GP8 Module 5: Climate Change, Energy, and Resources

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to energy, sustainability, and resource extraction from Module 5.

Self-sufficient

Being able to meet all of one's own needs (like energy or food) without relying on outside sources, often a goal for national energy policy.

Consumption

The act of using up a resource, such as energy, water, or raw materials. High rates of this often drive environmental challenges.

Transfers

The movement of energy, resources, or substances from one place or system to another, e.g., heat moving through an object.

Generator

A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, used to produce power from sources like wind, water, or steam.

Decompose

To break down or rot, typically by the action of bacteria and fungi; a process central to natural resource cycles and waste management.

Thermal Energy

Energy in the form of heat, often generated from burning fuels or captured from the sun, and related to the movement of particles.

Insulator

A material that greatly reduces or prevents the passage or transfer of heat, electricity, or sound, important for energy efficiency.

Deposits

Natural accumulations of a valuable resource, such as minerals or fossil fuels, found within the Earth's crust.

Precious Metals

Rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value, such as gold, silver, and platinum.

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure; the basic building blocks of rocks and resources.

Shafts

Long, narrow vertical or sloping passageways typically dug into the ground to access underground deposits of minerals or ores.

Furnishings

The collective term for the furniture, fittings, and other movable accessories in a building or room (note: this term is often used in context to discuss resource use for manufacturing goods).

Illiterate

Unable to read or write (note: this term is often included in discussions about the social dimension of resource access and educational barriers).

The Environmental Challenge

The core idea that the world faces increasing environmental challenges (e.g., extreme climate) driven by humanity's demand for energy and excessive consumption of the Earth's natural resources.

Energy Self-Sufficiency

How a country or community can generate and supply its own energy without depending on external sources.

Resource Extraction

Understanding how we obtain essential raw materials, involving concepts like locating and extracting Deposits of Precious Metals and Minerals using methods like digging Shafts.