Oil as Death Photos from the Kuwait Oil Fires after the 1 st Gulf War

Oil as Death Questions (Please copy) 1. What environmental problems does oil cause? 2. Why are carbon emissions likely to increase dramatically in the near future? 3. Why is it so hard to move away from fossil fuels? 4. What are alternatives to fossil fuels (supply-side)? 5. What are ways to reduce demand for fossil fuels (demand-side)? 6. Would you support a gas tax? 7. How viable are electric cars? 8. How viable are solar homes?

EconomicsHomeworkMr. Joshi  Go to the link for the solar homes.   Pick your top 1, 2, and 3 for homes you wouldn’t mind living in – without any energy bills, of course.  For each pick, explain why you chose it.  Answer the following (1/2 page) How optimistic are you that we will kick our fossil fuel addiction in 50 years in the U.S.? (Think about political, economic, and technical challenges)

The Price of Our Oil Addiction: Global Warming

World Carbon Emissions

Sorry folks, it isn’t just oil…

Probable Temperature Impact for the Hartford Area Average # of Days in a Year over 90 Degrees : 1961 to to 2039 (Projected) 22 (lower emissions)25 (higher emissions) 2040 to 2069 (Projected) 35 (lower emissions)51 (higher emissions) 2070 to 2099 (Projected) 42 (lower emissions)79 (higher emissions)

When I grow up, I want to live like an American! In China, how many cars do you think there are for every 1000 people? 9 In India, how many cars do you think there are for every 1000 people? 11 In the U.S., how many cars do you think there are for every 1000 people? 1148

Burning Through Oil Barrels  Today, the world’s people use 86 million barrels a day of crude oil.  If the people of India and China were to consume oil the way we do in the U.S., the world’s consumption of oil would be 286 million barrels of crude oil a day!  What would that mean for global warming?

What alternatives to fossil fuels exist today?

Supply Side Possibilities

Wind

Article on Wind Power (Handout) Humorous Clip about wind power from the DailyShow (Video Clip) h/tue-august /fowl-wind

Tidal

Hydro

Nuclear

Biomass

Geothermal

Solar

Wave

Hydrogen

Hybrid – Gas + Electric

Electric Cars (plug it in - no gas engine)

Tesla Roadster – Fast and Electric  3.7 seconds from zero to 60  245 miles per charge  0 emissions

Clean Coal

The Political Challenge of Moving Away from Oil  The Daily Show clip from June 16 th, 2010 (8 minute clip)  june /an-energy-independent-future

Demand Side Possibilities

A Modest Proposal  New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman has been trying to persuade the public that we should pass a gas tax.  Look at Friedman’s argument for a gas tax What do you think of his arguments? Does he convince you? Discuss your answers.

Thomas Friedman Interview  agazine/ /the-power-of- green.html agazine/ /the-power-of- green.html  6 minute interview

Think Global, Act Local -Connecticut Light and Power

New Ideas in Alternative Energy

Welcome to the Future – Welcome to Masdar City in the U.A.E.! 

Solar Decathlon Competition Washington D.C  Teams of college students design a solar house, knowing from the outset that it must be powered entirely by the sun. They have 2 years to build it, transport it to D.C., and rebuild it on the Mall.

The Big Picture

Home Requirements for Solar Decathalon Competition  Is affordable, attractive, and easy to live in  Maintains comfortable and healthy indoor environmental conditions  Supplies energy to household appliances for cooking, cleaning, and entertainment  Provides adequate hot water  Produces as much or more energy than it consumes.

So, how much do these houses cost? From a low of $229 K to a high of $470 K

10 Criteria for the Competition  Architecture contest Architecture contest  Market Appeal contest Market Appeal contest  Engineering contest Engineering contest  Communications contest Communications contest  Affordability contest Affordability contest  Comfort Zone contest Comfort Zone contest  Hot Water contest Hot Water contest  Appliances contest Appliances contest  Home Entertainment contest Home Entertainment contest  Energy Balance contest Energy Balance contest

Photos of the Houses  s.html s.html