Activity 3.1.2 Energy Crossroads



|[pic] |[pic] |

|Activity 3.1.2 Energy Crossroads |

Introduction

As the global population and accompanying energy use have risen, resource depletion and climate change have been identified as issues of concern. Most experts agree that global peak oil production, when demand exceeds supply, will occur within the next 15 years and will drastically change how we live.

Finding better sources of energy can be made easier by reducing how much energy we use. This is something that everyone can contribute to every day. Everyone needs to be focused on saving energy. Energy conservation and efficiency will reduce pollution, reduce our carbon footprint and save money.

It is clear that no single person or technology is going to solve our energy and environmental problems; it’s going to take the contributions of everyone and all technologies. Engineers, scientists, and other experts agree that the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, coupled with higher efficiency and conservation, will be key factors in preserving our quality of life and paving the way to a sustainable world.

Will America be up to the task as it consumes 25% of the world’s energy, 85% of which comes from non-renewable fossil fuels?

In this activity you will watch the video Energy Crossroads, which will expose you to information about our current energy consumption and their damaging effects on our environment and the economy. Below are some interesting energy points from the video.

• If each household replaced three 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, we could reduce as much pollution as if we took 3.5 million cars off the roads.

• Although solar cells provide only .15% of the total generating capacity from all sources, sunlight could potentially supply five thousand times more energy than the world currently consumes.

• Indoor lighting use is highest during the hours of nine to five, even though the light bulb was invented to help us see in the dark.

• Worldwide, people use about a third of all energy in buildings — for heating, cooling, cooking, lighting, and running appliances. As homes become larger, each individual house uses more energy.

Procedure

Preview the questions below before your teacher starts the movie Energy Crossroads so that you know what information to listen for. Watch the movie and complete the questions below.

Conclusion

1. What effect did the ability to harness energy have on the Industrial Revolution?

2. How much of our energy is created from fossil fuels? What do we use that energy for?

3. List three pieces of information from the movie that you find interesting or new.

4. Why is the U.S. considered energy rich while Japan is considered energy poor?

5. List three reasons why oil and gas prices have spiked during recent years.

6. List five areas that increased energy prices impact.

7. What percent of the oil used in the U.S. is imported? From where?

1. Our "carbon footprint" refers to the impact we have on the world's environment as we consume energy. While there is no silver bullet to fix our energy and environmental problems, we can make a big difference if each person makes a few simple lifestyle changes. Most people fear that these changes will mean a reduction in their standard of living; however, if society as a whole shifts to a new paradigm, we won’t have to give up our quality of life. Adopting new behaviors in the way we commute, drive, shop, eat, and live can considerably reduce the effects of our "energy footprint" and will ultimately ease the transition toward a sustainable world. Explain five ways that you think we can reduce our energy footprint.[pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download