462-3/24 Transportation and Electric Vehicles, draft
462/24 - Global warming and Energy Transition. draft
The Impact of Transportation on Global Warming
Transportation is one of the primary contributors to
global warming. The burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, in
vehicles releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon
dioxide, into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, causing the Earth's
temperature to rise.
Global warming has significant implications for
transportation systems. Rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure,
including ports and transportation networks. Extreme weather events, such as
hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves, can disrupt transportation operations and
damage infrastructure, and can impact road and rail networks, leading to
increased maintenance costs and disruptions.
The 2015 film "Mad Max: Fury Road" offers a
dystopian vision of a future ravaged by climate change. The film depicts a
world where water is scarce, and society has collapsed due to resource
depletion and extreme weather events. The transportation systems depicted in the
film are primitive, relying on heavily modified vehicles for survival. This
serves as a stark warning about potential consequences of climate change and breakdown
of transportation infrastructure.
To
address the relationship between transportation and global warming, both
individuals and institutions must take action. Individuals can reduce their
carbon footprint by choosing more sustainable transportation options, such as
public transit, cycling, or walking. They can also support policies that
promote electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. Institutions, including
governments and businesses, can invest in sustainable transportation
infrastructure, promote energy efficiency, and implement regulations to reduce
emissions from the transportation sector. By working together, individuals and
institutions can mitigate the impacts of global warming on transportation and
create a more sustainable future.
1) What has
been the relationship between transportation and Global Warming?
__________________________________________
1.1) Why has transportation
contributed to global warming?
Immediate
___________________________________
Underlying
____________________________________
Structural
_____________________________________
2.1) Which
could be consequences of GW for transportation?
Past
_______________________________________
Present
___________________________________
Future - Short time
_________________________
Future - Long time future
_____________________
3) Which
cultural product does represent some causes and consequences of global warming for
Urbanization?
___________________________________________
4) Which institutions should help to tackle
global warming in relation to industrialization?
4.1 What these
institutions should do?
4.2 How should these
institutions do that?
____________________________________________
5) – Based on
the previous answers, the text and what was discussed in class, create a mind
map on the topic of Global Warming, transportation and energy transition.
Global Warming and
Transportation
Introduction
·
Transportation's
Contribution: burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel
·
Greenhouse
Gas Emissions: greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the
atmosphere.
·
Increasing Demand:
o Rising
population
o economic
growth
o
Feedback loop
Development 1: Consequences for
Transportation
·
Infrastructure Damage:
o
Extreme
weather events damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges, and airports.
·
Fuel Costs:
o
Rising
fuel prices from climate change policies
o increased
transportation costs for
§ individuals
and businesses.
·
Limited Access:
o impact
accessibility inregions vulnerable
§ rising sea levels or extreme weather.
Development 2: Movie Example
·
Mad Max: Fury Road:
o post-apocalyptic
world
o
resource
scarcity and extreme weather events.
·
Transportation Challenges:
o
challenges
for transportation in a harsh environment,
o
consequences on transportation systems.
Conclusion: Intervention Proposals
·
Individual Actions:
o Reduce reliance on cars, opt for public
transportation, walk, or bike when possible. Consider purchasing
electric or hybrid vehicles.
·
Institutional Interventions: Governments could
o
invest in
public transportation infrastructure,
o promote
electric vehicle adoption
o
implement
stricter emissions standards for vehicles.
·
Technological
Advancements: Research and development of sustainable
transportation technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cells and autonomous
vehicles, can help mitigate the impact of transportation on climate change.
