Unit 3: Earth Materials Lesson 5: Renewable Energy Resources and Conservation (Heath Earth Science pg )

Today’s Objectives Assess the extraction and use of geological resources, including: Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources (e.g., wind and solar vs. fossil fuels) Identify environmental problems (e.g., habitat loss, water contamination) related to development of a natural resource such as coal, oil and gas, or any metallic or non-metallic mineral of economic value Suggest strategies to conserve both material and energy resources Describe the value of resource conservation

Review Last day we learned the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources We learned about the uses of several non-renewable resources: Mineral resources (both metal and non-metal) And the most important non-renewable energy resources: Coal Petroleum Natural gas Uranium

Energy Conservation Currently the world relies on non-renewable resources for most of its energy needs (approx. 93%) Dwindling supply of fossil fuels, and increasing prices make it important for everyone to consider energy conservation and energy alternatives There are three general methods for energy conservation: 1) reduce energy consumption 2) use less energy to do the same amount of work 3) use less energy to do more work Conservation is the largest and cheapest source of energy currently available!

In a group of 3, discuss ways that humans can try to conserve and reduce our use of energy and material resources World CO 2 Emissions

Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. Whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans.  By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at night or away during the day  Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.  Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb.  CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.  If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

Less driving means fewer emissions. Encourage your parents to use the mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.

When it's time to buy a car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models. Compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural- looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.

Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households.

Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them. It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing.

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.

Practice: Topic Questions: page 97, #16

Renewable Resources In addition to conserving energy, it is important for us to start exploring other alternative energy sources Renewable resources are sustainable alternative energy sources to fossil fuels because they are replaced by nature almost as fast as they are used Water power, wind power, solar energy, and geothermal energy are examples of renewable energy resources

Water Power Hydroelectric power is mainly used to produce electricity About 18% of China’s power comes from hydroelectric power Only can be used in areas with rivers suitable for damming Similar technology being tried out with tides

Wind Power Windmills turn a turbine which produces electricity Less than 1% of China’s power comes from wind power Windmills can be noisy, and difficult to store wind power

Solar Energy Solar energy uses the limitless energy of the sun to provide both heat and electricity Cells called photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity Solar energy is easily stored Less than 1% of China’s power comes from solar energy

Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy is heat from the interior of the Earth The heat may be brought to the surface by steam or hot water Hot water can be pumped into homes from heating or can be used to run a generator and produce electricity Less than 1% of China’s power comes from geothermal energy

Practice Topic Questions, pg. 100, #17-21

Environmental Problems The extraction of resources such as fossil fuels and metallic and non-metallic mineral resources can cause many environmental problems, including: Acid Rain Toxic/Radioactive Waste Habitat loss Soil Contamination Water Contamination Air pollution

Homework Create a music video suggesting ways we can conserve energy and material resources and outline the benefits of alternative energy sources One typed song lyrics page One music video with all members appearing in, and singing in the video Due date: End of the month Earth Materials Test coming soon!