Do you believe it is more realistic to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation by reducing the energy usage by the human population or by generating energy through means that do not produce greenhouse gases? Why?

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, either the way in which we generate energy or the amount of energy we use must be addressed. While it seems unlikely that modern society will revert to a lifestyle which requires vastly less energy, it is possible that more efficient energy use can decrease emissions. In addition, technology has provided several means of generating energy in ways that do not generate carbon dioxide. These technologies include power generation from solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric energy.

Understanding how humans generate energy and the subsequent effects on the Earth’s energy balance rests on a basic knowledge of thermochemistry, and an understanding of the scientific concept of energy. For instance, the role of energy in chemical reactions explains how humans can use fossil fuel combustion to generate energy, while a molecular level view of energy is vital to understanding the energy flows that are altering the Earth’s energy balance.

In this lesson, you will learn:

1. How chemists describe and understand energy in its various forms.
2. How scientists describe heat and work, and distinguish between them.
3. The role that energy plays in chemical reactions and physical processes.
4. What enthalpy is and why chemists use it.

By exploring these chemistry concepts, you will obtain a deeper understanding of how the way in which we power our planet is altering the Earth’s energy balance and changing the Earth’s climate.