Discussion Questions
List #1: Rank the sources in order of MOST environmentally friendly to LEAST environmentally friendly based on what you have learned in class. Next to each source, give an example of the type of pollution produced by that source.
1. Hydroelectric: Although hydropower has no air quality impacts, construction and operation of hydropower dams can significantly affect natural river systems as well as fish and wildlife populations.
2. Geothermal: There is a large amount of land required to maintain a geothermal plant
3. Natural Gas: Significant source of emissions of methane
4. Nuclear: Produce radioactive waste
5. Solar: Some manufacturing processes are associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen trifluroide and sulfur hexafluoride have been tracked back to the production of solar panels.
6. Wind: Emissions associated with other stages of a wind turbine’s life-cycle, including materials production,
materials transportation, on-site construction and assembly, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning and dismantlement.
7. Oil: Oil spills in the ocean. They can't dissolve in water so the oil just stays there.
8. Biomass: Burning leads to the release of carbon monoxide
9. Coal: Coal plants release Sulfur dioxide into the air which takes a major toll on public health
1. Hydroelectric: Although hydropower has no air quality impacts, construction and operation of hydropower dams can significantly affect natural river systems as well as fish and wildlife populations.
2. Geothermal: There is a large amount of land required to maintain a geothermal plant
3. Natural Gas: Significant source of emissions of methane
4. Nuclear: Produce radioactive waste
5. Solar: Some manufacturing processes are associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Nitrogen trifluroide and sulfur hexafluoride have been tracked back to the production of solar panels.
6. Wind: Emissions associated with other stages of a wind turbine’s life-cycle, including materials production,
materials transportation, on-site construction and assembly, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning and dismantlement.
7. Oil: Oil spills in the ocean. They can't dissolve in water so the oil just stays there.
8. Biomass: Burning leads to the release of carbon monoxide
9. Coal: Coal plants release Sulfur dioxide into the air which takes a major toll on public health
List #2: Rank the sources based on the MOST used to LEAST used source in the US.
1. Oil
2. Natural Gas
3. Coal
4. Nuclear
5. Biomass
6. Hydroelectric
7. Wind
8. Geothermal
9. Solar
2. Natural Gas
3. Coal
4. Nuclear
5. Biomass
6. Hydroelectric
7. Wind
8. Geothermal
9. Solar
List #3: Rank the sources based on the MOST used to LEAST used source WORLDWIDE.
1. Oil
2. Coal
3. Natural Gas
4. Biomass
5. Nuclear
6. Hydroelectric
7. Wind
8. Solar
9. Geothermal
1. Oil
2. Coal
3. Natural Gas
4. Biomass
5. Nuclear
6. Hydroelectric
7. Wind
8. Solar
9. Geothermal
List #4: Rank the sources based on the MOST amount of useful energy generated versus LEAST amount of useful energy generated by the source.
1. Wind
2. Hydroelectricity
3. Natural gas
1. Wind
2. Hydroelectricity
3. Natural gas
4. Coal
5. Nuclear
6. Biomass
7. Oil
8. Geothermal
9. Solar
Biofuels are actual fuels that form well when biological matter decomposes. Biofuel exist in gas, solid, and liquid, in all of the three states of matter. Biofuels can be made immediately while Fossil Fuels can take as long as a lifetime to build. Biofuels are renewable resources while fossil fuels are not. Using biofuels is better than using fossil fuels even though they release the same pollutants because biofuel is a renewable resource.
The use of fossil fuels is not sustainable because there is no way to limit our consumption to the rate at which they are being formed. Fossil fuel combustion leads to the release of excess amounts of CO2 and its contribution to global warming is very high. Production, transportation, and use of oil can cause water pollution. Oil spills, for example, leave waterways and their surrounding shores uninhabitable for some time. Such spills often result in the loss of plant and animal life. The burning of fossil fuels impacts the carbon cycle because carbon that is locked in these fossil fuels does not cycle through the earth. When humans burn fossil fuels, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. This carbon is then free to cycle through the earth upsetting the natural balance of the carbon available.
jj Biofuel is produced to reduce greenhouse gas emission sand to mitigate the effects of global warming produced by fossil fuels. However, some unintended impacts of biofuel production are on land, water and biodiversity. They are affected by agricultural production and if the agricultural production is intensified then the side effects are even greater. The common conception is that growing crops for biofuels will offset the greenhouse gas emissions because they directly remove carbon dioxide from the air. This removal of carbon dioxide disturbs the balance of the carbon cycle.
Environmentally, the groundwater was contaminated. Initial contamination of the groundwater may have been introduced by method of disposal used for the Red Forest. Much of the Red Forest was bulldozed and buried in trenches. Because of the trees decaying, the radiation was leached into groundwater contaminating and upsetting the animals living in that area.
Economically, all activities had to be stopped until the area was restored.
This accident caused many people to get sick because of the radiation caused by the plant. Approximately 203 people were hospitalized and a few people around the area fell ill.
On March, 11, 2011, three of Fukushima Daiichi reactors cooled which caused a nuclear accident in Japan. All three cores largely melted in the first three days. Many people were affected by this accident and are currently facing the consequences of this accident. Some people were hospitalized while others had to evacuate their homes.
Nuclear waste is stored in either a wet or dry environment. The wet storage currently stores the nuclear fuel in specially designed pools at individual reactor sites around the country. This is beneficial because it shields the waste from radiation for anyone near the pool. There is a plant in California called the Diablo Canyon plant which uses the wet storage method.
This biome is classified as the Tundra, and it's susceptible to damage and considered fragile because there are only about 45 species in this biome. These species are both found in water and on land. These mammals are allowed to flourish without human impact.
Environmental and economic impacts of drilling include exploitation of the area. This exploitation intrudes on the habitats of the limited mammals living in the biome. Additionally, an oil spill could occur. This oil spill could also alter many habitats and lead to various economic costs. It would require a lot of money to restore the land.
Economically, there is enough land to provide for the mining of oil. The more oil that is produced the less it will cost. Since it is one of the largest sources of energy, the economy will benefit.
Environmentally, the limited and unique species living in this Tundra would get hurt by the drilling of oil. Their habitats would get disturbed causing them to leave the area.
Economically, all activities had to be stopped until the area was restored.
This accident caused many people to get sick because of the radiation caused by the plant. Approximately 203 people were hospitalized and a few people around the area fell ill.
On March, 11, 2011, three of Fukushima Daiichi reactors cooled which caused a nuclear accident in Japan. All three cores largely melted in the first three days. Many people were affected by this accident and are currently facing the consequences of this accident. Some people were hospitalized while others had to evacuate their homes.
Nuclear waste is stored in either a wet or dry environment. The wet storage currently stores the nuclear fuel in specially designed pools at individual reactor sites around the country. This is beneficial because it shields the waste from radiation for anyone near the pool. There is a plant in California called the Diablo Canyon plant which uses the wet storage method.
This biome is classified as the Tundra, and it's susceptible to damage and considered fragile because there are only about 45 species in this biome. These species are both found in water and on land. These mammals are allowed to flourish without human impact.
Environmental and economic impacts of drilling include exploitation of the area. This exploitation intrudes on the habitats of the limited mammals living in the biome. Additionally, an oil spill could occur. This oil spill could also alter many habitats and lead to various economic costs. It would require a lot of money to restore the land.
Economically, there is enough land to provide for the mining of oil. The more oil that is produced the less it will cost. Since it is one of the largest sources of energy, the economy will benefit.
Environmentally, the limited and unique species living in this Tundra would get hurt by the drilling of oil. Their habitats would get disturbed causing them to leave the area.
Two suggestions for how we can reduce overall consumption of the oil needed for transportation is to use alternative fuels. More vehicles need to be capable of running on alternative fuels. In order to do this, we need to open fuel standards so we can level the playing field for alternative fuels. Additionally, we need to coordinate standards on the provision of public goods, namely infrastructure, in order to enable more alternative fuel vehicles to enter the market. Moreover, just by supporting the deployment of a nation-wide charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and acting upon it we can make a difference.
We can consume electricity by unplugging things that are not in use. For example, unplugging chargers and using power strips to turn off televisions can not only save electricity but also reduce your utility bill! Also, by enabling the "sleep mode" on your computer allows it to use less power when it is inactive.
Human Impact: People can play a big role in the conservation of energy. For example, turning down the thermostat and driving fewer miles are examples of steps individuals can take to conserve energy. Additionally, buying appliances that use less energy and switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs are examples of steps individuals can take to increase energy efficiency. Reducing the demand for energy can be an equally effective or more effective means of achieving energy sustainability than developing additional sources of energy
Environmental Impact: Coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear fuels are used as common energy sources. Although they are essential for human survival, these energy sources pose many environmental threats. Coal combustion is a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Because the combustion disperses throughout the atmosphere, climate is affected. Additionally, petroleum is used for transportation. This fuel is used more than any other fuel in the United States and therefore produces the most amount of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, oil spills are a major hazard to organisms and habitat. Moreover, natural gas is a relatively clean fossil fuel but the accidents and radioactive waste that occur due to natural gas serve as major environment hazards.
Economic Impact: The cost of renewable energy has been falling. Since the prices have been dropping dramatically, more people have been willing and able to buy these energy sources. State and federal subsidies and tax incentives also help to lower the price of a technology. Tax credits and rebates have been instrumental in reducing the cost of solar and wind energy systems for consumers. Furthermore, in 2008, the energy conservation increased when oil prices rose rapidly to almost $150 per barrel and and gasoline in the most of the United States cost more than $4.00 per gallon. People used public transportation more than often, drove more fuel-efficient vehicles, and carpooled more than they did before the price spike.
Government Legislation:
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP): analyzes energy management legal authorities, develops guidance documents and publishes notices and rules
The Federal Power Act: put electricity sale/transportation regulation under Federal Power Commission
The Public Utility Holding Company Act: regulates size of electric utilities, limiting each to a specific geographic area
The Natural Gas Act: regulates gas pipelines under Federal Power Commission
The Department Of Energy Organization Act: created federal Department of Energy
The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP): analyzes energy management legal authorities, develops guidance documents and publishes notices and rules
The Federal Power Act: put electricity sale/transportation regulation under Federal Power Commission
The Public Utility Holding Company Act: regulates size of electric utilities, limiting each to a specific geographic area
The Natural Gas Act: regulates gas pipelines under Federal Power Commission
The Department Of Energy Organization Act: created federal Department of Energy
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