Topic 7: Climate Change and Energy Production

solar PV panels

solar cells and semiconductive that are connected together to make panels

solar thermal panels

the heat from solar radiation can heat water in pipes for domestic use

biofuels

renewable fuels from organic material that can be burnt to from energy

hydropwer

using the gravitational flow of water to turn turbines for energy generation

wind turbines

wind turns turbines that generate energy

geothermal energy

harnessing the heat under the eath’’s surface by heating water that is poured into pipes that down into the crust and the steam comes out the other end of the pipe to turn a turbine for energy generation

nuclear fission

energy release when an atom’s nucleus is split into two

short wavelength radiation

visible light, UV that can pass through the earth atmosphere

long wavelength radiation

infrared radiation that is reflected by the earth’s surface but is contained by the atmosphere

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

scientists, politicians and other interested parties are put in one of three groups for discussion

1. scientific aspects of the climate system and climate change

2. the consequences an response of society to climate change

3. options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

geo-engineering

the feasibility of carbon removal techniques such afforestation, reforestation, carbon capture, the reflection of solar radiation back into the atmosphere

agroforestry

the deliberate integration of trees and shrubs into farming

soil carbon sequestration

long term storage of carbon in natural storages such a oceans, forests, peat bogs, soils, vegetation and geological structures

mitigation

preventing the pollution from contributing to climate change

adaptation

the changes in behaviour to accommodate themselves to the changes that climate change brings

carbon permits

the trading of permits that allow for a certain amount of emissions

paris agreement

agreed to limit climate change to +2 degrees above the earth average global temperature but recommended to limit it to +1.5 degreed