Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Barnosky estimates that in 330 years, 75% of mammalian species will be
extinct! (Barnosky et al., 2011).
6
A good example of this “tragedy of the commons” is the state of the global
fishing industry. The deep-sea fishery is a common property available
to all nation players. Rampant overfishing by different nations without
regard to agreed-upon quotas and ecologically safe practices has
seriously depleted the fishery.
7
An externality is a cost or benefit resulting from a transaction that is
experienced by a party who did not choose to incur that cost/benefit. Air
pollution from burning fossil fuel, for instance, is a negative externality.
Selecting renewable materials in building can in some instances be
cheaper and delivers the positive externality of conserving fossil fuel
reserves.
million barrels of oil, 51 million tons of coal or in 1 trillion cubic feet of
dry natural gas.
9
Internal combustion engine is a particularly inefficient converter of fuel
into useful energy. About 75% of energy input into an automobile is lost
as heat. Only about 12% is translated to energy at the wheels!
10
The data are from the Statistical Review of World Energy (British
Petroleum, 2007). The remaining 12% is from nuclear and hydroelectric
power plants. The estimates of global oil reserves are also from the same
source.
11
Based on figures published in 2011 by the US Energy Information
Administration.
12
As with Malthus's famous predictions, Hubbert's timing was off by
decades, but his arguments were sound. Estimates of new reserves are
upgraded each year, but we may have finally reached peak production.
13
UNEP/GRID Arendal.
14
In October of 2011, 25 states urged a federal court to require that the
USEPA delay implementing the rule on emission of Mercury and other
pollutantsfrom(coal-fired)powerplantsbyatleastayear,asthechanges
will be too costly. Gardnery, T. Reuters. Monday, October 10, 2011.
