Oil as Death

Photos from the Kuwait Oil Fires after the 1st Gulf War - 1991

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?

Economics Homework Mr. Joshi

Go to the link for the solar homes. http://www.solardecathlon.gov/gallery_houses.html 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 1990

14 2010 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?

9In 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)

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-2-2011/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 16th, 2010 (8 minute clip)

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-16-2010/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 http://video.nytimes.com/video/2007/04/10/m

agazine/1194817107532/the-power-of-green.html

6 minute interview

Think Global, Act Local-Connecticut Light and Powerhttp://www.cl-p.com/home/saveenergy/goinggreen/cleanenergyoptions.aspx

New Ideas in Alternative Energy

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

http://www.masdar.ae/en/home/index.aspx

Solar Decathlon CompetitionWashington D.C. - 2011 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 Market Appeal contest Engineering contest Communications contest Affordability contest Comfort Zone contest Hot Water contest Appliances contest Home Entertainment contest Energy Balance contest

Photos of the Houses http://www.solardecathlon.gov/

gallery_houses.html