figure
Which scientist hypothesized that an increase in CO2 in the atmosphere
would cause temperatures to rise?
Gilbert Plass was a physicist who hypothesized in the 1950s that excessive CO2
released by human activities and industrialization could cause changes in temperature
Which scientist popularized the term climate change and linked it to global warming?
Columbia University's Wallace Broecker published a 1975 paper, "Climate Change: Are
We on the Brink of Significant Global Warming?" 》, linking the terms climate change
and global warming​(Cheating Sheet).
timeline
What key events in the 19th century led to increases in CO2?
The progress of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, including the development
of the steam engine, mechanized harvesters, and the textile industry, coupled with
population growth and industrial expansion, especially oil drilling and the construction
of railroads, resulted in significant increases in CO2 (Cheating Sheet).
What phenomena in the mid-20th century led to increases in CO2 in the second half
of the century?
The acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, especially the economic expansion
and large-scale use of automobiles after World War II, has promoted the demand for oil
and coal, resulting in a significant increase in CO2 emissions (Cheating Sheet).
regulations
Which important regulation transformed transportation and helped expand automobile use
in the United States?
The Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 helped expand the nation’s highway network, spurring
the spread of the automobile and modernizing transportation (Cheating Sheet).
Who is credited with creating the Department of Energy and the Environmental
Protection Agency?
The creation of the Department of Energy was attributed to President Jimmy Carter’s push
in 1977, while the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was derived from
President Richard Nixon’s Cheating Sheet in 1970.
science
What do scientists think about excess carbon stuck in the atmosphere?
If we stopped emitting excess CO2 tomorrow, about half of the CO2 would disappear from
the atmosphere within 30 years, but about 20% of the CO2 could remain in the
atmosphere for up to a thousand years​(Cheating Sheet).
What are the biggest sources of global warming?
The three main sources of global warming are: carbon dioxide pollution (43%), methane
production (27%), and black carbon emissions (12%)​(Cheating Sheet).
What is the biggest cause of deforestation?
The main causes of deforestation are slash-and-burn agriculture, poverty and population
growth, demand for commodity production (such as palm oil and beef), and the failure
of global markets to value living forests (Cheating Sheet).
event
What are the concerns about Three Mile Island and Chernobyl?
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster raised deep
concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants, especially the long-term dangers of
nuclear waste and the potential harm of radiation to humans and the environment
Lake NYOS incident?
The Lake NYOS incident occurred in 1986, when a volcanic eruption at the bottom of the
lake released large amounts of carbon dioxide, suffocating more than 1,700 people and
thousands of livestock, highlighting the potential risks of carbon capture and storage
(CSS) technology (Cheating Sheet).
NE Blackout
The Northeast Blackout of 1965 left more than 30 million Americans without power,
exposing the dangers of overloading the power grid and prompting a reexamination of
the fragility of electric infrastructure (Cheating Sheet).
leader
The world's leading country in solar, wind and nuclear energy?
China, the United States, Germany and India are global leaders in wind and solar energy,
while France leads the world in nuclear energy​(Cheating Sheet).
transportation
Worries about EV expansion?
As electric vehicles expand, increased demands on the grid, insufficient charging
infrastructure, and the environmental cost of lithium battery production are major
concerns​
Scenario analysis
1. Solar or wind energy: Which is more promising?
Solar energy and wind energy are currently the most potential renewable energy
sources, but under specific conditions, their applications are different. Wind energy
has shown its stability and high efficiency in some areas, such as Denmark, where 56%
of electricity comes from wind energy (Cheating Sheet). Solar power generation mainly
depends on lighting conditions, so in areas with significant diurnal and seasonal
changes, the power generation efficiency of solar energy will fluctuate. In addition,
wind energy can be utilized in a wider range of geographical conditions than solar
energy, such as coastal areas and plateau areas where wind resources are abundant.
Although solar power has higher initial construction costs, its price has dropped
significantly over the past decade, making it increasingly accepted around the world.
Overall, wind energy is more feasible in the short term, but solar energy also has huge
potential in the long term as technology advances and energy storage technology develops.
2. Geothermal energy or carbon capture and storage (CCS): Which is better?
Geothermal energy is a sustainable, 24/7 source of energy with a small environmental
footprint. According to United Nations estimates, global geothermal resources can meet
280,000 times global annual energy consumption (Cheating Sheet). In contrast, although
carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology can theoretically reduce carbon emissions
from fossil fuels such as coal, its large-scale implementation faces technical challenges
and high economic costs. In addition, CCS technology also suffers from insufficient
storage locations and potential geological risks, such as sudden CO2 leaks
similar to the Lake NYOS incident. Geothermal energy has higher infrastructure costs,
but once established, its operating costs are lower. In contrast, CCS is more of a
short-term means of mitigating climate change, while geothermal energy is more
sustainable in the long term.
3. What is the future of nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy has attracted much attention because of its high energy density.
One pound of uranium is equivalent to the energy of 3 million pounds of coal .
However, the development of nuclear energy has been hindered by safety concerns,
especially the decline in public acceptance of nuclear energy after the Three Mile Island
and Chernobyl accidents. Despite this, countries like France still rely heavily on nuclear
energy to generate electricity, with about 68% of their electricity coming from nuclear
energy (Cheating Sheet). The emerging Pebble nuclear reactor design shows the potential
for nuclear energy innovation, but waste disposal and nuclear proliferation risks remain
issues that must be addressed. In addition, nuclear power plants consume more water than
other energy sources, which can cause additional environmental problems in an
increasingly arid environment. The development of nuclear energy therefore requires a
balance between technology, safety and environmental impacts.
4. Influence of population habits?
Population growth is directly related to increases in carbon emissions, and as the global
population grows rapidly, especially in developing countries, carbon emissions also rise
. Four factors are considered key to controlling population growth: universal education,
female empowerment, improved child survival rates, and the right to reproductive choice
. The acceleration of urbanization has also contributed to the increase in energy demand
and further worsening of carbon emissions. To address these issues, female education and
health management must be prioritized, especially in developing countries. In addition,
reducing environmental pressures caused by urbanization, such as over-exploitation of
land resources and energy consumption, will also help control carbon emissions.
Sustainable population management policies are key to slowing global warming and
reducing pressure on the environment.
5. What are the challenges and opportunities in creating a Northeast supergrid?
The creation of the Northeast Supergrid could significantly improve the efficiency and
reliability of energy transmission, especially in the integration of renewable energy.
Through a unified power grid system, intermittent energy sources such as wind and
solar energy can be better combined with energy storage technology to achieve stable
power supply. However, creating a supergrid requires overcoming several challenges,
including upgrading old grid infrastructure, policy coordination, and cross-state
cooperation. Developments in smart grid technology will allow for more precise power
dispatch, thereby reducing power wastage. In addition, the popularity of electric
vehicles increases electricity demand, and supergrids will help support large-scale
electric transportation in the future. Despite cost and policy barriers, the creation of
supergrids will pave the way for widespread adoption of renewable energy.
6. Impact of soil?
Soil plays a vital role in the carbon cycle, storing two to four times the amount of
carbon in the atmosphere (Cheating Sheet). However, over-farming and modern agricultural
techniques have led to a significant decline in carbon levels in the soil, exacerbating cl
imate change issues. Maintaining soil health is critical for food security and ecoloical
balance, especially as global climate change intensifies. In addition, soil degradation
caused by overgrazing and poor agricultural practices is further reducing its carbon-abso
rbing capacity. By introducing biochar technology, soil carbon storage can be increased in
farmland and help slow down global warming (Cheating Sheet). Protecting soils is not only
an agricultural issue but also a climate issue, and healthy soils are vital to achieving
long-term climate goals.