Resources, Energy, and Industries in Canada - Exam Review

Flashcards for exam review based on lecture notes about resources, energy, and industries in Canada.

What is solar power?

Energy from the sun’s rays, used to make electricity or heat buildings.

How is solar power harnessed?

Solar panels (PV cells) absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. An inverter changes it from DC to AC to power homes.

What is a Canadian example of solar power use?

Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks, Alberta, heats over 90% of its homes using solar energy stored underground.

What are advantages of solar power?

It’s clean, renewable, low-maintenance, reduces electricity bills, and doesn’t release harmful gases.

What are disadvantages of solar power?

High installation costs, less effective in low-sunlight areas, expensive batteries, and it needs lots of space.

Why don’t we use solar power more often?

High upfront costs, limited sunlight in northern areas, low government support, and lack of public awareness.

How does solar power connect to climate action?

It reduces reliance on fossil fuels, lowers pollution, and helps fight climate change.

What can you do to promote solar energy?

Support green energy programs, use less electricity, raise awareness, and encourage solar installations in your community.

Why was the resource game important?

It showed how shared resources can run out quickly if overused, teaching sustainability and the 'tragedy of the commons.'

What do humans need to survive?

Air, water, food, shelter, and energy—all from natural resources.

Where do we find resources?

Resources are spread unevenly around the world; some areas have more than others.

What is the atmosphere made of?

Mostly nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with trace gases like argon and carbon dioxide.

What is a resource?

Anything from nature or human effort that meets needs or wants.

What is stock (in resources)?

The total available and reserved supply of a resource.

What is the technocentric view of resource management?

Belief that technology can fix environmental problems.

What is the ecocentric view of resource management?

Belief that humans must change behavior to protect nature.

What is a primary industry?

Extracts raw materials from nature (e.g., farming, fishing).

What is a secondary industry?

Makes products from raw materials (e.g., manufacturing).

What is a tertiary industry?

Provides services like retail or healthcare.

What is a quaternary industry?

Involves knowledge work, like research or IT.

What's the difference between basic and non-basic industries?

Basic sells goods/services outside the community; non-basic serves locals.

What are some issues in agriculture?

Soil damage, pesticides, overwatering, and climate change.

What are some issues in fishing?

Overfishing has reduced populations, especially cod.

What are the three tree cutting methods?

Clear-cutting (fast, destructive), selective (slow, sustainable), shelterwood (gradual removal).

What are forestry issues in Canada?

Logging reduces forests and threatens Indigenous rights and habitats.

What are mining issues in Canada?

Mining pollutes water/land and harms nearby communities.

What are Canada’s energy sources? (6)

Hydro, oil, gas, nuclear, wind, and solar—mostly hydro.

What problems come with energy use?

Fossil fuels pollute; even clean sources affect wildlife.

Why are Canadians high energy users?

Cold climate, large land mass, industrial economy, high standard of living.

What are the two main categories of energy sources?

Renewable (e.g., hydro, wind, solar) and non-renewable (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas).

What are the three types of energy that account for 98% of Canada's use?

Oil (39%), Natural Gas (35%), Electricity (24%).

Who are the two largest energy users in Canada?

Industry and transportation.

What province is the largest oil and gas producer?

Alberta.

How is most oil and gas transported in Canada?

Pipelines.

What should you review from energy posters?

Know how each energy source works and its pros/cons.

How is hydro electricity generated?

Water flows from a dam or waterfall, spins turbines, generates electricity.

What are the advantages of hydro electricity?

Renewable and low emissions.

What are the disadvantages of hydro electricity?

Expensive to build, disrupts ecosystems.

How is thermal electricity generated?

Coal is burned to boil water, steam turns turbines to produce electricity.

What are the advantages of thermal electricity?

Cheap and reliable.

What are the disadvantages of thermal electricity?

Pollution and non-renewable.

How is nuclear electricity generated?

Uranium undergoes fission, heats water into steam, spins turbines.

What are the advantages of nuclear electricity?

Low emissions, produces lots of power.

What are the disadvantages of nuclear electricity?

Radioactive waste, expensive to build and maintain.

What is a mega project?

A large development (like dams or oil sands) with major impacts.

Pros and cons of hydroelectric dams?

Pros: renewable, cheap to run. Cons: floods land, harms habitats.

Pros and cons of oil sands?

Pros: economic growth. Cons: heavy pollution, land destruction.

Pros and cons of wind farms?

Pros: clean, renewable. Cons: depends on wind, harms birds.

Pros and cons of nuclear energy?

Pros: strong, low emissions. Cons: waste is dangerous, very costly.

What is the Alberta Oil Sands known for?

Produces oil; has high environmental costs (pollution).

What is Hibernia?

Offshore oil platform.

What is the James Bay Project?

Hydro project in Quebec that affected Indigenous land.

What is Churchill Falls?

Hydro project in Labrador.

What is the Ekati Mine known for?

Diamond mining.

What is the Mackenzie Valley Project?

Proposed pipeline.

Why is Google work important?

It helps review key topics and supports your studying.

Why are class videos important?

They show real-world examples and clarify complex topics.

what is ecological footprint?

It measures how much land and resources a person or group uses to support their lifestyle.

What does the ecological footprint help us understand?

it’s a measure of sustainability—how much we use compared to what the Earth can renew.

How can ecological footprints be compared?

By looking at how much nations consume vs how much resources they actually have.

What is the average ecological footprint in Canada?

7.7 hectares (ha)

What is the world average ecological footprint?

2.8 hectares (ha)

how big is a hectare

its about the size of 2.5 football fields.

What is the ecocentric view?

A belief that Earth's resources are limited and nature should be protected through sustainable management. Technology can't fix everything.

What is the technocentric view?

A belief that technology and economic growth can solve resource problems and improve human life.

What are the key factors that affect agriculture?

Climate, soil quality, pests/disease (biological), topography, and economic or technological resources.

How do farmers fix poor soil fertility?

By using fertilizers, compost, and crop rotation.

How do farmers deal with drought and water shortages?

They use irrigation systems and grow drought-resistant crops.

What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

A method of controlling pests using natural solutions and minimal chemicals.

What’s the difference between renewable and non-renewable land?

Renewable land can be reused with care; non-renewable land is lost forever if damaged or developed.

What is intensive agriculture?

Farming on small land areas with high input (money/labour) and high crop yield.

What is extensive agriculture?

Farming on large land areas with low input and low yield per hectare.

How does Class 1 land compare to Class 7 land?

Class 1 is excellent for farming; Class 7 has poor quality and is mostly used for grazing or forestry.

What are farms of the future like?

They use AI, drones, and vertical farming to increase sustainability and efficiency.

What is urban sprawl?

When cities expand into rural land, causing the loss of farmland, ecosystems, and natural areas.

What is the Greenbelt and why is it important?

A protected area around the GTA that preserves farmland and ecosystems, helping stop urban sprawl.

What message does The Dirt give about radioactive waste?

It criticizes corporations for neglecting environmental responsibility and shows the dangers of waste like tailings ponds.