Coal was the first fossil fuel that was used in mass quantity. Coal was the first fossil fuel that was used in mass quantity. It was primarily used during the Industrial revolution to create steam. It was primarily used during the Industrial revolution to create steam. Coal, oil, and natural gas make up fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas make up fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are the remains of plants and animals which transformed over millions of years. Fossil fuels are the remains of plants and animals which transformed over millions of years. Fossil fuels are NON-RENEWABLE. Fossil fuels are NON-RENEWABLE.

Energy Use Around the World The world’s population is using the earth’s resources at a very quick rate. However, not all of the earth’s resources are renewable. Everything in society is affected by the cost and availability of energy. Countries that have abundant energy resources are usually very wealthy.

Non-renewable Energy Sources Fossil fuels Consists of coal, oil, natural gas These energy sources took millions of years to create. 85% of all energy used all over the world comes from fossil fuels.

Nuclear Energy In this process technicians produce nuclear reactions such as, fission. Fission produces heat. This heat is then used in the production of steam. Nuclear energy is clean and allows areas that do not have geothermal activity to use steam power. Produces radioactive waste. Which is hard to dispose of. Plants could have a meltdown (Chernobyl).

Renewable Energy Sources These sources of energy can be replenished on a regular basis. They also have an impact on the environment. Ex: flooding for an electric dam

Wind Power Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity. The turbines take up very little space and do not make much noise. However, people do complain that they are an eyesore. Only very windy areas can benefit from this source of energy, ex: Denmark.

Geothermal Energy It comes from heat stored deep beneath the earth’s surface. Geysers are a source of Geothermal energy. Water produced from the steam can be re-injected into the earth to produce more steam. These sites are not permanent (they will eventually run out).

Solar Power Heat energy produced by the sun is absorbed and turned into electricity. Sun tracking mirrors or solar cells (photovoltaic) absorb the sun's light. An inverter (transformer) will convert the light/heat into electricity. It requires large amounts of space to be beneficial. Used on a small scale. Ex: provide electricity to one house or one sign.

Hydroelectricity Water power produces electricity. Rushing water turns a turbine which allows a generator to produce electricity. There are major environmental damages during construction of dam. Produces no greenhouse gases.

Ethanol Fuel Ethanol is a clean burning fuel that is used as an alternative to gasoline. Ethanol is an alcohol. Ethanol can be extracted from many sources. The most common are sugar cane and corn.

Tidal Energy It harnesses the power of waves. Waves turn propellers (tide mills) that are underwater, which turn a turbine. The turbine then produces electricity. Primarily used in Italy and Australia.

Biomass Energy Biomass fuels come from living things: wood products, dried vegetation, crop residues, and aquatic plants. Wood is a biomass fuel. It also includes waste materials, gases and alcohol fuels.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Fuel cells create an electrical reaction using different chemicals. These chemicals produce an electrical reaction, which produces usable energy. Fuel cells can operate continuously or until the reaction is broken. Hydrogen fuel cells could run on water and oxygen.

Where is Energy Produced? Many countries have the ability to produce energy, it is the type and quantity that varies. Many countries have the ability to produce energy, it is the type and quantity that varies. Countries that produce a lot of energy have a surplus (leftover). Countries that produce a lot of energy have a surplus (leftover). Countries that use more than they produce have a deficit (shortage). Countries that use more than they produce have a deficit (shortage). Deficit countries buy energy from surplus countries. Deficit countries buy energy from surplus countries.

 The price of energy affects everything in society.  In recent years energy prices have been increasing.  The organization responsible for rising oil prices is OPEC, created in 1960 (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Energy Demands Around the World  Western Europe, Asia, and North America use most of the world’s energy.  The United States alone uses 25% of all energy produced.  Countries that use less energy than they produce are autonomous (self-ruling, self- governing, independent, sovereign, free).

Energy Producing Region: Alberta

 Alberta became a province of Canada in  It’s capital is Edmonton and it’s largest city is Calgary.  In recent years Alberta has become Canada’s wealthiest province.  This is due to it’s large oil sand, oil, and natural gas deposits.  Alberta’s reserves are the largest in the world.

 Alberta has 65% of Canada’s oil and 80% of our natural gas (these reserves are depleting).  However, it has enough Bituminous Sand to meet world oil needs for the next century.  Bituminous Sand is sand that has been mixed with water and bitumen (heavy oil).

Where are the oil sands located? There are three major oil sand deposits in Alberta. Major oil companies have been given concessions* by the government to mine the oil sands. *land given to companies for a certain period of time).

Oil Sands Beneath the Forest Most of the oil sands are located beneath forested areas. Mines require large sections of forest to be cleared away. This causes the destruction of homes for plants, animals, and aboriginal communities. It destroys fragile ecosystems and natural water filters.

Pipelines It is an efficient method of transporting oil & natural gas. They stretch all over Canada and into the U.S. However, to pass a pipeline large regions of forests and farmland must be cleared. Animal food sources are lost. Trenches must be dug and ecosystems and native areas are destroyed.

Alberta: Energy Autonomy Alberta is Canada’s leading fossil fuels producer. It only uses about 25% of all it produces. Alberta exports over 75% of its oil and gas. The biggest consumer of Alberta’s oil is the United States. In recent years China has been buying increasingly larger amounts.

Political Caricatures

Advantages and Disadvantages of Selling Oil Sands Advantages Alberta government has paid off the province’s debt. Has reduced income tax and abolished their sales tax. Disadvantages Destruction of native land and forests Contribution to global warming Growing cities makes housing difficult to find. =QJmMZnrdx9Q

Depletion of Fossil Fuels Every year the demand for fossil fuels increases. Many of the traditional reserves are becoming depleted (running out). It is this depletion that has put Alberta in a very wealthy position.

Oil Sands: Consequences 1) Global Warming When Fossil fuels are burnt they emit greenhouse gases. These gases surround the planet and they absorb the sun’s energy. This raises the earth’s temperature. It is this layer of gas that is increasing the rate of global warming.

2) Concerned populations People living close to refineries, pipelines, and mines have the threat of environment damage. People living close to refineries, pipelines, and mines have the threat of environment damage. Furthermore, there are major health concerns for these people. Furthermore, there are major health concerns for these people. Citizens are demanding increased safety measures from these companies. Citizens are demanding increased safety measures from these companies.

3) Aboriginal peoples Native lands that were traditional hunting, trapping, and burial grounds are being destroyed. Native lands that were traditional hunting, trapping, and burial grounds are being destroyed. These communities are putting pressure on governments to retrieve their lands. These communities are putting pressure on governments to retrieve their lands. They also would like a share of the profits made and employment in developing these resources. They also would like a share of the profits made and employment in developing these resources.

4) Rivers loosing water Oil sands require large amounts of water to be developed. Oil sands require large amounts of water to be developed. Water is used to clean equipment and dilute chemicals from the oil extraction process. Water is used to clean equipment and dilute chemicals from the oil extraction process. This waste water is held in holding ponds. This waste water is held in holding ponds. Many residents fear that this very polluted water will end up in their wells. Many residents fear that this very polluted water will end up in their wells.

5) Air Pollution The transformation of bitumen into crude oil emits toxic gases. The transformation of bitumen into crude oil emits toxic gases. These gases turn water and soil acidic and they increase the risk of drought and forest fires. These gases turn water and soil acidic and they increase the risk of drought and forest fires. The extraction of bitumen releases double the amount of greenhouse gases than conventional oil wells. The extraction of bitumen releases double the amount of greenhouse gases than conventional oil wells. In recent years Canada has committed to reducing its gas emissions. In recent years Canada has committed to reducing its gas emissions.

6) Destruction of forests and wetlands Large areas of forests and wetlands have been destroyed. Large areas of forests and wetlands have been destroyed. Plants and animals have lost their habitats. Plants and animals have lost their habitats. Today companies have to reforest the areas they destroy. Today companies have to reforest the areas they destroy. However, wetlands cannot be restored after they have been destroyed. However, wetlands cannot be restored after they have been destroyed.

7) Growing cities As the popularity of oil sand mining grows more people are moving to Alberta. As the popularity of oil sand mining grows more people are moving to Alberta. This means that cities and towns will grow. This means that cities and towns will grow. More jobs will be created to meet the service needs of a growing population. More jobs will be created to meet the service needs of a growing population. With more jobs created more labour is needed. With more jobs created more labour is needed.

8) Depletion and overuse With increased energy demands around the world there is always the threat of over mining. With increased energy demands around the world there is always the threat of over mining. Alberta may not be able to mine as much oil as needed. Alberta may not be able to mine as much oil as needed. This may be due to government and international laws, recession, public protest, etc. This may be due to government and international laws, recession, public protest, etc. Alberta must monitor its resources carefully. Alberta must monitor its resources carefully.

9) Need for Renewable Energy  As more oil is mined governments and energy companies must find new sources of energy.  International obligations (Kyoto) force governments to reduce their greenhouse gases.  Therefore, as more oil is mined, there is an increase in renewable energy research.