GHE, albedo, renewable energy

how the greenhouse effect works

gases in the atmosphere trap heat that is radiating down from the sun. The trapped heat warms up the atmosphere acting as a greenhouse.

examples of Greenhouse gases

CO2 (carbon dioxide) CH4 (methane) N2O (nitris oxide)

why it is essential for life

the greenhouse effect is what makes Earth livable

what does Albedo measure 

how much sunlight is reflected or absorbed by light and dark surfaces

albedo scale

a scale from 0 to 1, where 1 is total reflection and 0 is no reflection. High albedo surfaces like fresh snow (around 0.9) reflect most sunlight, while low albedo surfaces like oceans (around 0.06) absorb most of it.

high vs low albedo

high albedo is when a surface reflects most of the sunlight resulting in a cooler temperature, low albedo is when a surface absorbs most of the sunlight resulting in a warmer temperature.

feedback loops in the Arctic 

ice-albedo effect and permafrost thaw: ice melts, it exposes darker surfaces that absorb more solar heat, causing further melting. Simultaneously, warming thaws permafrost, releasing potent greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide, which traps more heat and intensifies warming. 

types of renewable energy

solar, wind, hydropower, hydro (tidal) biomass, geothermal

solar energy

sunlight is collected on solar panels and that energy is transmitted to a generator that powers things

solar pros and cons

pros: clean, renewable resource that can lead to long-term savings on electricity bills and increases energy independence

cons: high initial cost of installation, dependence on sunlight which can be affected by weather and location, and limitations on where it can be installed

wind power

the wind blows and spins the turbines on the windmills and that harnesses energy created by the turbine

wind pros and cons

pros: free, renewable, and clean power source with low operating costs and minimal greenhouse gas emissions

cons: inconsistency of wind, high initial setup costs, negative impacts on wildlife, potential noise and visual pollution, and the challenge of recycling turbine components, particularly the blades. 

hydro power

electricity generated from the force of moving water, by using a dam or diversion to control water flow, which spins a turbine connected to a generator to produce electricity

hydro pros and cons

pros: being a renewable, low-emission, and reliable power source with low operating costs and multiple uses like flood control

cons: high initial construction costs, significant environmental impacts from damming rivers, and dependency on water availability, which can be affected by drought. 

hydroelectric tidal 

It is powered by the rising and low tides. When the tide rises, the water spins a turbine. Then the water is trapped behind a dam. When the tide is low, the water is released back to the ocean, which converts more energy into electricity

pros and cons

pros:

• Hardly any pollution

• Renewable

• Sustainable 

• Predictable

cons: restriction on where it can be built, the water has to be at least 5 meters high, and the tide is inconsistent

biomass

energy derived from organic matter, such as plants, agricultural and forest residues, and waste. It can be converted into usable energy through direct combustion, chemical processes, or biological conversion, and is used to generate heat, electricity, or liquid biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel

biomass pros and cons

pros: can help with waste management and reduce fossil fuel dependence

cons: high land and water use, potential for deforestation, air pollution from combustion, and high costs associated with collection, transportation, and processing. 

geothermal

heat from the Earth's interior used for heating, cooling, and electricity generation. It can be accessed by drilling deep wells to tap into steam and hot water reservoirs for large-scale power plants, or by using shallow ground temperatures with geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling buildings.

geothermal pros and cons

pros: renewable, reliable, and clean nature, with low emissions and small land use, while its cons are high upfront costs and geographical limitations. It is a sustainable energy source that provides consistent power with minimal environmental impact

cons: specific geological locations, and the initial investment for power plants or home systems is expensive.