Page 55 - 東華三院辛亥年總理中學（40周年校慶特刊）

Innovative Solutions
Innovative Solutions

to Global Warming
to Global Warming

Chemistry Ms. Leung Fung Kuen

Science is the solution to many environmental On the other hand, carbon dioxide emitted into
problems. Science can make things possible. The only the atmosphere is naturally absorbed by the ocean or
limitation is your imagination. green plants in the forest. Unfortunately, these natural
processes cannot keep up with the ever increasing
Natural disasters such as wildfires, droughts, carbon dioxide concentration. Therefore, other solutions
heatwaves, melting glaciers, rising sea levels, heavy rains such as carbon sequestration, carbon mineralization
and floods threaten humans. Recent headlines such as and direct air capture are needed to take up the excess
wildfires in Greece, melting glaciers at the North Pole, carbon dioxide. In my opinion, ‘direct air capture’ is
heavy rainfalls in Japan, heatwaves in Europe, etc. show the simplest way to reduce carbon dioxide in the
that we do not have much time left to take atmosphere. This method involves the use of
immediate action to save the Earth. These machines equipped with chemicals that can
natural disasters are major consequences react with carbon dioxide.
of climate change caused by global
warming. We burn a huge amount of fossil The atmosphere is a gigantic mass
fuels every day. This results in emitting of gas surrounding the globe. It circulates
a tremendous amount of greenhouse all over the world while it is not owned by
gases, especially carbon dioxide. Carbon any country. However, who is going to pay
dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. for capturing carbon dioxide? Developed
Chemical knowledge is our weapon to countries obviously. They have more
Dry ice is Fun
fight. Chemistry plays an important role in Dr y ice is Fun resources and they are willing to set up
environmental protection and making the carbon capture plants.
Earth a more sustainable place to live.
Currently, fifteen direct air capture plants are
Most recently, scientists have been working on a operational in Europe, the United States and Canada.
green fuel—hydrogen. Studies showed that hydrogen Most of these plants are small and sell the captured
burns and releases no pollutants and emits zero carbon carbon dioxide for carbonated drinks or dry ice. The first
dioxide to the air. Hydrogen is definitely a greener large-scale direct air capture plant is being developed
alternative to fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and in the United States and it will become operational as
natural gas. It is the most abundant element in the early as 2023. With the science innovation of direct air
universe! Using hydrogen to power our vehicles is an capture, hopefully, the Earth’s temperature would not
opportunity for a cleaner future. With the use of hydrogen increase so quickly in the coming years.
as fuel, we can dramatically reduce carbon emissions.
Every one of us can help to relieve climate change.
Factories today derive hydrogen from petroleum, Some simple actions which can help reduce the emission
natural gas, coal and biomass. Through the chemical of carbon dioxide include:
process of steam-methane reforming, hydrogen gas - Using fans instead of air conditioners
is produced. Then, the hydrogen is captured and - Inspecting the Energy Star label when shopping for
compressed as gas that can be stored in tanks. However, electrical appliances
hydrogen gas can also be produced by some sustainable - Saving water
processes (e.g. fermentation) and renewable feedstocks - Eating less meat
(water and bio-mass) without any chemical additives. It - Using LED lightbulbs
can also be produced by electrolysis of water, which can
be powered by the sun or wind. Small acts make big differences. Let’s make a
difference together and take action now.

Chemists have ALL the Solutions!

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