EFFECTS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY ON GLOBAL WARMING

Currently, global warming is the major environmental concern in the world and will most likely continue with this priority for a long period of time.Global warming is usually caused by manmade carbon-associated gas emissions, also known as greenhouse gases, resulting in enormous climate change/concern.The major source of carbon emissions is from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas in power plants, automobiles, other transportation vehicles, industrial facilities, and other natural and artificial sources.It is believed that nanotechnology will likely decrease the need for fossil fuels, thus having a positive impact on global warming.Nanotechnology and its products (or nanomaterials) mainly involve in the applications of renewable energies (e.g., solar and hydrogen fuel cells), which result in nearly zero emissions.Increasing the use and efficiency of renewable energy and at the same time decreasing the consumption of current fuels is one way to slow down and ultimately stop global warming.However, the manufacture of nanomaterials and devices may have negative impacts on global warming, as well.