- How does a cyclone reduce particulate pollution?
- How can coal power be made so that it has nearly zero carbon contribution to the
atmosphere? - Why is it that the ozone hole will not be healed for several decades?
- Many people think that biofuels are the solution to a lot of the problem of climate
change, but others disagree. What requirements would biofuels have to meet if they
were to be really effective at replacing gasoline in motor vehicles?
Vocabulary
biofuel A fuel made from living materials, usually crop plants.
carbon sequestration Removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so that it does not
act as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
catalyst A substance that increases (or decreases) the rate of a chemical reaction but is
not used up in the reaction.
catalytic converter Found on modern motor vehicles, these devices use a catalyst to
break apart pollutants.
fuel cell An energy cell in which chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.
gasification A technology that cleans coal before it is burned, which increases efficiency
and reduces emissions.
hybrid vehicle A very efficient vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine,
an electric motor and a rechargeable battery.
Points to Consider
- Why is it important to reduce air pollution?
- What can you do in your own life to reduce your impact on the atmosphere?
- Why is a worldwide effort needed to reduce the threat of global climate change?
Image Sources
(1) DOE.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Soybus.jpg. Public Domain.