You switch on your laptop and talk to a friend on Zoom who lives in the US, email a colleague in Germany, order a new outfit from Bangalore, India, and apply online for a scholarship in the UK. This interconnection is just one way to show that you are a part of globalization.
Globalization makes people more connected socially, economically, and politically. At the same time, it assists in better interaction and behavioral understanding by letting us learn about different cultures.
In that era, most people believed that cultural globalization would lead to a more sophisticated marketplace where underdeveloped countries would get support from developed countries financially and in humanitarian efforts.
Nonetheless, many people have reservations about its pros and cons. They realized that the evolution of a global village would raise conflicts among nations and could result in further fragmentation of societies and their cultures. Another concern was a division of power and domination of certain developed counties. This concern was rightly highlighted, and we witness hybrid cultures in several countries, including Pakistan.
In today’s world, the national understanding of culture has expanded due to the new world cultural framework created through the progressing interconnectedness of varied local cultures. In a broader sense, cultures are now more accurately seen as sub-cultures. And they need to understand the context of their geographical surroundings.
According to Anthropologist UIF Hanners, it is the local level where global influences are filtered, transformed, and incorporated into beliefs and practices. Hanners thinks that the local daily life is where international cultural elements get the opportunity to make themselves at home.
Hanners thinks that the local daily life is where international cultural elements get the opportunity to make themselves at home.
Impacts of Modernization
The anthropological meanings of modernization refer to the evolution process that brought about cultural, social, and economic changes with the passage of time.
In the 5th century AD, Roman adapted to Christianity and coined the term modern to differentiate themselves from Barbarians. The Barbarians were non-Christian, particularly people of the Jewish faith. During the renaissance, one had to cultivate a lifestyle based on classical Greek and Roman civilizations to be modern. At the same time, during the enlightenment period, rationalism, science-based knowledge, and the pursuit of progress were modernity’s hallmarks.
Meanwhile, several or all underdeveloped civilizations were affected by the powerful influence of developed counties, like the US, UK, Russia, and the European Union. This is why several anthropologists think of globalization as the westernization of the world.
While analyzing the detrimental impacts of westernization, socialists and anthropologists mostly blamed the US for its alleged imposition of culture and mass media. Nonetheless, several other developed countries such as China, Russia, and Europe are also to blame as they reinforce their culture globally.
Without an objective and inclusive analysis of these issues, we will be unprepared for the rollercoaster of cultural mayhem that could inevitably ensue.
Several anthropologists assert that cultural contact creates uniformity, standardization, and homogenization. The global monoculture that we observe is sterile, dull, and artificial. A prime example of this aggravation is the proliferation of American fast food restaurant chains in foreign countries. McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and KFC taint the cities of even former Eastern blocked countries such as Hungary. Contrary, the extended chains of Chinese, Indian and Thai foods are fanning these cultures in host countries.
By definition, culture is something that connects the deep values and structures in society, and the local or mother language plays a vital role in strengthening this bond. But we see that several languages around the globe have potentially been lost. At the same time, we observed a powerful dominance of several languages like British and American English.
A database website called “languages of the world” reveals that more than 6,912 languages, half are in danger and maybe disappear in the next several decades; they list them as “Endangered Languages.” Losing these languages poses serious cultural threats because archeologists and anthropologists are losing aspects of these smaller cultures. They are now unable to articulate their beliefs and knowledge due to the extinction of their language.
Acculturation is a process of contact and exchange within a culture through which a group of people adopts specific values and practices of another culture that is not originally their own. The adaptation could be minor or, to a greater extent, results in a cultural shift.
When the transitioning process is extreme, assimilation occurs wherein the original culture is entirely abandoned and, as a result, a new culture emerges. However, other outcomes can vary from minor change to total change, including separation, integration, marginalization, and transmutation.
Meredith Small, a cultural anthropologist and author of the book “Our Babies, Ourselves: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent, describes a test case she studied. This is about Lebanese and Australian mothers whose cultures led them to parent in very different ways. As a result, they feel resentful toward the mothers of the other culture.
Since children play a significant role in all world cultures, it makes sense that each culture would have very different expectations and customs surrounding parenting. This tiny slice of cultural practice is representative of many other ingrained cultural differences around the globe. Perhaps if existing cultures were not already set up to contradict each other, a peaceful threshold could be reached.
With these changes comes responsibility, as humans, to consider the implications of our shifting realities. Without an objective and inclusive analysis of these issues, we will be unprepared for the rollercoaster of cultural mayhem that could inevitably ensue.
It is idealistic to assume a situation where cultures can merge without losing their essence while staying peaceful about how global culture gets in a new shape. Each country feels secure only when it protects its cultural beliefs. Nonetheless, the world has to shift to noncontroversial models with the growing pace of modernization.
Our galactic home, the milky way, hosts a Sagittarius A* Black Hole but we had not seen its image. That was until now after we got the First Direct Visual Evidence of its existence. The photo was taken by the observations of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration (EHT), an Earth-sized array of Eight – Observatories. Together, capturing the data of its constant and bulleting movements throughout a prolonged time.
The Sagittarius A* had previously made headlines after its discovery was cited as a “Supermassive compact object at the center of our galaxy” and bagged the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics by Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez. Earlier this week, Dr. Feryal Ozel, a professor at the University of Arizona and a member of the Event Horizon Telescope Science Council held a press conference and presented this groundbreaking discovery, an additional contribution to research by EHT Collaboration after previously developing the picture of M87 Galaxy’s Black Hole.
The First Image of a Black Hole in the M87 Galaxy was revealed on April 19, 2019. Credit: EHT Collaboration
Known to be around 4 million times the mass of our Sun. As you can see a center-principal dark region, where the Black Hole is, is orbited by the light coming from magnificently heated gas around it under the cause of gravitational acceleration. For a similitude of understanding scale, the ring has the size of Mercury’s orbit around our Sun.
Breaking into the Science of Sagittarius A* Black Hole Image. Credits: EHT & BBC Science
Breaking into the science of this image, we know that the image was taken in submillimeter radio waves, revealing the presence of the Black Hole in the heart of the galaxy, eating the nearby hydrogen gas, the clarity of the image to this extent took several years, from the data collected in 2017. As the Sagittarius A is continuously evolving, when compared to the data of the previously released M87 Black Hole, because the M87 was so massive that it takes hours to complete a full orbit due to the matter whirling around it, this means that we can observe M87 for a longer time, while having a shorter time to observe the Sagittarius A*, as it’s approximately 1,000 times less small than the M87 Blackhole, eventually having 1000 times faster change – Analogically speaking. The black hole lives about 27,000 light-years away from Earth.
The work of the 2020 Nobel Prize determined the faster orbits of the stars around the Sagittarius A Black Hole. Credits: ESO/S.GILLESSEN ET AL.
Dr. Katie Bouman, a Computer Scientist & Astronomer at the California Institute of Technology, who also co-led the EHT’s Imaging Working Group explained that the orbit of matter around the BlackHole is so quick that it’s changing every minute. Comparing it with taking a time-lapse photo of a speeding bullet, is not easy to do, which took several years to bring the end product – The Image of the Sagittarius A* Black Hole. (Quoted from Scientific American)
Foxtrot is a student-run team based in Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), specializing in building planes, drones, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). With a passion for developing UAVs and the intention of representing Pakistan and GIKI internationally, the team competes in the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Challenge, which is hosted annually in the United Kingdom by IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers).
Team Foxtrot is divided into several sub-teams: Design, Fabrication, Automation Systems, Imaging Systems, and Testing.
The IMechE UAS Challenge
The IMechE UAS Challenge has been held in the UK for the past seven years. The main challenge goal of the competition is to train and develop professional engineers, providing them with a dynamic and specialized environment to hone their problem-solving abilities.
A plethora of teams from around the world competes in this challenge. They perform timed tasks and follow a strict set of guidelines by performing a complete design and building cycle of UAS with specific goals prioritized. The main task for each team is to construct a UAV for the tasks to be completed successfully. These include area search, waypoint navigation, endurance task, dropping an aid package correctly, and consequently returning to the base via a well-defined route.
Foxtrot is a student-run team based in Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI), which specializes in building planes, drones, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
The challenge is divided into three major stages, which are as follows:
Design
Development
Demonstration
Accomplishments
Team Foxtrot has competed in the IMechE UAS Challenge in the United Kingdom (UK). In the debut year of the challenge, they won the “Highest Place New Entrant Award of 2019” and stood among the Top 10 participating teams from across the globe. In 2021, Team Foxtrot bagged the Business Proposition Award while also finishing in an esteemed 5th place in the virtual competition.
The team also scored a perfect 15/15 score on its First Design Review: a feat that is worthy of appraisal. In this year’s challenge, the Team scored another perfect score of 20/20 on its Preliminary Design Review. The team was warmly welcomed by national media for their extraordinary achievements and invited for interviews by Expresso, Neo News, and PTV World.
Team Foxtrot also organizes STEM outreach programs in schools to enlighten them about the endless possibilities and opportunities in engineering and empower girls interested in the field. It focuses on enabling young minds to acquire UAV-related cognitive skills and teaching pupils about the practical applications of autonomous UAVs in the present period, including their use in humanitarian aid missions.
Generous sponsors have enabled them to receive these accolades in a short period. Their previous sponsors/partners include HBL, E-Wall, and FFC, whereas Smart Hobby and Woot Tech are our current ones.
This Year’s Challenger
This year’s project, Barq, is designed to complete all core tasks of the challenge besides the optional tasks of Endurance and Area Search. Project Barq is a CTOL (Conventional Take-Off and Landing) design having a tri-motor configuration to enable short take-off and precision landing within a limited 10 x 10 m area. The aircraft uses a V-tail and glider wings to combat air resistance and is fabricated of carbon fiber and polystyrene to maximize the strength to weight ratio. This also gives it high maneuverability and an enhanced endurance capability. In addition, it has retractable landing gears and a maximum take-off mass of 9.3 kg with a payload-carrying capacity of up to 3.5 kg.
It can fly to speeds of up to 60 knots and has a reverse-thrust mechanism. With appreciative feedback from the IMechE and all members working hard in their respective domains, Project Barq is all set to fly high and make us proud in the 2022 UAS Challenge.
Being 13.8 billion years old, the universe is the current estimation of the creation itself. We have recently sent NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope at the position L2 to look back into the time, looking into the Infrared-NIR radiation. So, we can look for one of the first stars and galaxies in the universe. Interestingly, a staggering discovery was made by the Hubble Space Telescope as “Earendal,” the farthest known star yet – relating from the beginning of time, astronomers are calling it. In old English, it’s known as the “Dawn Star.”
Earendal was discovered through the Gravitational Lensing technique through the Hubble Space Telescope, to a comoving distance of 12.9 Billion Light-Years away from the HST. The distant star could be from the first 900 million light-years from the big bang. This discovery broke the previous farthest known star MACS J1149 Lensed Star 1, a supergiant blue, with a distance of 9.34 light-years in time, a distant second to only WHL0137-LS discovered earlier this year. The research came to the public by the astronomers in a paper in nature, “A Highly Magnified Star at Redshift 6.2”, suggesting the last confirmations of the star by James Webb Space Telescope’s observations for spectral classification and retaken distances.
This image highlights the star, Earendal’s location, and a ripple of space-time that helps the star be magnified and found over such a vast distance – nearly 12.9 billion light-years. Credit: Credits: NASA, ESA, Brian Welch (JHU), Dan Coe (STScI)
The studies mentioned above suggest that the mass of these types of stars is somewhere approximately 50 times of our sun. The image shown from the Hubble data made the discoverer notice the fragile, long red arc, which seemed to be a galaxy warped and amplified light by the cluster. Atop that bright red arc, there’s “Earendel,” a spot that is too small to be considered a galaxy; after rigorous research and methods, “We stumbled into finding that this was a lensed star.” quoting Brian Welch, the lead author of the paper and discoverer of the farthest star.
Oceans and seas host the majority of biomass and global energy cycles as they make up more than half of the Earth’s surface (Mestdagh et al., 2020). Significant changes occur within marine ecosystems due to the difference in the environment caused by warming oceans (Yun, 2022). The seriousness of the matter can be estimated from the fact that in 2018, the concentration of CO2 in Hawaii was recorded to be 409.23 ppm, which is the highest concentration estimated in about the last 3 million years (Gregory, 2021).
One of the main reasons behind the increase in temperature is emission of CO2 in the atmosphere due to exessive use of fossil fuels, resulted in several social, economic, and environmental challenges, which are also severe issues facing today.
There is a need for innovative and sustainable ways of sustainable renewable energy to tackle climate change. The marine ecosystem provides a wide variety of solutions for environmental issues. Microalgae present in different aquatic environments have proved themselves capable of absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and ultimately reducing its amount from the environment (Peter et al., 2022). This article explores how marine macroalgae can help achieve many of these objectives, including improving aquaculture, reducing CO2 emissions, and resulting in a healthy environment.
“We may have stumbled onto the next green revolution.”~ Charles H.
WHAT ARE MICRO-ALGAE
Tiny living organisms within the marine environment are called marine microbes, and they are only visible under a microscope. 98% of the total biomass comprises these microorganisms, and they supply the majority of the oxygen to the world. They are also the world’s greenhouse gas processors (AIMS, 2022).
Algae are photosynthetic organisms capable of growing in a wide variety of aquatic habitats like oceans, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc. Algae can also tolerate different conditions, including pH values, salinities, and temperature at a wide range. They can grow alone and in symbiosis with other organisms (Barsanti et al., 2008). According to size, we can classify Algae as microalgae and macroalgae. Macroalgae are large-sized, multicellular organisms that can be seen through the naked eye. On the other hand, microalgae are small-sized, unicellular organisms that can be seen with the help of a microscope (Das, Aziz, and Obbard, 2011).
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY MICRO-ALGAE
Microalgae offer a wide range of applications in cosmetics, medicines, health supplements, and biofuels, among other things (Das, Aziz, and Obbard, 2011). Microalgae have also been shown to be helpful for the treatment of wastewater and the reduction of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere due to these advantages (Brennan and Owende, 2010). Algae photosynthetic carbon sequestration has been identified as having enormous promise in efforts to achieve global or regional carbon neutrality.
As important drivers of crucial biogeochemical cycles in oceans and freshwaters, algae play an important role in CO2 absorption from the atmosphere and the mitigation of global climate change. These activities have a significant relationship with the United Nations SDGs. Using marine macroalgae as a feedstock for biofuels to reduce reliance on fossil fuel combustion as a source of energy, we are investigating how marine macroalgae can assist in achieving some of these goals.
This includes improving aquaculture, contributing to the “Blue Carbon” CO2 drawdown to mitigate climate change, and supplying biomass as feedstock for biofuels. While further research is needed, we believe that growing macroalgae in the air has tremendous potential in terms of cutting CO2 emissions and improving aquaculture production conditions. In addition to promoting biosynthesis and biomass development, the photosynthetic activity of macroalgae can modify pH levels as a consequence of CO2 depletion/HCO3– accumulation.
There is a possibility that this will mitigate the adverse effects of ocean acidification by buffering the pH fall caused by increases in human carbon dioxide emissions. However, despite its growing importance, macroalgal aquaculture now accounts for just a tiny amount of the Cdrawdown generated by wild macroalgae populations and an even smaller portion of world CO2 emissions.
A more substantial contribution to the reduction of human CO2 emissions and ocean acidification may, on the other hand, be made by expanding intensive macroalgal aquaculture in a more significant way. (Gao and Beardall, 2022). Jill Kauffman Johnson, leader and advocate of algae, in a TED talk titled “Beer to Algae; the future of low carbon food systems,” stated that “microalgae, fermentation can be an opportunity for producing food that is more nutritious by utilizing fewer resources while eliminating greenhouse gases. It will protect biodiversity and ecosystem and can be one of the most powerful solutions for addressing climate change.”
MICROALGAE CARBON METABOLISMS
As the principal oxygen-producing photosynthetic microorganisms on the planet, microalgae, commonly called autophototrophs, contribute to over half of the worldwide CO2 fixation. However, it is possible for certain microalgae species to flourish in dark conditions because they have heterotrophic metabolism. Some algae strains can thrive mixotrophically under particular conditions.
Heterotrophic or mixotrophic growth of microalgae is crucial as it enables microalgae to store the organic carbon found in wastewaters, which would otherwise be released in the atmosphere if broken down by bacteria (Zhou et al.,.2017). The types of carbon that microalgae can assimilate, the processes involved in microalgae CO2 capture, and high concentration CO2 stress will all be explored in the following sections.
Heterotrophic or mixotrophic growth of microalgae is crucial as it enables microalgae to store the organic carbon found in wastewaters.
INTEGRATION OF INORGANIC CARBONS BY AUTO-PHOTOSYNTHESIS
CARBONS INORGANIC IN THEIR MANY FORMS
A variety of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) species, including CO2, H2CO3, HCO3, and CO32, may be taken up by microalgae in the aquatic environment. On the other hand, terrestrial plants have a substantially limited spectrum of DIC assimilation than aquatic plants. The DIC forms are very variable and rely on various factors, including pH, mixing velocity, and microalgae concentration. The DIC forms preferred by different strains of microalgae may be diverse from one another (Hernández-López et al.,2021).
CO2 ASSIMILATION THROUGH AUTOPHOTOTROPHISM
Microalgal CO2 fixation is converting CO2 and water into organic compounds by using the photosynthetic intermediates ATP and NADPH, which are produced by algae. In the same way, as terrestrial plants do, microalgae acquire CO2 via the Calvin cycle, which consists of three stages: carboxylation, reduction, and regeneration (Zhou et al.,.2017). Overall, the carboxylation stage comprises the incorporation of CO2 into ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RuBisCo), which results in the synthesis of two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) as a result of the reaction (Maity, and Mallick,2022).
Then, with the help of 3-phosphoglycerate kinase and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-PGA is phosphorylated and reduced to generate glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, which is then phosphorylated and decreased again to form 3-PGA (G-3-P). At the end of the process, RuBP is restored by a sequence of reactions, and the cell is ready to begin the next fixation cycle. In microalgae, CO2 is delivered to RuBisCo by a series of the cell membrane, chloroplast membranes, cell wall, cytoplasm, stroma, and extracellular boundary layer crossings that occur sequentially (Merlo et al.,.2022).
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS
Marine algae and their derivatives are becoming recognized for their potential use in environmental remediation efforts. They offer a variety of biotechnological exploitation as well as usage in industry. Their utilization is beneficial to several biological factors that are thoroughly documented in the scientific literature. They have a significant potential for lowering levels of environmental contaminants.
Microalgae biotechnology is becoming more popular, and it may use to produce a variety of environmentally beneficial products, including biofuels such as biogas, biodiesel, and even bioethanol. The byproducts generated may also be utilized in other industrial operations due to their versatility. Microalgae have the potential to reduce related environmental problems by recycling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Marine microalgae are beneficial in creating biological resources, but they also serve as a generator for the marine environment. They contribute to the movement of energy throughout the ecosystem and also impact the overall productivity of the ecosystem, whether directly or indirectly. They are intimately associated with fishing resources, aquaculture, and geological protection, among other things (Wu et al., 2021).
CONCLUSION
Extreme weather events induced by climate change are wreaking havoc on people’s livelihoods, while the loss of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial biodiversity exacerbates the problem. The high rate of CO2 in the atmosphere is the primary reason behind global warming today. The best way to reduce CO2 from the atmosphere is by controlling its emission into the atmosphere. But as the world’s population is growing at a very high rate, it is increasing societal demands.
These increased demands are causing a development in industrialization, resulting in raising the rate of CO2 being emitted by different sectors, especially the transportation and energy sectors, into the atmosphere. Therefore, the governments should collaborate with industry partners and scientists to take any action to either limit or tackle these issues. Micro-algae have been proved very beneficial for converting CO2 into valuable biomolecules. As the utilization of microalgae is profitable, sustainable, and feasible at a global level.
REFERENCES
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Brennan, L. and Owende, P., 2010. Biofuels from microalgae—A review of technologies for biofuels and co-product production, processing, and extractions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14(2), pp.557-577.
Das, P., Aziz, S. and Obbard, J., 2011. Two-phase microalgae growth in the open system for enhanced lipid productivity. Renewable energy, 36(9), pp.2524-2528.
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On 20th September 2020, 3,051 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), in China, took part in a dazzling drone show to break the record for most UAVs airborne simultaneously. A patchwork of drones, cleverly combined with lights and intricately patterned, presented the Chinese Space Station. This synchronized flight of a flock of drones flickered lights and changed positions to show different themes and objects. Drone shows are gaining popularity around the world. With many shows being used to litter the night sky with light and glamour at big events or occasions.
However, synchronizing such a massive hoard of drones to take an integrated pre-programmed flight with flawless precision is easier said than done. It’s like an orchestra, for the performers to act as a collective, each performer must do his/her bit at the right time. The collective effort then makes a melodious composition. But to orchestrate such an impeccable collective effort, the orchestra needs a conductor. The conductor is like the puppet master, who decides what and when each performer plays. The conductor acts as the nucleus of the entire collection which drives the flow. Similarly, the swarm of drones needs its conductor too, a nucleus that can pre-program each movement of the drones to generate a fascinating synchronized drone show.
Drone shows are gaining popularity around the world, with many shows being used to litter the night sky with light and glamour at big events or occasions.
Enter, Wajih Ajmal Siddiqui, the conductor that drives his swarm of drones to make elegant patterns in the night sky. He’s the boundless ambition and the relentless drive behind his startup, aptly named, Bir-d (Add Instagram link here). Wajih is a mechanical engineer by education, acquiring his degree from City University in London. After that he returned to Pakistan and boarded a ship a sailed for faraway lands. While surrounded by sea, under the bright moonlight, Wajih’s mind would be occupied with fascinating ideas. Innovations that might change the world. Until he settled on Bir-d. While watching a drone show in China, enchanted by the technological fireflies in the air, he had an idea. An idea that led to the creation of Bir-d.
Wajih is a mechanical engineer by education, acquiring his degree from City University in London.
A twist of purpose, unrelenting drive, and unending ambition led Wajih to believe that such drone shows can be effectively used for corporate mass marketing campaigns. So, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Spending sleepless nights on his roof, he started work on synchronizing flight paths of multiple drones. The work was daunting but Wajih was tenacious in his effort. He quit his job to make more time for his grand idea, despite everyone warning him not to. Then to acquire the platform for the essential synchronization and integration of the flight paths of these drones, he scraped up whatever little savings he had and made the purchase. Wajih had gone all-in on his idea. The path was not easy and in the face of repeated failures and obstacles, his thrust continued. After endless rounds of testing with an increasing number of drones, finally, he achieved the accuracy he was aiming for with 50 drones shining bright in the night sky.
Using the flock of drones in its inventory, Bir-d shepherds them into different corporate logos and taglines for mass marketing.
Using the flock of drones in its inventory, Bir-d shepherds them into different corporate logos and taglines for mass marketing. The logos or taglines, whatever pattern the conductor may prefer, then hovers in the vast expanse of sky, shifting colors and themes accordingly. This is an innovative approach to marketing that doesn’t occupy rented space and has incredibly high visibility (who wouldn’t look at shining lights in the night sky?!). It also has the ‘x factor’ which entices you towards the company that advertises itself in such a glamourous way. Bir-d has taken marketing to another level, lifting your company to the skies, shining and capturing thousands of eyes and hearts.
Tidal power is a form of hydropower, a renewable source of energy that uses the rise and fall of waves produced by the surge of ocean waters (Society, 2011). The rise of the tides is the product of the gravitational interplay between the sun, moon, and the earth.
Moreover, the increase in the inclusion of tidal energy for the generation of power owes to its sustainability, resulting from the oceanic tides’ high predictability compared to other renewable sources, the wind and solar energy (“Tidal Energy | PNNL,” n.d.).
Tidal power is an innovation of the old school practice
Dating as far as the Middle Ages and even having historical evidence in Roman times, tidal energy was used to drive grain mills. However, the first time that tidal energy was proposed to be used as a source of generating electricity dates to Victorian times.
That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966 (Neill et al., 2018). This is the starting point for the massive construction of dams barrages in the other European States to utilize tidal energy for electricity generation.
However, by the late 90s, these constructions faced several setbacks due to the number of potential spaces being occupied by already built dams. The up roaring costs and several other factors associated with the social and economic challenges seemed unaffordable (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018).
That led to the establishment of the first-ever tidal plant, the La Rance Tidal Barrage in France, which was operational since 1966.
Tidal Barrages and Tidal Fences and their negative contributions to the environment
Tidal barrages utilize the tidal surges, the rise and fall of the tides, to drive the turbines and, thus, generate electricity (Hanania, Heffernan, Jenden, Stenhouse & Donev, 2021). Contrary, a tidal fence is a form of technology characterized by a steel or concrete structure that resembles a fence and utilizes the fast-flowing tidal surge of the oceanic water to generate electricity.
The fence is famously introduced as a cross between a tidal barrage and a tidal turbine stream system (Tidal Fence and Underwater Tidal Fence Turbines, n.d.). That said, before the already mentioned stance of tidal systems having negative aspects, the tidal barrages, the unique system that was structured very similar to dams for tidal energy management, have several harmful environmental contributions.
Most importantly, the tidal basins and the surrounding where they establish create potential risks to aquatic plants and animals by altering the salinity of the oceanic water. Moreover, the tidal barrages are prone to impact the tidal levels by increasing the turbidity and affecting navigation (Moran, Lopez, Moore, Müller & Hyndman, 2018).
Current Prospects
There is undoubtedly an expanding need to opt for renewable energy resources with the ever-growing energy crisis worldwide. With the great predictably level of tidal surge and their dependence on the earth’s gravitational pull, they prove to be the most reliable sources present. However, there need to be some amends in how the system was previously operated.
Most importantly, the situation calls for the application of innovative solutions suggested as:
Nullify the salinity alteration of the tidal systems.
Not harming marine life’s health.
Have a negligible effect on the tidal level.
The impacts of tidal energy systems on the environment and society need to be fixed for reviving tidal power in the present-day world.
Deep Water Horizon was released in 2016, which is based on a real-life story of an oil drilling rig at the Gulf of Mexico that exploded and resulted in the worst oil spill in history in April 2010. This disaster-based American saga was directed by Peter Berg, who inspired by an article in The New York Times published the same year when the incident happened.
The movie showcases some renowned actors portraying real-life heroes on the oil rig. The cast include Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien, and Kate Hudson. This solid cast performed incredibly well, and the movie was even nominated for the Academy Awards. The portrayal of the characters and the essence of the film is so natural that a former oilfield worker said, “I can attest that the movie is very true to life and reminds me a great deal of my time working out in the Gulf of Mexico”.
This solid cast performed incredibly well, and the movie was even nominated for the Academy Awards.
The disaster takes form when a drilling party is relocated. A negative pressure test checks the oil rig being drilled. This test shows whether the cement has adequately sealed the oil rig or not. During the first testing process, the workers didn’t get the desired result, but the second test booms, and the work on the rig proceeds further. All this goes efficiently until day one; the sealed area of the high-pressure reservoir goes off and leads to a massive blowout. The explosion cost 11 lives; fire raged and oil gushed out of control for 87 days.
Several real life heroes come forward amid the chaos for the rescue when all hell breaks loose at the rig. These scenes are the real gold of movie when the viewers feel an emotional attachment with the workers and rescuers on board.
Ultimately, the disaster goes out of hand and led to a significant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As per estimation, about 210 million gallons of oil were spilled into the sea.
As per estimation, about 210 million gallons of oil were spilled into the massive water body.
Hundreds of audiences don’t know much about the technical aspects about the rig, but the movie is dramatized in such a compelling way that the intensity of the disaster grabs the viewer. Although the first quarter of the movie is a little bit slow, but gradually it paces up when the disaster happens, the later part is untoudetly grippling keeps the suspense, thrill, and action. It also shows what goes with the families and loved ones of the workers at the rig.
The movie gives a lesson that the past helps us to learn from our mistakes and assists us to make accurate decisions to prevent major catastrophe happening in the future. It warns to double-check and inspects each and every technical aspects when the stakes are tough.
The global economy continues to halt recovery from COVID19, the energy resources and their prices threaten to derail this recovery. In 2020, a historic drop in energy demand and prices was observed after the Coronavirus pandemic.
Later on, when travel restriction was normalized, demand and supply started recovering, but it stained the fossil fuel markets primarily for oil, gas, and coal. The oil prices skyrocket as the demand chases supply during the recent Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The recent surge in oil prices is due to the fact that global energy markets are naturally volatile. The world consumes approximately 100 million barrels of oil each day. While several IEA projects boost the use of renewables, enhance the energy efficiency, and shift toward electric vehicles, the oil will continue to meet the rising demand for petrochemicals and fuel transportation.
With more sophisticated living standards, it is estimated that by 2040 electricity generation is expected to increase by 52%., as globally, 772 million people still live without access to electricity.
Globally, the total amount of energy consumed has risen dramatically over time. Undoubtedly it is related to both population growth and the industrial revolution. The use of renewable energy resources plays a huge role in the rise of energy consumption. The abundance in the availability of energy resources has transformed the course of humanity over the last few centuries.
Oil was started being pumped out in 1860, having a greater energy density and being more versatile than coal, still, oil got a position as a significant energy source by 1920, and it surpassed coal as an energy source until about 1940.
Of course, the global progress rate was way slow back then, but it is probably hard to avoid the conclusion that the world’s energy supply system has gone through inertia and resulted in sluggish change.
The use of renewable energy resources plays a huge role in the rise of energy consumption.
Nonetheless, regardless of the source, whether oil, coal, or gas, the energy demand grows. The data shows that the global population is expected to rise by about two billion over the next two decades. With more sophisticated living standards, it is estimated that by 2040 electricity generation is expected to increase by 52%., as globally, 772 million people still live without access to electricity.
As per data, fossil fuels supply about 80% of the energy we require. The remaining sources include nuclear power, biofuels, hydro, and other renewables such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy.
Another report of IAE released in Oct 2021 shows that Global energy demand and energy-related carbon emissions will continue to rise by 2050, with oil staying the most significant energy source just before surging renewables.
This report also reveals that driven by overgrowing population and economic growth, the world’s energy demand is expected to increase 47% in the next 30 years, particularly in developing Asian countries. This will require a rise in oil and natural gas production, absent technological breakthroughs, or significant policy changes.
Liquid fuel will make up 28% of global energy demand by 2050, compared with renewables at 27%. This assumes a 36% increase in liquid fuel demand and a 165% increase by renewables from 2020 levels.
Gathering all this evidence through peers, mechanical engineers, and research scholars/ scientists, Scientia Pakistan brings its exclusive edition on “energy resources’, which is uniquely the most demanding topic these days. We believe that this edition will be an excellent read for mature readers and researchers. Have a lovely weekend.
Living in a society that targets sustainable development goals, we are stuck in several traditional practices. The switch from non-renewable to renewable energy resources has been the talk of the town for decades. However, we still need to find answers as to why we cannot completely eradicate the use of coal, a non-renewable resource, in energy production?
“Coal is the single greatest threat to civilization and all life on our planet.“
– James Hansen.
Coal is the cheapest fossil fuel; substantial industrial setups consume a significant amount of coal for various purposes. Mainly, coal is used for electrical energy production. The US Energy Administration stated that in 2019, coal-fired power plants produced approx. 23% of total electricity in the US. A significant reason is that almost 1/4th of the total coal reserves are in the United States. Coal-generated electricity is used for different purposes such as heating, cooking, transportation, and farming.
Furthermore, certain realities of coal are utilized in steel production. Coal varieties used for this purpose have a high carbon and low moisture content. Additionally, coal is employed in manufacturing cement, carbon fibers, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and tars.
Coal extraction, transport and management generate numerous employment opportunities that assist economic growth. Developed countries with humongous coal reserves utilize it the most as they do not need to import other resources for energy production, which asset aids in GDP stabilization. Perhaps these are the target reasons why coal is employed for energy production.
Irrespective of the potential benefits coal confers, its drawbacks are worse. Coal is a non-renewable energy resource. The rate at which coal is employed for energy production globally to meet the demands of the growing population, we might run out earlier than expected. Such practices do not align with the future’s sustainable development goals.
The potential hazards of coal utilization for energy production include pollution (water and land), high radiation and carbon emission, and health concerns. We will focus on each of the mentioned aspects and analyze how they aggravate the damage in the present and near-future of this planet.
Pollution is the most immediate and detrimental result of coal utilization for energy production. Air pollution and land, water, and noise pollution are generated during coal mining and coal waste dumping, respectively.
Coal power plants produce ash, a leftover product of burned coal. Approximately 100 million tons of coal are produced annually. A copious amount of this results in water bodies such as streams, lakes, and rivers polluting them. Moreover, underground water supplies are also contaminated, posing a threat to clean water. During coal mining, oil leaks and acid drainage jeopardize both marine and land ecosystems. Furthermore, coal mining, extraction, and processing is a source of noise pollution disturbing the nearby ecosystems and residential areas.
Air pollution is another repercussion of coal extraction. Sulfur dioxide, a potent byproduct of coal processing, when released in the air, causes acid rain. It can associate with other minute particles in the air and penetrate the lungs, leading to asthma and bronchitis. Smog is another byproduct of toxic gases released in the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxides, another toxic gas, are released, alleviating breathing problems. Over time, nitrous oxide exposure can enhance the susceptibility to chronic respiratory diseases such as influenza and pneumonia.
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning are a crucial player in global warming. Every gram of coal that is burned, on average, produces 4 grams of carbon dioxide. Methane, a gas 34 times stronger than carbon dioxide, is also released due to coal mining. It traps heat hence upsurges the daily temperatures on the planet’s surface.
Every gram of coal that is burned, on average, produces 4 grams of carbon dioxide. Photo We Forum
Once all these noxious gases enter the atmosphere, they add greenhouse gases that scar the ozone layer, increasing the average daily temperatures. The aftermath of ozone depletion and high average temperatures is exhausting. Melting of glaciers, flooding, and surface runoff create havoc at domestic and industrial levels. Such humongous fluctuations in the environment or atmosphere also drive a shift in climatic change.
Coal miners are exposed to numerous poisonous and heavy radioactive matter such as uranium and thorium. Frequent and prolonged exposure to such radioactive matter can lead to a pool of diseases such as skin cancer, acute and chronic respiratory disorders, and vision problems.
The longer we as a community rely on renewable energy resources, particularly coal, the more we reduce our quality of life. This planet needs us, and for all the right reasons, we need it too. The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy.
