WORLD CLIMATE CHANGE

By Ajibode Oluwaseun Omoyeni Presented To fulfillment of requirements for the completion of University Foundation Programme of Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Lagos January, 2011 The Department of Physics in partial

CERTIFICATION
This project written by Ajibode Oluwaseun Omoyeni under the guidance of academic committee and approved by the college, has been submitted and accepted by the Physics fulfillment of the requirements for the University Foundation Programme Signature: --------------Date: -------Department of Bridge House College in partial

DEDICATION
This project is dedicated to God Almighty who has given me the strength to complete this project.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I appreciate the help and contributions of my involved in making the research work a successful one. parents and my supervisor, who were directly

ABSTRACT
Climate change is a reality. The effect of global warming is there for all to see. In the arctic, ice and permafrost are disappearing In the antarctic, the ice sheet is melting into the oceans and floods; Australia for example waves Tropical areas are experiencing more frequent and destructive storms In Europe, glaciers are disappearing and there have been extreme heat The earth has not experienced this level of increase in temperature for over

hundred years. In 2005, the atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide were 379

parts per million, higher than at any time in the past 650,000 years. Between 1995 and 2006, we have experienced 11 of the 12 warmest years on record. earths supply of coal, natural gas and oil is being burnt in the thirst for our atmosphere every year. It is now widely accepted that global warming is taking place. The cause? The energy. This combustion is releasing billions of tones of carbon dioxide into Warming brings with it unpredictable changes: Rivers overflow due to excessive heavy rainfall and melting glaciers like the Upsala glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. In other areas, drought-like conditions lead to water shortages.

In some regions, longer growing seasons improve crop yields, whereas

Storms and hurricanes are becoming more extreme. Hurricanes Katrina devastated New Orleans, USA, in August 2005.

others experience drought and disease resulting in disastrous harvests.

 Sea ice in the arctic is melting faster each year. There are fears that the gulf stream current may be shut off, leading to severe winters in northern Europe, including the UK The list goes on

TABLE OF CONTENT
Pages Title Page Certification Dedication Acknowledgements Abstract Table of Content CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 General description of study

1.1 Problem analysis 1.2 The purpose of study 1.3 Research questions 1.4 Research hypothesis 1.5 Definitions of unfamiliar terms

1.6 Scope of study 1.7 References

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Historical background 2.1 Current Literature Review 2.2 Summary of contents of Chapter 2.3 References

CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY 3.0 Characteristics of study population 3.1 Data collection instrument 3.2Procedures for processing and analyzing collected data 3.3Limitations of Methodology

CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA 4.0A brief introduction 4.1Tabular presentation according to research questions 4.2 Summary of chapter

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.0 Summary 5.1 Conclusions 5.2 Recommendations 5.3 References

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.0 General description of study

Climate is the long-term statistical expression of short-term weather. Climate can be defined as "expected weather". When changes in the expected weather occur, we call these climate changes. They can be defined by the differences between average weather conditions at two separate times. Climate may change in different ways, over different time scales and at different geographical scales. In recent times, scientists have become interested in global warming, due to mankind's impact on the climate system, through the enhancement of the natural greenhouse effect.

Major causes of climate change involve any process that can alter the global energy balance, and the energy flows within the climate system. Causes of climate change include changes in the Earths orbit around the Sun, changes in the amount of energy coming from the Sun, changes in ocean circulation or changes in the composition of the atmosphere. Large volcanic eruptions can affect the global climate over only a few years. By contrast, the movement of continents around the world over hundreds of millions of years can also affect global climate, but only over these much longer time scales.

In the last 100 years, the Earths surface and lowest part of the atmosphere have warmed up on average by about 0.8oC. During this period, the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased, largely as a result of the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation, and land use changes, for food by mankind. In the last 20 years, concern has grown that these two phenomena are, at least in part, associated with each other. That is to say, global warming is now considered most probably to be due to the man-made increases

in greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst other natural causes of climate change, including changes in the amount of energy coming from the Sun and shifting patterns of ocean circulation, can cause global climate to change over similar periods of time, the balance of evidence now indicates that there is a discernible human influence on the global climate.

1.1Problem analysis The Earth's average temperature has been rising over the last century and scientists attribute much of the increase to greenhouse gases added to the air by industrial processes and burning fossil fuels, such as in automobiles. Climate change is unequivocal, is already happening, and is caused by human activity. Climatic changes will be superimposed on social and economic changes that are altering the climate vulnerability of different regions and sectors of society, as well as their ability to cope.

 Meanwhile, a British researcher was warning that climate change will mean higher medical costs, taxes, insurance rates and other costs. The hike in costs will be shared; climate change will affect all of our wallets. As warmer than average summers are becoming more common, costs will rise for health care and maintenance of parks and highways and even because of property subsidence.

1.2 PURPOSE OF STUDY The purpose of this study is: To investigate what climate change is To assess the cause To examine the effects To know how we can help in our own little way

1.3

Research Questions

1. Is world climate change really happening? 2. Is world climate change really going to affect all the earth? 3. Does using machines like vehicles or technologies light electricity really affect our environment? 4. Is the worlds situation going to get really bad anytime soon?

1.4

Research Hypothesis H0 =World climate change is not happening H1 =World climate change is happening

1.5

Definition of unfamiliar terms

According to oxford advanced leaners dictionary: Atmosphere- mixture of gases that surrounds the earth. Carbon dioxide-a gas breathed out by people and animals by the lungs or produced by burning carbon. Earths orbit-a curved path followed by the earth as it moves around the sun. Global warming-the increase in temperature of the earths atmosphere, that in caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide. Green house effect-the problem of gradual rise in temperature of the earths atmosphere, caused by an increase of gases such as carbon dioxide in the air of the earth, which traps the heat of the sun. Green house gases-any of the gases that are thought to cause the green house effect, especially carbon dioxide. Time scale-the period of time that it takes for something to happen or to be completed.

Volcanic eruption-when burning rocks or molten lava are thrown out of a volcano.

1.6

Scope of Study This study examined students and teachers reaction to questions concerning the welfare of the world. The study selected the schools; Bridge House College environment, Ikoyi, Lagos

1.7

References

www.ourplanet.com www.nnovations-report.com OCR Chemistry AS Textbook: David Gent and Rob Ritchie

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter reviews the work of the past researchers in the area of world climate change. It would also discuss the concept, problems, challenges and long-term solutions 5 Historical Background

The history of the scientific discovery of climate change began in the early 19th century when natural changes in paleoclimate were first suspected and the natural greenhouse effect first identified. In the late 19th century, scientists first argued that human emissions of greenhouse gases could change the climate, but the calculations were disputed. In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists increasingly thought that human activity could change the climate on a timescale of decades, but were unsure whether the net impact would be to warm or cool the climate. During the 1970s, scientific opinion increasingly favored the warming viewpoint. In the 1980s the consensus position formed that human activity was in the process of warming the climate, leading to the beginning of the modern period of global warming science summarized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

2.1

Current Literature Review

The world's first zero-carbon city is being built in Abu Dhabi and is designed to be not only free of cars and skyscrapers but also powered by the sun. The oil-rich United Arab Emirates is the last place you would expect to learn lessons on low-carbon living, but the emerging eco-city of Masdar could teach the world. The genius of Masdar - if it works - will be combining 21st Century engineering with traditional desert architecture to deliver zero-carbon comfort. And it is being built now. Masdar will be home to about 50,000 people, at least 1,000 businesses and a university. It is being designed by British architects Foster and Partners, but it is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is paying for it. And it will cost between 10bn ($15bn) and 20bn ($30bn).

Masdar City aims to be powered solely by renewable energy sources

Renewable energy The architects are turning the desert's greatest threat - the sun - into their greatest asset.

They have built the biggest solar farm in the Middle East to power the city and to offset the inevitable burning of diesel and baking of cement in construction. They are also experimenting. One project involves a circular field of mirrors on the ground, all reflecting towards a tower in the middle. That, in turn, bounces the light down in a concentrated beam about a metre (3ft) wide to produce heat and drive generators. Keeping cool The Emirates have seen one of the world's most spectacular building booms paid for by oil and made tolerable by air conditioners, which also Kaled Awad, director of the Masdar project

The quality of air will be better than any other street in the Gulf and in the world, and that alone will bring you safety, health and happiness

depend on oil to feed their vast appetite for energy. But Masdar will have to be low temperature and low carbon. Unlike the upward and outward sprawl of Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Masdar is compact like ancient Arab cities. Streets are narrow so buildings shade each other, and the walls and roofs of buildings will do their bit to shed heat too. Gerard Evenden, architect The vertical faces are dressed with screens which look like a terracotta mesh. They keep the sun out but let the breeze in. One idea being tested is using a thin foil surface covering, a gas or vacuum blanket, to keep the heat out. It is an idea dreamt up for a moon base. Lunar technology has begun to influence our thinking

To encourage a breeze, wind towers are being built, drawing draughts through the streets without using energy. Masdar will still use electricity for gadgets, some air conditioning and, most crucially, to desalinate sea water but, when it comes to power, the city has a simple mantra: "Only use energy when you have exhausted design." Driverless vehicles Conventional cars must be checked in at the city gates and then you can choose between the oldest and newest modes of transport. At street level, it is all pedestrianised and the planners have done their best to keep the city compact and foot-friendly. But if fatigue overtakes you, then slip down a level and meet the Personal Rapid Transit or pod cars.

These driverless vehicles are guided by magnetic sensors, powered by solar electricity, and they stop automatically if an obstacle appears. They are programmed to go where you ask. Kaled Awad, director of the Masdar project claims: "The quality of air will be better than any other street in the Gulf and in the world, and that alone will bring you safety, health and happiness." On top of the wind tower, there will be a beacon betraying the city's actual energy use: red for too much, blue for just right. It will be 45m (147ft) up and visible for miles around so, when Masdar is finished in five to 10 years' time, we will all know if it is in the red.

Masdar, a green city in Abu Dhabi designed by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners planned to be the world's first zero-carbon and zero-waste city in the world is nearing first stage completion after a three year journey. This carfree zone is being driven by Abu Dhabi's Future Energy Company and will be home to the company's headquarters and a new university. The project was unveiled at the Cityscape conference in Abu Dhabi back in 2007.

The land around the city will be home to wind and photovoltaic farms as well as research fields and plantations so that the city is completely self-sustaining but skepticism about Masdar's ability to succeed have trailed the project. The Masdar Institute is due to welcome its first residents this September but it has been no easy road. The project is currently facing its first review. The project was rebranded from "zero carbon" to "carbon neutral" and the parent company recently cut its work force. A piece on Greentech chronicles some of the difficulties which have included sandstorms that limited the solar capacity.

The $22 billion carbon neutral Masdar City project is still planned to provide seven percent of the United Arab Emirates' power with renewable energy sources by 2020 even though the project is behind schedule. In a statement Lord Forster of Foster + Partners said that "Masdar has far reaching significance as a test-bed and an integrated urban research project of unprecedented scale and ambition." Whatever happens with the project is a learning experience not just for Abu

Dhabi but for a world trying to go green. It has captured global attention, above, German chancellor Angela Merkel checks out the model of the project. Chevron also works in reducing pollution

In 2001, Chevron began implementing its Action Plan on Climate Change to manage and reduce GHG emissions. The plan calls for reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency; investing in research, development and improved technology; pursuing business opportunities in promising, innovative energy technologies; and supporting flexible and economically sound policies and mechanisms that protect the environment.

In 2009, their total emissions were 57.4 million metric tons, better than their goal of 60.5 million metric tons. Their GHG emissions intensity in 2009 was approximately 33 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per 1,000 barrels of net oilequivalent production from our Upstream operations, down from 37 metric tons in 2008. Their Downstream intensity was approximately 36 metric tons of CO2

equivalent per 1,000 barrels of crude oil that was input into our refineries, the same as in 2008. Their preliminary goal for 2010 is 59.0 million metric tons. While we expect normal production levels and emissions to resume in areas where disruptions occurred, we also expect to sustain the emission reductions achieved by maintaining energy efficiency improvements and by reducing flaring and venting. We estimate that combustion of our products resulted in emissions of approximately 410 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2009, approximately 7 percent more than the 382 million metric tons in 2008.2 When compared with the International Energy Agency's Key World Energy Statistics (2009 edition), these emissions represent approximately 1.4 percent of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, which is lower than the 1.7 percent of global CO2 emissions when we first began estimating the GHG emissions from our products

In 2009, Chevron advanced several flare reduction projects and reduced overall GHG emissions from flaring and venting by 8 percent. Managing the routine flaring and venting of "associated" gas (the natural gas extracted with crude oil

during production) is an ongoing challenge for Chevron and other operators in countries having limited infrastructure for delivering natural gas where it can be put to beneficial use. For the past seven years,they have been a partner in the World Bankled Global Gas Flaring Reduction Initiative to facilitate flaring reduction. We have executed a series of commercial projects to capture and use the gas, with the cooperation of industry and government partners.

We identified additional activities that, if successful, will eliminate 80 percent of our pre-existing flares and will create facilities to enable other operators to reduce their flaring and control future levels.

Kazakhstan

As of year-end 2009 in Kazakhstan, Tengizchevroil in which Chevron is a 50 percent partner no longer flares natural gas except when necessary for safety. Through the four-year, $258 million gas utilization project, gas that previously

would have been flared or vented can now be processed for sale or used to support plant operations.

Angola

With the completion of the Takula Gas Processing Platform and the Takula Flare and Relief Modifications (FARM) projects, routine gas flaring was reduced in the Takula Field offshore Angola by approximately 50 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d). In June 2009, modifications were completed in the Takula area to end routine flaring.

The Block 0 FARM project is one of several that play an important role in eliminating routine flaring in Chevron's operations. The Takula Gas Processing Platform, placed into service in December 2008, added gas compression capacity in the Takula Field. The Cabinda Gas Plant, whose commissioning began in 2009, will eliminate an additional 7 mmcf/d of routine flaring at the Malongo terminal. The Malongo Field portion of the project is scheduled to begin in 2011 and will

enable us to complete the Block 0 Area A projects to capture and redirect gas to compression facilities so that the gas can be exported, extracted, reinjected or used in liquids recovery. Reinjected gas will be available for future recovery if needed for field operations or for commercialization opportunities.

Nigeria

For more than 15 years, Chevron has invested in a series of flare reduction projects in Nigeria, including projects that focus on capture and delivery of natural gas from existing flares and other projects that create the opportunity for previously flared gas to serve new gas markets throughout western Africa. By mid-2009, the offshore Agbami facility was operating with no routine flaring through reinjection of associated gas, demonstrating the ability to develop new oil production facilities without flaring. Chevron continues to work with its production partners in Nigeria on a series of additional projects to address the remaining flares.

The first two stages of the Escravos Gas Project (EGP) in Nigeria EGP-1 and EGP-2 were completed in 1997 and 2000, respectively. EGP-2 raised the company's gas processing inlet capacity from 165 mmcf/d to 285 mmcf/d. EGP-3, a follow-up to EGP-1 and EGP-2, is expected to begin operation in 2010. EGP-3 will process up to an additional 395 mmcf/d, part of which will be used as feedstock for the Escravos Gas-to-Liquids Project.

The Escravos Gas-to-Liquids Project will upgrade approximately 325 mmcf/d of gas into almost 33,200 barrels per day of high-quality diesel, naphtha, and liquefied petroleum gas. Construction began in 2006, and first production is forecasted for 2012.

The West African Gas Pipeline, a 421-mile (678-km) high-pressure natural gas pipeline, constructed and operated by the West African Gas Pipeline Co., of which Chevron is the largest shareholder, has an initial capacity to transport 170 mmcf/d of natural gas from Nigeria's Niger Delta to Ghana, Togo and Benin. The West African Gas Pipeline transports gas that would have been flared to now fill

energy supply gaps in western Africa. This will help us reduce emissions because it allows access to markets and provides the ability to deliver gas to end users. The pipeline began transporting gas in 2008 and will be complete in 2010.

Manufacturing

Our eight Chevron operated refineries created a formal network in 2009 to share best practices in flare reduction. The refineries are working to reduce flaring through flare gas recovery, source control, and maintenance practices and procedures, and they have shared their successes for several years. Chevron's Pembroke, United Kingdom, refinery started using a sulfur oxide reduction catalyst in the cracking process after U.S.-based refineries found that the catalyst successfully reduced sulfur oxide. Other flare reduction techniques were found to improve energy efficiency and produce cost savings.

Reducing Emissions Carbon Dioxide Injection

Chevron has several major natural gas investments off the western coast of Australia, including the Gorgon Project, which will include the worlds largest commercial-scale GHG storage site. The Gorgon Project will position Australia as a leader in the application of GHG storage, with up to approximately 3.4 million metric tons a year of CO2 being injected and stored underground. Over the life of the project, it is anticipated that approximately 120 million metric tons of GHG emissions will have been avoided because of the Gorgon CO2-injection project.

The proposed injection location will be on the northeast coast of Barrow Island near the gas processing plant. This site was selected to maximize the migration distance from major geologic faults and to limit environmental impacts. The injection wells will be directionally drilled from discrete surface locations to minimize the area of land required for the well sites, surface facilities, pipelines and access roads. Extensive monitoring, including well-pressure measurement and seismic surveys, will provide information required to update the reservoir models and predict the behavior of the injected CO2. The Gorgon Project is the

first project to be regulated under legislation dedicated to GHG storage and is the world's first largescale storage project to have been subjected to an exhaustive, publicly available environmental impact assessment. Project construction has begun, and injection operations are anticipated to begin in 2014.

Chevron continues internal research and development and participates in global industry-led projects to reduce both the long-term risk of CO2 geologic storage and the cost of CO2 capture from emissions sources. Chevron also provides technical leadership to the industry-led CO2 Capture Project for field trials of surveillance equipment and capture demonstrations, the Petroleum Technology Research Centre's Weyburn-Midale Project for CO2 storage from enhanced oil recovery operations, and the broad-based carbon capture and storage programs of the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies.

Pursuing Business Opportunities and Investing in Research, Development and Technology

We invest in research partnerships and demonstration projects to develop renewable energy, improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Chevron Energy Technology Co.'s (ETC) internal

team of experts focuses on advanced energy technologies and on helping Chevron successfully compete in future energy markets. ETC's projects in 2009 included research and development of advanced lubricants from

nonconventional sources, solar technologies, waste heat and waste pressure to energy, energy storage and transmission, bioenergy, geothermal power, water treatment and reuse technologies, and carbon capture and storage.

Consistent with our Action Plan on Climate Change, we recognize the need to reduce GHG emissions where possible. Appropriately incorporating climate considerations into business decision making is key to achieving this goal. To this end, we identify and incorporate into our business planning anticipated financial and operational impacts of carbon regulation.

For development and approval of major capital projects, we estimate a project's incremental emissions profile, assess the financial impact of GHG regulations, and describe the emissions reduction options considered and implemented. We developed tools to identify, assess and rank emissions reduction methods; conduct economic analysis; and integrate GHG factors into decision making and overall project development and management.

For example, one tool helps identify and assess the viability of potential Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon emissions reduction projects. (The CDM is an agreement under the Kyoto Protocol that encourages investment in ventures to reduce emissions in developing countries.) Our new CDM tool offers a systematic approach to prioritizing opportunities and assessing the likelihood of their success.

In 2009, Chevron Energy Solutions completed what is believed to be the largest solar and energy efficiency project for a public school district in the United States. The project, in San Jose, California, includes a total of 5.5 megawatts of solar power at 14 different sites and is expected to reduce the district's energy costs by more than 30 percent more than $25 million over 25 years. The district was not asked to provide any capital investment, allowing it to retain its capital budget for other projects. We estimate that the project will result in decreased carbon emissions of approximately 100,000 metric tons, equivalent to planting more than 1,400 acres (567 hectares) of trees

2.2

Summary of Contents of Chapter

Global warming just like Climate change is real; thankfully, others are realizing it and trying to solve this gigantic problem as big as it is.

New methods are required for converting this clean energy into power, such as hydrogen fuel cells for cars. The bottom line is that carbon dioxide emissions must be reduced by 70-80% in order to stabilize atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and to stop the increase in global temperatures.

2.3

References

www.answers.com

www.chevron.com

OCR chemistry AS textbook

Chapter three

Methodology

Characteristics of Study population

The study population are within the ages of 16 and above, are either married single , are all Nigerians.

3.1

Data Collection Instrument

The researcher collected data by using questionnaires mainly for student of Bridge House College and employees of Stanbic IBTC International bank which are both located in Lagos State.

The questionnaires were divided into two major sections namely:

Section A - consists of personal data, sex and working experience.

Section B - consists of main questions related to world climate change

3.2

Procedure for processing and analyzing Collected Data

Data collected were analyzed through the use of averages. Thus, the researcher was able to observe the trend within the data collected and formed her own opinion

3.3

Limitations of Study

This study is limited to responses from eighty people. It is also limited in the time available for the study and financial resources of the researcher.

Chapter four

Presentation and Analysis of Data

4.0A brief introduction

This chapter deals with the presentation and analysis of data collected from eighty people; students, and bankers located in Lagos State

4.1 Tabular Presentation according to research questions

TABLE 1: GROUP OF RESPONDENTS

CATEGORY Working class Non-working class TOTAL

NUMBER 60 20 80

PERCENTAGE(%) 75 25 100

Table 1 indicates that 75% of the respondents belong to the working class while 25% of them belong to the non-working class. Thus, the result implies that majority of the respondents are workers.

TABLE 2: SEX OF RESPONDENTS

CATEGORY Male Female TOTAL

NUMBER 55 25 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 69 31 100

Table 2 shows that 69% of the respondents were male while 31% of them were female. Hence, the result indicates that many of the respondents are male while few are female.

TABLE 3: STATUS OF RESPONDENTS

CATEGORY Married Single Divorced TOTAL

NUMBER 55 25 0 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 69 31 0 100

Table 3 signifies that 69% of the respondents were married, 31% were single and none were divorced. Thus, the foregoing result implies that majority of the respondents are married.

TABLE 4: WOULD YOU RATHER EAT LESS MEAT IN AND MORE ORGANICS IN YOUR DIET?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 6 74 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 7.5 92.5 100

Table 4 shows that 7.5% of the respondents wrote yes to the question while 92.5% of them wrote no. thus, this implies that many of the respondents would rather not eat less meat in their diet.

TABLE5: WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE A WALK OR RIDE A BIKE INSTEAD OF A VEHICLE?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 35 45 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 44 56 100

Table 5 indicates that 44% wrote yes to the question while 56% wrote no. Hence, more of the respondents would rather use a vehicle than walk or take a ride

TABLE 6: WOULD YOU RATHER BUY AN ELECTRIC OR GAS POWERED ENGINE OR BUY THE NORMAL FUEL POWERED VEHICLE?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 4 76 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 5 95 100

Table 6 implies that 5% of the respondents wrote yes while 95% wrote no. Thus, more of the respondents would rather buy a normal fuel powered vehicle.

TABLE 7: WOULD YOU RATHER USE LESS LIGHT OR BUY EXPENSIVE ENERGY EFFICIENT FLOURESCENTS THAT USE FEWER LIGHTS FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF LIGHT?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 20 60 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 25 75 100

Table 7 indicates that 25% of the respondents wrote yes while 75% wrote no. Thus, more of them would rather stick to their non expensive fluorescent lights.

TABLE 8: WOULD YOU RATHER CHOOSE ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES WHEN IT IS TIME TO BUY NEW ONES?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 48 32 80

PERCENTAGE 60 40 100

Table 8 shows that 60% of the respondents wrote yes while 40% wrote no. Hence, more of them would rather choose energy efficient appliances when it is time to buy new ones.

TABLE 9: WOULD YOU RATHER DECREASE YOUR AIR TRAVEL?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 7 73 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 9 91 100

Table 9 indicates that 9% of the respondents would rather decrease their air travel while 91% would not.

TABLE 10: WOULD YOU RATHER WASH CLOTHES IN COLD WATER AND LINEDRY WHEN POSSIBLE?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 52 28 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 65 35 100

Table 10 shows that 65% of the respondents would rather wash their clothes in cold water and line-dry when possible while 35% would not.

TABLE 11: USE LESS OF THE DISH WASHER AND WASHING MACHINE

CATEGORY Yes

NUMBER 5

PERCENTAGE (%) 6

No TOTAL

75 80

94 100

Table 11 implies that 6% of the respondents would rather wash manually while the remaining 94% would not.

TABLE 12: WOULD YOU RATHER SHOP LOCALLY FOR FOOD?

CATEGORY Yes No

NUMBER 60 20

PERCENTAGE (%) 75 25

TOTAL

80

100

Table 12 shows that 75% of the respondents would rather shop locally for food while the remaining 25% would not.

TABLE 13: WOULD YOU RATHER USE NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 80 0 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 100 0 100

Table 13 implies that everyone would rather not use toxic cleaning products.

TABLE 14: WOULD YOU RATHER RECYCLE AND USE ONLY BIO-DEGRADABLE PRODUCTS LIKE A PAPER BAG INSTEAD OF A NYLON BAG?

CATEGORY Yes

NUMBER 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 100

No TOTAL

0 80

0 100

Table 14 indicates that everyone would rather recycle and use bio-degradable products.

TABLE 15: WOULD YOU RATHER PLANT A TREE TO HELP THE OZONE LAYER AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 80 0 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 100 0 100

Table 15 indicates that everyone would rather plant a tree to help the ozone layer.

TABLE 16: WOULD YOU RATHER DO ALL OF THE ABOVE IF YOU KNEW THAT THE OZONE LAYER DEPLETING BECAUSE OF THESE REASONS AND MORE?

CATEGORY Yes No TOTAL

NUMBER 4 76 80

PERCENTAGE (%) 5 95 100

Table 16 implies that 5% of the respondents would still not do everything completely even if they knew that it was depleting the ozone layer while the remaining 95% would.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0Summary

The following constitute the summary of the findings of the foregoing study

That majority of the respondents are in the working class while few of them are in the non-working class. That many of the respondents are male while few are female. That majority of the respondents are single. That most of the respondents would rather not eat less meat than organic foods. That more respondents would take a walk or ride a bike than use a vehicle. That most of the respondents wrote no to any question that had an alternative for an expensive appliance but wrote yes to questions that did not sound expensive. All of the respondents wrote yes to questions that sounded easy but they have not really tried doing like planting a tree or recycling.

5.1 Conclusions

We may say that it is the world that is changing but we as humans play a major role in this changes. We want a faster and easier way of doing things which obviously leads to technology which leads to emission of greenhouse gases. We should stop and think of the environment we are hurting. We can change this situation if we come together.

Sure we would say there are also natural causes for the world climate change like continental drifts, volcanic eruptions, ocean currents, comets, meteorites, etc, but emission of greenhouse gases caused by humans does not help matters.

According to the OCR chemistry textbook for AS by Dave Gent and Rob Ritchie, as the Earth Summit in 1992, there was international agreement that dangerous climate change must be prevented. But unfortunately there was little immediate action. In 1997, over 100 countries signed up to the Kyoto Protocol. This

committed countries to reduce their emissions of six greenhouse gases by 5% by 2012

The worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases- the USA- has refused to sign up. If appreciable reductions are to be made, then we have to work together meaning the USA as the worlds largest national producer of greenhouse gases, must sign up

5.2 Recommendation

In the course of this study, it has been noticed that people are unaware of the disasters are pending if we keep on living the way we do with our ignorance. Little things we do will help; like planting a tree on your free time or taking a walk within a short distance or hand washing small portions of clothes in cold water or turning off the tap while brushing instead of letting run.

There is an eco village in USA ironically where they try their best to use as little technology as they can. They dont use cars at all unless it is necessary for travelling, they plant their own food and actually use their urine as manure, they go through peoples garbage for food because they do not like waste and they dont use toilet paper. They use this device that squirts water when pressed.

Sure some of their methods seem unhygienic but they are ridding the earth of some gases which will help the earth tremendously. I keep saying this because according to chevron.com, the earths temperature has increased by only 0.8degrees centigrade in the last 100 years; less than 1 degree and all this disasters like floods in Australia and hurricanes in places like New Orleans, USA have been occurring.

If we help as little as we can, we would definitely be doing the earth a big favour.