Global Sustainable Development – a Physics Course or Sex, Lies, and Sustainable Development The transformation of an Environmental Physics Course for non-science students. Fred Loxsom Greenville, SC

Is Global Warming Real? Yes! Global average surface temperature has increased by more than 1ºF since 1850.

Is this warming anthropogenic? Yes. But, it is also natural. Observed warming is the result of both natural processes and human impacts!

Natural processes lead to climate cycles with periodic fluctuations in global temperature. We are in an interglacial period. During the last Ice Age the Earth’s surface was 10 ºF colder.

Human activities may cause temperature changes comparable to natural changes. Human activities produce atmospheric aerosols that cool the Earth and greenhouse gases that heat the Earth.

Lie #1 Nature can absorb whatever abuse humans dish out. Not True! Ozone hole Big Bend haze Rio Grande flow Species Extinctions

Greenhouse Warming The surface temperature of the earth is determined by the balance between the energy gain from solar radiation and the energy loss by IR radiation.

Greenhouse Warming: Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases allow sunlight to reach the surface, but absorb IR radiation from the surface. These effects cause the surface of the Earth to get hotter.

Greenhouse Gases Greenhouse gases include: Water Vapor Carbon Dioxide Methane Chlorofluorocarbons Tropospheric ozone

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) The major greenhouse gas. It is an evitable consequence of burning fossil fuels: Oil, Natural gas, Coal

Atmospheric CO 2 We emit 20 billion tons per year. 60% stays in atmosphere Increases atmospheric CO 2 by 0.4% / year. 25% increase from 280 ppm to 350 ppm

Global Warming Predictions If Carbon Dioxide concentration doubles: Global Mean Surface Temperature increases by 5 ºF. Depending on growth of consumption, this could happen in this century.

Lie #2 The science is unclear. The science is clear and the news is bad. Nearly every atmospheric scientist accepts the data and analysis leading to the prediction of global warming.

Global Warming Consequences Agricultural Loss. Extreme Weather. Sea Level Rise. Ecological Impacts. Economic Loss.

Sex “We have met the enemy and he is us” World Population is 6.3 billion and still rising. GHG emissions Destruction of Carbon Sinks

It’s the Economy, Too! US has 5% of world population US emits 25% of all GHG. So a U.S. baby has 5 times the global warming impact as the average baby and 10 times the global warming impact as a Chinese baby.

Oil Consumption has other environmental costs. Extraction in pristine areas. Air pollution – acid rain, smog, etc. Do we need all those SUVs?

Oil Supplies are Limited US imports 60% of its oil. World oil production will pass peak within 20 years

How do we deal with these problems?

“Sometimes a man (or woman) has to do what a man (or woman) has to do.” – John Wayne updated

Sustainable Development and Use of Renewable Energy

Sustainable Development Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Principle 3 The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.

Sustainable Development Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Principle 9 States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation, diffusion and transfer of technologies, including new and innovative technologies.

Conservation To reduced the threat of global warming, we must reduce emission of GHGs. Reduce Consumption Increase Efficiency

Solar Energy Passive Solar Active Solar Photovoltaic

Wind Local resource Renewable Economics look good Some negative environmental impacts.

Hydroelectric Local resource Renewable Capital Intensive Some negative environmental impacts.

Geothermal Local resource Inexpensive Renewable? Some negative environmental impacts.

A negative side-effect of Geothermal

Hydrocarbons Natural gas may be a better option than oil or call

Nuclear Power Safety Waste Disposal Public acceptance

Fuel Cells Secondary fuel Expensive Developing stage

Transportation Policy CAFE standards Mass Transit Hybrid Vehicles

International Treaties The US should support the Kyoto Protocol. What’s the downside?

US Objections to Kyoto Developing nations not bound, initially. Emission limits – damage economy.

Lie # 3 The US has a Carbon Dioxide Reduction Plan Emphasis of Bush administration on energy production. Any limits would hurt the economy?

What should developing countries do? Should they repeat the mistakes of the developed countries?

Conclusions  Fossil fuel consumption is contributing to climate change.  Sustainable development requires reduction of fossil fuel consumption.  There are viable options.  National and International policy is crucial.

Let’s get to work!