Radical Technologies
new approaches using state of the art technology which aim to reduce carbon emissions in the near future.
the radical technologies being used
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Electric Cars
Carbon Capture
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, but usually combined with other elements.
- Once separate it provides an alternative to oil.
- Using it in a hydrogen engine in a car produces no pollution, just water as a waste product, making it more efficient than petrol or diesel.
- Separating hydrogen from other elements requires energy, which could be provided from renewable sources.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells - Examples:
Toyota developed a car with a range of 270 miles, which went on sale in California in 2015.
Since the 1970s, NASA has used liquid hydrogen to propel space shuttles and other rockets into orbit.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Advantages
It’s not going to run out
Produces no pollution – if renewables are used.
Could reduce dependence on fossil fuels for transport
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Disadvantages
Requires a large amount of energy to separate elements.
Water vapour is considered a greenhouse gas, so an increase in water vapour could lead to an increase in temperatures.
If renewable sources aren’t available then fossil fuels may be needed to separate the different elements.
Electric Vehicles
- An electric car uses electric motors, using energy from rechargeable batteries.
- A charging station, either at home and in public areas are then used to charge these batteries.
- Electric vehicles range from 62-340 miles depending on battery capacity and linked technologies.
- They are potentially suited to urban environments, helping reduce city air pollution as their range can be limited.
- They produce zero emissions and virtually no noise pollution.
- They are cheaper to run than a normal car due to low maintenance.
- However they are more expensive to buy as well as being a potentially hazard to pedestrians because they are so quiet.
Electric Vehicles e.g
The Tesla Model 3 was the world’s best selling electric vehicle from 2018 to 2019 and had a maximum range of 310 miles.
According to Zap-Map in April 2016 there were 3,919 public charging locations in the UK which had to serve over 60,000 registered electric vehicles, with London having nearly 20% of these charging points compared to Wales who had 3%.
Electric Vehicles Advantages
Cheaper to run than a petrol/diesel car
Produces no pollution.
Could reduce dependence on fossil fuels for transport.
Massively reduced noise pollution compared to a petrol/diesel car.
Electric Vehicles Disadvantages
Expensive to buy due to the technology
Charging times are improving but can take a while for a full charge.
The quietness could be a hazard to pedestrians
The ‘greenness’ of an electric vehicle depends on the energy profile of the country e.g. using renewables or non-renewables for charging.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- A system that collects CO2 emissions from fixed points such as power plants, then transports the gas and injects it into a suitable geological structure (over 800m below ground).
- CCS could cut global CO2 emissions by 19% and could extend the use of fossil fuels as well as encourage greater efficiency.
- However it’s expensive as there is complex technology involved and it isn’t certain whether the CO2 will stay trapped underground as it may leak as well as potentially cause earthquakes because of the pressure
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Examples:
Canada opened the first coal-fired power plant with CCS in 2014 at a cost of US$1.3 billion. It reduces emissions by 90%.
Carbon Engineering (video)
Alternatives’ =
renewable/recyclable/radical
‘Energy Security’
accessing reliable and affordable energy sources
Regional Changes of Forest Area
Tropical forests have lost half of their area since the 1960s, particularly in Africa and South America.
Indonesia has overtaken Brazil in terms of the rate of deforestation. Around 25% of the rainforest has been cleared or burnt in 25 years for palm oil and logging.
Temperate forests (e.g. in the UK and USA) have a long history of exploitation: 90% was deforested by the 19th century.
Boreal forests have been increasingly threatened since the mid-20th century e.g. by oil and tar sands production in Russia and Canada.
Human activities
The terrestrial biosphere sequesters/stores about ¼ of CO2 emissions annually, directly slowing down global warming.
Growing demands for food, fuel and other resources have led to contrasting regional trends of land conversion.
This land conversion changes the land from a natural ecosystem to an alternative use, which usually reduces carbon and water stores as well as soil health.
Human activities e.g
Deforestation of temperate, boreal and tropical forest
Afforestation
Grassland conversation
Deforestation
By 2015 30% of all global forest cover had been cleared, 20% degraded and the rest fragmented
13 million hectares of land are deforested annually (36 football fields a minute).
Forests cover 30% of earths surface but only 15% are natura
50% of all deforestation is for soy, palm oil, beef and paper production
The main driver of deforestation,
- is the increasing demand for commodity production.
- Half of all current deforestation is for soy, palm oil, beef and paper production.
- Other causes of land conversion are: dams and reservoirs, infrastructure and opencast mining.
The common method of either large tract or small plot deforestation is by
burning trees by two methods: Clear cutting removes all primary forest, while slash-and-burn agriculture eventually allows growth of secondary forest.
Impact of defrestation on:
Impact on water cycle
- Reduced intercepted rainfall storage by plants; infiltration to soil and groundwater changes.
- Increased raindrop erosion and surface run-off, with more sediment eroded and transported into rivers.
- Increased local ‘downwind’ aridity from loss of ecosystem input into water cycle through evapotranspiration.
Impact of defrestation on: Impact on carbon cycle
- Reduction in storage in soil and biomass, especially above ground.
- Reduction of CO2 intake through photosynthesis flux.
- Increased carbon influx to atmosphere by burning and decomposing vegetation.
Causes:
50% of all deforestation is for soy, palm oil, beef and paper production.
Dams and reservoirs.
Infrastructure.
Open cast mining for rare minerals.
Deforestation in Madagascar
Since the 1950s Madagascar’s forests have been deforested at a rapid rate.
This is due to an expanding population, growing demand for hardwoods and debt repayments.
The Madagascan government encouraged farmers to clear more land to grow cash crops.
Before 1950 there were 11.6 million hectares of tropical forest but by 1985 it had reduced down to 3.8 million hectares.
