"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Tag: Climate Change
How Heat Transfer is Used to Model Climate Change
12/16/18
“How is Heat Transfer Used to Model Climate Change?”
Heat Transfer is one of the foundational course for a Mechanical Engineer. But internal combustion engines and HVAC are not the only things that the theory can be applied to. Climate Scientists will use many of the same Heat Transfer equations when designing climate models. In this way, Heat Transfer is Used to Model Climate Change.
Image credit singularityhub.com
Climate Change Model Verification
12/15/18
“How can we verify climate change models?”
Climate models are extremely useful for helping us predict the impacts of climate change. But how can we verify them? Well, what if we were to map their mathematical functions to historical data and see if they accurately predict temperature rises? If it turns out to be correct, then the model has a good chance of being valid. This Climate Model Verification, often known as hindcasting, gives our methods validity for future policy work.
Image credit http://www.skepticalscience.com
Climate Change Modeling
12/14/18
“How can we create models for the future climate?”
We seem to hear about the predictions of the future climate all the time in the media. Whether it be a warning if we go 2 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels or the ever-increasing rate of global warming. But how do we actually obtain this information? Well, people from a variety of different academic disciplines come together to make mathematical models that take in a variety of complex terrestrial processes and their interactions with each other and then layer it on to a physical model of the earth to produce a simulation of what will happen. This is known as Climate Change Modeling and is one of the most important tools that humans have to make policy goals.
Image credit http://www.gfdl.noaa.go
How Load Shedding Helps Fight Climate Change
11/19/18
“How can load shedding be beneficial for the planet?”
When power grids receive a demand overload, they often go into load-shedding to prevent a blackout. Not only does the reduced load prevent a blackout but also emit less carbon dioxide! Without having to worry about an infrastructure recovery or extra emissions, the grid’s impact on climate change will be reduced.
Fire Resiliency in the Bay Area
11/17/18
“How can the Bay Area Adapt to Climate Change-Induced Fires?”
The climate is changing drastically around the world. Temperatures are rising, and dry areas are getting drier. And one of the hardest-hit places right now is in Northern California. As a result of the (as of writing) on-going Butte County Fire, smoke has filled the air of the San Francisco Bay, making it deadlier to breathe in than New Delhi! And with the warming climate, things are only going to get worse.
But things can be done about this. To build resiliency against future fire-related disasters, The Bay Area can enact stricter fire codes, install more ventilation systems in buildings, create underground tunnels between critical infrastructure areas so people can avoid air pollution, and have N95 mask distribution stations. This way, Fire Resilience can be built in the Bay Area
Why Do Forest Fires Cause Air Pollution?
11/10/18
“Why do fires make it so hard to breathe?”
Right now in a fire unmatched in recorded Northern California history is raging. The smoke from this fire has suffused the Bay Area, making it worse to breathe here than Bejing! This is all because of a recent forest fire. When fires engulf forests, smoke containing fine particulate matter is released into the atmosphere. This material can penetrate the lungs and cause a whole range of potential problems. This is how forest fires cause air pollution.
Image credit Phys.org
How We Can Leverage Smart Building Data to Combat Climate Change
11/08/18
“How can we use data from buildings to make them better for the environment?”
The ascent of the Internet of Things is changing everything in its path, and the building sector is no different. With our newfound access to all sorts of building data, we can take much more control to ensure energy efficiency. Whether this means finding bottlenecks in the system, more optimal times to control HVAC systems or better building automation systems.
Image credit http://www.ledesigngroup.com
The Azraq Refugee Camp and Renewable Energy
11/03/18
“How does the world’s first renewable powered refugee camp work?”
The Azraq Refugee Camp is Jordan is not like any other. Built to accommodate 20,000 Syrian Refugees, the site is completely powered by a nearby solar energy farm. Currently at 2 MW of capacity, The farm provides enough energy for the residents to meet their daily needs and carry on their lives. The success of the Azraq refugee camp can serve as a template for other such sites around the world.
Image credit: http://www.unhcr.org
How More Extreme Coldwaves will Harm Transportation Infrastructure
10/25/18
“How will Transportation Infrastructure be harmed by more extreme coldwaves?”
Transportation infrastructure will definitely be impacted by the changing weather. But climate change is doing much more than rising temperatures. More extreme coldwaves in certain parts of the earth are resulting from changing polar vortex. The behemoth damage brought onto transportation systems includes more delays in train/plane schedules, heavier icing of streets, and more stress on structures. This is How More Extreme Coldwaves will Harm Transportation Infrastructure.
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