affordable heating in china essay
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My science chem essayTRANSCRIPT
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 it
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-heating-in-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-energy-407841.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/fg-chinaheat15>. 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-increase-geothermal-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 AssessmentUnderline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section.
Teacher AssessmentRed 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 specificclarification. 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 specificclarification.
Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding
Objective & Task Specific Clarification
1-2 3-4 5-6
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.
State
State
Describe
Describe
Explain
Explain
Body
A2 Discuss the effectiveness of science and its application in solving
omits
omits
outline
outline
discuss
discuss
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.
outlines
none
describes
one
discuss and evaluates
two
Assessment Level
Overall A Level 6
Science 10 - Criterion B - One World Essay
Self AssessmentUnderline the descriptor you think you achieved for each section. Teacher AssessmentRed 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 specificclarification. 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 specificclarification.
Criterion B: Communication in Science
Objective & Task Specific Clarification
1-2 3-4 5-6
B1 Uses _____ scientific language correctly.B1a. Use relevant scientific vocabulary and concepts.B1b. Use scientific words in context.
a limited range of
some
sufficient
B2 Communicates scientific information (with) _____. 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.
limited effectiveness
some effectiveness
effectively
B3 Fully documents sources of informationB3a. _____ 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.
doesn’t
some
partially
most
correctly
all
Overall B Level 6