Ohio Power Plant Emissions, Climate Forcing and Feedbacks

·         OHIO POWER PLANT EMISSIONS, CLIMATE FORCING AND FEEDBACKS 

Each year my students are often surprised to learn that Ohio alone has 16 coal energy generating plants, and one of these is right in their own back yard.  The connection between this energy production and the environmental change it causes however is indeed an equally surprising lesson.  The county in which students reside was ranked in 2002 as one of the top 10% of the dirtiest counties in the US for total environmental release of air pollutants.  http://scorecard.goodguide.com/index.tcl  These 16 power plants represent 92.6% of Ohio’s coal energy generating capacity, 45.8% of the state’s total CO₂ emissions, and 48.6% of its total SO₂ emissions.  Increased CO₂ emissions have been linked by many in the scientific community to climate change.  As a greenhouse gas CO₂ levels in the atmosphere absorb and then re-emit terrestrial radiation.  Re-emission of this trapped heat is what causes higher temperatures on Earth.  This represents a climate forcing which drives climate change.  Equally for Ohio is the concern over SO₂ levels and the capacity to cause change.  Although it has been shown that this pollutant tends to have a cooling effect, it is also understood that dust, smoke, and soot causes an increase in the albedo effect on Earth. 

Resources for Students:

Ohio highest in national toxic air emissions:

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Ohio_and_coal#Ohio_highest_in_national_toxic_air_emissions

Getting Warmer:  US CO₂ Emissions from Power Plants

http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/documents/CO2Report_2011RJD21811final.pdf

Coal Burning Power Plants Associated with Environmental and Health Impacts

http://www.theoec.org/AirPowerPlants.htm

Public Utilities Commission: Where does Ohio’s Electricity Come From

http://www.puco.ohio.gov/puco/index.cfm/consumer-information/consumer-topics/where-does-ohioe28099s-electricity-come-from/

Coal Fired Plants in Ohio

http://www.industcards.com/st-coal-usa-oh.htm

·         KEY ISSUES DOMINATE CLIMATE CHANGE IN OHIO  In the Midwest Region which includes Ohio key issues dominate climate change.  This feedback or processes that change as a result of forcing can be either positive or negative.  http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/regional-climate-change-impacts/midwest

·         Heat waves become more frequent and more severe especially in urban areas punctuating the heat island effect.  Under higher emission scenarios the frequency and severity of the summer heat waves increases by more than 50%.  Insects such as ticks and mosquitoes that carry disease will survive longer, appear earlier, and produce larger populations with increased emissions. 

·         Significant reduction in Great Lakes water levels could impact shipping, infrastructure, beaches, and ecosystems.  Winter and spring could see more heavy downpours and greater evaporation in the summer which would lead to more periods of flood and water deficits. 

·         Due to longer growing seasons the potential for increased crop yields would be viewed as a positive effect, however flooding, droughts, pests, and weeds will present challenges to managing crops, livestock, and forests.

·         Native species are likely to suffer and face increased threats from pests, disease, and invasive species moving in from warmer regions.

Resources for Students:

Temperature and Precipitation Trends for Ohio and the Midwest

http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/climate_midwest/mwclimate_change.htm#

Severe historical weather events for the Midwest

http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/climate_midwest/mwclimate_events.htm

Key issues to climate change by region including the Midwest

http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/regional-climate-change-impacts/midwest