unit 4 aos2 sac enviromental last sac

sustainable principles

• efficient resource use

• intergenerational equity

efficient resource use

using natural resources (water, energy,raw materials) in a way that maximises value while minimising waste and enviromental impact

examples of efficient resource use

• energy efficiency - using solar pannels, LED lighting,smart systems that turn lights and air con off when not in use

• water efficiency - low flow taps, using recycled water for toilets and irrigation

how this reflects the principle efficient resource use

less energy and water is consumed,waste is minimised. This reduces strain on natural resources.

intergenerational equity

using resources and making decisions that does not comprimise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

examples of intergenerational equity

• switching from fossil fuels to renewable (solar/wind)

-reduces long term enviromental damage

-perserves a stable enviroment for future management

• protecting ecosystem/national parks

-biodiversity is perserved over time

-future generations can experience and benefit from these enviroment

in short intergenerational equity

caring for the planet and resources so future generations have the same opportunities and quality of life as we do today

examples of stakeholder

- logal government
- local indigenous group
- local conservation group
- local community/residents

peak oil

when global oil production reaches its maximum rate that begins a long term decline. This does not mean it runs out, it means producing additional oil becomes more difficult,expensive and limited by declining reservoir productivity

impacts of depletion and peak oil higher energy prices

declining production and more expensive extraction increases fuel costs

economic impacts of peak oil

industries and economies reliant on cheap oil whill have higher production and transport costs

energy insecurity

countries that rely on imported fossil fuels become more vulnerable to supply disruptions

enviromental damage

more difficult extraction methods can cause further enviromental impacts

pressure for alternatives

depletion encourages investment in renewable energy electric vehicles etc

2 global consequences of peak oil

• economic stability

• geopolitical tensions

consequence of peak oil economic stability

Peak oil can cause oil prices to rise as global supply decreases. This increases the cost of transportation, manufacturing and food production, leading to inflation and economic instability, particularly in countries that rely heavily on imported oil.

consequence of peak oil geopolitical tensions

Peak oil can increase competition between countries for remaining oil reserves. Countries that depend on oil imports may become more reliant on oil-producing nations, increasing political tensions and the potential for international conflict.

what is energy

energy is the capacity to perform work. Energy is transfered from an object to the next object, this is energy conversion

different forms of energy

• mechanical

• electrical

• chemical

• heat

• nuclear

• light

kinetic energy

is associated with an objects speed (motion/movement)

potential energy

is associated with an objects position (e.g height), its also reffered to as stored energy that can be released to perform work

mechanical energy

the conversion of potential energy into other forms of energy involving movement of an object. for example potential energy stored in water can be converted into mechanical energy in a turbine which produces electical energy

heat energy

heat (thermal energy) is when molecules of all objects are in motion (kinetic). higher the temperatures higher the molecular kinetic energy. thermal energy is used to change the state of objects (solids-liquid-gas). they also cause exothermic (release heat) and endothermic (absorbs heat) reactions

chemical

is a form of potential energy that comes from atoms and makes up a substance. for example methane has chemical energy due to the arrangement of carbon and hydrogen atoms. this can be converted to other forms of energy via combustion, meaning reacting with oxygen which releases energy as the chemical bonds are broken

light energy

a type of kinetic energy made of electromagnetic waves and tiny packets of energy called photons that we can see with our eyes

nuclear energy

power generated by splitting atomic nuclei fission to produce heat and zero direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation

example of types of energy exam qn

explain energy efficiency

efficiency is about how much useful energy output is obtained from a certain amount of energy input

the efficiency of a process (e.g heating a house) can be increased by using less energy input to achieve the same energy output

calculate energy efficiency

useful energy output/total energy input x 100

examples of energy efficiency

1st law of thermodynamics

energy is never created or destroyed in normal physical and chemical processes it is only hanged from one form to another

2nd law of thermodynamics

when energy is converted from one form to another some of it becomes degraed to a lower quality of energy (less able to do work) usually this degreed form is heat

renewable energy example

• solar energy

• wind energy

for solar energy

Solar energy is renewable because sunlight is naturally replenished, and generating electricity from solar panels produces very low greenhouse gas emissions, helping reduce climate change. It also has low operating costs because sunlight is free.

against solar energy

Solar energy is intermittent because panels rely on sunlight, meaning electricity generation decreases during cloudy weather and stops at night. Large-scale solar farms can also require large areas of land and may compete with agriculture or natural ecosystems.

for wind energy

Wind energy is renewable because wind is continuously replenished by natural atmospheric processes, and turbines generate electricity without directly producing greenhouse gas emissions. Land around turbines can also often continue to be used for farming.

against wind energy

Wind energy is intermittent because turbines require suitable wind speeds to generate electricity, making supply less predictable. Wind farms can also impact wildlife, particularly birds and bats, and create visual and noise impacts for nearby communities.

2 non renewable

• coal

• natural gas

for coal

Coal provides a reliable and consistent source of electricity because coal-fired power stations can operate continuously regardless of weather conditions. Coal also has a high energy density, allowing large amounts of electricity to be generated.

against coal

Coal is non-renewable because it takes millions of years to form and is being consumed much faster than it can be replaced. Burning coal releases large amounts of CO₂, contributing to climate change, while mining can cause habitat destruction, soil degradation and water pollution.

for natural gas

Natural gas is a reliable energy source that can generate electricity when needed, and it produces less CO₂ than coal when burned to generate the same amount of electricity. Gas power stations can also adjust their output quickly to meet changing electricity demand.

against natural gas

Natural gas is non-renewable because it is a finite fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form. Burning it releases CO₂, while methane can also leak during extraction and transportation, contributing significantly to global warming.

land rehabilitation

is the process of returning land to its original state after mining has resulted in damages. For example open cut coal mines destroy ecosystems and displace species. So rehabilitation is required once the mine is closed

mechanical rebilitation

This is physically moving components around a site. This could be removing contaminated slavia excaution and replacing soil that was lost during the mining process

chemical rehabilitation

ensuring chemical properties of the mine are returned to safe/normal leves. This could be applying fertilizer to newly deposited top soil or eliminating harmful chemical that were deposited in the soil during the mining process

biological rehabilitation

involves replanting trees and reintroducing life to help stablise the mine site

base load energy

its the minimum amount of electricity that a power grid needs continuously during a 24 hour period. regardless whether demand is high and lower

its essential to keep things running in the middle of the night, for example hospitals,data centres

example of base load energy

A specific example of base-load energy is a hospital. Hospitals need electricity 24 hours a day to operate essential equipment such as life-support machines, lighting, refrigeration for medicines and medical equipment. Even at 3 am, when electricity demand is lower, the hospital still requires a constant supply of electricity. This continuous demand forms part of the base load of the electricity grid.

example of energy efficiency

chemical - kinetic - mechanical - electrical

60% 30% 70%

0.6 × 0.3 × 0.7

= 0.126 ×100

= 12.6

overall efficiency 12.6

example of base load power how it applies

“A hospital operates 24 hours a day and requires electricity to power life-support systems, lighting, refrigeration and medical equipment, including during periods of low electricity demand.”

You could write:

This is an example of base-load energy because the hospital requires a continuous supply of electricity 24 hours a day, including during periods of low demand, meaning it contributes to the minimum amount of electricity required by the grid.

peak load energy

Peak-load energy is the maximum amount of electricity demanded from the power grid at a particular time, usually when electricity use is highest.

For example, on a hot summer afternoon, many people turn on air conditioners at the same time, causing electricity demand to reach a peak. The extra electricity needed to meet this high demand is called peak-load energy.

difference between base load and peak load

• Base load energy = the minimum amount of electricity needed continuously, 24 hours a day.
  Example: A hospital still needs electricity at 3 am to run essential equipment.

• Peak load energy = the extra electricity needed when demand is at its highest for a short period.
  Example: On a very hot afternoon, lots of households turn on air conditioners, causing electricity demand to suddenly increase.