Bio Unit 5 Module 4
There are currently over how many humans on the planet, and each one has a basic need for energy, food, and housing.
7.4 billion
What will l help to reduce a person's indirect carbon emissions.?
A vegetarian or vegetarian-based diet
Due to the radioactivity involved nuclear power isn't always environmentally safe. What is a famous example?
Accidents within the reactor or power plants such as the famous disaster Chernoybal in 1986 have far reaching consequences including determinants of human health or loss to human life
How does carbon dioxide removal (CDR) use afforestation and reforrestation?
Afforestation (planting trees) and reforestation (replanting trees where they previousy existed) ehance natural CO2 "sinks"
Why is convincing the general public to accept large-scale changes to buildings and the environment "climate safe" technologies can be difficult.
As convincing individuals or corporations to adapt to recommended changes that are at times more expensive than traditional sources is challenging.
How does carbon dioxide removal (CDR) use bioenergy with Carbon capture and storage (BECCS).
Atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by plants and trees as they grow and then the plant material (biomass) is turned to bioenergy the CO2 released in the production of bioenergy is captured before it reaches the ATM and stored underground
How can energy usage contribute to a person's Carbon Footprint
Both the source of the electricity in a home or workplace, such as coal, solar, or wind, and the amount consumed
The more solar energy is used as an alternative to coal or fossil fuels, the less?
CO2 emissions in the ATM
What two things can solar radiation management (SRM) be based on
Can be based on the earth itself such as the attempt to increase the reflectivity of the ground or large scale buildings, or be based entirely outside of the ATM with space reflectors
What transportation methods can help to reduce personal carbon emissions?
Carpooling or taking public transportati
Why is nuclear power not always environmetally safe?
Due to the radioactivity involved
Explain Though the concept of a carbon footprint is often used for large-scale organizations, such as for companies or even entire countries, it can also be applied to humans on an individual level.?
Essentially, a person's carbon footprint is a measure of one's own impact on climate change.
What have similar environmental impacts to red meats or dairy products?
Other red meat such as lamb and diary products such as cheese are similar in environmental impacts
How can solar panels be used?
These panels can be used on a large scale, such as for industry, or can be installed in a single home for individual use.
What does carbon dioxide removal (CDR) include?
This includes reforestation efforts and attempts to create "carbon sinks" in the soil and oceans.
What is the problem with genetic engineering?
This strategy is more reactionary than preventative
Most cars, buses, trains and planes rely largely if not entirely on what to provide power
fossil fuels
How can waste disposal contribute to a person's Carbon Footprint
recyling
Where is geothermal energy gathered?
y tends to require more localized sources
How can food choices contribute to a person's Carbon Footprint
Some food choices are more costly in carbon emissions than others and purchasing food from far away indirectly increases a person's carbon foot print more than if they chose local options
What are some methods of Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies ?
Some methods include the removal of CO2 from the ATM through reforestation and the creation of carbon sinks in the ocean and soils .
What may the term energy choices refer to?
The actual source of the energy is important when considering carbon emissions; for example, power from fossil fuels releases more carbon dioxide than from wind or solar.
How can transportion contribute to a person's Carbon Footprint
Type of car, biking, or public transport
There are currently over 7.4 billion humans on the planet, and each one has what?
a basic need for energy, food, and housing.
What is a carbon footprint?
a calculation of the amount of carbon, usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide, this is directly or directly released into Earth's atmosphere by the actions of a specific entity
What is Geoengineering?
also called climate engineering, is the development of technology focused on altering Earth's environment primarily to combat climate change.
What are turbines?
an extremely clean method of generating electricity and are considered to be entirely non polluting, though they are generally more expensive than traditional energy conversion sources
While alternative energy sources are not as widespread as those using fossil fuels, many countries including parts of the US are doing what?
are adopting substitute for these environmentally harmful methods of producing power
Individuals can reduce the use of carbon dioxide by what?
being aware of their travel, housing, shopping, and food consumption compared to average household
in nuclear power the energy used by these bonds splitting is generally used to create?
boiling water or pressurized water which is then used to power turbines
How are Wind and geothermal energy produced?
both produced from renewable energy sources.
In additional difficulties that any attempts to developing climate change systems are often what?
breaking new grounds in technology fields
Where can wind energy be gathered?
can be gathered nearly anywhere
While solar panels do produce some _________, they are much cleaner than coal energy with studies finding they reduce many times less carbon than coal power
carbon dioxide
What are the two main forms of geoengineering.
carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solar radiation management (SRM
Wha is another example that can directly reduce carbon emissions
changing personal approaches to transportation i
Alternative energy is generally thought of as the what kind of enegry?
clean energy
In the absence of these meltdowns, nuclear power is considered what?
cleaner than fossil fuels, but the potential for risk remains
Only a small amount of the solar energy that strikes the Earth every day is what?
converted into power and electricity
Why is Nuclear power is not generally referred to as being "clean" energy?
due to its potential environmental impact
The term alternative energy is used to describe what?
e an energy source that does not require the use of fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas.
What is a constantly renewable source
energy from the sun
A variety of factors can contribute to a person's Carbon Footprint, some examples are
energy usage Food choices Transportation Waste disposal
How is funding a problem for implementing climate change stragtieges?
especially for methods that require large-scale implementation, such as forms of genetic engineering or space-focused solar reflection technology.
These changes in weather can be extremely detrimental to what job?
farmers on both large and small scales
Our modern society requires more energy per person than at any time in the history of our species, and the majority of that energy is still being supplied by?
fossil fuels
Alternative energy is generally thought of as the "clean" energy, especially when compared to?
fossil fuels such as coat or patrolloim which release large amounts of CO2 when used
While these strategies may work in theory, the actual implementation is often more difficult. What are some issues?
funding Convincing the general public
The most commonly considered alternative energy sources are solar and wind power, but alternative energy also includes?
geothermal, biofuel, natural gas, and hydroelectric sources, among many other options.
Though the concept of a carbon footprint is often used for large-scale organizations, such as for companies or even entire countries, it can also be applied to?
humans on an individual level.
Nuclear power is sometimes considered an alternative energy source because?
it does not directly use fossil fuels, but due to its potential environmental impact it is not generally referred to as being "clean" energy.
Comparatively, fruits and vegetables contribute more/less? to a carbon footprint than red meats or dairy products.
less
What does Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies focus on?
lowering the current level of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere. These include geoengineering—technology that directly impacts the environment—and some forms of genetic engineering of plants and animals Manipulation of the genes of these organisms
How is wind energy generated?
mechanically using wind turbines, with a scale ranging from individual use to massive wind farms or offshore turbines placed along the ocean's continental shelf.
To prevent potential famine, some scientists do what?
modify plants or herd animals so they require less water and are better adapted to withstand temp extremes
Our modern society requires what than at any time in the history of our species?
more energy per person
While solar panels do produce some carbon dioxide, they are?
much cleaner than coal energy with studies finding they reduce many times less carbon than coal power
The genetic engineering of plants allows what?
new varieties of food to be grown in areas experiencing drought or high temperatures associated with climate change.
While the consequences of climate change may seem to make our personal choices minor, most climate scientists recognize that?
our daily choices do make a significant difference, especially when they are adopted by the entirety of our species.
One everyday method of reducing one's carbon footprint is to examine?
personal food choices.
Comparatively, fruits and vegetables contribute less to a carbon footprint than red meats or dairy products. Why?
raising cattle requires more land than other livestock such as chicken or pigs and cows are some of the largest biotic contributors through their production of greenhouse gases such as methane
In the field of geoengineering, CDR and SRM of manipulations are done to do what?
reduce CO2 levels in the ATM, usually by increasing photosynthetic rates of plants
Another major strategy is solar radiation management (SRM) which are technologies that focus on?
reflecting on a portion of energy before it reaches the earth and thereby preventing it to become trapped by the ATM's greenhouse gasses and further heating the earth's ATM
Sometimes, alternative energy methods are referred to as _____ energy sources.
renewable
Common sourcesfor geothermal energy is what?
reservoirs heated water located relatively close to the earth's surface
One major consequence of climate change is what?
rising temperatures which in turn has marked effects on weather patterns needing to have alternating periods of floods and droughts
Some vehicles such as electrical cars and buses use the resources how?
s much less than others and are more environmentally friendly which contributes less to one's carbon footprint
The most commonly considered alternative energy sources are ?
solar and wind power
Only a small amount of the ______ that strikes the Earth every day is converted into power and electricity, but the method of using solar panels is considered one of the most readily available clean energy options.
solar energy
What is considered one of the most readily available clean energy options.?
solar panels
How is geothermal energy used?
taps into the heat generated by the earth and its uses is most common in areas with significant tectonic or volcanic activity
What do most scientists believe represent the best chances for our species to reduce the long term impacts on our planet?
that advances in technological solutions, when coupled with new forms of alternative energy, and changes in personal choices
Predicting the effects of these proposed solutions can be difficult bc why?
they are often by necessity very different than anything developed before
How does nuclear power work?
through splitting the tightly-knit nucleus of a radioactive atom, usually using materials such as uranium.
What s Solar Radiation Management (SRM)?
where solar radiation is trapped before it can reached the earth's ATM
