Topic 5- Sustainability Flashcards
sustainable consumption of electricity
using electricity in such a way that the resources used to generate it will not be depleted
ensuring that the process sued to generate it will not have a negative impact on the env.
fossil fuels
- formed from the remains of dead plant and animal matter buried millions of years ago
- non-renewable energy sources
- occur in limited quantities on earth
- used up quicker than they are formed
3 examples of fossil fuels
- fuel
- coal
- natural gas
consequences of burning fossil fuels
- pollutants being released into air and water
- greenhouse effect
- global warming
a greenhouse gas
a gas that absorbs heat energy radiating from the earth and reflects it back to the earth eg. CO2
the greenhouse effect
- human activity = excess release of greenhouse gases
- excess gases act as insulating blanket = heat from earth is trapped
- trapped heat = increase in earth’s temp
- increase in temp = global warming
coal: 1 positive, 1 negative
pos: SA is rich in coal
neg: releases large quantities of greenhouse gases
oil and natural gas: 1 positive, 1 negative
pos: easy to extract, handle, store, transport
neg: explosions and oil spills are possible
nuclear power: 1 positive, 1 negative
pos: sustainable, limited release of pollutants
neg: highly radioactive which can be harmful to people and env.
renewable energy
- comes from sources that are naturally replenished and do not become depleted
- have smaller negative impact on the environment
- high costs in developing new technology
wind energy
- wind turbines to generate electricity
- freely available for use
- does not produce pollutants
water energy
- falling water to generate electricity = hydroelectricity
- energy of falling water turns turbines which generates electricity
- water is returned to the source with no waste products
sunlight energy
- solar energy
- solar cells convert sun’s energy into electrical energy
- renewable and safe to use
3 reasons to save electricity
- conservation of non-renewable energy sources
- reduction of pollutants released during burning of fuels
- save money and water that would’ve been spent on generating electricity
5 ways of using electricity more efficiently
- close doors and windows when heater is on to keep heat inside
- install solar panels to heat water
- dress warmly instead of using a heater
- use low-energy bulbs
- plan house to face north for maximum lighting