Science_Illustrated_Australia_-_Issue70_2019

scienceillustrated.com.au | 35

further protection in a world

where the ocean levels could

rise by some 5cm a year.

Our homes must also be

protected against the rough

weather. Doors and windows

must be reinforced to avoid

damage during storms, while

dense vegetation on rooftops

could help keep out extreme

heat. According to a Spanish

study, plants on the roof

curb 60% of incoming heat.

Australian cities that

already experience many

scorching summer days

will need such effective

cooling solutions which do not, like air-con-

ditioning, involve still heavier energy use.

A future in which we do not employ more

green energy than today will see the world’s

known reserves of oil and gas being almost

depleted. The emergency solution could be

to base the world’s energy production on

coal, just as it was 200 years ago. Australia is

rich in coal, and old mines elsewhere could

be reopened. But coal is extremely polluting,

so efficient removal of soot and sulphur from

the emitted gases will be necessary, and such

air purification might require 30% of the

energy generated.

Ultimately, green energy will probably be

our only option. Even then, frequent violent

storms will mean that wind turbines and

solar cells will require more constant and

extensive maintenance, itself very costly.

Whether temperatures will rise by five

degrees remains unknown, but most studies

indicate that a considerable rise is inevitable

if we do not act now. And even a

rise of 1-2 degrees would have

severe consequences. In either

case, a major part of our techno-

logical development will need to

focus on protecting ourselves

against climate disasters, and to

make sure that we can continue

having our basic needs fulfilled.

Although according to climate

researcher Katherine Richardson,

this type of climate change action

is like taking aspirin against a

life-threatening infection that we

could have wiped out a long time

ago by means of antibiotics – in the

form of green energy.

Car printed

in plastic

The entire car is 3D-printed in

light, strong materials such as

plastic, carbon fibre and light

metal alloys. The new materials

reduce weight and consequently

energy consumption.

Narrow tyres

reduce friction

Rolling friction swallows

some 15% of energy. Narrow

tyres with high pressure

can reduce friction by 30%.

Computers to

coordinate shared cars

The car is driverless and part

of a shared car system from which

it can be requested via smart

technology. Artificial intelligence

coordinates the system to

minimise car energy consumption.

Motor powered by

surplus energy

In a few years, surplus electricity

from green energy sources can be used

to split water into oxygen and hydrogen.

The latter can be used as fuel.

Planes with lasers
avoid turbulence
Global warming will cause more
violent turbulence in airspace.
Scientists from the Japanese space agency
have developed a laser system that spots
such ‘invisible’ turbulence 15km ahead of
a plane, allowing it to steer clear.

GO

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Shared and
driverless cars
A smart, coordinated system of
hydrogen-powered cars could make
transport much more climate- friendly –
and ensure that you always have access to a car.