Test 3 - Final Flashcards
Explain the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Provide three examples of each.
Renewable energies generate from natural resources that can be replaced over a relatively short time.
Renewable: solar panels, wind, turbines, and Hydropower which involves using water
Nonrenewable energies come from resources that are not replaced or are replaced only very slowly by natural processes.
Non-renewable: coal, oil, gas (fossil fuels)
Why are energy resources such as coal, oil, natural gas and even nuclear power (fission reactors) considered to be unsustainable?
They rely on finite sources that will eventually run out. Fossil fuels also cause pollution and climate change, while nuclear power produces long-lived radioactive waste that is difficult to manage.
What is “net energy yield” and why is it important to understand when evaluating potential energy sources?
Net energy yield is the amount of useable energy left after subtracting the energy needed to produce it. It’s important because an energy source must provide more energy than it takes to obtain, or it’s not practical or sustainable to use.
List the primary advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy (i.e. fission reactors). Do you think that we should abandon this energy source? Explain your answer.
Advantages:
- very low GHG emissions
- less land use and disruption
- reliable and continuous power supply
Disadvantages:
- produces dangerous radioactive waste
- risk of accidents (Chernobyl)
- high construction and maintenance costs
We should not abandon nuclear energy because it provides clean, reliable power that helps fight climate change. Instead, we should invest in making it safer and improving waste management.
What is energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency is how much useful energy you get out compared to how much you put in. Most energy is lost as heat. For example, your body and a car engine are only about 20 to 25% efficient, the rest turns into heat. LED bulbs are better, using about 50% of energy for light instead of wasting it.
Explain how the following can be used to increase our energy efficiency:
A. Cogeneration
B. LED Lighting
C. Hybrid vehicles
A. Captures and uses waste heat from electricity production, instead of letting it go to waste.
B. Uses much less electricity than traditional lightbulbs to produce the same amount of light.
C. Combine gas engines with electric motors to use less fuel and reduce energy loss.
If you could build your own house and budget was not an issue, what green technologies and energy saving features would you include? What is the term given to a house that does not use any more energy than it produces?
I would include solar panels to generate renewable electricity, geothermal heating and cooling to efficiently regulate indoor temperature using the stable heat from the ground, energy efficient windows and extra insulation to reduce heat loss in the winter and keep the home cool in the summer, LED lighting which uses less electricity and lasts much longer than traditional bulbs, and a rainwater collection system which can collect water from the roof and store it for non-drinking purposes, like watering the garden, flushing toilets, or washing clothes.
A house that produces as much energy as it uses is called a net zero energy home.
List the important advantages and disadvantages of using solar power for your house.
Advantages:
- fairly high net energy
- Low environmental impact once installed
- increases energy independence
Disadvantages:
- high upfront installation costs
- depends on sunlight
- needs electricity storage system or backup
What three types of biomass can we use to derive energy? Explain how each type is produced and give three advantages and three disadvantages with this resource.
Wood - burning wood or wood waste for heat and electricity
Agricultural waste - using crop leftovers like corn, stocks, or animal manure to produce bio energy
Biofuels - making ethanol or biodiesel from crops like corn or sugarcane
Advantages:
- renewable if managed sustainably
- reduces waste by reusing organic material
- can lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels
Disadvantages:
- Can lead to deforestation if overharvested
- produces air pollution when burned
- growing crops for fuel can compete with food production
Explain the concept of “decentralized micropower”. How does it integrate nicely with renewable energy sources and a more sustainable power grid?
Decentralized micropower means producing electricity locally using small systems like solar panels or wind turbines instead of relying only on big power plants. Homes or communities can use or share their own power, making the grid more stable and less dependent. It works well with renewables because it uses clean sources, like solar and wind, which are low-pollution and efficient. These systems are modular, reliable, and easy to upgrade, helping create a more flexible in sustainable power grid.
The country life is “clean and simple”, so why are cities growing and rural populations shrinking? Why is this trend of urbanization potentially bad for the environment? In other words, why are cities considered to be unsustainable?
People move to cities for more jobs, education, healthcare, and better services. Cities can be bad for the environment because they use a lot of resources, create more waste and pollution, and often destroy natural land to expand. This makes them unsustainable if they grow too fast without proper planning.
What is a pure free market? What drives the price of goods and services in this system? What problems can arise if we let this process manage services such as healthcare, education and/or national security? Provide an example.
A pure free market is an economy where prices in production are controlled only by supply and demand. Prices are driven by what people are willing to pay (demand), and how much is available (supply). If we let this system run healthcare, education, or national security, essential services could become too expensive or only available to the rich. For example, without regulation, healthcare could cost so much that poor people could not afford life-saving treatments.
Why is it important to understand and be engaged in our political system here in Canada? In other words, why should regional, provincial, and federal politics not be a “spectator sport”?
It’s important because political decisions affect healthcare, education, the environment, and our economy. If people don’t participate, special interests could control policies that hurt the public. Democracy works best when citizens are active, not just watching from the sidelines.
What can you do to influence the priorities and decisions made by your elected officials?
You can vote, contact your representatives, join advocacy groups, attend town halls, and use social media to push for changes on issues you care about.
