KwinnieBogan
2007-03-04, 06:15
I just did this and felt like posting it in GP for one reason or another, mainly because this is me researching and being properly introduced to these sort of topics, and that anyone strolling into GP without a pre-existing knowledge of some of these terms or issues might find it a useful avenue into learning about the topics at hand.
Environmental sustainability.
1. What is meant by the term “Renewable Energy”?
Renewable energy is a source of energy that will never really run out, such as solar power, and also tend to be very environmentally friendly as they are sourced directly from nature. Renewable energy is the ultimate future of planet earth.
2. Name the sources of energy you know and indicate which one is from a renewable course and which one from a non-renewable course.
Renewable energy:
All Solar (Wind, water, sunlight, etc)
Animal and human waste.
Geothermal.
This includes wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, tidal power, wave power, solar panels, solar updraft tower, solar thermal water heating, Biofuel and biomass, and geothermal or “Cyclic heat engine” power.
Non-renewable energy:
Fossil fuels
Nuclear energy
This includes coal, oil, natural gas, radioactive isotopes, and possibly timber since it is burned at a much higher rate than it can be grown, which through eventual depletion will lead to the end of that source.
3. In what form do we use this energy in our houses?
We use this energy in our homes in the form of electricity, which is produced at a (usually) non-renewable energy fueled power plant, the most common of which in Australia are coal burning stations which generate extreme amounts of Carbon Dioxide. We use the electricity to run nearly everything in our modern homes.
4. Before the Industrial Revolution societies were dependant on renewable sources; name some and for what purposes were they used.
Societies primarily used solar power before the time that the Industrial Revolution took a hold of the world. Where possible, mills were built into the banks of streams, with a large wheel (like a turbine) out the side which would be spun by the current and would use gears situated in the loft of the mill to turn giant stone rollers which crushed the grains into flour. Where streams weren’t available or were unsuitable, wind power was harnessed through big windmills to turn the stones. Even the sun was used, to fry clothes and foods, and heat buildings. Such sources of energy were not only renewable but free and easy to maintain, which explains why it is still used very much in “primitive” area’s of the world.
5. What are the consequences of the non-developed nations (The majority world), aspiring to the same level of energy consumption as the developed (OECD) countries?
Developing countries’ “need” to be like first world countries puts an enormous strain on energy resources, which is reflected by the use of the same energy sources we are aspiring to move away from, such as burning coal and oil for power. It is much cheaper and easier on their economy to build a coal-powered station, which they can feed from their own stocks of fossil fuel. More want for electricity in these areas means faster consumption of fossil fuels and higher chance of conflict with surrounding countries over energy reserves and money. Low grade fuel and building equipment coupled with relatively no regulations results in a power station that is greatly inefficient with an even higher pollutant output than that of the first world countries.
6. From a political point of view, what would be the great benefit for a society if the emphasis of energy use is based on a renewable energy (source) policy?
If Australia (for example) were to eventually run on what would be predominantly renewable energy, our national economy would naturally become hugely stronger because we wouldn’t have to rely on any other countries for energy sources, while it would cost the energy companies a percentage less to create power, which would be to the profit of both the company and consumer, and finally our government could allocate all the money previously used for maintenance, mining, shipping, and trading to put back into the country. We could possibly even lower the tax rate.
Eventually our dollar would become very strong, which can be a good or bad thing depending on circumstance.
7. How does energy use effect the environment; for fossil fuel based energy as well as solar fuel based energy?
Fossil fuels have a heavy impact on the environment both in the mining and consumption stages, where large amounts of pollutants are released into the atmosphere, as well as extensive land clearing and irreparable damage.
Solar fuel based technology has very little negative effects on the environment at all compared to it’s energy output, hence why it is known as a “clean green energy source”.
8. What is the result (effect) of an enhanced greenhouse effect?
Global warming is the most notorious result of an enhanced greenhouse effect, and it’s a very justifiable fact since global warming is creating an enormous impact that will turn the expression “Change the face of the earth” into literal reality. Global warming is essentially a rise in average temperatures all over the world, that has tremendous effects on the planet by doing things such as changing the weather cycles and making the sea rise which both result in a changed environment – one that has had to adapt to the new conditions – or has partially died out. This is negative since everything on our planet bar humans has evolved to live by specific solar conditions; many of the flora and fauna are delicate enough that the effects brought with even a few degrees change in the atmosphere would wipe them out. Humans aren’t directly affected by more extreme temperatures and weather, but will have a hard time surviving how we currently do when the infrastructure formed by animals, plants, seasons, and anything non man-made withers. – The human’s industrial dependent lifestyle will eventually lead to the end of life, as we know it.
9. Which energy sector is the major contributor to greenhouse emissions?
The fossil fuel sector is easily the biggest contributor to greenhouse emissions, with coal-fueled power stations being the worst out all fossil fuel energy sources.
Just on a measure of CO2 content; 1,799,762 thousand metric tonnes of CO2 were produced by coal fueled power stations in 1998 in the United States of America (which makes up for more than 35% of the world total carbon emissions), where the next highest figure was Natural gas at 291,236 thousand metric tonnes. These are both fossil fuels.
Impact on global growth on carbon emissions (http://tinyurl.com/rseqw)
andCO2 emissions report (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/co2_report/co2report.html)
used as reference.
10. Name some social issues affecting the use of renewable energy.
Renewable energy does away with the trade of oil and other fossil fuel resources which a percentage of nations base their economy on, and replacing the trade with renewable sources of energy will certifiably cause more than one bloody conflict as the country that’s now in the gutter trying to find another area of profit fights the change to renewable energy. Not only will this forced change to a new source of national trade damage their lifestyle, it may the be the straw that breaks the camels back and mark the start of a new world war. This is definitely one of the issues that we’re going to experience when the developed world leans more towards solar energy sources rather than fossil fuels, and even see a shift in world power.
EDIT: This isn't for school, it's for TAFE/Uni.
This is an introductory assingment into the environmental sustainability unit of my course, which is only a very small and only slightly related part of my Architectural drafting course. If this thread isn't useless I'll post my progressively harder assingments on GP so outsiders can "learn alongside me". Fuck I hate that gay phrase as well as being all nerd-worthy like this.
And to make it a little less useless: A treasure trove of mp3's (http://209.142.155.49:8080/music/)
[This message has been edited by KwinnieBogan (edited 03-04-2007).]
Environmental sustainability.
1. What is meant by the term “Renewable Energy”?
Renewable energy is a source of energy that will never really run out, such as solar power, and also tend to be very environmentally friendly as they are sourced directly from nature. Renewable energy is the ultimate future of planet earth.
2. Name the sources of energy you know and indicate which one is from a renewable course and which one from a non-renewable course.
Renewable energy:
All Solar (Wind, water, sunlight, etc)
Animal and human waste.
Geothermal.
This includes wind turbines, hydroelectric dams, tidal power, wave power, solar panels, solar updraft tower, solar thermal water heating, Biofuel and biomass, and geothermal or “Cyclic heat engine” power.
Non-renewable energy:
Fossil fuels
Nuclear energy
This includes coal, oil, natural gas, radioactive isotopes, and possibly timber since it is burned at a much higher rate than it can be grown, which through eventual depletion will lead to the end of that source.
3. In what form do we use this energy in our houses?
We use this energy in our homes in the form of electricity, which is produced at a (usually) non-renewable energy fueled power plant, the most common of which in Australia are coal burning stations which generate extreme amounts of Carbon Dioxide. We use the electricity to run nearly everything in our modern homes.
4. Before the Industrial Revolution societies were dependant on renewable sources; name some and for what purposes were they used.
Societies primarily used solar power before the time that the Industrial Revolution took a hold of the world. Where possible, mills were built into the banks of streams, with a large wheel (like a turbine) out the side which would be spun by the current and would use gears situated in the loft of the mill to turn giant stone rollers which crushed the grains into flour. Where streams weren’t available or were unsuitable, wind power was harnessed through big windmills to turn the stones. Even the sun was used, to fry clothes and foods, and heat buildings. Such sources of energy were not only renewable but free and easy to maintain, which explains why it is still used very much in “primitive” area’s of the world.
5. What are the consequences of the non-developed nations (The majority world), aspiring to the same level of energy consumption as the developed (OECD) countries?
Developing countries’ “need” to be like first world countries puts an enormous strain on energy resources, which is reflected by the use of the same energy sources we are aspiring to move away from, such as burning coal and oil for power. It is much cheaper and easier on their economy to build a coal-powered station, which they can feed from their own stocks of fossil fuel. More want for electricity in these areas means faster consumption of fossil fuels and higher chance of conflict with surrounding countries over energy reserves and money. Low grade fuel and building equipment coupled with relatively no regulations results in a power station that is greatly inefficient with an even higher pollutant output than that of the first world countries.
6. From a political point of view, what would be the great benefit for a society if the emphasis of energy use is based on a renewable energy (source) policy?
If Australia (for example) were to eventually run on what would be predominantly renewable energy, our national economy would naturally become hugely stronger because we wouldn’t have to rely on any other countries for energy sources, while it would cost the energy companies a percentage less to create power, which would be to the profit of both the company and consumer, and finally our government could allocate all the money previously used for maintenance, mining, shipping, and trading to put back into the country. We could possibly even lower the tax rate.
Eventually our dollar would become very strong, which can be a good or bad thing depending on circumstance.
7. How does energy use effect the environment; for fossil fuel based energy as well as solar fuel based energy?
Fossil fuels have a heavy impact on the environment both in the mining and consumption stages, where large amounts of pollutants are released into the atmosphere, as well as extensive land clearing and irreparable damage.
Solar fuel based technology has very little negative effects on the environment at all compared to it’s energy output, hence why it is known as a “clean green energy source”.
8. What is the result (effect) of an enhanced greenhouse effect?
Global warming is the most notorious result of an enhanced greenhouse effect, and it’s a very justifiable fact since global warming is creating an enormous impact that will turn the expression “Change the face of the earth” into literal reality. Global warming is essentially a rise in average temperatures all over the world, that has tremendous effects on the planet by doing things such as changing the weather cycles and making the sea rise which both result in a changed environment – one that has had to adapt to the new conditions – or has partially died out. This is negative since everything on our planet bar humans has evolved to live by specific solar conditions; many of the flora and fauna are delicate enough that the effects brought with even a few degrees change in the atmosphere would wipe them out. Humans aren’t directly affected by more extreme temperatures and weather, but will have a hard time surviving how we currently do when the infrastructure formed by animals, plants, seasons, and anything non man-made withers. – The human’s industrial dependent lifestyle will eventually lead to the end of life, as we know it.
9. Which energy sector is the major contributor to greenhouse emissions?
The fossil fuel sector is easily the biggest contributor to greenhouse emissions, with coal-fueled power stations being the worst out all fossil fuel energy sources.
Just on a measure of CO2 content; 1,799,762 thousand metric tonnes of CO2 were produced by coal fueled power stations in 1998 in the United States of America (which makes up for more than 35% of the world total carbon emissions), where the next highest figure was Natural gas at 291,236 thousand metric tonnes. These are both fossil fuels.
Impact on global growth on carbon emissions (http://tinyurl.com/rseqw)
andCO2 emissions report (http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/co2_report/co2report.html)
used as reference.
10. Name some social issues affecting the use of renewable energy.
Renewable energy does away with the trade of oil and other fossil fuel resources which a percentage of nations base their economy on, and replacing the trade with renewable sources of energy will certifiably cause more than one bloody conflict as the country that’s now in the gutter trying to find another area of profit fights the change to renewable energy. Not only will this forced change to a new source of national trade damage their lifestyle, it may the be the straw that breaks the camels back and mark the start of a new world war. This is definitely one of the issues that we’re going to experience when the developed world leans more towards solar energy sources rather than fossil fuels, and even see a shift in world power.
EDIT: This isn't for school, it's for TAFE/Uni.
This is an introductory assingment into the environmental sustainability unit of my course, which is only a very small and only slightly related part of my Architectural drafting course. If this thread isn't useless I'll post my progressively harder assingments on GP so outsiders can "learn alongside me". Fuck I hate that gay phrase as well as being all nerd-worthy like this.
And to make it a little less useless: A treasure trove of mp3's (http://209.142.155.49:8080/music/)
[This message has been edited by KwinnieBogan (edited 03-04-2007).]