Final Group Blog
What wedges do you find so important? Why?
Group 2
Ocean acidification is important because it impacts biodiversity. A falling ph level has detrimental impacts on species that build shells or skeleton based on carbonate. For example, tropical corals. Hence ocean acidification destroys ecosystems, resulting in the ultimate disappearance of certain species. The computer generated evidence predicts that if the carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise exponentially, this will result in the drastic increase in the ocean ph level. The levels of PH are predicted to rise as much as they have in the past 300 million years in the next 1000 years. The computer models used past historical and geographical evidence to see what the natural rise would be and compared it to the rate at which ph levels are rising today. It would be difficult for nature to compensate for these damages. Consequently, resulting in further reduction on the marine biodiversity, specifically, coral reefs. Aidan Coco Grace Miske Jingyi Li Ling Zheng
We believe that finding alternate energy sources, carbon capture and storage, and end-user efficiency and conservation. For example, cutting electricity use in homes, offices, and stores by 25 percent (#3) is something that could be achievable. Even if homes use even slightly less electricity per household, it will significantly decrease total energy usage all over the world, especially if it is implemented in countries with big economies. # 10, 11, 12, 13 are also important. Because transportation (particularly cars) are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions, finding alternative energy sources for transportation as well as replacing coal would significantly decrease emissions. Lastly, we think that carbon storage and capture at plants is important, because carbon is such a big driver of our economy, it is unlikely that people would be willing to scale back on any kind of production, so finding ways like Installing CCS at power plants (#6) and coal-to-syngas plants (#8) to control the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere is somewhat of a compromise. Although all of these options require spending some money, the long term benefits will outweigh the up front costs.
ReplyDeleteWe found wedges 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. We found wedge 3 important because it is very easy to waste electricity. This is something that humans can easily cut down on in order to better our environment. Wedge 6 is important because it would allow us to modify our pre-existing infrastructure rather than creating new power plants. Wedges 11-13 are significant because they promote alternative energy sources. This would be highly beneficial and could reverse environmental damage. Finally, wedges 14 and 15 are important because they prioritize agriculture which a significant part of our environment.
ReplyDeleteGroup 5: There are many important steps we can take a society to mitigate and limit the impacts of climate change. Out of the different strategies for emissions reductions we believe that increasing nuclear power two fold to decrease coal use, driving 2 billion cars 5,000 miles a year instead of 10,000 miles a year and increasing solar power 700 fold to decrease coal use, in addition to stoping all deforestation. Stopping all deforestation would not only help to mitigate carbon emissions but also save animals from extinction. In addition reducing the amount of miles we drive is possible for each individual as opposed to the other wedges that need to be adopted by corporations and companies in order to pay for solar power and wind power producing technologies.
ReplyDeleteGroup 1
ReplyDeleteWedge 14, Stop all deforestation, is important because deforestation reduces the amount of trees in the environment for the production of factories that uses and produces fuel and other sources that contribute to greenhouse gases that add to climate change. Likewise, the lack of trees threatens the oxygen humans receive. While it would be impossible to end all deforestation, it is important to address the need for more planting of trees to combat against the cutting and the forest fires that are reducing the tree population.
Wedge 11
Solar energy is important because we need to find alternative and natural energy sources that won't add to the pollution levels that the environment is currently facing. Solar energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions and releases far less carbon dioxide emissions than coal. A decrease in coal would have a significant impact on climate change. Many factories are using coal currently and the emissions are having a negative effect on the climate. A move to clean solar energy would significantly help in the fight against climate change. Production is not going away but using a cleaner energy alternative should be taken seriously.