Mosquitoes in particular are highly sensitive to temperature. The mosquitoes that can carry malaria (Anopheline spp.) generally do not develop or breed below about 16° C, and the variety that transmits dengue fever (Aedes aegypti) is limited by winter temperatures below 10° C.
Contents contributed and discussions participated by bmoran
Early Warning Signs of Global Warming: Spreading Disease - 0 views
-
-
Warmer global temperatures will allow an expansion of the geographic range within which both the mosquito and parasite could survive with sufficient abundance for sustained transmission. Model predictions indicate that a 3° C global temperature rise by 2100 could increase the number of annual malaria cases by 50-80 million (not considering factors such as local control measures or health services)
Alternative fuel vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views
-
This page gives a brief overview of the main types of alternative fuel vehicles currently in research and production.
Greenfreeze and solar chill | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
When the dramatic discovery of the ozone hole in 1986 forced the banning of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), the refrigeration industry switched to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HCFC¹s are also ozone depleting substances but less so than CFCs. Meanwhile, both HCFCs and HFCs are potent greenhouse gasses.
-
Greenfreeze uses hydrocarbons as the blowing agent for the insulation foam and for the refrigerant. Hydrocarbons are completely ozone friendly, and used in refrigeration have minimal global warming impact.Hydrocarbon technology is not dependent on patented foaming agents and refrigerants. The operating costs are lower, and the maintenance is easier than with HCFC or HFC technology.
Governments | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
Industrialised nations are responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions - both today and historically. In the past, economic progress was linked directly to carbon dioxide emissions (via the burning of oil, coal and gas to generate energy). Renewable energy sources change this, but only a small number of nations have begun to implement them in earnest.
-
Two billion people – one third of the world's population – have no access to electricity for basic needs such as lighting or cooking. Getting people the clean and reliable energy necessary for essential needs such as clean water, health care facilities, heating and lighting is one of the most pressing problems facing humanity today.
-
Industrialised nations have the capital, resources and expertise to jump-start their renewable energy industries. Obviously, countries with advanced space programs, established higher educational systems and abundant cash for investment are better positioned to implement these new energy technologies then countries still struggling with basic energy needs.
The Ozone Layer and Climate Change - Global Issues - 0 views
-
CFC's may not be the only thing that can destroy the ozone layer...
Global Warming and Population - Global Issues - 0 views
-
Population and Climate ChangeA “Malthusian” theory about the relationship between population growth and the environment suggests that as populations grow, they will strip their resources leading to famine, hunger and environmental degradation.As detailed further in this site’s section on population, that is an oversimplification and has largely shown not to be true. Instead, it has been factors such as politics and economics (i.e. how we use our resources and for what purpose) that has determined environmental degradation or sustainability.For example, the world’s wealthiest 20% (i.e. the rich countries) consume approximately 80% of the world’s resources, while the rest of humanity shares the other 20% of resource consumed, as noted in the consumption section of this web site.In regards to climate change, countries with large populations such as China and India have not been the countries contributing greenhouse gases for the decades that has been required to trigger climate change, as noted further above.While in total amounts their emissions might be high (China is second largest emitter after the United States, for example), per person, their emissions are significantly smaller as noted earlier.
-
as countries such as China, India and Brazil grow in prosperity, there will be large populations with purchasing power, consuming more goods and services, thus making more demands on the planet.Indeed, many environmentalists have constantly noted that if such countries were to follow the style of development that the rich countries used and emulate them, then our planet may not be able to cope much longer.
-
researchers have found that depending on what variables you factor in, the planet can support an extremely large population, or an extremely small one. These ranges are ridiculously wide: from 2 billion to 147 billion people! Why such variance? It depends on how efficiently resources are used and for what purpose (i.e. economics).
-
This article shows that overpopulation isn't really a problem IF we learn to use our resources effectively.
Carbon Sinks, Forests and Climate Change - Global Issues - 0 views
-
Over the past 150 years, deforestation has contributed an estimated 30 percent of the atmospheric build-up of CO2. It is also a significant driving force behind the loss of genes, species, and critical ecosystem services. However, in the international policy arena, biodiversity loss and climate change have often moved in wholly unconnected domains. — Climate, Biodiversity, and Forests, World Resources Institute, 1998
-
Carbon Sinks and LandA mechanism suggested for tackling climate change and warming has been the idea of using "Carbon Sinks" to soak up carbon dioxide. To aid in this, reforestation, or planting of new forests, have been suggested. This is a popular strategy for the logging industry and nations with large forests interests, such as Canada, the United States, various Latin American nations, and some Asian countries such as Indonesia.While there may be some potential in this solution, it cannot be effective on its own. This is because it legitimizes continued destruction of old-growth and pristine forests which are rich ecosystem and have an established biodiversity base (albeit shrinking now) that naturally maintain the environment (at no cost!). Creating new forest areas would require the creation of entire ecosystems. It is also criticized for being a quick fix that doesn't tackle the root causes effectively and doesn't lead to, or promote actual emissions reduction.
-
Environmentalists and others point out that the use of carbon sinks is a big loophole in the Kytoto Protocol; that if carbon sinks can be counted towards emissions reductions credit, then industrialized countries would be able to meet their commitments while reducing emissions by less than would otherwise be required. Because they are carbon sinks, it means that when forests burn or as vegetation naturally dies, they release more carbon too (because it is stored carbon). As the climate changes, it is possible that there may be more forest fires etc, releasing more carbon. (And then these sinks would become sources!)
Climate Justice and Equity - Global Issues - 0 views
-
It is unfair to expect the third world to make emissions reductionsIt is therefore unfair to expect the third world to make emissions reductions, especially considering that their development and consumption is for basic needs, while for the rich, it has moved on to luxury consumption and associated life styles.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Global Issues - 0 views
-
This article informs us on the achievements and shortcomings of the UN's UNFCCC in facing Global Warming.
Global Dimming - Global Issues - 0 views
-
If we were to use global dimming pollutants to stave off the effects of global warming, we would still face many problems, such as:Human health problems from the soot/smogEnvironmental problems such as acid rainEcological problems such as changes in rainfall patterns (as the Ethiopian famine example above reminds us) which can kill millions, if not billions.Climatologists are stressing that the roots of both global dimming causing pollutants and global warming causing greenhouse gases have to be dealt with together and soon.
-
The death toll that global dimming may have already caused is thought to be massive.Climatologists studying this phenomenon believe that the reflection of heat have made waters in the northern hemisphere cooler. As a result, less rain has formed in key areas and crucial rainfall has failed to arrive over the Sahel in Northern Africa.In the 1970s and 1980s, massive famines were caused by failed rains which climatologists had never quite understood why they had failed.The answers that global dimming models seemed to provide, the documentary noted, has led to a chilling conclusion: “what came out of our exhaust pipes and power stations [from Europe and North America] contributed to the deaths of a million people in Africa, and afflicted 50 million more” with hunger and starvation.
The nuclear fallacy | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
Nuclear power remains dangerous, polluting, expensive and non-renewable. More nuclear power means more nuclear weapons proliferation, more nuclear-armed states, more potential "dirty bombs" and more targets for terrorists. It also means less resources invested in real solutions to growing energy demands.
-
If we would replace all fossil fuels with nuclear power, the world would run out of uranium in less than four years.
-
Currently, nuclear is a marginal energy source, supplying only two percent of the world energy demand, and there is no realistic scenario in which this could be significantly increased.
-
Although nuclear power seems to be an option, this article claims that, with our current technology and resources, it is a non-renewable option that will promote, rather than solve, problems concerning global warming, nuclear arms proliferation, etc.
Hydroelectric | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
Wave powerThe World Energy Council estimates that wave power could produce two terawatts of energy each year. This is twice the world's current electricity production, and is equivalent to the energy produced by 2,000 large oil, gas, coal and nuclear power stations. The total renewable energy within the world's oceans, if it could all be harnessed, would satisfy the present world demand for energy more than 5,000 times over.
Geothermal | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
The earth's core is very hot! If we can tap into this renewable source of energy, we will be able to satisfy a large chunk of our energy needs while simultaneously cutting down emissions and pollution dramatically.
Solar - Sunlight to Energy | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
Solar Energy is already being harnessed in many part of the world and it has the potential to provide several times the current world energy consumption if properly exploited.
-
Globally, the sun provides 10000 times the energy humanity uses
Wind | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
With installed wind capacity growing at 30 percent over the past few years, it is an entirely realistic goal to for wind to provide 12 percent of the world's energy by 2020. Along the way, this would create two million jobs, and save more than 10,700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Energy efficiency | Greenpeace International - 0 views
-
What can we do to make our homes better? This article provides us with a few simple steps that can make our homes more efficient, which, amazingly enough, not only creates enormous benefits for us, but also helps to protect the environment.
The Effects of Global Warming - 0 views
-
In 1992, a report was published by the United Nations, which proposes that if CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions continue with present trends (which is the case), the coastal plains of Bangladesh and the Netherlands will flood by the year 2100. Furthermore, the islands of the Maldives would completely disappear.
-
This site describes the causes and effects of Global Warming.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views
-
Provides a brief overview of the UNFCCC and what has been discussed at it's annual conferences.
bmoran
I also wanted to add to anscott's incorporation of religion...One idea for rewriting the rules would involve simulating the expansion and influence of religion (and other beliefs) on people. As was said in class on Friday: One of the possible reasons that it was Europe that decided to colonize instead of China was due to the Chinese peoples' beliefs. Notably, Buddhism and Confucianism were the predominate forms of belief. Also, as was said in class, the main beliefs that the Chinese had were that China was the place in the world that was closest to heaven...Therefore, there was no need or drive to colonize other areas of the world.
mwesch wrote:
> Hi class,
> Post your world simulation ideas here. Read Wallerstein, Lappe & Collins, and the first 2 pages of Wolf. Using the ideas you gather there, re-write the rules and post them here.