topic 20 Topic 20: Conservation and Energy Efficiency Conservation and Energy Efficiency Dynamic Study Module

What does energy conservation require? a. A conscious decision of the energy we use and how we are going to reduce its use b. A set of laws that everyone in the country can follow c. A set of rules to help us reduce our energy use d. A way of finding out how to do completely without fossil fuels e. A formula on reducing energy use that is easily remembered

A conscious decision of the energy we use and how we are going to reduce its use

What does the EPA's Energy Star label tell a customer? a. A product has been independently certified as performing above expected life-expectancy standards. b. Nothing—the Energy Star program has been abolished. c. A product has been independently certified as being made from renewable resources. d. A product has been independently certified as performing at federal energy-efficient standards. e. A product has been independently certified as performing above federal energy-efficient standards.

A product has been independently certified as performing above federal energy-efficient standards.

What are the consequences of buying an appliance that has earned the EPA's Energy Star label? a. It helps consumers identify and choose energy-efficient brands and models. b. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions. c. All of these are consequences. d. It saves consumers money. e. It decreases the demand for electricity.

All of these are consequences.

Which of the following is part of an energy conservation portfolio in building design? a. All of these are part of energy conservation in building design. b. Solar water heating c. Compact fluorescent lighting d. Insulation in walls e. Triple-paned windows

All of these are part of energy conservation in building design.

How can a student reduce his or her energy use while at college if a hybrid car is not economically feasible? a. Drive with a buddy to go shopping. b. Walk to class. c. Use public transportation. d. Ride a bicycle to class. e. All of these are ways a student can save energy used for transportation.

All of these are ways a student can save energy used for transportation.

Which of the following is not a way for a government to boost renewable energy industries? a. All of these are ways for a government to boost renewable energy industries. b. Set official targets for renewable energy. c. Offer tax credits and tax rebates to companies who produce or buy renewable energy. d. Invest in research and development of technologies. e. Lend money to businesses as they start up.

All of these are ways for a government to boost renewable energy industries.

Which of the following is not an advantage of energy conservation and efficiency? a. We reduce the divisive social debates related to fossil fuels. b. Although desirable, it takes several years for environmental benefits to be seen. c. We extend the lifetimes of our nonrenewable energy supplies. d. We waste less energy. e. Our environmental impacts are reduced.

Although desirable, it takes several years for environmental benefits to be seen.

What is the overall effect of the CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) standards set by Congress? a. Nothing; CAFE standards have been repealed, because they were not effective. b. Cars became much more expensive. c. The public revolted against these standards. d. The standards mandated that cars become smaller. e. Auto manufacturers made their cars much more fuel efficient.

Auto manufacturers made their cars much more fuel efficient.

Which statement about carbon taxes is not correct? a. Carbon taxes are meant to discourage combustion of fossil fuels. b. Carbon taxes increase the price of gasoline and other fossil fuels. c. Governments charge suppliers of fossil fuels a fee for each unit of carbon dioxide that results from their product. d. Polluters have a powerful financial incentive to reduce use of fossil fuels. e. By taxing fossil fuels, rich people would be disproportionately negatively impacted.

By taxing fossil fuels, rich people would be disproportionately negatively impacted.

Which of the following is an example of energy efficiency? a. Driving a hybrid car that gets 45 mpg b. Riding your bicycle to your environmental science class c. Walking to your yoga class d. Carpooling home for the weekend e. Taking the bus to go shopping

Driving a hybrid car that gets 45 mpg

A building that uses 40% less energy than others in its class can be awarded the EPA's __________. a. energy-wasting fine b. gold star label c. Energy Star label d. high-efficiency award e. energy conservation award

Energy Star label

Why can energy efficiency actually increase energy use? a. Energy efficiency is not currently technologically feasible. b. People do not want to use energy-efficient appliances. c. Gains in efficiency can be offset by more energy-consuming behavior. d. People want to use more energy in their daily lives. e. People are suspicious of technology.

Gains in efficiency can be offset by more energy-consuming behavior.

How can governments increase energy efficiency and help consumers become more aware of the benefits of energy efficiency? a. Governments can mandate energy efficiency standards for vehicles and appliances. b. Governments can put greater effort into consumer education and labeling. c. Governments can mandate that a certain percent of energy use come from renewable energy sources. d. Governments can do all of these to increase energy efficiency and consumer awareness. e. Governments could increase taxes on fossil fuels.

Governments can do all of these to increase energy efficiency and consumer awareness.

How could policymakers encourage oil conservation? a. Decrease corporate average fuel efficiency standards. b. Decrease taxes on gasoline. c. Increase taxes on gasoline. d. Increase speed limits. e. Exclude external costs of oil production and consumption.

Increase taxes on gasoline.

Which of the following is a certain way to encourage development of hybrid and electric vehicles? a. Increase the cost of gasoline and other fossil fuels. b. Decrease the cost of gasoline and other fossil fuels. c. Provide educational programs about renewable energy. d. Make information available on the Internet. e. Pass laws punishing people for not buying hybrid or electric cars.

Increase the cost of gasoline and other fossil fuels.

Why is energy conservation considered a "win-win" situation? ANSWER a. It saves money and also has many environmental advantages. b. It has environmental advantages that outweigh its high costs. c. Its use is limited to home savings, which are significant. d. Small corporations can benefit more than households, which creates jobs. e. It saves enough money to outweigh its environmental costs.

It saves money and also has many environmental advantages.

Which of the following is not a way to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles? a. Allow governments to set fuel efficiency standards. b. Provide federal tax credits for buying energy-efficient cars. c. Decrease speed limits. d. Decrease the cost of hybrid electric vehicles. e. Make cars larger so they carry more passengers.

Make cars larger so they carry more passengers.

Which is better: reducing our energy use or finding a new reserve of oil? a. Reducing our energy use. b. It depends on the type of oil. c. Either one is fine. d. Finding a new reserve of oil. e. Reducing our energy use, but only if we save money.

Reducing our energy use.

Which of the following is not a way a government can encourage a transition to renewable energy? a. Official targets b. Subsidies c. Laws and regulations d. Short-term tax credits e. Investment in research

Short-term tax credits

What can be said about most modern automobiles? a. They are highly efficient. b. They are highly inefficient. c. We have reached maximum efficiency in miles per gallon. d. Most of the focus on new designs has been on increasing fuel efficiency. e. Most of the gasoline is used to actually drive the vehicle.

They are highly inefficient.

What effect do hybrid and electric cars have on fossil fuel consumption? a. They replace petroluem with natural gas as a fuel. b. They get slightly less miles per gallon, but burn more cleanly. c. They get up to twice the fuel efficiency of gasoline-burning cars. d. They get much better mileage, but pollute more. e. Although currently not feasible, they hold great promise for the future.

They get up to twice the fuel efficiency of gasoline-burning cars.

What impacts do government stimulus packages, mandates, and spending on green energy have? a. Utility companies and corporations use more renewable energy. b. Renewable energy is promoted. c. Adoption of renewable energy is fostered. d. They have all of these impacts. e. Market prices of renewables fall.

They have all of these impacts.

If we are to transition to a renewable energy society, what should governments do about subsidies to the fossil fuel industries? a. They should subsidize new fossil fuel resources such as fracking, but not traditional fossil fuel sources. b. They should redirect subsidies toward renewable energy resources. c. They should subsidize only traditional fossil fuel sources, but not fracking or oil shale. d. They should continue subsidizing the fossil fuel industries to protect jobs. e. They should eliminate all subsidies.

They should redirect subsidies toward renewable energy resources.

Why are many nations, including the United States, phasing out incandescent lightbulbs? a. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are energy inefficient. b. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are hard to find. c. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are not bright enough. d. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are very expensive. e. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are filled with toxic materials

Traditional incandescent lightbulbs are energy inefficient.

Energy __________ describes the ability to obtain a given result or amount of output while using less energy input. Energy __________ describes the practice of reducing wasteful or unnecessary energy use. a. conversion; strategies b. conservation; efficiency c. cogeneration; efficiency d. efficiency; conservation e. greening; savings

efficiency; conservation