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The Impact of Global Warming on the State of Texas

Steven Huynh

Department of Chemical Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin

November 24, 2008

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Presentation Outline

Introduction Effects of Global Warming on the State of Texas

Sea Rise Temperature Rise

Possible Solutions Wind Energy Transportation

Future Research and Development Conclusions

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What is Global Warming?

Global warming is the heating of the Earth’s surface due to the trapping of thermal infrared radiation by greenhouse gases.

More radiation is being trapped due to the increased number of greenhouse gases caused by human activities.

Image from www.terradaily.com, June 26, 2006.

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The State of Texas

2nd largest state by area and population

Diverse economic portfolio Processes 27% of the total

number of barrels of oil used per day

Leads in nation in livestock production

Possesses large amounts of natural resources

Images from Flicker.com

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Effects of Sea Level Rise

Many species could be destroyed due to salt water intrusion.

Many businesses could be lost due to damages.

Image from Washington Post, 2005.

Image from Flicker.com, October 20, 2007.

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One Foot Sea Rise

Images from Environmental Defense Fund, August 27, 2007

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10 Foot Sea Rise

Images from Environmental Defense Fund, August 27, 2007

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Effects of Temperature Rise

Increase in number and length of heat waves

Decrease in precipitation

Increase in harmful diseases

Image from www.justritepestcontrol.com, 2002.

Image from staffwww.fullcoll.edu, 2002.

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Wind Energy Solution

Texas currently is the nation’s leader in installed wind energy capacity.

An estimated amount of 8.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution per year is averted through wind power.

One disadvantage of wind energy is transporting the energy to populated areas.

Image from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, May 11, 2004.

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Transportation Solution

Encourage the development and sale of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)

Average approximately twice the fuel economy than a conventional vehicle and 30% to 50% better fuel economy than a standard hybrid

Image from Environment America Research & Policy Center, June 2008.

Contains a low charge capacity for long range trips

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Transportation Solution

Using a light rail system similar to the system in place in Dallas, Texas can help reduce greenhouse emissions caused by automobiles.

In 2006, the Dallas light rail reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 144k metric tons while saving the city more than 20.5 million gallons of oil.

There a few technological disadvantages of a light rail system. Installation of the system Raising support of using the light rail system

12 Image from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, May 11, 2004.

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Future Research and Development

Research and development is not a responsibility of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Control (IPCC), R&D is done by private groups.

Groups that do research can be sponsored by the government or from private institutions. The U.S. Global Change Research Program

(USGCRP) Global Warming Research Program

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Conclusions

Steps need to be taken to reduce the effects of global warming. Greenhouse gas reductions Governmental policies

The IPCC concluded that “the longer emissions continue at present-day rates, greater reductions would have to be made for concentrations to stabilize at a given level.”

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References Bolivar Peninsula Picture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Flickr Web site:

http://www.flickr.com Global Warming. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/

Global_warming Global Warming Solutions that Work. (2008, June). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from

Environment America Research & Policy Center Web site: http://www.pennenvironment.org/ uploads/ sE/ SM/ sESMMOvwT2M51ORMB6tXtg/ Global-Warming-Solutions-that-Work.pdf

Refinery Picture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2008, from Flickr Web site: http://www.flickr.com Renewable Energy Development in Texas. (2004, May 11). Retrieved November 11, 2008, from

Public Utility Commission of Texas Web site: http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ about/ commissioners/ parsley/ present/ epp/ sbc_renew051104.pdf

Texas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Texas Texas Almanac. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from http://www.texasalmanac.com/

environment/ Wind Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Wikipedia Web site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Wind_energy Wind Power in Texas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2008, from Wikipedia Web site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Wind_power_in_Texas