Global IssueGREENHOUSE GASES

Major Problems Worldwide there is a question of how to deal with the issues of:

◦ Water◦ Health◦ Hygiene ◦ Safe and renewable energy◦ Climate change◦ Population shifts

The Top GHG Emitters Nov 20081. US 6.928 (billion tons of CO2)

2. EU 5.067

3. China 4.938

4. Russia 1.915

5. India 1.884

6. Japan 1.317

7. Germany 1.009

8. Brazil 851

9. Canada 680

10. Britain 654

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4AO4LJ20081125

U.S. Primary Energy Consumption by Source and Sector,  2008 (Quadrillion Btu)

Source:  Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Review 2008, Tables 1.3, 2.1b-2.1f , 10.3, and 10.4.

Climate Change Climate Change = rising temperatures create changes to:

◦ Air Quality (Particulate matter, SOx ) ◦ Water (sea, ocean, rivers, snow pack, rainfall)◦ Weather patterns: floods, droughts, stronger storms◦ New diseases◦ Ecosystems (migration of all species)◦ Environmental refugees◦ Arable land

◦ ***2015 = first year San Francisco had zero rainfall – only other dry January in SF occurred 165 years ago