Responsible Design Flashcards
Carbon footprint
The total amount of co2 released in to the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual, community or organisation
Primary carbon footprint
Measures direct emissions of co2 from burning fossil fuels, including transport and domestic energy consumption
Secondary carbon footprint
Measures indirect co2 from the products we use
Strands of sustainable development
Economic
Social
Environmental
6 rs
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Repair
Rethink
Refuse
Secondary recycling
Materials are recycled to make different products for example, polymer drink bottles into plant pots
Tertiary recycling
Completely breaking down a product and reformulating it via a chemical process.
Advantages of renewable energy
It is sustainable and will never run out.
Requires low maintenance.
Little or no waste.
Social and economic benefits
Disadvantages of renewable energy
Difficult to generate large quantities.
Reliant on the weather which can be inconsistent.
Cannot be stored in large quantities for later. Use
More expensive than fossil fuels.
Geothermal energy
Natural heat from the Earth heats up water to produce steam.
steam spins a turbine and generates electricity
Biomass
Organic matter such as wood dried vegetation and crop residue are burned to heat water and produce steam.
The steam turns the generator to produce power
Tidal barrage
Barriages are built across estuaries as the tide comes in and goes out the water movement turns turbines which generates power
Circular economy
Anticipates and designs for the biological and technical nutrients to be continuously reused at the same quality reducing the dependency on sourcing new materials
Biological nutrients
Organic non-toxic chemicals that can simply be composted and safely re-enter ecosystems without harming the natural environment.
Technical nutrients
Man-made materials, including polymers and alloys designed to be used repeatedly at the same initial high-quality with minimal energy and no adverse environmental effects.
