Transcript IMAGINE THERE’S NO WASTE…

IMAGINE THERE’S
NO WASTE…
IT’S EASY IF
YOU TRY!
The topic of the Comenius project of this year has given us the possibility to reflect on
the CO2 production which we are responsible of. We said that any of us can begin an useful
process towards a world change….well: this is true!!
Since any of us is responsible for 10 tons of annual CO2 emission (the same emissions that
are producing catastrophic changes on our planet); it is clear that any of us might also
reduce them. Therefore doing that we could probably avoid the total destruction of our
beautiful Earth that in spite of everything has still great things to give us.
• THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
• THE CAUSES OF THE GREENHOUSE
EFFECT
• THE PROTOCOL OF KYOTO
• “NOT SO BRIGHT”
• DATA CONCERNING AIR POLLUTION
MOST POLLUTED CITIES
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
-WHAT IS IT?
The greenhouse effect is the result of the presence of an atmosphere around a planet.
The atmosphere absorbs part of the infra-red rays emitted by the ground warmed by the
radiation received by the star.
The name comes from the similarity with what happens in the greenhouses used for
farming, although the basic process is different.
In this situation,part of the radiation beamed by the ground is absorbed by the
atmosphere and beamed again in all directions,then part of it is also emitted towards
the ground.
This implies that the radiative equilibrium establishes around a higher temperature than
the one that would establish without the atmosphere.
The solar radiation has a powerful ultraviolet factor that reaches the soil where it’s
absorbed and beamed again in part with a different wavelength:this is the infra-red
wavelength,that,being less powerful than the ultraviolet one,can’t pass through the
troposphere and so remains trapped.
Infact the earth atmosphere isn’t “transparent” to the infra-red rays; therefore only the
6% of the radiation reflected by the ground can disperse in the cosmos.
This causes a progressively growing heating of the earth’s surface.
The remaining part of the radiation is absorbed and heats the atmosphere,which riemits
energy in exchange so the temperature of the ground increases this way if the quantity of
dispersed radiation compensates the one received by the Sun.
The greenhouse effect enables the earth to have an average temperature higher than the
water freezing point,so it allows life far as we know it.
In the solar system,this phenomenon has also been observed on Mars,Venus and Titan. The
elements that determine the greenhouse effect,called gas carbons,are mainly water
vapour,carbonic anhydride (CO2),methane (CH4),nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3)
which are able to absorb the solar radiation once “bounced” on the earth’s surface.
There are also gases of anthropic origin such as alocarbides and many other
molecules,which contain chlorine and fluorine that are harmful for the ozone stratospheric
layer.
Halogenated gases are issued in vey small quantity in comparison to CO2,CH4 and N2O but
they can have a very long life and the strong effect because they have a higher radiative
intensity,from 3000 to 13000 times superior to the carbon dioxide one.
The combination of this two characteristics has been called Global Warming Potential
(GWP).
The GWP is a measure of the contribution of a certain gas carbon to the global warming as
for CO2.
The GWPs are calculated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and are used
as factors of conversion to calculate the gas carbon emissions in equivalent issues of CO2.
This is a quantitative representation of the existing
energies:
CAUSES OF THE EARTH’S
HEAT
AVERAGE IRRADIATION
(Watt/m )
Natural greenhouse effect
170
Anthropic greenhouse effect
2,0
Solar irradiation
Volcanic geothermy
0,25
0,20
THE CAUSES OF THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT
The increase in gas carbons is due to causes connected to human activities.
The progressive heating is in great measure caused by the predominant energetic model:
80% of the carbonic anhydride emissions,the main gas carbon,comes from the combustion
of coal,petroleum and methane.therefore from the activities of thermoelectric power
plants,from the industrial fumes and the car outpourings.
Infact the use of fossil fuels (since the development of industries) that has dented the
geological carbon stocks,and the higher methane production due to the increase in
rearing and of the submerged cultivations (for instance rice),have determined a hike
in the concentration of gas carbons.
Also the nitrogen fertilizers used in agriculture are responsible for great part of the
nitrogen oxide emissions.
The clorofluorocarbons,whose production is decreasing,are responsible for the destruction
of the ozone layer; finally,the last accused is deforestation,which proceeds at the
rhythm of a football pitch per second in the tropical forests.In fact trees act as
carbon accumulators,so the quantity of carbonic anhydride emitted in the air increases
a bit for each hectare of burnt forest.
As for the part of “blame” of each country,a significant date is that more than half of the
gas carbons emissions comes from developed countries: United States,European
Union,Canada,Japan,Australia,where only a fifth of the world population lives;
but also the developing countries are performing an important role: China is immediately
after the USA as for the quantity of gas carbons emitted.
Incidence of some gases on the greenhouse effect:
GAS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Carbon monoxide (CO)
No incidence
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
High incidence
Methane (CH4)
High incidence
Nitrog
en monoxide (NO)
No incidence
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Low incidence
Ozone (O3)
High incidence
THE PROTOCOL OF KYOTO
The Protocol of Kyoto is an international treaty signed in the Japanese city on 11 December
1997 by more than 160 countries. In February 2005 became effective, after being
ratified by part of Russia.
Terms and conditions
the treaty provides for the obligation for the industrialized countries to operate a
drastic reduction of the emissions of polluting elements (dioxide of carbon and other
five greenhouse gases, nitrogen methane, oxide, idrofluorocarburi, perfluorocarburi
and esafluoro of sulfur) on a rate not inferior to 5.2% if compared to the emissions
respectivly recorded in 1990. the treaty could be declared effective only when ratified
by not less than 55 signing nations, on condition that the same nations were responsible
for at least 55% of the polluting emission.
Objectives
the protocol proposes a series of actions:
- to strengthen or to institute a national policy of reduction of the emissions
(improvement of the energetic efficiency, promotion of supportable standards of
agriculture, development of renewable sources of energy)
- to cooperate with the others (exchanges of experiences or information).
Joining countries
In November 2001 was held the Conference of Marrakech where 40 Countries
subscribed the treaty. the adhesion of Russia it is considered important since this
country alone produces 17.6% of the emissions.
Not subsribing countries
Among the countries which refused to join the treaty there is the United States,
responsible for 36.1% of total emissions (announcement made in March 2001).
President Clinton had signed the Protocol during the last months of its mandate, but
George W. Bush, soon after his election, withdrew the American subscription. Some
states and great American municipalities, like Chicago and Los Angeles, are studying
the possibility to apply for the treaty at a local level. Also Australia has announced
that it does not mean to join the agreement, in order not to damage industrial
investments. Also Croatia, Kazakistan and Monaco have not joined the treaty.
Italy
Our Country belongs to the group of the Nations included in Annexed B of the Protocol
of Kyoto (1997). The objective of reduction of greenhouse gases indicated in the
Protocol is fixed to a percentage of 8% (that is the same percentage indicated for all
the EU). Inside the community, in June 1998, the reduction percentage for each
country has been estamblished, 6,5% for Italy with the precise aim to encourage a
reduction of the anthropogenic gas emissions.
Annexed B (Protocol Of Kyoto, 1997)
Parts
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria*
Canada
Croazia*
Denmark
Estonia*
Russa federation*
Finland
France
Germany
Japan
Greece
Ireland
Island
Italy
Lettonia*
Liechtenstein
Lituania*
Lussemburgo
Monaco
Norway
New Zeland
Nederland
Polonia*
Portugal
quantified limitation of the emissions (percentage on
annual basis)
108
92
92
92
94
95
92
92
100
92
92
92
94
92
92
110
92
92
92
92
92
92
101
100
92
94
92
United Kingdom and Ireland of the North
92
Czech Republic*
Romania*
Slovacchia*
Slovenia*
Spain
United states of America
92
92
92
92
92
93
Sweden
Switzerland
Ucraina*
Ungheria*
Europe Union
92
92
100
94
92
*countries that are undertaking the transition process towards a market economy
In the following table, extracted from a CIPE RESOLUTION and
OFFICIALLY published in the G.U n. 33 of 10-2-99, are characterized
the national actions and the correspondent expressed readuction
objectives in Mt CO2:National actions for the reduction of the gas
emissions to greenhouse effect.
Readuction objectives
Actions
Mt CO2
2002
Mt CO2
2006
Mt CO2
2008-2012
Increase of efficiency of the park electrical
worker
-4/5
-10/12
-20/23
Reduction of the energetic consumptions in
transport
-4/6
-9/11
-18/21
Production of energy from renewable sources
-4/5
-7/9
-18/20
Reduction of the energetic consumptions in
industrial/inhabited/tertiary sectors
-6/7
-12/14
-24/29
Reduction of the emissions in not energetic
sectors
-2
-7/9
-15/19
-
-
-(0,7)
-20/25
-45/55
-95/112
Absorption of the emissions of CO2 from forests
TOTAL
HEALTH, MONUMENTS, HOUSES, WORK: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SNOB
KYOTO?
TEN YEARS AGO THE GREENHOUSE GAS AGREEMENT. IT HAS NEVER BEEN
APPLIED.
The Kyoto Protocol, which was approved ten years ago, became effective on the 16th February
2005.
Italy, which within 2012 was interested in a 6,5% reduction of CO2 emission with respect to
1990 emissions, showed a 12-13% increase.
INDUSTRY: for every CO2 ton diffused in the atmosphere, Italian industries have to pay €20
according to Kyoto sanctions.
HEALTH: because of smog, Italy pays about 4,5 billion euros every year. The annual expence
supported by the health public system is about 2,5 billion euros.
TRAFFIC: congested cities cost €2.3/km. Road transport costs about 8 billions altogether.
ART: Italy has to pay 500 million yearly for monuments damaged by pollution.
DROUGHT: in Italy 40% of drinking water is wasted yearly. It costs 2,2 billion euros.
“NOT SO BRIGHT”
For the third consecutive year a wireless initiative lanches for 16 February
2007 “M' illumino di meno”, the energy saving national day, which has
become international this year. After the success of the past editions
Massimo Cirri and Filippo Solibello asked the listeners to demonstrate how
saving is a concrete and real possibility to get over the energy problems
that worry our country and the other nations of the planet. The invitation
addressed to everybody was to turn off the lights and all not strictly
necessary electric appliances on 16 February 2007 at 18.00. Simple citizens,
school, companies, museums, multinational groups, sport groups, scout
groups, institutions, voluntary organisation, university, cral companies,
traders and craftsmen together to demonstrate that to reduce waist of
energy is possible. In particular a lot of restaurants organized candle-lit
dinners, while the local administrations will gave the most spectacular view
to the initiative making symbolic turning off in great Italian public squares
and in the most important monuments (an example the Arena of Verona, the
Milan cathedral, the Antonelliana tower of Turin, Palazzo Vecchio in
Florence, the public squares in Catania, Bari, Bologna, Palermo and many
others).
AT SCHOOL OF ENERGETIC SAVING OF VARESE, THE
FIRST “ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL” OF SIMONE
CERIOTTI
If you want to save electric power you can: you should only extinguish the light. It is
the lesson which comes from one small high school in Laveno Mombello near Varese.
The environmental high school, inaugurated a year ago, has been involved with all its
students, teachers and staff in a plan of energetic saving that brought in a few days
to the halving in the consumption. It is a result that was achieved paying attention
to the meter and switching on “artificial” lights only when needed. << We are started
by community’s concept- Ferruccio Jarach explains, an engineer and a mathematical
teacher- our problem was not to diffuse a knowledge on energetic saving: we want to
find a way to save energy. We are working with a group of students, the “energetic
squad”; they have observed for a week the behaviour of all the people in the school,
to study the waste. The second step has been to convince teachers, staff and
secretaries to join the plan and pay attention to the lights. Now we have appointed a
“guard of the lights” in every classroom and in a week the consumption has
decreased from 210 kwh to 100kwh. So less than 53%, without sacrifices. This
means that the cost have been cut. All the students have demonstrated interest for
the initiative, on of them, Luca Contini which attends the second year, was the most
engaged in this challenge. When I arrived at school the first thig that I do, is to
look at the electricity meter and read it. After this experience, I have convinced my
family to pay attention ay home, for example turning off the television led. The guys
of Laveno Mombello have invented the slogan “ to halve is possible”.
DOMESTIC ELECTRIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Electrical appliance
% energetic
consumption
Boiler
20
Refrigeretor
18
Lighting system
15
Washing machine
13
Television
11
Dish washer machine
4
Oven
4
Other
15
Electrical
appliance
Advice
Annual €
Saving
Annual
CO2
Saving
Boiler
Use it for
8 night
hours
641
2135 kg
Lighting
system
Use five
20W
bulbs
53
175 kg
Washing
machine
Two 40°
cycles a
week
222
750 kg
Television
Turn off
after
using
24
79 kg
The temperature might be set at 20 degrees at day-time
and 16 degrees at night.
AIR-CONDITIONER: it is advisable to set it at a temperatures 4-5 degrees lower than
outside.
TELEVISION: it is advisable to buy television about 14 inches and don’t leave televisions or
computers
in a stand-by position:eletrical equipment can save up to 10% energy when
disconnected.
OVEN: it is advisable to turn off the oven before baking is completed; that allows to avoid
overworring.
BOILER: it is recommended to reduce the working-time and to purchase two smaller
apparatuses if it
both kitchen and bath as much as possible must be fed.
LIGHTING SYSTEM: it is advisable to use light bulbs that have a higher cost lowenergy, but
a
ten-fold gonger life.
WASHING and DISH WASHER MACHINE: it is recommended to use it fully loaded at lowmedium
temperatures and cutting off any drying program.
REFRIGERATOR and FREEZER: it is advisable not to keep the doors open for a long time, not
to
introduce hot food and not lower the temperature
excessively.
HEATING SYSTEM: the radiators must be placed under the windows, or against an external
wall.
They don’t have to be covered with curtains or furniture.
The temperature should be regular on 20 degrees by day and 16 degrees
by night.
DATA CONCERNING AIR POLLUTION
MOST POLLUTED CITIES
“Atmospheric pollution” it is an expression that indicates modify the natural characteristics of the armosphere.
Today we esteem that the seven most polluted cities in the world, from the atmospheric point of view, are Mexico
City, Beijing, The Cairo, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Saint Paul and Moscow.
One of the main pollution sources is traffic, domestic heating and agriculture.
Cars produce more than 90% of emission.
In some cases, the emissions coming from diffuse saurces exceed the emission coming from high industrialised
systems.
This fact happens expecially for copper, whose annual emissions, which are produced by means of road trasport, have
been equivalent to 260 tons, almost the double of 136 tons coming from the industrial system.
The annual CO2 emissions reach 500 milion tons.
STATES
% CO2 EMISSIONS
Usa
19%
China
11.9%
Japan
9.4%
Germany
3.9%
India
3.4%
Africa
3.2%
South America
2.7%
United Kingdom
2.5%
Canada
1.8%
Italy
1.8%
Oceania
1.3%
C o nsump t io ns
250
200
150
Met er Relevament
Ext ra-scholast ic Consumpt ion
Scholast ic Consumpt ion
100
50
0
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
5/ 3/ 2007
6/ 3/ 2007
7/ 3/ 2007
8/ 3/ 2007
8,30
13,30
Friday 9/ 3/ 2007
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
Sat urday
Sunday
Monday
10/ 3/ 2007
11/ 3/ 2007
12/ 3/ 2007
Daily Consumption
45
40
35
30
Extra-scholastic Consumption
25
Scholastic Consumption
20
Daily Consumption
15
10
5
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
13,30
8,30
0
Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Monday
5/3/2007 6/3/2007 7/3/2007 8/3/2007 9/3/2007 10/3/200711/3/2007 12/3/2007
Day
Daily
Consumption
(Kwhe)
Co2 Production
Monday
5/3/2007
33
19.14
Tuesday
6/3/2007
39
22.62
Wednesday
7/3/2007
37
21.46
Thursday
8/3/2007
35
20.3
Friday
9/3/2007
16
9.28
Saturday
10/3/2007
39.6
22.968
Sunday
11/3/2007
33.6
19.488
35
30
Monday
12/3/2007
14
8.12
Daily Consumption (Kwhe)
45
40
25
Daily Consumption (Kw he)
20
15
10
5
M
on
da
y5
/3
/2
Tu
00
7
es
da
y6
/3
W
/2
ed
00
ne
7
sd
ay
7/
3/
20
Th
07
ur
sd
ay
8/
3/
20
07
Fr
id
ay
9/
3/
Sa
20
07
tu
rd
ay
10
/3
/2
Su
00
nd
7
ay
11
/3
/2
M
00
on
7
da
y1
2/
3/
20
07
0
Light Points On
420
400
380
360
340
320
300
280
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
8,30
11,30
Monday
5/03
Tuesday
6/03
Wednesday
7/03
Thursday
8/03
Friday 9/03
Saturday
10/03
Sunday
11/03
Monday
12/03
8,30
225
347
307
170
225
241
32
223
11,30
239
373
373
245
249
241
32
247
DATA ANALYSIS:
For one week (from Monday 5/3 to Monday 12/3 ) we have gathered data
regarding the number of light-spots (each one including 4 neon lights) lit up in our
institute LICEO MACHIAVELLI.
The survey was done in two different moments in the morning: at 8,30 a.m. and
at 11,30 a.m. (at break time).
The total number of light-spots taken into consideration was 420 . In diagrams
included here you can notice the differences between the various days of the week
related to weather conditions.
As you can notice from the diagram data on Thursday, which was a sunny day, at
11,30 there was a real waste because the number of light-spots was superior to
8,30.
The school staff informed us that on Sunday the number of light-spots switched
on in the hall was 24 (out of 24) and there were additional 8 light-spots
switched on in each of the eight corridors.
We can all contribute in contrasting the climatic change. However we also have the
responsibility of not operating only individually, but trying to change the collective
behaviour and persuade friends, parents and teachers. If we act together wee can
determinate a positive change for the future.
Sources:
-www.la220.it
-www.caterpillar.rai.it
-daily newspaper “La Repubblica”
-www.wwf.com
By IIIB