Australian Science Illustrated — Issue 54 2017

scienceillustrated.com.au | 41

(μm). A 2.5 μm

particle is about 30

times smaller than the

thickness of a human hair.

The particles form in several ways such

as by combustion, oxidation of nitrogen and

sulphur compounds, and other chemical

reactions in the atmosphere. If you are

surrounded by air with a high content of

PM2.5 particles, you suffer a markedly

greater risk of developing lung diseases such

as asthma,

bronchitis, and lung

cancer. So, the WHO has

established a threshold value of 10

microgrammes of the particles per cubic

metre of air.

Sadly, this threshold is often crossed by

many cities of the world, including European

ones, but the situation is the worst in China.

Even when authorities have been forced to

establish a higher threshold - 35

microgrammes per cubic metre - the cities

are simply unable to comply.

Particles also exist which are tinier than

PM2.5, whose sizes are measured on a

nanoscale. Doctors are not yet sure, but the

particles might cause other problem. Mouse

studies show that particles of less than 200

nanometres or 0.2 μm can enter directly from

the respiratory system to the body, where

they travel along nerve cells, ending up in the

brain, where they cause infection and

In 2050, electricity could come

from the other side of the world

China is investing billions in developing a global

electricity grid, by which the power in your home comes

from renewable energy sources throughout the world.

2020

Solar and wind

power technologies

become more efficient.

National electricity grids

will be controlled by

computers, which send

clean energy to the places

where it is required, so its

full potential will always

be reached.

2030

Transnational

clean energy

wind and solar farms

are established.

National power grids

become continental.

In 2015, the Chinese

authorities admitted that they

had made a major mistake.

According to new data, the

country had burned 17 % more

coal than previously reported for

more than a decade. So, global

CO 2 emission estimates had to be

revised considerably upwards.

The increase was larger than

Germany’s total emissions.

2050

The continental grids

are united in a global

grid. UN-controlled wind

farms are established at

60° N and S, where the

winds are the highest and

most stable. Large solar

farms are located along

the Equator.

Soon

SMOG REDUCTION:

100 %

CHINA CONSUMED

MUCH MORE COAL

SHUTTERSTOCK

KEVIN FRAYER/GETTY IMAGES

WIND TURBINES

SATELLITES

GLOBAL GRID

60 DEGREES^ N

(^60) DEGREES S
EQUATOR

EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT

EARTH'S COAL RESERVES WILL

BE DEPLETED IN 110 YEARS.