Global Warming & Everyday Life
Hi Guys ...
Global warming, pollution, increasing CO2 levels etc ... we all know about it and we all are concerned about it ... but what comes into our minds is ... "What the hell can I do about it ???"
Well, obviously with so much on our minds and so much stress, it's really difficult to engage in any voluntary activities. but wait a minute, what if everyone could contribute without even saving a penny, rather by saving money :)
We all drive a lot around in Doha .... for instance, I drive on an average 100 Kms a day. Some people I know drive 200+ Kms. By optimizing the way we drive, we can save a lot. For instance, under normal driving conditions, my care does 16+L/100Km. But if I drive softly (i.e. keep a soft foot on the accelerator) my car does like 12.5L/100Kms. So I save 3.5+ Liters of Petrol every day.
Lets do some calculations now:
if we assume petrol is isooctane C8H18... the combustion reaction of C8H18 is...
2 C8H18 + 25O2 ----> 16 CO2 + 18 H2O
molar mass C8H18 = 114 g/mole
density C8H18 = 688 g/L
molar mass CO2 = 44.0 g/mole
so for 1 Liter of petrol....
1 L C8H18 x (688 g C8H18 / L) x (1 mole C8H18 / 114 g) = 6.04 moles C8H18
from balanced equation 2 moles C8H18 ---> 16 moles CO2
6.04 moles C8H18 x (16 moles CO2 / 2 moles C8H18) = 48.3 moles CO2
48.3 moles CO2 x (44.0 g / mole ) = 2.12 kg CO2
i.e 1 liter of petrol ----> 2.12 kg of CO2
& 3.5 Liter of Petrol ----> 7.42 Kg of CO2
Increased amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere enhance the greenhouse effect. It is currently the predominant scientific opinion that carbon dioxide emissions are the main cause of global warming observed since the mid-20th century.
Imagine saving the world from 8 KG of CO2 everyday. If we all drive softly, imagine how much can we contribute on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis, without actually doing anything !!!!
moreover, we will also save:
1) Lives, if we will drive softly, there will be less accidents.
2) Vehicle Engine Life.
3) Vehicle Brakes, if we will accelerate softly, we will have to use less brakes.
I am already doing this since 5 months, and it is very very easy.
What do you guys think?
Adeel Ali
Not related to Global warming directly but while talking about environment Plesae everybody, stop using plastic as much as you can. Stop buying water in plastic bottles, buy a water purifier for your home. Stop the use of plastic bags, there are cheap reusable bags available for QAR 2, you can buy them once and use it repeatedly.
Let’s face it, Earth is not going anywhere, it has survived a lot more than humans and it will survive us also but the damage to the environment is harmful for us only..
These are just simple basic things that can help a lot...
When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity. - Albert Einstein
LOL @ Britexpat .... stop eating beans would really help :)
Adeel Ali
I have bought a bicycle for dune bashing and have stopped eating beans..
Hi Jack,
Thanks for sharing this info ... I wasn't aware that water was also an issue :)
Only God can save this earth ... as we are trying our best to destroy it !!
Adeel Ali
Adeel I can understand your concern....about CO2
Well that is the least problem.....
Tell me what you gonna do about water vapour we create as that is the biggest problem almost 70%.... CO2 is just around 9%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas
Everyone should start with their home, start using energy saving lamps, electronic chokes for flourescent tubelights. It can reduce a lot of heat being dissipated into the environment. Start using low mercury level tubes though they are a little expensive ( You can see the green symbol on their packing to recognise the low mercury lamps). Every little bit counts..
When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity. - Albert Einstein
... do you think any of these Landcruiser owners are gonna take the foot off the accelerator or decide to drive more cautiously to save the planet? This country has so many 4x4 as bigger is safer, nothing is gonna change that - unfortunately! But so many people who talk about 'saving' the environment, recycling... and drive 4x4's... there is a saying in my country: 'Follow what I say, not what I do'...!