Chapter 2 - Sustainability + The Environment

What is a 'sustainable' resource?

A resource that can be replaced once used, ensuring its use can be sustained over time.

Define 'finite resource'.

A resource that can only be used once, is in limited supply, and is non-renewable.

Provide examples of finite resources.

Metals, plastics, or fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil).

What is another term for a finite resource?

A non-renewable resource.

What is a 'fossil fuel'?

A natural, finite fuel formed from the remains of living organisms, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.

What is meant by an 'ecological footprint'?

An analytical measurement of the amount of global resources used by a person, company, or country.

Define 'non-finite resource'.

A renewable resource that is found naturally, is in abundant supply, and can be replaced.

Provide examples of non-finite resources.

Wood, cotton, or renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

What is meant by 'renewable energy'?

Power that is generated using natural resources that will not run out, such as wind and wave power.

What are 'landfill sites'?

Places where refuse is buried underground.

What harmful effect do landfill sites have on the environment?

They release harmful gases that pollute the surrounding air and soil.

What is 'continuous improvement'?

A process of continually making small adjustments to production techniques to improve speed, quality, and save resources.

What is the Japanese name for the practice of 'continuous improvement'?

Kaizen

What does the Japanese term 'Kaizen' literally mean?

Change for the better.

What is the goal of 'efficient working' in a company?

To increase production speed, reduce errors, and reduce waste.

What is 'automation' in the context of manufacturing?

The use of automatic equipment in production processes.

Define 'computer aided manufacture' (CAM).

The manufacture of a part from a CAD file using computer-controlled machinery, like a 3D printer.

What is the purpose of 'quality control' (QC) checks?

To ensure a product will meet specified customer requirements by spotting errors early in the process.

Define 'pollution'.

The contamination of the air, water, or ground with harmful substances.

What are 'microbeads'?

Small beads of plastic found in some toiletry products that were banned in the UK for polluting the ocean.

What are 'government incentives' in the context of environmental protection?

Benefits governments can give businesses when they change manufacturing to benefit the environment.

What is 'global warming'?

The rise in the average temperature of the Earth's surface.

What are 'greenhouse gases'?

Gases responsible for global warming, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and CFCs.

Name two harmful chemicals released by manufacturing processes or cars that contributes to air pollution.

Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

What is a 'Life Cycle Assessment' (LCA)?

A way for companies to assess the environmental impact of a product during all stages of its life, from cradle to grave.

What is the first of the five main stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

Extraction and Processing.

What is the second of the five main stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

Manufacturing and Production.

What is the third of the five main stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

Distribution.

What is the fourth of the five main stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

In Use.

What is the fifth and final stage of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

End of Life.

What does the 'Extraction and Processing' stage of an LCA assess?

The energy used to extract raw materials and process them for manufacturing.

What does the 'Manufacturing and Production' stage of an LCA assess?

The energy required to manipulate the raw and refined materials into a product ready for sale.

What does the 'Distribution' stage of an LCA assess?

The packaging and transportation of the product to the end user.

What does the 'In Use' stage of an LCA assess?

The energy that the product and any related consumables use during its working lifetime.

What does the 'End of Life' stage of an LCA assess?

The energy required to recycle the product and/or dispose of any waste.

Name an ethical question that conducting an LCA can help a company answer.

Where can energy be saved, emissions be reduced, material be saved, or working conditions be improved?

What is the core principle of sustainability in relation to future generations?

Meeting present day needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

Name one factor a responsible designer should consider regarding production techniques.

Using renewable energy or considering toxic by-products created in manufacture.

Name one factor a responsible designer should consider regarding a product's lifecycle.

Recyclability at the end of life or maintenance and repair costs.

What is a negative consequence of the population explosion since the 20th century?

Resources are being used up at a very fast rate and the environmental impact is increasingly noticeable.

The world population currently takes just _____ years to increase by one billion.

12

Name a strategy used by designers to create technologies with a positive environmental impact.

Using renewable materials, designing products to be repairable, or using recycled/recyclable materials.

What is a characteristic of a technology with a negative environmental impact?

Overuse of finite materials, high power consumption, or having built-in obsolescence.

What was the primary aim of the BioLite stove case study?

To create a cleaner cooking device for rural Africa and India that also generates electricity.

The BioLite stove produces _____% less emissions and uses half the wood compared to traditional methods.

90

One common practice for efficient working is operating an 'energy walk'. What does this involve?

A trained staff member turns off unnecessary lighting, heating, and other appliances.

What do scientists attribute as the main cause of the gradual rise in Earth's average temperature?

Unprecedented levels of CO₂ (carbon dioxide), CH₄ (methane), and N₂O (nitrous oxide) released by human activity.

What does it mean for a product to be 'carbon neutral'?

It produces zero net emissions when a Life Cycle Assessment has taken all positive and negative actions into account.

What is 'carbon offsetting'?

Counteracting negative environmental impacts by taking positive actions that reduce carbon emissions, like planting trees.

What is the most fundamental (base level) action on the Carbon Offset Pyramid?

To reduce energy use and CO₂ emissions through more efficient user behaviour.

After reducing energy use and improving efficiency, what is the next level on the Carbon Offset Pyramid?

Improving energy efficiency with more efficient appliances and buildings.

After improving energy efficiency, what is the next level on the Carbon Offset Pyramid?

Incorporating renewable energy.

What is the final step on the Carbon Offset Pyramid after all other reduction steps have been taken?

To purchase carbon offsets or carbon credits.

What is the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive's rule on batteries?

Batteries must not be put in general waste and must be separated for recycling.

What is the only waste product (emission) of a hydrogen fuel cell?

Water

What technology mimics the appearance of ordinary ink on paper and reflects light instead of emitting it?

Electronic paper (or e-ink).

Efficient working aims to remove waste from processes. Name some forms this waste can take.

Wasted time, over production, wasted resources (including power), or wasted activity.

What is one potential benefit for a company that improves its waste disposal planning?

Less raw material is required, costs are recouped through selling recyclable waste, or energy can be generated.

According to historians, what caused localised deforestation in some parts of the ancient world?

The excessive use of wood for boat building and house construction.

What is the name of the first global climate agreement from 2015, involving 195 countries?

The Paris Agreement.

Why should finite resources be avoided or used in limited amounts?

Because they are in limited supply, cannot be replaced, and their use is not sustainable for future generations.

How can the philosophy of Kaizen lead to greater productivity and less waste?

By encouraging teamwork and rewarding employees for suggesting small, continuous improvements to working practices.

What technology in publishing has improved efficiency by avoiding large print runs and warehousing?

Digital printing technology that allows for printing books on demand.

Why is the proper disposal of batteries particularly important for the environment?

To prevent dangerous metals and alkalis, like mercury, from leaching into the soil and water courses.

What is are some major challenges for the expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market?

The need for national charging networks, improved battery technology, or a change in driver mindset.

What is built-in obsolescence?

A policy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life, so it will become obsolete.

Why are finite resources popular for manufacturing despite their environmental impact?

They are often easily accessible due to strong supply chains and have benefits for specific products or energy supplies.

How does a hydrogen fuel cell generate electricity?

It converts chemical energy into electrical energy using the movement of charged hydrogen ions across a membrane.

Which one of the following statements is true?

Oil is extracted from the ground to produce petroleum.

Which one of the following statements is true?

Zinc carbon batteries leak and corrode.

Name the renewable energy source in Figure 2.

Wind

Which one of the following is a renewable resource?

Water

Which one of the following statements is true?

Pollution is created by the burning of fossil fuels.

Which one of the following has a positive impact on the environment?

Reducing waste

Explain the disadvantages of extracting fossil fuels as a source of energy.

Visual pollution associated with open cast mining, location of power plants near rivers (water needed for cooling).

Pollution associated with extraction of fossil fuels deep in the ground leads to atmospheric pollution.

Shale gas extracted by pumping pressurised water and chemicals deep into the ground is believed to cause earthquakes/seismic shocks and damage to water courses.

Which type of renewable energy is sourced from plants?

Biomass

In 2010 the use of renewable energy in the UK accounted for 6.5% of total energy usage. By 2015 this figure had increased to 25%.

Give two reasons for the increase in the use of renewable energy sources.

Government targets to reduce CO₂ emissions and an increased awareness of environmental issues.

Explain why some people are opposed to the use of renewable energy sources.

Danger to wildlife - risk to bird and marine life through disturbance of habitat.

In 2010 the use of renewable energy in the UK accounted for 6.5% of total energy usage. By 2015 this figure had increased to 25%.

The amount of renewable energy generated in 2015 was 83.3 Terawatt hours (TWh).

The ratio of solar power to other forms of renewable energy was 1:10.

What amount of energy was attributed to solar power? Give your answer to 1 decimal point.

7.6 TWh