Unit 10- Energy

#1:

Most environmentally friendly to least:

Wind-no pollution

Geothermal-no pollution

Solar-possibility of toxic metals 

Hydroelectric-habitat destruction

Natural Gas-destruction of environment in extraction

Biomass-carbon emissions

Nuclear-radioactive stuff stays for a long time

Oil-carbon dioxide emissions

Coal- lots of carbon dioxide emissions

#2:

Oil

Natural Gas

Coal

Nuclear

Biomass

Hydroelectric

Wind

Geothermal

Solar

#3:

Oil

Coal

Natural Gas

Biomass

Nuclear

Hydroelectric

Solar

Wind

Geothermal

#4:

Hydroelectric

Coal

Oil

Natural Gas

Nuclear

Wind

Biomass

Solar

Geothermal

Biofuels VS Fossil Fuels

Biofuels are more simpler to use than fossil fuels because they require more effort for extraction. Both of these have CO2 emissions, but fossil fuels add carbon dioxide that is stored for along time into the atmosphere thus harming it more than helping and the biofuels only add back to the atmosphere what was already there, thus not harming it at all. Fossil fuels add more carbon into the cycle, while biofuels puts back what was already there. Coal is a type of fossil fuel and Butonal is a type of Biofuel.

Nuclear Disasters

Environmentally nuclear disasters harm many different species and kill out the ecosystems leaving it to grow on its own after the incident. Economically it causes a great deal of money loss in trying to rehabilitate the area affected by the disaster. Human impact is that it causes cancers in people affected by the radiation and also messes with DNA. Chernobyl was a nuclear disaster in Ukraine that occurred because of a flawed soviet reactor. This caused complete destruction in that area and harmful effects to humans. The Lucens reactor in Switzerland was a similar nuclear disaster. Nuclear waster is contained in an area that is far from humans and tightly held so nothing is released out.

ANWR

It is a tundra in which there is permafrost. It is fragile because if the permafrost was the melt the ecosystem there would fail and start to break apart. Economically if the US was to drill in Alaska, then the US would be less dependent on foreign companies. Environmentally the drill would hurt the ecosystem, causing space to be taken up and affect the species living in that ecosystem.

For Drilling-

We should drill in Alaska because this will cause less dependence on foreign oil, thus increasing US income level and increasing the amount of jobs. Thus creating an economic benefit.

Against Drilling-

No we shouldn't drill in Alaska because the environment is peacefully doing its thing. It is left alone without human disruption. Drilling would cause negative effects on the environment and that would affect the ecosystem that should be protected and away from human harm.

Reducing Consumption

To reduce consumption of oil, less cars need to be on the road. Thus creating engines that are more efficient in converting energy using less amounts of oil is necessary. Also making the complete switch to electric cars is better because no oil will be used then. Another way of reducing consumption of oil is to use resources that are renewable to access electricity, such as; wind and solar. These two ways can help reduce consumption and create a non-polluted way of acquiring electricity.

BIG Picture Discussion

Human impact-
In order to prosper and grow, humans need a source of energy, being: coal, solar, wind, etc. Use of energy has a lot of effects on humans. It could be a health risk to humans or beneficial to humans. Use of fossil fuels, has a large emission of carbon which can pollute the air that humans breathe. This could affect their respiratory system. Also impacts occur with nuclear disasters affecting humans through radiation.

Environmental impact-
There are tons of environmental impacts when it comes to energy. Extracting sources of energy from the ground can harm the area nearby as well as the site the source was extracted from. Also when fuels are utilized there are tons of CO2 emissions this having large effects on the air. It creates an exposure to greater carbon. More carbon in the air can result in the increase of global temperatures, and further global warming.

Economic impact-
Because energy is necessary everywhere, there is an industry behind each source. Fossil fuels for example are the most profitable because they are the most used in the developed world. Thus an industry created around fossil fuels is very beneficial economically because it brings lots of revenue in. Along with fossil fuels, there are other energy sources that also bring in a lot of revenue.

Government legislation:
The greatest act to help with energy sources is the Clean Air Act. This act, passed by the EPA, is meant to regulate carbon emissions. This act helps in the reduction of carbon put out in the air  by businesses and other industries. It helps in keeping the air cleaner from pollution, thus limiting certain ways to attain energy; fossil fuels.