What is the definition of renewable energy? Renewable energy is energy generated from non depleting natural resources such as wind, sunlight, tides, rain and even geothermal heat. They can be used to power our homes, industries and even our vehicles.

BIOMASS

The main source of renewable energy, on a global scale, is the application of biomass. Biomass is described as using biological material in the production of fuel. Common biomass sources include wood, corn, sugarcane, switch grass and even algae. Biomass makes up approximately 13% to 15% of all energy consumed in the world.

Biomass also includes bio fuel. This is the use of biomass materials such as corn, sugarcane and a host of other sources, to make fuels that power the worlds’ vehicles.

There is great promise in expanding the use of biomass to help reduce carbon emissions, to reduce energy prices and reduce the effect of global warming on the environment.

HYDROPOWER

Hydroelectricity (or hydropower) follows biomass as the next leading renewable energy source. It is estimated that hydropower provides between 3% and 5% of all energy consumed around the globe.

Hydropower produces energy using gravitys’ force on falling water. The energy is harnessed using dams to drive turbines and generators.

The biggest hydroelectric dam is currently being constructed in China on the Yangtze River. This effort has caused the relocation of millions of people and the flooding of important archaeological sites. There is much debate about its impact on the wildlife and fisheries that currently exist.

SOLAR, WIND & GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES

Solar, wind and geothermal energy make up between .08% and 1.0% of all energies used globally. These eco-friendly sources of energy have the potential to significantly reduce the use of fossil-fuels as the main source of energy in the world.

SOLAR POWER

Solar power is likely to be the most valuable of the renewable energy sources available. Why? Because it is available in abundance and is the least expensive for conversion. As new buildings and homes are constructed, solar technology can easily be accommodated in its design and implementation. In some countries, incorporating solar technology into new or existing homes and businesses also comes with monetary incentives such as tax credits, grants and even loans.

The solar energy process involves placing collecting cells and panels in “sun-rich” locations to harness the sun rays. It is then converted to electricity via photovoltaic processing.

WIND POWER

The use of wind power to generate electricity is growing at a rate of about 30% annually. It is widely used in Europe, and there is a big push in the United States, led by energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens. His idea is to harness this energy using wind farms off the eastern and western coastlines of the United States, gradually reducing our dependence on petroleum products.

GEOTHERMAL POWER

The use of geothermal energies is a main source of fuel in countries like Iceland and Norway. Unfortunately, not all geographic locations will be able to use this type of technology.

CONCLUSION

The use of renewable energy sources is the most environmentally sound method to help reduce overall energy costs and the world’s dependence on fossil-fuels. The use of renewable energies will also help provide a healthy environment for future generations.

Atul B Tanna

At one point or another, we all have probably heard the term “global warming”. Many people have heard the term so much that they tune it out when they hear it. Many people do not realize how serious global warming is. Many people may not realize what it is all about. There are some people that do not even understand exactly what global warming is. This is just as it says. It is the condition in which the entire world is seeing higher temperatures. Here, we will explain the effects of global warming so that you can see how it can affect you.

The first effect of global warming is, of course, the rising temperatures that the world has experienced. Even higher temperatures are expected to come as a result of this. Higher temperatures means that more crops will go bad, more people will die as a result of the rising temperatures, and the world as a whole will suffer in many ways as a result of higher temperatures. When the world experiences a shift in temperatures, many natural disasters may start to occur. Some of these natural disasters will start to increase as global warming continues to take place . Some of these natural disasters include hurricanes, floods, extreme dry spells around the world, and also tornadoes.

The next effect that occurs as a result of global warming is that the overall sea level is starting to rise slowly. Rising sea levels can result in many negative situation. The first issue that rising sea levels can have is that homes and other buildings close to sea level may suffer extreme damage as a result of the water that will evade the structures. The second issue to rising sea levels is the fact that the deaths of many people and animals may occur more frequently. The third issue to a rising sea level is that the world will have less land mass than that of normal times.

When you combine the effects of a warmer climate with the effects of rising sea levels, you stand the chance of experiencing a higher rate of precipitation. In addition to this, many weather occurrences, such as hurricanes, flash floods, and tornadoes will develop. When this happens, severe devastation, injuries, and even death can occur. Not only that, but the animals and plants that contribute to our normal activities may also be injured or die.

It is impossible for us to take back the damage that has already been done, but it is possible for us to take the necessary steps to avoid any future damage that will occur. We each should ensure that we are doing all that we can to avoid situations where the burning of certain gases is required. We should hold each other accountable for the actions that we commit that are a violation to the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. It is only when we are accountable, that a true change will occur.

Della Franklin

Christa Kowalczyk asked:


Due to “global warming” and the so-called “greenhouse effect”, sudden climate changes are experienced in all parts of the world. Climate changes produce a variation in the Earth’s atmosphere that is felt in other parts of the globe like the ice caps and oceans.

The Earth is always experiencing climate variability according to several climate specialists. In general, climate is identified by a long-term pattern of weather conditions. Climate is not similar to weather since the latter refers to short-term variations such as the development and movement of the weather system.

The climate’s variability and predictability is defined as the often cyclic, natural and regularly high variation in terms of climate or weather. In fact, climate change can be human-induced or natural. It can also show longer-term trends. The longer-term variation in climate is frequently well preserved in aquifers.

The effect of “global warming” that goes hand in hand with the greenhouse effect produces unexpected climate variations in different parts of the world. Tropical countries are now hotter during summer with a range of 37- 40 degrees Celsius. Icebergs of cold countries are now melting, and this causes floods and other disasters.

Types of Programs and Groups that Study Climate change and Variability

? ESRL or Earth System Research Laboratory Group – This system contains a lot of chemical, biological, and physical processes required to be dynamically combined to predict their performance over the scale level from local to global standards. The ESRL or Earth System Research Laboratory officials are working together towards the greater surveillance of the Earth through a number of studies to understand the changes and processes of the Earth’s system.

? CVWG or Climate Variability Working Group – This organization was developed to study both induced and natural patterns of climate variability when it comes to CCSM or its component models. It also observes various weather conditions with the CCSM component model.

? Managing Climate Variability Group – This group created a somewhat subprogram called “Managing Climate Variability Sub-program”. The program focuses on adaptation of obtainable information significant to climate science research. They also have a goal to produce improved and effective decisions concerning weather forecasts.

? USGS Researcher Group – This research group synthesize, compile, and analyze climate change in the United States. It also provides a basis of understanding the specific effects of yearly climate variability including the discharge and recharge of climate change.

? KNMI Researcher Group – This group of researchers operate 24 hours a day just to inform the public about their main focus which is weather change and seismology. In the international level, this group works with the other research institutes that are established in Europe, Brazil and London.

? Climate Dynamic Group – The objective of this group is to use the climate model in order to develop an understanding of climate variability, change and predictability. This group also aims to develop the performance of the climate model through diagnostic and evaluation studies. The group is still participating in international model experiments such as Couple Model Intercomparison Project, the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project, the Climate of 20th Century Project and the Cloud Model Intercomparison Project.

? UBS Climate Prediction Group – They are dedicated primarily to studying short-term climate prediction and variability. The UBC group develops the neural networks and the other machine learning process for nonlinear multivariate.

? Climate Variations Diagnostic Group – This group studies the mechanisms of the normal variability in the ocean as well as the atmospheric system. This is done in order to let the public know. Furthermore, they perform common circulation model experiments to elucidate the mechanisms of quick atmospheric response to the anomalies in the mind.

? Climate Impact Group – They study the impact of global climate change and natural climate variability on the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The climate impact group focuses on the association of climate science and fundamental research on climate impact.

? Climate variability affects almost all the human activities and natural systems. The direct impact of climate includes the following: water quantity, agriculture, human health and ecosystems. Actually, predicting and understanding climate change is vital to the public and this necessitates a broad array of decision makers. The goals of all climate researchers and groups are listed below.

? Describe and detect the climate variations

? Understand the functions of clouds in climate and radiative forcing

? Attribute and diagnose the causes of man-made forcing or climate variations to natural

? Predict and forecast the climate events

? Provide improved certainty of chaotic systems

? Improve predictive climate model

? Cryosphere and climate interactions

? Detect and describe the atmospheric ozone

? Measure the stratospheric aerosol of volcanic eruption, flashflood and much more

? Improve the information that they give to the public about climate changes.



Mariah