Energy Types and Environmental Impacts

Potential Energy

Stored energy, like drawn bow or elevated water.

Kinetic Energy

Energy in motion, like a released arrow.

Electricity

Flow of electrons generating electric power.

The Grid

Network delivering electricity to homes and businesses.

Carbon-based Energy

Fuels releasing CO2 when burned, like coal.

Carbon Neutral Energy

Fuels absorbing carbon when new sources grow.

Carbon Free Energy

Energy sources like solar, wind, and hydrogen.

Externalities

Indirect costs affecting others beyond producers.

Price of Gas

Cost not reflecting environmental and health impacts.

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable energy from ancient life forms.

Alberta Tar Sands

Bitumen-laced sand mined, harming ecosystems.

Mountain Top Removal Mining

Destructive mining method stripping mountain tops.

Electrification

Sustainable electricity production without carbon pollution.

Renewable Electricity

Energy from sustainable sources like wind and solar.

Photovoltaic

Solar panels converting sunlight into electricity.

Wind Power

Energy generated by turning turbines with wind.

Geothermal Energy

Heat from the earth used for power.

Hydropower

Electricity generated from flowing water.

Hydrogen

Lightest element, produces water vapor when burned.

Gray Hydrogen

Extracted from methane, emits CO2 during process.

Blue Hydrogen

Traps CO2 emissions from hydrogen extraction.

Green Hydrogen

Produced via electrolysis using clean energy.

Nuclear Fission

Controlled chain reaction generating heat for power.

Nuclear Fusion

Fusing hydrogen molecules for limitless clean energy.

Jean Baptiste Lamarck

Proposed inheritance of acquired characteristics theory.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overuse of shared resources leads to depletion.

Commons

Shared resources like pastures or forests.

FOMO

Fear of missing out on resources.

Gills

Organs that filter oxygen from water.

Mouth Adaptations

Fish mouths indicate feeding habits.

Scales and Slime

Protects fish from parasites and aids swimming.

Swim Bladder

Maintains buoyancy and balance in fish.

Gill Rakers

Strain plankton from water in some fish.

Lateral Line

Detects motion in water for fish.

Electric Fields

Some fish sense electric fields for prey.

Brackish Water

Mix of salt and fresh water for fish survival.

Anadromous Fish

Born in freshwater, live in saltwater.

Catadromous Fish

Born in saltwater, live in freshwater.

Hudson River Fisheries

Historical fishing center for key species.

Bioaccumulation

Toxic substances accumulate in fish over time.

Overfishing

Depleting fish stocks faster than they can reproduce.

Trawling

Net scraping technique damaging ocean habitats.

Longlining

Fishing method using miles of baited hooks.

Purse Seines

Large nets that capture entire schools of fish.

Ghost Nets

Abandoned nets continue to catch fish.

Target Species

Fish actively sought for capture.

By-catch

Unintended catch of non-target species.

Individual Fishing Quotas

Limits on fishing permits to manage stocks.

Escapement

Allowing fish to spawn and complete lifecycles.

Marine Protected Areas

Zones where fishing is prohibited for conservation.

Sustainable Seafood Labels

Certifications for responsibly caught seafood.

Aquaculture

Fish farming to supplement wild fish stocks.

Sustainable Aquaculture

Fish farming with minimal environmental impact.

Farmed Salmon Issues

Health risks and environmental concerns in farming.