Aug

Ecopedia part 5

By Tim

Degradable
Material that will undergo a process of deterioration or breaking-up by the action of natural forces (air, light, water) or by the addition of certain chemicals.

Energy Efficiency
“An important strategy for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is improving energy efficiency (that is, getting more use out of the electricity we already generate). Energy efficiency measures such as advanced industrial processes and high-efficiency motors, lighting, and appliances have the potential to provide significant reductions in electricity use while saving consumers money in the long run.” - Union of Concerned Scientists

By making anything that uses fuel energy efficient, you’ve found one of the best ways to use current technologies to help battle global warming and climate change. Energy efficiency is good for the environment because it enables us to burn less fuel and release less carbon into the atmosphere while concurrently utilizing more energy. As something becomes more efficient, the amount of money required to power it decreases. Therefore, the more energy efficient your house is, the less you will spend on energy bills.

Environmentalist
An environmentalist is a person concerned with the protection and preservation of the natural environment.

Environmental Protection Agency EPA
The EPA is the United States Environmental Protection Agency which leads the nation’s environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working towards a cleaner, healthier environment.

Ethanol
Ethanol refers to ethyl alcohol, which can be used as a fuel. Ethanol has been used by mankind since prehistory as the intoxicating ingredient of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol fuel can be derived from the starches and sugars in common crops like corn and sugarcane, and is considered a potential alternative to gasoline. Presently, some cars run on ethanol or ethanol-gasoline mixtures but it is not available at most fueling stations. Ethanol-based fuels are typically cheaper than standard gasoline, but due to its lower energy content, ethanol has inferior fuel economy in comparison to gasoline.

e-waste
Any discarded electronic appliance which contains parts made from hazardous materials and nee to be disposed of properly. If not, they can leak chemicals into the earth or create toxic air pollution if incinerated

Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, including natural gas, oil and coal, are non-renewable sources of energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because they take millions of years to form, and reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones are being formed. Once we’ve exhausted all of the fossil fuels in the Earth, these fuels cannot be replaced. A global movement toward a generation of renewable energy is in progress to help meet increased energy needs.

Electricity produced by fossil fuel is the greatest source of air pollution in the U.S. and is one of the dominant causes of global warming and climate change.

Global Warming
Global warming refers to the documented historical warming of the Earth’s surface based upon universal temperature records that have been maintained by humans since the 1880s.
Global warming originates from the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which remain in our atmosphere for years and trap heat. A low level of these gases exists naturally in our atmosphere - they are what make a “greenhouse” out of the Earth and what make it a habitable planet. However, now we have Global Warming because there are too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This disparity is due to human behavior such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

The most obvious effects of global warming are evidenced by the melting polar ice caps and rising sea levels across the earth. This threatens aquatic ecosystems, but it also threatens human life as sea levels rise and coasts erode. If this trend continues, Global Warming could lead to the obliteration of coastlines around the globe.

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