3 : : The Green Lecture

The lecture that was held on 30th January has provided us with greater insight on the issue of global warming. It was a good continuation from the video on “The Inconvenient Truth” showing the effects of global warming, where we now gain knowledge of how the world is tackling this issue, the complexities of curbing global warming which is limited not only by technology.

The first presenter was Professor Andrew Palmer, presenting with a focus of carbon capture technology. First, he gave background information on the carbon levels in our atmosphere, which was approximately 7.5 gigatons of carbon at the beginning of this century, and went on to show its trend over the next 50 years based on the amount of global efforts in reducing carbon emission. Fuel switch from coal to gas, utilizing solar and wind power, carbon dioxide capture and storage, less usage of cars are some of the possible efforts that Professor Andrew had brought up. Next, we went into details of storing liquid carbon dioxide under pressure in the ocean, and the scale of such projects of storing it in membranes on the ocean bed. He added that political issues are always more demanding than the technology itself, citing examples of the US being the major oil consumption, yet not adopting the Kyoto Protocol, which gives reason for others not doing anything serious about curbing global warming. Carbon dioxide storage underwater sounded familiar, but Professor Andrew’s presentation has given me more insight on the technological aspects and more importantly, political issues that trail along with regards to global warming.

The second presenter was Professor Benjamin K. Sovacool, and he used Science and Technology Studies to address energy problems. He mentioned that technology and society are blended together, and technology is a result of choice from humanity. Technical feasibility contests social interest, which either of two can fail independently of each other. Next, he went into the first case study of renewable energy, and cited that market failures and barriers are one of the causes of the lack of extensive usage alternative energy sources in the US. His second case study was on the history of electric cars, and the rapid shift of the market from electric cars to gasoline powered vehicles. Media and advertisement was the main cause of this shift, since both vehicles had an equal share of pros and cons. The history of electric cars was fascinating as we see its evolved form on the streets every day, but not many of us knowing the history of it.

The final presenter was Professor Bala, with a technical presentation of the issue of global warming. He has provided much facts and figures of global warming, including the potential consequences of global warming and the possible solutions.