Virtual Science Fair - Trash is Trash No More




	The world today is quickly depleting its source of fossil fuels and is now running out of space for garbage disposal. Why don't we solve two problems at once and simply burn trash and make use of the thermal energy emitted? The purpose of this project is to educate others on the many elements that affect this seemingly simplistic issue. Burning Fossil Fuels fossil fuels created thousands of years ago from the remains of plant and animal matter releases CO`2` when burned most commonly used → coal, oil and natural gas coal consumption by developed countries has seen a steady decline oil and natural gas burning has increased substantially much cleaner burning than coal coal burning in developing countries (India / China) is increasing at an alarming rate these countries are in a stage of rapid industrialization coal is cheapest, most abundant fuel coal burning continues because of the expense of replacing the coal burners with a new power source unfortunately, atmospheric CO`2` levels will continue to rise Acid Rain + Global Warming rainfall is becoming increasingly acidic as emissions from coal burning thermal power plants and automobile exhaust systems circulate the globe high atmospheric wind currents carry often carry them thousands of kilometres away from their source of origin plants burned by acid rain become more susceptible to attack from predators continued burning of fossil fuels is responsible for rising planetary air temperatures appears to be making global weather patterns more volatile unusually damaging wind and thunderstorms are becoming more frequent World Energy Consumption fossil fuels: derived from ancient plant and animal fossils that have been subjected to the extreme pressure and heat required to form petroleum and coal nonrenewable unless there is a use of alternative energy sources, fossil fuels will run out they are the number one contributor to the greenhouse effect and acid rain, but easy to transport and the energy produced is inexpensive many uses → Generate power; create a variety of products Global Warming + Energy hydroelectric power → still the primary source of electricity in Canada has enormous potential favourable rainfall and high, glacier-clad mountain ranges with heavy accumulations of winter snows ensure that river systems discharge huge volumes of water to the ocean year round → perfect setting accelerated global warming may trigger rapid climate change deplete our fresh water reservoirs so that for the drier part of the year, rivers will not have adequate water flow to generate hydropower wind power → substitute for hydroelectric enough power can be generated by wind to allow hydro reservoirs more time to fill with water and in the process to store energy for peak times of the year as global warming accelerates more severe and more frequent weather systems will test currently overloaded and aging power grids major large-scale electrical blackouts will likely become more frequent to offset the demand for more power → must endorse conservation in a big way Back to Top