1B3 Issues of Energy and Natural Resources

Question 1

What is the process of breaking down organic waste for agricultural use?

Answer 1

Composting

Composting recycles organic waste, turning it into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to improve agricultural productivity.

Question 2

What does sustainability aim to reduce?

Answer 2

Waste

Sustainable practices aim to minimize waste generation, promoting recycling and efficient resource use.

Question 3

True or False:

Sustainable agriculture improves soil fertility over time.

Answer 3

True

Practices like crop rotation, reduced pesticide use, and organic farming help preserve soil health and support long-term farming productivity.

Question 4

What farming uses natural methods to improve soil fertility?

Answer 4

Organic

Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, relying on crop rotation, composting, and natural pest control methods.

Question 5

Fill in the blank:

The method of storing CO₂ to reduce climate change is called ______ ______.

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What are resources that regenerate quickly?

Answer 6

Renewable resources

Examples include sunlight, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, and geothermal energy, which are sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Question 7

Fill in the blank:

____ energy comes from sources that regenerate on a human timescale.

Answer 7

Renewable

Solar, wind, and hydro are examples of renewable resources that can be replenished within our lifetime.

Question 8

What are examples of renewable energy sources?

Answer 8

• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Hydroelectric energy
• Biomass energy
• Geothermal energy

Renewable energy sources regenerate naturally and are sustainable.

Question 9

What are examples of non-renewable energy sources?

Answer 9

• Coal
• Oil
• Natural gas
• Nuclear energy (uses finite uranium)

Non-renewable energy sources are finite and take millions of years to form.

Question 10

Why is solar energy considered renewable?

Answer 10

It is replenished daily by the sun.

*Solar energy *harnesses sunlight, a resource that is continuously available and can be used without depleting it.

Question 11

True or False:

Wind energy is renewable as it comes from ongoing natural processes.

Answer 11

True

Wind is replenished naturally, and wind energy can be harnessed without depleting the resource.

Question 12

Fill in the blank:

Solar panels convert ________ energy into electricity.

Answer 12

solar

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity, making it a clean, renewable energy source.

Question 13

True or False:

Fossil fuels are considered renewable resources.

Answer 13

False

Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are finite resources that take millions of years to form, making them nonrenewable.

Question 14

What is an advantage of wind energy over fossil fuels?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What is a major advantage of wind energy?

Answer 15

It is clean and renewable.

*Wind energy *produces no emissions during operation and is a sustainable source of power.

Question 16

True or False:

Nuclear energy does not produce radioactive waste.

Answer 16

False

Radioactive waste can remains hazardous for thousands of years and requires careful management.

Question 17

Define:

energy efficiency

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Define:

Sustainable energy use

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

True or False:

Sustainable energy relies on non-renewable sources.

Answer 19

False

Sustainable energy primarily relies on renewable resources like solar and wind, which regenerate naturally and do not deplete over time.

Question 20

Fill in the blank:

The goal of sustainable energy is to _______ the environmental impact.

Answer 20

reduce

Sustainable energy practices aim to minimize pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by using clean, renewable sources.

Question 21

True or False:

Sustainable energy can include a mix of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Answer 21

True

While sustainable energy prioritizes renewables, it may still rely on non-renewable resources in certain cases, like natural gas for backup power.

Question 22

Fill in the blank:

________ energy is produced by the movement of water.

Answer 22

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power generates electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water to turn turbines.

Question 23

What is a disadvantage of hydroelectric power?

Answer 23

It can disrupt ecosystems.

Dams and reservoirs for hydroelectric power can harm aquatic habitats and alter natural water flow patterns.

Question 24

True or False

Solar power does not generate pollutants.

Answer 24

True

Solar energy produces clean electricity without emitting harmful substances like CO₂.

Question 25

What is the main advantage of **energy storage** in sustainable systems?

Answer 25

It holds **excess energy** for later use. ## Footnote Energy storage systems, like batteries, can store power generated from renewable sources (e.g., solar or wind) for use during non-productive times.

Question 26

What is the **main source** of geothermal energy?

Answer 26

**Heat** from the Earth's core. ## Footnote Geothermal energy is harnessed by tapping into the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface to generate electricity or for heating.

Question 27

What type of **resource** is coal?

Answer 27

Non-renewable ## Footnote Coal takes millions of years to form and cannot regenerate on a human timescale, making it a nonrenewable resource.

Question 28

# True or False: **Hydroelectric energy** is a non-renewable resource.

Answer 28

False ## Footnote Hydroelectric energy is renewable, as it uses the movement of water to generate power, and water is a constantly replenished resource.

Question 29

What is a **potential environmental concern** with biomass energy?

Answer 29

It can contribute to **deforestation** if not managed sustainably. ## Footnote While **biomass** can be a renewable energy source, overharvesting materials like wood or agricultural residues can lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.

Question 30

What is a **major advantage** of geothermal energy?

Answer 30

It provides continuous, reliable power. ## Footnote Geothermal energy is available 24/7, as it relies on the Earth’s internal heat, unlike solar or wind, which are weather-dependent.

Question 31

# True or False: Solar energy is **reliable** 24/7 without the need for storage.

Answer 31

False ## Footnote Solar energy generation is *affected* by the availability of sunlight, making it less reliable without energy storage or backup systems.

Question 32

# Fill in the blank: Geothermal energy is **limited** by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ availability.

Answer 32

location ## Footnote Geothermal energy is most effective in regions with significant tectonic activity, like Iceland or parts of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Question 33

What is a major challenge in **transitioning** to renewable energy?

Answer 33

Intermittency of supply ## Footnote Renewable sources like wind and solar are not always available, requiring reliable energy storage solutions or backup power sources.

Question 34

How does **over-extraction** of groundwater affect the environment?

Answer 34

It can **lead** to aquifer depletion. ## Footnote Over-extraction can cause wells to dry up, land subsidence, and long-term damage to water sources.

Question 35

# True or False: **Mining** can destroy habitats and pollute water.

Answer 35

True ## Footnote Mining activities can lead to deforestation, water contamination, and the loss of biodiversity.

Question 36

# True or False: The **extraction** of minerals has no impact on the surrounding environment.

Answer 36

False ## Footnote Mining operations often *result* in soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, affecting local ecosystems and communities.

Question 37

# True or False: **Urbanization** leads to increased energy consumption.

Answer 37

True ## Footnote As cities grow, energy demands **rise** due to population density, transportation, and industrial activity.

Question 38

How does **deforestation** contribute to global warming?

Answer 38

It **releases** **stored carbon** into the atmosphere. ## Footnote Trees store carbon dioxide, and when forests are cleared, the carbon is released, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Question 39

What are the *two* **main causes** of soil erosion?

Answer 39

1. Deforestation 2. Improper land use ## Footnote Removing vegetation exposes soil to wind and water, increasing erosion and reducing land fertility.

Question 40

What is a **mineral** from which metals are extracted?

Answer 40

Ore ## Footnote Metals like iron, copper, and gold are obtained by mining ores, which contain these valuable elements in concentrated form.

Question 41

What is the term for the **environmental impact** of using natural resources?

Answer 41

Ecological footprint ## Footnote This measures the *environmental damage* caused by human activities, including resource extraction and energy consumption.

Question 42

What refers as the **deterioration** of land quality due to human activities?

Answer 42

Land degradation ## Footnote Practices like *overgrazing*, *deforestation*, and *poor agricultural methods* can degrade soil quality and make land less productive.

Question 43

What is a **major environmental concern** with oil extraction?

Answer 43

It can cause **spills** and **pollute** ecosystems. ## Footnote *Oil drilling* and *transportation* can lead to catastrophic spills, damaging marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Question 44

Why is **over-reliance** on fossil fuels harmful?

Answer 44

It **leads** to environmental degradation. ## Footnote The **extraction** and burning of fossil fuels contribute to pollution, habitat destruction, and the worsening of climate change.

Question 45

# True or False: **Natural materials** used to make products are called raw materials.

Answer 45

True ## Footnote Raw materials are **extracted** from the Earth and processed to create finished products for consumers.

Question 46

What is a **risk** of over-extracting natural resources?

Answer 46

Depletion and environmental damage. ## Footnote Over-extraction of resources like water, minerals, or fossil fuels can lead to scarcity and long-term ecosystem harm.

Question 47

# Define: Desertification

Answer 47

The process of land **becoming desert-like** due to drought, deforestation, and poor agriculture. ## Footnote It **leads** to the loss of arable land and threatens food security.

Question 48

What is a **consequence** of mining coal on the environment?

Answer 48

Air and water pollution ## Footnote Coal mining produces harmful emissions and runoff that pollute air and water, damaging ecosystems and human health.

Question 49

How does **ozone layer depletion** affect the environment?

Answer 49

Increased **UV radiation** exposure. ## Footnote This can harm human health and disrupt ecosystems, especially marine life.