Key Concept – Systems
Statement of Inquiry – We can create effective energy efficient systems to mitigate our human impact on the natural environment.
- Challenges and Progress
- Types of Energy
- Resources
- Climate Change
- Should poorer countries adopt renewables?
Starter – Challenges and Progress
What are the challenges facing the world today? Why? Padlet – Challenges
How does your class compare to the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
What progress has the world made in the last few centuries? Why? Padlet – Progress
How does your class compare to psychologist Steven Pinker?
How has the world’s population grown so much in the last few centuries? What does the world need to do to manage the growing numbers?
One solution for many of the challenges above is for all people to have access to efficient and cheap energy. Think about this statement, how does access to energy help people go forward or improve their lives?
Climate Change
Rising carbon dioxide is greening the Earth – but it’s not all good news
Watch from
a) 34:18 to 43:49 – what is Matt Ridley’s view on climate change and why?
And
b) 45:28 to 50:00 – what is Matt Ridley’s view of Greta Thunberg and why did people support her?
BUT…
Types of Energy
Before working out solutions to developing methods for efficient and cheap energy, let’s look at what types we use in the world today.
Wind
- How do we harness the power of wind?
Key question: Is wind efficient? Is it cost-effective? What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?
Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy (US)
14m trees have been cut down in Scotland to make way for wind farms
Wind energy can help Earth blow back climate calamity
Renewable Energy may not be very renewable too…
So what is business doing to solve the problem of disposing of wind turbines
Oil
The truth about oil: Pros and cons of fossil fuels
One argument against oil is that the world is running out and we need to find alternatives. This story goes against that view.
The current tv series The Landman also reinforces this view, and criticises wind power too. It does contain swearing so avoid if you do not want to hear it.
Oil has largely powered the world in the 20th century. It has clear benefits but, as with all energy sources, there are negatives too. Below is just one example of what can happen in the production of oil.
Solar
Thinking About Solar Energy? Here Are The Major Pros And Cons
Solar farms are taking us back to the dark ages
Renewables Are Not the Cheapest Form of Power
BUT
Pros & Cons of Solar Energy for Kids
Is this the answer?
But…
Shellenberger: Renewables, pages 175-181 in Apocalypse Never
Nuclear
What are the advantages of nuclear energy?
Chernobyl Disaster
Chernobyl 1986, a teacher presentation
When I lived in Ukraine…
Gas
Fracking – Top 3 Pros and Cons
Coal
PROS AND CONS OF FOSSIL FUELS & WHY CAN FOSSIL FUELS BE GOOD?
China has ‘no other choice’ but to rely on coal power for now, official says
10 reasons why coal is a good energy source:
Hydro
Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy
Hydropower supply dries up with climate change
Politics
Political leaders, especially those in democratic countries, only have a short time period where they can make changes. This is because they have a finite time in office, for example the US has two fixed terms of four years as the maximum. Therefore, a challenge to energy policies is that these leaders may implement energy policies which will be popular with the current populations, not those to improve the country in ten, twenty years time.
| Type of Energy | Time to Construct |
| Oil refinery | 3 to 5 years |
| Solar Farm | 8-18 months |
| Wind Farm | 1 to 2 years but can stretch to 9. |
| Nuclear Power Station | 6 to 8 years |
| Coal Mine | 12 to 18 years |
| Hydroelectric Power Station | 5 to 10 years |
| Gas Power Plant | 3 to 4 years |
These are general figures rather than specific.
Resources
Should the world plan for more sustainable materials?
Should the world try to recycle more?
But…
Here’s Why Recycling Doesn’t Work
‘Recycling: Is It As Good As We Think?’, Boise State University
So if recycling does not work, what is the solution?
- Reduce consumption
- Reuse goods
- Use materials which are biodegradable.
- Keep working on Research and Development (R&D)
and mass consumption, especially as the world generally gets richer, is growing too. Look at the image below. It shows how many ships there are in the world on one particular day.
Climate Change
When thinking about which is the best, most efficient, cheap or type of energy that has the least environmental impact, consider which parts of the world will be more suitable to your choices. Does the developed world (HIC) require the same energy as the undeveloped (LIC) for example?
What are the possible consequences of altering the types of energy the world currently uses?
Who is right here?
Ed Miliband is the Minister for Energy and Climate Change in the UK government.
Carbon Footprint
Should you try to reduce your carbon footprint or aim to find ways to develop energy that has a limited impact?
Should poorer countries adopt renewables?