global level is by using geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is created naturally when magma at the earth's core seeps up towards the surface as water drips down from above. Steam is created and when captured that steam drives a turbine which in turn drives a generator creating zero emissions energy.
Modern silicon based photo voltaic cells take a more direct approach by generating electron travel that is immediately converted into energy. 250 acres of solar cells just like the ones you may have seen used to power little radios can create enough electricity to provide for the needs of 20,000 homes. Of course you do need sunny days and places where the sun often shines. People in Arizona and Florida will do fine with this kind of solar power.
Another means of providing clean energy on a global level is by using geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is created naturally when magma at the earth's core seeps up towards the surface as water drips down from above. Steam is created and when captured that steam drives a turbine which in turn drives a generator creating zero emissions energy.
But what if we could find a way to capture something else that floats around the earth almost constantly and was a bit more geographically available than a river? Why not capture a bit of the breeze as it passes us by and use that to make our electricity. Huge wind farms are being developed all around the world.
One of the largest, Horse Hollow is in Texas and creates over 700 MW of power. This one wind farm creates enough electricity to heat, cool and light almost half a million homes. Plans are underway to create wind farms off the United States coast where ocean breezes are even more constant than those blowing across the Texas prairie.
The second area of global warming solutions we want to look at are things that can and may exist in your own home. These are things you can do or your parents may have already done to reduce both your amount of energy use and your carbon footprint. Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions your simple existence here on planet Earth causes.
Each of us is responsible for our own carbon footprint. With just a little care we can easily cut our impact on the Earth in half. Simple recycling of bottles, cans and paper, goes a long way to save the Earth's resources. Someday you may be driving an electric car made from all of the stuff you just threw away.
Saving electricity is far simpler than screwing into a lamp one of those curly light bulbs. Try not to run unneeded lights, especially in rooms were no one is present. Go ahead and put those compact fluorescent lamps (curly light bulbs) anywhere you can. They use one quarter of the power of a regular incandescent bulb.
Many new homes are being built with passive lighting installed. This can be as simple as a skylight or as complex as channeling of light through fiber optics into dark rooms such as closets.
Saving electricity is far simpler than screwing into a lamp one of those curly light bulbs. Try not to run unneeded lights, especially in rooms were no one is present. Go ahead and put those compact fluorescent lamps (curly light bulbs) anywhere you can. They use one quarter of the power of a regular incandescent bulb.
Many new homes are being built with passive lighting installed. This can be as simple as a skylight or as complex as channeling of light through fiber optics into dark rooms such as closets.
No one wants to be too hot in the summer or too cold and the winter. A simple way to keep a constantly comfortable indoor environment year round is to place ventilation pipes into the ground around your home. The temperature of the Earth is fairly constant once you are 20 feet underground. The winding path way of plastic pipe gathers constant 55-65° airflow and returns it to your home with the only expense being the power needed to run the air moving fans. Passive ventilation systems such as this create inexpensive air conditioning and allow winter heating systems to work far less hard.
Of course having a "green house" does not have to be even this complex. A little caulking and insulation goes a long way to help limit energy loss in your home. In fact, perhaps the best global warming solution for your home is simply your being aware of how energy is used and how you can save it.
Of course having a "green house" does not have to be even this complex. A little caulking and insulation goes a long way to help limit energy loss in your home. In fact, perhaps the best global warming solution for your home is simply your being aware of how energy is used and how you can save it.
Solar power doesn't have to be confined to a sunny spot in Spain. Solar water heating can save your family quite a bit of money every month and make sure that there is always enough hot water.
