Affordable Heating in China People need warmth to survive. In China, an estimated 200 million people do not have access to affordable and effective heating systems (Gliona). In Northern China, where the temperature can drop to -40 degrees celsius during winter, this is a pressing problem particularly for China’s poorer residents who cannot afford to heat their homes. As a result, these people must rely on coal briquettes or the coal-fired central heating (which are only operational for certain periods of time) (Geoff). Coal is currently the cheapest and most locally abundant source of fossil energy (Green) but with coal prices rising and coal-fired heating becoming more unreliable, China needs to look to sustainable energy alternatives that will be be both efficient and affordable for China’s low income citizens. The chemical reaction for combusting pure coal to produce energy is Carbon (C) + Oxygen (O) > Carbon dioxide (CO2) (“Carbon Dioxide Formula”). However not all coal is pure so burning it often gives off other gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (N2O) among other gases (“How Coal Works”). If there is not enough oxygen to react with carbon, it can also produce carbon monoxide (CO), which is highly toxic to humans. The most environmentally damaging gas
(Keep in mind that CO2 is only the most environmentally damaging gas because i
is produced in such abundance. Other gases such as sulphur dioxides and CO are much more harmful. , however, is CO2, a greenhouse gas which is a major contributor of global warming. China is currently the world’s largest contributor of carbon dioxide (“List of Countries by Carbon Dioxide Emissions”) and this is partially due to the fact that they also produce the most coal (“List of Countries by Coal Production”). China’s coal industry is notorious for its filthy work conditions, unregulated mining practices (“China’s Coal Concerns”) and the health repercussions to citizens in nearby districts (“Coal in China”) which is why one of the most promising alternatives to coal-fueled heating is using geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is produced by harnessing the Earth’s heat and has been around since ancient times. It is a type of renewable energy but unlike solar or wind energy, geothermal is more reliable because it doesn’t depend on weather or time (Wang). Geothermal energy
benefits the environment because it doesn’t cause pollution or greenhouse gases. Geothermal can only be used in areas with geothermal activity. Iceland is the prime example. The extraction process involves drilling deep into the earth and pumping the water up so it can flow through the piping of a building (Romankiewicz).
When using geothermal energy for
cooling in the summer heat pumps are used to extract the hotter air from the house so that it can be cooled in the earth. In the winter the outside air is colder than the ground temperature and so the heat exchanger in the heat pump can move the heat from the ground into the house or building. Geothermal energy has high potential in China because the heat can be extracted from within 3,000 to 10,000 meters under the ground? and China has the equivalent of 860 trillion tons of coal in untapped geothermal energy resources (Xinhua). The Ministry of Land and Reosurces claim it can save 250 millions tons of coal and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 500 million tons (Yuanyuan). Interesting, there is a article published in Nature that we should get: http://www. nature.com/nclimate/journal/v2/n8/full/nclimate1598.html. Another advantage of geothermal energy is that the running costs are generally quite low (“Advantages of Geothermal Energy”). This makes geothermal energy cheaper and affordable which is a huge benefit for low income residents. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal pumps save people up to 70 percent for heating costs, and up to 50 percent for cooling costs. The pumps also save money because they work as both a heater and air conditioner and require much less maintenance. In addition, the pumps are built to be extremely durable (“Geothermal Heat Pump”). An economical limitation to geothermal energy is that the capital costs are extremely high. However, if corporations and the government are willing to subsidize geothermal pumps in poor areas, this will enable poor families to have access to heating. The efficiency of these pumps will eventually pay off themselves as well so subsidizing the heating bills for poor families in China should be considered a worthwhile investment.
A major environmental limitation though is possible hazardous chemicals released by drilling. It is possible that to release hydrogen sulfide and other dangerous chemicals like arsenic, mercury, and ammonia. To avoid this, scientists and researchers need to come up with strategies to avoid these chemicals and implement safety procedures for the construction workers. In conclusion, heating through geothermal energy provides us with a viable solution to China’s coal problems. Though there are some initial environmental and economical limitations, these problems can be solved through reinforced environmental regulations and government subsidization. If China continues to use coal as its primary heating fuel, the country will suffer from respiratory and environmental problems. Geothermal heating is energy efficient, sustainable, eco-friendly and economically beneficial in the long run, which is why it is ideal for the Chinese lower and middle class. Geothermal energy may still need more research and the coal industry isn’t likely to disappear soon, but it certainly has the power and the potential to ensure the survival of millions of China’s residents. Works Cited: "Advantages Of Geothermal Energy." Advantages Of Geothermal Energy. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_GeothermalEnergy.php>. "Carbon Dioxide Formula." Newton. Argonne National Laboratory, 2000. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00120.htm>.
"China Environmental Law." China Environmental Law. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.chinaenvironmentallaw.com/?p=350>. "Coal in China." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_China>. "Coal-fired Heating in Northern China Blamed for Worsening Pollution." What's On Ningbo. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.whatsonningbo.com/news-765-coal-fired-heatingin-northern-china-blamed-for-worsening-pollution.html>.
"Five Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy." Yahoo! Contributor Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://voices.yahoo.com/five-disadvantages-geothermal-energy407841.html>. Geoff. "Heating in China: Inefficiency and Opportunity." China Green Buildings. China Green Buildings, 20 Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://chinagreenbuildings.blogspot.com/2009/ 02/heating-in-china-inefficiency-and.html>.
"Geothermal Heat Pump." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_heat_pump>. Geothermal Heat Pump Diagram. Digital image. Synergy Bore Holes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.synergyboreholes.co.uk/geothermal_boreholes/related_page.php?id=40>. Geothermal Heat Pump House. Digital image. Synergy Bore Holes. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.synergyboreholes.co.uk/geothermal_boreholes/related_page.php?id=40>. Gliona, John M. "Their Pre-winter of Discontent." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2007. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/15/world/fgchinaheat15>. Green, Jimmy. "How Cheap Is Coal?" Clean Energy. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, 4 Sept. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2012/09/04/how-cheap-is-coal/>. "How Coal Works." Union of Concerned Scientists. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/brief_coal.html>.
"How Geothermal Energy Works." HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/geothermal-energy1.htm>. "List of Countries by Carbon Dioxide Emissions." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Nov. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions>. "List of Countries by Coal Production." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 July 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_coal_production>. Siegal, RP. "Geothermal Energy: Pros and Cons." Triple Pundit. Triple Pundit, 15 June 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/06/geothermal-energy-pros-cons/>. Romankiewicz, John. "Geothermal Energy in Beijing." Vimeo. Vimeo, 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://vimeo.com/5148921>. Yuanyuan, Liu. "China on Track to Increase Geothermal Energy Development and Utilization." Renewable Energy World. Renewable Energy World, 19 May 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http:/ /www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/05/china-on-track-to-increasegeothermal-energy-development-and-utilization>. Wang, Ucilia. "Money Remains the Barrier to Geothermal Power." Greentech Media. Greentech Media, 25 Mar. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/ money-remains-the-barrier-to-geothermal-power-5952/>.
Xinhua. "China's Geothermal Equal to 860 Trillion Tonnes of Coal Equivalent." China Daily. China Daily, 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2012-10/ 04/content_15796961.htm>. ________________________________________________________________________ ______ Science 10 - Criterion A - One World Essay Self Assessment Underline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section. Teacher Assessment Red highlights indicate that you partially fulfilled the lower level for the descriptor. For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 3 for that task specific clarification. Purple highlights indicate that your reach/fulfilled the upper level for the descriptor. For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 4 for that task specific clarification. Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding Objective & Task Specific Clarification
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Introduction A1 Explain how science is applied and how it may be used to address a specific problem or issue in a local or global context. A1a. _____ the specific problem or issue. A1b. _____ the basic science related to the problem and solving the problem including any main chemical reactions. Body A2 Discuss the effectiveness of science and its application in solving
the problem or issue. A2a. _____ the benefits of the science in solving the problem and gives example(s). A2b. _____ the limitations of the science in solving the problem and gives example(s). A3 Discuss and evaluate the implications of the use and application of science interacting with two of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural & environmental. A3a. _____ interactions between science and the world. A3b. Addresses _____ of the above factors.
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Science 10 - Criterion B - One World Essay Self Assessment Underline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section. Teacher Assessment Red highlights indicate that you partially fulfilled the lower level for the descriptor. For example, if for A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 3 for that task specific clarification. Purple highlights indicate that your reach/fulfilled the upper level for the descriptor. For example, if A1a, the 3-4 “Describe” is highlighted, you achieved a 4 for that task specific clarification. Criterion B: Communication in Science
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B1 Uses _____ scientific language correctly. B1a. Use relevant scientific vocabulary and concepts. B1b. Use scientific words in context.
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B2a. Write succinctly. B2b. Do NOT write in the first person. B2c. Write in complete sentences and paragraphs. B2d. Write with few grammar and spelling mistakes. B3 Fully documents sources of information B3a. _____ use(s) MLA format to reference sources in text (author/ title, page). B3b. In the Works Cited section cites _____ and only sources used in text using MLA format. Overall B Level
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