Realizing the importance of protection of the environment with speedy development of the power sector, the company has constituted different groups at project, regional and Corporate Centre level to carry out specific environment related functions. The Environment Management Group, Ash Utilisation Group and Centre for Power Efficiency & Environment Protection (CENPEEP) function from the Corporate Centre and initiate measures to mitigate the impact of power project implementation on the environment and preserve ecology in the vicinity of the projects. Environment Management and Ash Utilisation Groups established at each
station, look after various environmental issues of the individual station.
Showing posts with label Articals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articals. Show all posts
Cold Climate Forest
Cold Climate Forests: The Taiga
This cold climate that supports coniferous trees (which means that they carry cones) is found at very high latitudes extending across Eurasia and North America. Rainfall in this climate is moderately high but is spread throughout the course of the year, with snow covering the ground in winter. Very little water is evaporated by the sun, thus ponds, lakes and bogs also known as "muskegs" are found everywhere, especially in glacially carved areas.
Vegetation found in the Taiga
Trees in the taiga (Taiga is a Russian word) use a lot of energy to grow their leaves, thus they have found a way to keep their needles all year round. This way, when the sun comes out again in the spring these trees are already gathering much needed sunlight instead of wasting more energy to grow new leaves. In addition they have adapted their needles to be filled with a chemical that repels grazing animals, and their thick bark resists the loss of moisture in the cold winters. Trees of this biome are also known as boreal or the Northern coniferous forests, usually have shrubs underneath them with blueberries (which is a favorite food of many animals) which act as heath plants.
The days in the Taiga are very short in the winter, as short as six hours. In the summer the days lengthen and plants grow rapidly in the 70°F weather.
Along the river banks throughout the taiga, willows and many other well known trees can be found. Leaves cover the ground for the relatively low temperature and the acidic soil slows down the process of decay.
Taiga Animals
Many animals migrate to the taiga in the summer months. However, those who do not have learned to adapt to the cold. Moose, wolves, woodland caribou, wood bison, black bear, marten, lynx, and the arctic ground squirrel are common, although they are not as abundant as the mammals living in the grasslands and the savanna biomes. Most of the animal activity in the taiga is seasonal, with large quantities of birds, such as the redpoll, raven, gray jay, red-throated loon, northern shrike, sharp-tailed grouse, and fox sparrow, present only in summer. Also the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and osprey which are fish eaters, live in this biome.
For the animals that stay in the taiga during the winter months, conserving heat is one of the most important steps of survival. Most animals go into long-term hibernation and other animals such as the Canadian Lynx grow an insulating layer of fur or in other cases feathers. In order to conserve heat some animals have a rounded body structure, with shortened limbs to create less heat loss from long limbs and skin surfaces. Also other animals grow fur or plumage that camouflage with the snowy white background.
Activities of Humans
This biome has a population of approximately 21,400 people, and 60% are aboriginal. Major communities are Inuvik Hay River, Fort Nelson, Fort Simpson, and Fort Smith. Fishing, hunting and trapping are common activities that take place in these communities. Also, tourism, mining, oil and gas extractions and forestry are main activities which occur in this biome. Many of these human activities affect the natural systems in this ecosystem.
How have humans affected the ecosystems?
We have affected ecosystems in almost every way imaginable! Every time we walk out in the wilderness or bulldoze land for a new parking lot we are drastically altering an ecosystem. We have disrupted the food chain, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, and the water cycle. Mining minerals also takes its toll on an ecosystem. We need to do our best to not interfere in these ecosystems and let nature take its toll.
Ecology in Everyday Life
Many of you may not realize it, but ecology effects us daily. Every time you turn on the ignition in your car, you are changing the environment. Whenever you are concerned about overflowing landfills (or throw too much away), worry about global warming, the disappearance of tropical rainforests and the ozone layer, or the killing off of many animals to make room for houses, parking lots, and other public buildings.
The measure of environmental impact is embodied in the I=PAT equation: the scale of human impact (I) on the environment is equal to the product of the population size (P), consumption per person or affluence (A), and the damage done by technology (T). Since 1850, our population has increased fivefold, and the use of energy per person (A times T) has multiplied fourfold. Thus, in the last 150 years, our impact on the environment has increased about twenty fold! Just imagine what will happen as the population continues to multiply, people become richer, and technology grows bigger and more destructive!
We all must be aware of these ecological issues for one main reason: we only have one Earth! No one can replace good soil, fresh water, and other organisms that are parts of ecosystems that are indispensable to society. We cannot survive without nature, which among many other things, maintains the balance of gases in the atmosphere (due to photosynthesis), fertilize soils, produce fresh water, and maintain genetic diversity.
Beginning now, we have two options:
1. Continue today's trajectory until disease and hunger combines to halt the growth of human population, leading to catastrophe.
2. We can do something to slow down population growth as soon as possible (hopefully by 10 billion!). By regulating birth rates by our own submission, we can help bring the current population boom into a decline. One way to practice this is to only have two children--one to replace each parent. We do not need any genocide, wars, etc. to keep population down--we just need to make the decision on our own to have less children!
Of course, this second solution brings up much argument. Some say it is a racist and elitist idea, giving the rich and dominant a vehicle to control the poor. However, this is not true. This solution actually can bring about some equality--everyone will be working together to save humanity for the better. Of course, there may be a few people that are extremely opposed to this solution, but ask yourself this: think forward many generations. Would you want your children living in a world where there are too many mouths to feed and no natural resources left? Just think about it!
The measure of environmental impact is embodied in the I=PAT equation: the scale of human impact (I) on the environment is equal to the product of the population size (P), consumption per person or affluence (A), and the damage done by technology (T). Since 1850, our population has increased fivefold, and the use of energy per person (A times T) has multiplied fourfold. Thus, in the last 150 years, our impact on the environment has increased about twenty fold! Just imagine what will happen as the population continues to multiply, people become richer, and technology grows bigger and more destructive!
We all must be aware of these ecological issues for one main reason: we only have one Earth! No one can replace good soil, fresh water, and other organisms that are parts of ecosystems that are indispensable to society. We cannot survive without nature, which among many other things, maintains the balance of gases in the atmosphere (due to photosynthesis), fertilize soils, produce fresh water, and maintain genetic diversity.
Beginning now, we have two options:
1. Continue today's trajectory until disease and hunger combines to halt the growth of human population, leading to catastrophe.
2. We can do something to slow down population growth as soon as possible (hopefully by 10 billion!). By regulating birth rates by our own submission, we can help bring the current population boom into a decline. One way to practice this is to only have two children--one to replace each parent. We do not need any genocide, wars, etc. to keep population down--we just need to make the decision on our own to have less children!
Of course, this second solution brings up much argument. Some say it is a racist and elitist idea, giving the rich and dominant a vehicle to control the poor. However, this is not true. This solution actually can bring about some equality--everyone will be working together to save humanity for the better. Of course, there may be a few people that are extremely opposed to this solution, but ask yourself this: think forward many generations. Would you want your children living in a world where there are too many mouths to feed and no natural resources left? Just think about it!
Is Your Earth Worth The Cost Of A Postage Stamp????????
We have been writing to all world leaders, all 191 of them and asking them what actions they are taking to stop the destruction and to regenerate the world’s rainforests partucularly the equatorial regions. We are also asking what incentives they are making to the local communities to help them sustain a living instead of taking from the forest for corporate companies.
We want answers from them all and we will keep you posted on their response. We want them to stop twiddling their thumbs and worrying about when their next cheque is coming in and to take immediate action; this is where we need your help.
For the price of a stamp – we are asking all the people of the Earth to send a letter, email and/or fax (where it is supplied) and tell the governments that you will no longer look away and that action needs to be taken now to end the destruction of the worlds rainforests for the sake of all of our future.
We have written to the leaders in the past and although some effort is being made for conservation not enough is being done.
Many of you may say that global warming is a natural cycle and it may well be but Man has exagerated this process and accelerated this cycle un-naturally. We constantly pump CO2 emissions into the atmoshphere, and we take natural resources from the Earth and dump our waste in to the ground and the oceans without a thought of the consequences. We have to take responsibility for what we leave for our children. We should be utterly ashamed of what we have done. There are no excuses and with this must come action to change all our ways. We cannot leave it to others to sort out. Here are a few examples of how we can change our ways personally :
Once you get into being conscious about what you actually do each day, it can make all the difference and if we all do it we can win this but one thing is for certain, we need to stop the trees from being destroyed and press the governments to take action NOW, no more excuses. That is why we need everyone to send letters, emails and faxes (where appropriate) to the governments of the world - even better send letters and email for it is just the cost of a stamp for a leader, and can be sent to your own country or to a country that has a Rainforest, like Brazil, Indonesia, Congo.
We have listed all the leaders names and addresses along with their email and fax numbers where it has been possible to get them. Please go to the link at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Below is a sample letter that you are welcome to send, alternatively you are more than welcome to personalise this letter or write your own but please refrain from using abusive language as this spoils it for everyone else.
We know that some people may think why should I bother to send a letter myself but we are asking you to please spend a minute or two and think about this. We are asking you to do this for the future of your earth, for people you love for their future, for the animals and insects who's seasons we have distrupted and who's numbers are dwindling because of these sudden changes in the weather. We owe it to each other to act and take the time.
We want answers from them all and we will keep you posted on their response. We want them to stop twiddling their thumbs and worrying about when their next cheque is coming in and to take immediate action; this is where we need your help.
For the price of a stamp – we are asking all the people of the Earth to send a letter, email and/or fax (where it is supplied) and tell the governments that you will no longer look away and that action needs to be taken now to end the destruction of the worlds rainforests for the sake of all of our future.
We have written to the leaders in the past and although some effort is being made for conservation not enough is being done.
Many of you may say that global warming is a natural cycle and it may well be but Man has exagerated this process and accelerated this cycle un-naturally. We constantly pump CO2 emissions into the atmoshphere, and we take natural resources from the Earth and dump our waste in to the ground and the oceans without a thought of the consequences. We have to take responsibility for what we leave for our children. We should be utterly ashamed of what we have done. There are no excuses and with this must come action to change all our ways. We cannot leave it to others to sort out. Here are a few examples of how we can change our ways personally :
- Whether it is replacing our lightbulbs to energy efficient,
- Turning off the car engine while waiting for people,
- Being conscously aware when buying goods, for instance, sustainable wood products,
- Can I buy second hand and recycle,
- Recycle your goods instead of dumping them in a landfill site,
- Is the food I buy grown in my country in order to save CO2 emissions,
- Do I need to fly abroad for a meeting,
- Can I compost or recycle my waste,
- Why do I need to use so many plastic bags.
Once you get into being conscious about what you actually do each day, it can make all the difference and if we all do it we can win this but one thing is for certain, we need to stop the trees from being destroyed and press the governments to take action NOW, no more excuses. That is why we need everyone to send letters, emails and faxes (where appropriate) to the governments of the world - even better send letters and email for it is just the cost of a stamp for a leader, and can be sent to your own country or to a country that has a Rainforest, like Brazil, Indonesia, Congo.
We have listed all the leaders names and addresses along with their email and fax numbers where it has been possible to get them. Please go to the link at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Below is a sample letter that you are welcome to send, alternatively you are more than welcome to personalise this letter or write your own but please refrain from using abusive language as this spoils it for everyone else.
We know that some people may think why should I bother to send a letter myself but we are asking you to please spend a minute or two and think about this. We are asking you to do this for the future of your earth, for people you love for their future, for the animals and insects who's seasons we have distrupted and who's numbers are dwindling because of these sudden changes in the weather. We owe it to each other to act and take the time.
Motivational Activity Continue Again With Some More Points
1 .Make a “Trash Man.” Draw an outline of a life-size person on white posterboard. Have students bring human-madetrash items to school and glue them onto the silhouette with a hot glue gun. Use some of the trash to resemble facial features, eyes, nose, hair, etc. Display the“Trash Man” to remind students and visitors to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, & Refuse.” Add students’ comments or slogans to encourage litter prevention.
On chart paper or in a journal, have students write about the variety of trash they collected and their feelings about recycling. How would it help if people simply refused to use an unnecessary item? Example: extra napkins, straws, and ketchup packets at a fast food restaurant.
2. Plan a field trip to a national park. In preparation, have students write in their gratitude journals: What natural and historic resources (plants, animals, views, artifacts) will the students see? Why are they thankful for these? How can they help protect the park and the resources? What does the national park do to protect
and preserve these resources? After the park visit, have students write about their experience. What did they
see, feel, and enjoy? In what ways are they thankful for the park? Do they hope the park is there for their future and for future generations? How can they help and why should they care? Can they be trusted to care for our environment?
3. Have the students discuss what they can do to help “save our Earth.” In their journals, ask them to illustrate at least three good citizenship behaviors that would help to eliminate pollution and protect resources.
On chart paper or in a journal, have students write about the variety of trash they collected and their feelings about recycling. How would it help if people simply refused to use an unnecessary item? Example: extra napkins, straws, and ketchup packets at a fast food restaurant.
2. Plan a field trip to a national park. In preparation, have students write in their gratitude journals: What natural and historic resources (plants, animals, views, artifacts) will the students see? Why are they thankful for these? How can they help protect the park and the resources? What does the national park do to protect
and preserve these resources? After the park visit, have students write about their experience. What did they
see, feel, and enjoy? In what ways are they thankful for the park? Do they hope the park is there for their future and for future generations? How can they help and why should they care? Can they be trusted to care for our environment?
3. Have the students discuss what they can do to help “save our Earth.” In their journals, ask them to illustrate at least three good citizenship behaviors that would help to eliminate pollution and protect resources.
Motivational Activity Continue
2. In the spring, discuss Earth Day and have students make special Earth Day T-shirts.Each student should bring in one clean,white T-shirt. Place cardboard pieces inside the shirts to keep the paint from soaking through to the other side. With clothes protected, dip each child’s hand and arm into brown fabric paint and press it onto the shirt for the “tree trunk.” Once the paint dries, have the students sponge-paint leaves on the tree with green paint. They may add more details to their shirt, e.g., birds, flowers, insects, sun, clouds. Finally, have an adult write “Save Our Earth,” the child’s name, and the date on the shirt in fabric paint. Have the students wear their shirts on Earth Day to demonstrate pride for the environment.
3. Develop an experiment to demonstrate the effect of pollutants on plants. Using two labeled, reusable containers filled with dirt, have each child plant alfalfa or lima bean seeds (or any fast-growing plant). One container should be watered with pure, clean water and the other with polluted water (such as with vinegar,
lemon juice, soap suds, oil). All other factors should remain constant. Have the students record daily observations and conclusions in their journals.
4. Help students learn about the negative effects of litter and pollutants on animals.Examples might include sea turtles mistakenly ingesting plastic bags instead of jellyfish, birds’ eggs weakened by pesticides,small animals trapped helplessly in bottles or cans, starving sea birds caught in broken fishing line, and fish swimming through plastic packaging loops from 6-packs of drinks. A bulletin board representing the various scenarios could be created and displayed in an area visible to all. Add a creative title, such as “CLEAN
UP TRASH - SAVE A FRIEND!”
3. Develop an experiment to demonstrate the effect of pollutants on plants. Using two labeled, reusable containers filled with dirt, have each child plant alfalfa or lima bean seeds (or any fast-growing plant). One container should be watered with pure, clean water and the other with polluted water (such as with vinegar,
lemon juice, soap suds, oil). All other factors should remain constant. Have the students record daily observations and conclusions in their journals.
4. Help students learn about the negative effects of litter and pollutants on animals.Examples might include sea turtles mistakenly ingesting plastic bags instead of jellyfish, birds’ eggs weakened by pesticides,small animals trapped helplessly in bottles or cans, starving sea birds caught in broken fishing line, and fish swimming through plastic packaging loops from 6-packs of drinks. A bulletin board representing the various scenarios could be created and displayed in an area visible to all. Add a creative title, such as “CLEAN
UP TRASH - SAVE A FRIEND!”
Motivational Activity
Begin the celebration of Earth Week by reading and discussing The Lorax or Lester and Clyde (see Resources and References). What are the consequences of abuse and pollution on our natural resources? What is the value of keeping a clean and healthy Earth? Have students draw and color their bedrooms, placing furniture and decorations as they visualize them. Each student might add a small stuffed animal from home to enhance the scene. After each student has displayed and shared this personal world, have him/her(or others) throw trash on it. How do the
students feel about their “world” being “trashed”? Discuss their reactions as you list them on the board.
Compare this trashing of a personal environment to the littering and pollution seen happening to our Earth. How can this harm our future and what impact does it have on all the living creatures – present and future? Why should people care and what steps can we take to prevent this from happening?
Activities
1. Create a special “Gratitude Journal” to keep a record of all of the things students are grateful for. They can make entries throughout the year, focusing on “saving the Earth” and how to be a good steward to keep our Earth green, clean, healthy, and beautiful. Students can begin with labeled illustrations and by the end of the year advance to expressing their thoughts in complete sentences.
to be continued .............
students feel about their “world” being “trashed”? Discuss their reactions as you list them on the board.
Compare this trashing of a personal environment to the littering and pollution seen happening to our Earth. How can this harm our future and what impact does it have on all the living creatures – present and future? Why should people care and what steps can we take to prevent this from happening?
Activities
1. Create a special “Gratitude Journal” to keep a record of all of the things students are grateful for. They can make entries throughout the year, focusing on “saving the Earth” and how to be a good steward to keep our Earth green, clean, healthy, and beautiful. Students can begin with labeled illustrations and by the end of the year advance to expressing their thoughts in complete sentences.
to be continued .............
Save Our Earth continue
A pollutant is a harmful chemical or waste material discharged into the land, water, or atmosphere leading to a state of dirtiness, impurity, or unhealthiness. Pollution affects everyone! It can be very dangerous for plants, animals, and humans. Much of the waste that is thrown away can be reduced, reused, recycled, or refused (example: simply don’t take a bag at the grocery store if not needed). There are many methods to help eliminate or reduce pollution and its potential danger to living things.
Everything that is living produces waste. Decomposers and microorganisms recycle nature’s waste to enrich the earth and to provide essential nutrients for the growth of plants.
Human waste, however, is threatening our environment! Hazardous chemicals, disposable diapers, plastics, aluminum cans, styrofoam packaging, and manufacturing pollutants are clogging our air, water supplies, and landfills and are destroying important plant communities and wildlife habitats. Collection and disposal of waste consumes tremendous energy and resources.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 to raise awareness about the environment
and encourage people to take action against pollution. Today, many communities celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week in April with special programs, clean-up projects, and festivals focusing on how people can be environmental stewards.
Everything that is living produces waste. Decomposers and microorganisms recycle nature’s waste to enrich the earth and to provide essential nutrients for the growth of plants.
Human waste, however, is threatening our environment! Hazardous chemicals, disposable diapers, plastics, aluminum cans, styrofoam packaging, and manufacturing pollutants are clogging our air, water supplies, and landfills and are destroying important plant communities and wildlife habitats. Collection and disposal of waste consumes tremendous energy and resources.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 to raise awareness about the environment
and encourage people to take action against pollution. Today, many communities celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week in April with special programs, clean-up projects, and festivals focusing on how people can be environmental stewards.
Save Our Earth
To Pollute or Not To Pollute?
That is the Question!
Overview
Waste, litter, and pollution negatively affect life on Earth.Responsible actions leading to pollution reduction could save money, protect resources, improve health, and lead to an overall higher quality of life. Strong values and good character traits are needed – now – for EVERYONE’S sake! Students can learn to help their environment by understanding the problems and solutions of pollution and exhibiting the
character traits of respect, caring, trustworthiness, responsibility, and stewardship.
Objectives
Students will be able to
1. describe what pollution is, what causes it, and its effects upon the Earth;
2. name 3 ways that litter can harm wildlife, plants, and humans;
3. sort trash into man-made or natural materials;
4. propose ways to help eliminate and/or clean up pollution, litter, and waste;
5 develop and express an appreciation of and responsibility for stewardship of the Earth.
to be continued in detail
Home Heating and Cooling Efficiency Tips
As energy prices rise, most homeowners are concerned about keeping heating and cooling costs down. Here are some tips to help keep those energy bills under control, starting with the thermostat:
* Protect the thermostat for your heating or cooling system from anything that would cause it to give a false reading. If the thermostat is in a draft, misplaced on a cold outside wall, or too close to a heat-producing register, its accuracy will be compromised.
* If you won't be home for a few days, turn the thermostat to its lowest setting. If there's no danger of pipes freezing or other household items being damaged, turn the heating system off completely.
* Install a thermostat timer to save fuel and money. The timer can be set to automatically raise and lower the temperature during peak and off-hours.
* Avoid constant thermostat adjustments, as they can waste fuel. When coming into the house after the thermostat has been turned down, don't set it higher than the desired temperature. Setting the thermostat up very high generally will not cause the temperature to reach the desired level any faster.
* One heating adjustment you should make, however, is a reduction in the thermostat setting before you go to bed every night. Cutting back for several hours can make a big difference in fuel consumption.
* Reduce the thermostat setting when you have a large group of people in your home. People generate heat, and a party can quickly raise the temperature.
Next, we'll look at adjustments you can make to windows, vents and other parts of the house to save money on heating and cooling.
* Protect the thermostat for your heating or cooling system from anything that would cause it to give a false reading. If the thermostat is in a draft, misplaced on a cold outside wall, or too close to a heat-producing register, its accuracy will be compromised.
* If you won't be home for a few days, turn the thermostat to its lowest setting. If there's no danger of pipes freezing or other household items being damaged, turn the heating system off completely.
* Install a thermostat timer to save fuel and money. The timer can be set to automatically raise and lower the temperature during peak and off-hours.
* Avoid constant thermostat adjustments, as they can waste fuel. When coming into the house after the thermostat has been turned down, don't set it higher than the desired temperature. Setting the thermostat up very high generally will not cause the temperature to reach the desired level any faster.
* One heating adjustment you should make, however, is a reduction in the thermostat setting before you go to bed every night. Cutting back for several hours can make a big difference in fuel consumption.
* Reduce the thermostat setting when you have a large group of people in your home. People generate heat, and a party can quickly raise the temperature.
Next, we'll look at adjustments you can make to windows, vents and other parts of the house to save money on heating and cooling.
How Global Warming Works
Global warming was once an uncommon term used by a few scientists who were growing concerned over the effects of decades of pollution on long-term weather patterns. Today, the idea of global warming is well known, if not well understood. It is not unusual to hear someone complaining about a hot day or a freak
Well, is it? In this article, we'll learn what global warming is, what causes it, what its current effects are and what the future effects could be. Although there has been a scientific consensus on global warming, some aren't sure it's something we need to worry about. We'll examine some proposed changes in the United States' national policies related to curbing global warming and the criticisms and concerns surrounding them.
Global warming is a significant increase in the Earth's climatic temperature over a relatively short period of time as a result of the activities of humans.
In specific terms, an increase of 1 or more degrees Celsius in a period of one hundred to two hundred years would be considered global warming. Over the course of a single century, an increase of even 0.4 degrees Celsius would be significant.
To understand what this means, let's start by reviewing the difference between weather and climate.
Well, is it? In this article, we'll learn what global warming is, what causes it, what its current effects are and what the future effects could be. Although there has been a scientific consensus on global warming, some aren't sure it's something we need to worry about. We'll examine some proposed changes in the United States' national policies related to curbing global warming and the criticisms and concerns surrounding them.
Global warming is a significant increase in the Earth's climatic temperature over a relatively short period of time as a result of the activities of humans.
In specific terms, an increase of 1 or more degrees Celsius in a period of one hundred to two hundred years would be considered global warming. Over the course of a single century, an increase of even 0.4 degrees Celsius would be significant.
To understand what this means, let's start by reviewing the difference between weather and climate.
Where can I recycle my old electronics?
Most of us are surrounded by electronics in our homes -- computers, peripherals, MP3 players, game consoles and countless other digital gadgets. And each time we upgrade to the latest model, we've got an electronic device on our hands that, as far as our own needs are concerned, is obsolete. So where does it go, if not to the growing pile of logoed plastic and metal in the basement? Why not just throw it out?
There are lots of reasons why something like your old computer shouldn't go out with the trash. First, it may not be trash at all. Sure, if it's pre-1995, it's not going to do anyone much good. But if you bought it in the last 10 years or so, it can possibly be upgraded or refurbished and be of great use to someone who doesn't have the money to buy a new one. And if you do have a relic on your hands, tossing it is still not the best way to go. If you throw out your old electronics, not only are you taking up increasingly scarce landfill space with valuable resources like plastic, metal and glass that could be made into new devices using less energy than it takes with virgin resources, but you're also putting potentially toxic materials in the ground. Lead, mercury and other substances can leech from old monitors and circuit boards into the air and ground water and possibly affect people's health. In some countries and many U.S. states, particular electronic components are regulated as hazardous waste
So, if you're not going to put your old computer in the dumpster, you're down to two choices: reuse or recycle. If the device is in good working order, reuse is the better option. Refurbishing is easier on the environment than recycling. Recycling uses energy, and the longer you can keep the non-recyclable parts out of a landfill, the better. You can donate a working electronic device for reuse in any number of ways. Cell phones are easy -- the store where you buy your new one will usually donate your old one for you at little or no cost. And if you want to choose which charity gets to have your old phone, a simple Web search will point you to a selection of charities in your area that want it. For example, many cities have women's shelters that accept unwanted, working cell phones and give them to women in domestic-abuse situations so they can dial 9-1-1 anywhere, any time. If your unwanted device is a fairly modern, working computer, many school districts will gladly take it. And if you've got an old computer, scanner, Webcam or other device that's not in working order, you can post it to an online message board like Craig's List or a listserv like Freecycle™, and you'll likely find some who at least wants it for parts.
Of course, that last option requires that you deal with other human beings and multiple e-mail exchanges in order to get your non-working electronic device into new hands. If you want to get rid of a broken or extremely old piece of electronics with minimal effort, recycling may be the way to go. Many computers are built to be easily demanufactured into their component parts for easy recycling. Some devices may require more energy to recycle, but it's still better than tossing them into a landfill.
Electronics recycling is a fairly new industry, and it's far from centralized at this point. Many people end up throwing their old electronics in the trash out of frustration alone. It can take a good deal of research to figure out how to properly recycle this stuff. Going to the manufacturer's Web site or to the store where you bought the device is often a good bet. Many electronics manufacturers and retailers have instituted collection programs that make recycling your old gadgets pretty easy. If that doesn't get you where you need to go, you might want to check out some of these links:
There are lots of reasons why something like your old computer shouldn't go out with the trash. First, it may not be trash at all. Sure, if it's pre-1995, it's not going to do anyone much good. But if you bought it in the last 10 years or so, it can possibly be upgraded or refurbished and be of great use to someone who doesn't have the money to buy a new one. And if you do have a relic on your hands, tossing it is still not the best way to go. If you throw out your old electronics, not only are you taking up increasingly scarce landfill space with valuable resources like plastic, metal and glass that could be made into new devices using less energy than it takes with virgin resources, but you're also putting potentially toxic materials in the ground. Lead, mercury and other substances can leech from old monitors and circuit boards into the air and ground water and possibly affect people's health. In some countries and many U.S. states, particular electronic components are regulated as hazardous waste
So, if you're not going to put your old computer in the dumpster, you're down to two choices: reuse or recycle. If the device is in good working order, reuse is the better option. Refurbishing is easier on the environment than recycling. Recycling uses energy, and the longer you can keep the non-recyclable parts out of a landfill, the better. You can donate a working electronic device for reuse in any number of ways. Cell phones are easy -- the store where you buy your new one will usually donate your old one for you at little or no cost. And if you want to choose which charity gets to have your old phone, a simple Web search will point you to a selection of charities in your area that want it. For example, many cities have women's shelters that accept unwanted, working cell phones and give them to women in domestic-abuse situations so they can dial 9-1-1 anywhere, any time. If your unwanted device is a fairly modern, working computer, many school districts will gladly take it. And if you've got an old computer, scanner, Webcam or other device that's not in working order, you can post it to an online message board like Craig's List or a listserv like Freecycle™, and you'll likely find some who at least wants it for parts.
Of course, that last option requires that you deal with other human beings and multiple e-mail exchanges in order to get your non-working electronic device into new hands. If you want to get rid of a broken or extremely old piece of electronics with minimal effort, recycling may be the way to go. Many computers are built to be easily demanufactured into their component parts for easy recycling. Some devices may require more energy to recycle, but it's still better than tossing them into a landfill.
Electronics recycling is a fairly new industry, and it's far from centralized at this point. Many people end up throwing their old electronics in the trash out of frustration alone. It can take a good deal of research to figure out how to properly recycle this stuff. Going to the manufacturer's Web site or to the store where you bought the device is often a good bet. Many electronics manufacturers and retailers have instituted collection programs that make recycling your old gadgets pretty easy. If that doesn't get you where you need to go, you might want to check out some of these links:
10 Things We Can Do to Help Save the Earth
1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day [Source: EPA]. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can.
2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year [Source: EPA]. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.
3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.
Empty water bottles in a trash can.
If you must drink bottled water, recycle the bottle.
4. Recycle.You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road .
5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.
6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or even home electronics, look for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. In 2006, the ENERGY STAR program saved energy equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road and saved Americans $14 billion in utility costs [Source: ENERGY STAR]. (Learn more about proper disposal of CFLs.)
7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.
8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions [Source: EPA]. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.
9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon. [Source: Consumer Guide Automotive]. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.
10.Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.
2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year [Source: EPA]. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.
3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.
Empty water bottles in a trash can.
If you must drink bottled water, recycle the bottle.
4. Recycle.You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road .
5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.
6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or even home electronics, look for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. In 2006, the ENERGY STAR program saved energy equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road and saved Americans $14 billion in utility costs [Source: ENERGY STAR]. (Learn more about proper disposal of CFLs.)
7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.
8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions [Source: EPA]. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.
9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon. [Source: Consumer Guide Automotive]. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.
10.Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.
History Of Earth Day
How the First Earth Day Came About
What was the purpose of Earth Day? How did it start? These are the questions I am most frequently asked.
Actually, the idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962. For several years, it had been troubling me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. Finally, in November 1962, an idea occurred to me that was, I thought, a virtual cinch to put the environment into the political "limelight" once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue by going on a national conservation tour. I flew to Washington to discuss the proposal with Attorney General Robert Kennedy, who liked the idea. So did the President. The President began his five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in September 1963. For many reasons the tour did not succeed in putting the issue onto the national political agenda. However, it was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.
I continued to speak on environmental issues to a variety of audiences in some twenty-five states. All across the country, evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The environmental issue simply was not to be found on the nation's political agenda. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not.
After President Kennedy's tour, I still hoped for some idea that would thrust the environment into the political mainstream. Six years would pass before the idea that became Earth Day occurred to me while on a conservation speaking tour out West in the summer of 1969. At the time, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called "teach-ins," had spread to college campuses all across the nation. Suddenly, the idea occurred to me - why not organize a huge grassroots protest over what was happening to our environment?
I was satisfied that if we could tap into the environmental concerns of the general public and infuse the student anti-war energy into the environmental cause, we could generate a demonstration that would force this issue onto the political agenda. It was a big gamble, but worth a try.
At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, I announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air - and they did so with spectacular exuberance. For the next four months, two members of my Senate staff, Linda Billings and John Heritage, managed Earth Day affairs out of my Senate office.
Five months before Earth Day, on Sunday, November 30, 1969, The New York Times carried a lengthy article by Gladwin Hill reporting on the astonishing proliferation of environmental events:
"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...."
It was obvious that we were headed for a spectacular success on Earth Day. It was also obvious that grassroots activities had ballooned beyond the capacity of my U.S. Senate office staff to keep up with the telephone calls, paper work, inquiries, etc. In mid-January, three months before Earth Day, John Gardner, Founder of Common Cause, provided temporary space for a Washington, D.C. headquarters. I staffed the office with college students and selected Denis Hayes as coordinator of activities.
Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.
What was the purpose of Earth Day? How did it start? These are the questions I am most frequently asked.
Actually, the idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962. For several years, it had been troubling me that the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. Finally, in November 1962, an idea occurred to me that was, I thought, a virtual cinch to put the environment into the political "limelight" once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue by going on a national conservation tour. I flew to Washington to discuss the proposal with Attorney General Robert Kennedy, who liked the idea. So did the President. The President began his five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in September 1963. For many reasons the tour did not succeed in putting the issue onto the national political agenda. However, it was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.
I continued to speak on environmental issues to a variety of audiences in some twenty-five states. All across the country, evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The environmental issue simply was not to be found on the nation's political agenda. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not.
After President Kennedy's tour, I still hoped for some idea that would thrust the environment into the political mainstream. Six years would pass before the idea that became Earth Day occurred to me while on a conservation speaking tour out West in the summer of 1969. At the time, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called "teach-ins," had spread to college campuses all across the nation. Suddenly, the idea occurred to me - why not organize a huge grassroots protest over what was happening to our environment?
I was satisfied that if we could tap into the environmental concerns of the general public and infuse the student anti-war energy into the environmental cause, we could generate a demonstration that would force this issue onto the political agenda. It was a big gamble, but worth a try.
At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, I announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air - and they did so with spectacular exuberance. For the next four months, two members of my Senate staff, Linda Billings and John Heritage, managed Earth Day affairs out of my Senate office.
Five months before Earth Day, on Sunday, November 30, 1969, The New York Times carried a lengthy article by Gladwin Hill reporting on the astonishing proliferation of environmental events:
"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam...a national day of observance of environmental problems...is being planned for next spring...when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'...coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned...."
It was obvious that we were headed for a spectacular success on Earth Day. It was also obvious that grassroots activities had ballooned beyond the capacity of my U.S. Senate office staff to keep up with the telephone calls, paper work, inquiries, etc. In mid-January, three months before Earth Day, John Gardner, Founder of Common Cause, provided temporary space for a Washington, D.C. headquarters. I staffed the office with college students and selected Denis Hayes as coordinator of activities.
Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.
Carbon on the Land and in the Oceans: The modern carbon cycle
On land, the major exchange of carbon with the atmosphere results from photosynthesis and respiration. During the daytime in the growing season, leaves absorb sunlight and take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. In parallel, plants, animals and soil microbes consume the carbon in organic matter and return carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. When conditions are too cold or too dry, photosynthesis and respiration cease along with the movement of carbon between the atmosphere and the land surface. The amounts of carbon that move from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, respiration, and back to the atmosphere are large and produce oscillations in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (see Keeling curve). Over the course of a year, these biological fluxes of carbon are over ten times greater than the amount of carbon introduced to the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning.
The Carbon Cycle Human Role
| The Human Role | ||
 |
The long-term record of atmospheric carbon dioxide obtained from Antarctic ice cores shows huge fluctuations over the past 150,000 years. Periods of low carbon dioxide concentration correspond to ice ages, while higher carbon dioxide concentrations are linked to warmer periods. The last ice age ended 10,000 to 20,000 years ago, as carbon dioxide levels rose from below 200 parts per million to about 280 parts per million. Current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are above 370 parts per million because of the burning of fossil fuels. This has raised concern in the scientific community that average global temperatures may rise as a result. (Graph by Robert Simmon, based on data from Lorius, C., J. Jouzel, C. Ritz, L. Merlivat, N.I. Barkov, Y.S. Korotkevitch, and V.M. Kotlyakov. 1995. A 150,000-year climatic record from Antarctic ice. Nature 316:591-596.) Not all of the carbon dioxide that has been emitted by human activities remains in the atmosphere. The oceans have absorbed some of it because as the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere increases it drives diffusion of carbon dioxide into the oceans. However, when we try to account for sources and sinks for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere we uncover some mysteries. For example, notice in Figure 1 (schematic of the carbon cycle) that fossil fuel burning releases roughly 5.5 gigatons of carbon (GtC [giga=1 billion]) per year into the atmosphere and that land-use changes such as deforestation contribute roughly 1.6 GtC per year. Measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels (going on since 1957) suggest that of the approximate total amount of 7.1 GtC released per year by human activities, approximately 3.2 GtC remain in the atmosphere, resulting in an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. In addition, approximately 2 GtC diffuses into the world’s oceans, thus leaving 1.9 GtC unaccounted for. |
The Greenhouse effect is natural. What do we have to do with it?
Many of these greenhouse gases are actually life-enabling, for without them, heat would escape back into space and the Earth’s average temperature would be a lot colder.
However, if the greenhouse effect becomes stronger, then more heat gets trapped than needed, and the Earth might become less habitable for humans, plants and animals.
Carbon dioxide, though not the most potent of greenhouse gases, is the most significant one. Human activity has caused an imbalance in the natural cycle of the greenhouse effect and related processes. NASA’s Earth Observatory is worth quoting the effect human activity is having on the natural carbon cycle, for example:
In addition to the natural fluxes of carbon through the Earth system, anthropogenic (human) activities, particularly fossil fuel burning and deforestation, are also releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
When we mine coal and extract oil from the Earth’s crust, and then burn these fossil fuels for transportation, heating, cooking, electricity, and manufacturing, we are effectively moving carbon more rapidly into the atmosphere than is being removed naturally through the sedimentation of carbon, ultimately causing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to increase.
Also, by clearing forests to support agriculture, we are transferring carbon from living biomass into the atmosphere (dry wood is about 50 percent carbon).
The result is that humans are adding ever-increasing amounts of extra carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Because of this, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher today than they have been over the last half-million years or longer.
Another way of looking at this is with a simple analogy: consider salt and human health:
- A small amount of salt is essential for human life;
- Slightly more salt in our diet often makes food tastier;
- Too much salt can be harmful to our health.
In a similar way, greenhouse gases are essential for our planet; the planet may be able to deal with slightly increased levels of such gases, but too much will affect the health of the whole planet.
(Note, values shown represent Carbon Gigatons being absorbed and released)
The other difference between the natural carbon cycle and human-induced climate change is that the latter is rapid. This means that ecosystems have less chance of adapting to the changes that will result and so the effects felt will be worse and more dramatic it things continue along the current trajectory.
The Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse Effect
In the 19th century, scientists realized that gases in the atmosphere cause a "greenhouse effect" which affects the planet's temperature. These scientists were interested chiefly in the possibility that a lower level of carbon dioxide gas might explain the ice ages of the distant past. At the turn of the century, Svante Arrhenius calculated that emissions from human industry might someday bring a global warming. Other scientists dismissed his idea as faulty. In 1938, G.S. Callendar argued that the level of carbon dioxide was climbing and raising global temperature, but most scientists found his arguments implausible. It was almost by chance that a few researchers in the 1950s discovered that global warming truly was possible. In the early 1960s, C.D. Keeling measured the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: it was rising fast. Researchers began to take an interest, struggling to understand how the level of carbon dioxide had changed in the past, and how the level was influenced by chemical and biological forces. They found that the gas plays a crucial role in climate change, so that the rising level could gravely affect our future. (This essay covers only developments relating directly to carbon dioxide, with a separate essay for Other Greenhouse Gases. Theories are discussed in the essay on Simple Models of Climate.
Fight global warming, get $1,100 a year
by: Steve Hargreaves
A new proposal to curb global warming could jump start stalled Senate greenhouse gas discussions and put an average of $1,100 a year back into the pockets of American consumers.
Known as cap-and-dividend, the recently introduced bill would require oil, coal, and natural gas companies to buy permits each month to sell their fuel. Three quarters of the proceeds would be returned to the public each month in the form of a dividend check, with the remaining money going towards renewable energy, conservation or assistance programs.
By driving up the cost of fossil fuel and making renewables more competitive, supporters say the plan will result in the same emission reductions as the current cap-and-trade bills before Congress. But they say it will be much more simple to operate.
"The act provides businesses and investors with a simple, predictable mechanism that will open the way to clean energy expansion while achieving America's goals of reducing carbon emissions," Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a statement announcing the bill earlier this month.
But critics fear the bill may stifle innovation. By limiting Wall Street's role in the trading of carbon credits they fear new technologies will die on the vine, missing out on needed capital from the investment community.
Currently, the most talked about method of reducing greenhouse gases is through a cap-and-trade plan. Under it, power producers and other large emitters of carbon dioxide would be required to obtain permits each year from the government. Those permits would decline in number annually - hence the cap. The industries could either pay to clean up their operations, or buy the permits from one another - hence the trade. A version of this plan has passed the House, and one has been introduced in the Senate as well.
It's a complicated system that critics say is too compromised. To woo votes, sweeteners were thrown in for just about everyone: Farmers are allowed to make money selling carbon offsets, the coal industry was cut a break, Wall Street is allowed in on the trading.
The main difference between cap-and-trade and the new cap-and-dividend idea is the cap-and-dividend cuts out the trade part, and with it the Wall Street traders.
While consumers will see their gas or electricity prices rise, supporters say cutting out Wall Street will prevent speculators from driving up the cost of carbon credits just to make a buck, and ultimately save consumers money.
0:00 /7:27Nobel advice for saving the planet
A staffer for the bill's other sponsor, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that after receiving some $1,100 in rebate checks each year and paying higher gas and electric prices, the average Maine consumer would come out $102 ahead.
While savings or costs for cap-and-dividend will vary from state to state, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a cap-and-trade plan would cost consumers $175 a year on average nationwide.
Roughly 80% of the population would end up either breaking even or making money under cap-and-dividend, said the staffer. The remaining 20%, generally wealthier people who use more energy in things like multiple dwellings and air travel, would lose money.
"Climate change legislation must protect consumers and industries that could be hit with higher energy prices," Collins said in a statement.
The Democrats in the Senate are having a rough time mustering enough support to pass the bill even within their own party. Many Senators fear the legislation will be too costly for their constituents.
Getting the Senate to pass a bill, and ultimately have the United States enact mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases is seen as essential in securing a new worldwide global warming treaty.
What about Wall Street?
But cutting out Wall Street may have its downsides.
Allowing trading in carbon credits enables businesses to monetize those credits, in effect creating wealth, Kevin Book, a managing director at ClearView Energy Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that tracks political developments in the energy sector, said in an analysis of the bill.
[Cap-and-dividend] would transfer wealth within the economy, whereas [cap-and-trade] would inject $1 trillion of wealth into the economy," said Book.
And unlike simply giving the money to consumers, cap-and-trade directs much of the money to agriculture and industry - constituents Book believes are essential if any global warming bill is to pass Congress.
"Passage of a cap-and-trade bill with industrial stimulus overtones remains more likely than a carbon tax of any kind," said Book.
And despite widespread public mistrust of Wall Street trading, especially when it comes to energy prices, there are still those that believe having the most players in the market is the best way to ensure greenhouse gases are cut for the cheapest price possible.
Allowing trading in carbon credits will let more capital flow towards this sector, said Paul Smith, chief risk officer at Mobius Risk Group, a firm that advises energy producers and big energy consumers.
More capital means more creative ways to cut greenhouse gases may emerge.
"You really need to let it be a free market," said Smith. "If the number of participants is limited, innovation is going to be limited as well."
A new proposal to curb global warming could jump start stalled Senate greenhouse gas discussions and put an average of $1,100 a year back into the pockets of American consumers.
Known as cap-and-dividend, the recently introduced bill would require oil, coal, and natural gas companies to buy permits each month to sell their fuel. Three quarters of the proceeds would be returned to the public each month in the form of a dividend check, with the remaining money going towards renewable energy, conservation or assistance programs.
By driving up the cost of fossil fuel and making renewables more competitive, supporters say the plan will result in the same emission reductions as the current cap-and-trade bills before Congress. But they say it will be much more simple to operate.
"The act provides businesses and investors with a simple, predictable mechanism that will open the way to clean energy expansion while achieving America's goals of reducing carbon emissions," Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a statement announcing the bill earlier this month.
But critics fear the bill may stifle innovation. By limiting Wall Street's role in the trading of carbon credits they fear new technologies will die on the vine, missing out on needed capital from the investment community.
Currently, the most talked about method of reducing greenhouse gases is through a cap-and-trade plan. Under it, power producers and other large emitters of carbon dioxide would be required to obtain permits each year from the government. Those permits would decline in number annually - hence the cap. The industries could either pay to clean up their operations, or buy the permits from one another - hence the trade. A version of this plan has passed the House, and one has been introduced in the Senate as well.
It's a complicated system that critics say is too compromised. To woo votes, sweeteners were thrown in for just about everyone: Farmers are allowed to make money selling carbon offsets, the coal industry was cut a break, Wall Street is allowed in on the trading.
The main difference between cap-and-trade and the new cap-and-dividend idea is the cap-and-dividend cuts out the trade part, and with it the Wall Street traders.
While consumers will see their gas or electricity prices rise, supporters say cutting out Wall Street will prevent speculators from driving up the cost of carbon credits just to make a buck, and ultimately save consumers money.
0:00 /7:27Nobel advice for saving the planet
A staffer for the bill's other sponsor, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said that after receiving some $1,100 in rebate checks each year and paying higher gas and electric prices, the average Maine consumer would come out $102 ahead.
While savings or costs for cap-and-dividend will vary from state to state, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a cap-and-trade plan would cost consumers $175 a year on average nationwide.
Roughly 80% of the population would end up either breaking even or making money under cap-and-dividend, said the staffer. The remaining 20%, generally wealthier people who use more energy in things like multiple dwellings and air travel, would lose money.
"Climate change legislation must protect consumers and industries that could be hit with higher energy prices," Collins said in a statement.
The Democrats in the Senate are having a rough time mustering enough support to pass the bill even within their own party. Many Senators fear the legislation will be too costly for their constituents.
Getting the Senate to pass a bill, and ultimately have the United States enact mandatory cuts in greenhouse gases is seen as essential in securing a new worldwide global warming treaty.
What about Wall Street?
But cutting out Wall Street may have its downsides.
Allowing trading in carbon credits enables businesses to monetize those credits, in effect creating wealth, Kevin Book, a managing director at ClearView Energy Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that tracks political developments in the energy sector, said in an analysis of the bill.
[Cap-and-dividend] would transfer wealth within the economy, whereas [cap-and-trade] would inject $1 trillion of wealth into the economy," said Book.
And unlike simply giving the money to consumers, cap-and-trade directs much of the money to agriculture and industry - constituents Book believes are essential if any global warming bill is to pass Congress.
"Passage of a cap-and-trade bill with industrial stimulus overtones remains more likely than a carbon tax of any kind," said Book.
And despite widespread public mistrust of Wall Street trading, especially when it comes to energy prices, there are still those that believe having the most players in the market is the best way to ensure greenhouse gases are cut for the cheapest price possible.
Allowing trading in carbon credits will let more capital flow towards this sector, said Paul Smith, chief risk officer at Mobius Risk Group, a firm that advises energy producers and big energy consumers.
More capital means more creative ways to cut greenhouse gases may emerge.
"You really need to let it be a free market," said Smith. "If the number of participants is limited, innovation is going to be limited as well."
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