1B3 Issues of Energy and Natural Resource Extraction Flashcards
Describe how managing energy and natural resources responsibly involves weighing sustainability, environmental impacts, and lifecycle costs of various energy sources and consumer products.
Define:
Sustainable energy use
Using energy without depleting resources or harming the environment.
It focuses on using renewable resources and energy efficiency to reduce environmental impacts and ensure energy availability for future generations.
True or False:
Sustainable energy relies on non-renewable sources.
False
Sustainable energy primarily relies on renewable resources like solar and wind, which regenerate naturally and do not deplete over time.
Define:
energy efficiency
Using less energy to achieve the same result.
Improving energy efficiency means reducing the amount of energy needed for tasks, which saves resources and cuts emissions.
What are resources that regenerate quickly?
Renewable resources
Examples include sunlight, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, and geothermal energy, which are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
What are examples of renewable energy sources?
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
- Hydroelectric energy
- Biomass energy
- Geothermal energy
Renewable energy sources regenerate naturally and are sustainable.
What are examples of non-renewable energy sources?
- Coal
- Oil
- Natural gas
- Nuclear energy (uses finite uranium)
Non-renewable energy sources are finite and take millions of years to form.
Fill in the blank:
________ energy comes from sources that regenerate on a human timescale.
Renewable
Solar, wind, and hydro are examples of renewable resources that can be replenished within our lifetime.
Why is solar energy considered renewable?
It is replenished daily by the sun.
Solar energy harnesses sunlight, a resource that is continuously available and can be used without depleting it.
True or False:
Wind energy is renewable because it is generated by ongoing natural processes.
True
Wind is replenished naturally, and wind energy can be harnessed without depleting the resource.
What is a major advantage of wind energy?
It is clean and renewable.
Wind energy produces no emissions during operation and is a sustainable source of power.
True or False:
Nuclear energy does not produce radioactive waste.
False
Radioactive waste can remains hazardous for thousands of years and requires careful management.
What is a disadvantage of hydroelectric power?
It can disrupt ecosystems.
Dams and reservoirs for hydroelectric power can harm aquatic habitats and alter natural water flow patterns.
True or False
Solar power does not generate pollutants.
True
Solar energy produces clean electricity without emitting harmful substances like CO₂.
What is a major environmental concern with oil extraction?
It can cause spills and pollute ecosystems.
Oil drilling and transportation can lead to catastrophic spills, damaging marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
True or False:
Deforestation reduces the Earth’s ability to absorb CO₂.
True
Trees naturally absorb CO₂, a greenhouse gas. Deforestation eliminates this carbon sink, contributing to higher levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
What is a mineral from which metals are extracted?
Ore
Metals like iron, copper, and gold are obtained by mining ores, which contain these valuable elements in concentrated form.
What is the process of clearing forests for agriculture or development?
Deforestation
Deforestation leads to biodiversity loss, increased carbon emissions, and disruptions to local climates. It also impacts the water cycle and soil quality.
True or False:
Sustainable agriculture harms soil health.
False
Sustainable farming practices aim to preserve soil health through crop rotation, reduced chemical use, and conservation techniques.
Fill in the blank:
The method of storing CO₂ to reduce climate change is called ______ __________.
carbon sequestration
Carbon sequestration involves capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in natural or artificial reservoirs, such as forests or underground rock formations.
Fill in the blank:
Groundwater is primarily used for ________ and drinking.
irrigation
Groundwater is a vital resource for agriculture and drinking, especially in regions with limited surface water.
What is a risk of over-extracting natural resources?
Depletion and environmental damage.
Over-extraction of resources like water, minerals, or fossil fuels can lead to scarcity and long-term ecosystem harm.
True or False:
Mining can destroy habitats and pollute water.
True
Mining activities can lead to deforestation, water contamination, and the loss of biodiversity.
What describes the growth of cities as people move from rural areas?
Urbanization
Urbanization leads to increased demand for housing, infrastructure, and resources, often at the expense of natural habitats.
What refers as the deterioration of land quality due to human activities?
Land degradation
Practices like overgrazing, deforestation, and poor agricultural methods can degrade soil quality and make land less productive.
Fill in the blank:
Deforestation leads to ________ loss and increases CO₂ in the atmosphere.
habitat
Deforestation destroys habitats, reduces biodiversity, and contributes to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
What is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land called?
Urban sprawl
This expansion increases pollution, energy use, and reduces the natural landscape available for wildlife.
True or False:
Sustainable agriculture improves soil fertility over time.
True
Practices like crop rotation, reduced pesticide use, and organic farming help preserve soil health and support long-term farming productivity.
What process involves evaluating the total cost of a product from its creation to disposal?
Lifecycle cost analysis
Lifecycle cost analysis includes all costs associated with a product, such as production, usage, and disposal, to assess its environmental and financial impact.
True or False:
Lifecycle cost analysis only considers the upfront cost of a product.
False
It includes the costs of production, maintenance, energy use, and disposal, giving a more comprehensive view of a product’s total impact.
What is the purpose of lifecycle cost analysis in sustainability?
To assess the full environmental and economic impact of products.
Fill in the blank:
The goal of sustainable energy is to _______ the environmental impact.
reduce
Sustainable energy practices aim to minimize pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by using clean, renewable sources.
True or False:
Sustainable energy can include a mix of renewable and non-renewable resources.
True
While sustainable energy prioritizes renewables, it may still rely on non-renewable resources in certain cases, like natural gas for backup power.
What is the main advantage of energy storage in sustainable systems?
It holds excess energy for later use.
Energy storage systems, like batteries, can store power generated from renewable sources (e.g., solar or wind) for use during non-productive times.
What is the main source of geothermal energy?
Heat from the Earth’s core.
Geothermal energy is harnessed by tapping into the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface to generate electricity or for heating.
Fill in the blank:
Solar panels convert ________ energy into electricity.
solar
Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity, making it a clean, renewable energy source.
What type of resource is coal?
Non-renewable
Coal takes millions of years to form and cannot regenerate on a human timescale, making it a nonrenewable resource.
True or False:
Hydroelectric energy is a non-renewable resource.
False
Hydroelectric energy is renewable, as it uses the movement of water to generate power, and water is a constantly replenished resource.
What is a potential environmental concern with biomass energy?
It can contribute to deforestation if not managed sustainably.
While biomass can be a renewable energy source, overharvesting materials like wood or agricultural residues can lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.
What is a major advantage of geothermal energy?
It provides continuous, reliable power.
Geothermal energy is available 24/7, as it relies on the Earth’s internal heat, unlike solar or wind, which are weather-dependent.
True or False:
Fossil fuels are considered renewable resources.
False
Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are finite resources that take millions of years to form, making them nonrenewable.
True or False
Solar energy is reliable 24/7 without the need for storage.
False
Solar energy generation is affected by the availability of sunlight, making it less reliable without energy storage or backup systems.
What is an advantage of wind energy over fossil fuels?
It does not produce greenhouse gases.
Wind energy generates electricity without releasing CO₂ or other pollutants, unlike fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.
Fill in the blank:
Geothermal energy is limited by ________ availability.
location
Geothermal energy is most effective in regions with significant tectonic activity, like Iceland or parts of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
What is the main environmental concern with oil extraction?
It can cause oil spills.
Oil spills can devastate marine ecosystems and coastlines, harming wildlife and polluting water resources.
How does over-extraction of groundwater affect the environment?
It can lead to aquifer depletion.
Over-extraction can cause wells to dry up, land subsidence, and long-term damage to water sources.
True or False:
The extraction of minerals has no impact on the surrounding environment.
False
Mining operations often result in soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, affecting local ecosystems and communities.
True or False:
Urbanization leads to increased energy consumption.
True
As cities grow, energy demands rise due to population density, transportation, and industrial activity.
Fill in the blank:
Sustainable farming practices help maintain ________ health.
soil
Techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced pesticide use improve soil fertility and prevent degradation.
How does deforestation contribute to global warming?
It releases stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Trees store carbon dioxide, and when forests are cleared, the carbon is released, contributing to the greenhouse effect.
What are the two main causes of soil erosion?
- Deforestation
- Improper land use
Removing vegetation exposes soil to wind and water, increasing erosion and reducing land fertility.
Fill in the blank:
________ energy is produced by the movement of water.
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric power generates electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water to turn turbines.
What is a major challenge in transitioning to renewable energy?
Intermittency of supply
Renewable sources like wind and solar are not always available, requiring reliable energy storage solutions or backup power sources.
What is the term for the environmental impact of extracting and using natural resources?
Ecological footprint
The ecological footprint measures the environmental damage caused by human activities, including resource extraction and energy consumption.
Why is over-reliance on fossil fuels harmful?
It leads to environmental degradation.
The extraction and burning of fossil fuels contribute to pollution, habitat destruction, and the worsening of climate change.
Define:
Desertification
The process of land becoming desert-like due to factors like drought, deforestation, and inappropriate agricultural practices.
It leads to the loss of arable land and threatens food security.
What is the process of restoring damaged land to a more productive state?
Land reclamation
Land reclamation is the process of improving and rehabilitating land that has been degraded, often through erosion or pollution.
What is the process of breaking down organic waste into compost for agricultural use?
Composting
Composting recycles organic waste, turning it into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to improve agricultural productivity.
What is an unintended consequence of pesticide use in agriculture?
Soil and water contamination.
Pesticides can seep into the soil and water, causing pollution and harming ecosystems.
What type of farming uses natural methods to improve soil fertility without chemicals?
Organic farming
Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, relying on crop rotation, composting, and natural pest control methods.
What is a consequence of mining coal on the environment?
Air and water pollution
Coal mining produces harmful emissions and runoff that pollute air and water, damaging ecosystems and human health.
What is one disadvantage of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas?
Water contamination
Fracking can lead to the contamination of groundwater with chemicals, posing risks to drinking water sources.
What describes the practice of growing different types of crops in the same area to improve soil health?
Polyculture
Polyculture reduces soil depletion, increases biodiversity, and helps prevent pests and diseases.
True or False:
Natural materials used to make products are called raw materials.
True
Raw materials are extracted from the Earth and processed to create finished products for consumers.
What does sustainability aim to reduce?
Waste
Sustainable practices aim to minimize waste generation, promoting recycling and efficient resource use.
Define:
greenhouse effect
A process that traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere, keeping the planet warm enough to support life.
It involves greenhouse gases that trap infrared radiation, allowing life to thrive.
How does ozone layer depletion affect the environment?
Increased UV radiation exposure.
This can harm human health and disrupt ecosystems, especially marine life.
