Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources: Environmental and Economic Impacts

Factors affecting the use of a natural resource

Economic factors

- Mining lithium can boost Bolivia's economy and reduce dependency on exports.

Environmental factor

- Water use: Lithium mining uses a lot of water, hurting local ecosystem and farming

Political factors

- International agreements: Global polices like the Paris agreement influence how Bolivia exports

Sociocultural & Indigenous perspective

- Local protests: Indigenous people oppose mining because it harms water and land rights.

Geographical & Indigenous factors

- Harsh conditions make extraction difficult and costly

- Limited infrastructures such as limited roads also makes it harder .

Renewable Energy sources

Solar energy: Converts sunlight into electricity

Wind energy: Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity

Hydropower: Dams or rivers drive turbines to generate electricity

Geothermal energy

Biomass: Burned directly or converted into biofuels

Reasons for change

Environmental concerns : Awareness towards climate change is raising, to reduce carbon emissions.

Economic: It's better when it comes to cost as fossil fuel prices fluctuate.

Political: Paris agreement = goals towards net zero emissions

Environment impacts of fossil fuels

Habitat destruction, air pollution, acid rain, and the release of greenhouse gases like CO2 and CH4 contribute to global warming.

Environment impacts of Rare earth metals

It is energy-intensive and leads to ecosystem destruction and toxic waste.

Environment impacts of Nuclear energy

Benefit: Produces large amounts of electricity with low greenhouse gas emissions.

Drawback: Relies on uranium mining which causes habitat destruction and water contamination.

Environment impacts of solar energy

- Zero greenhouse gases

- Mining for silicon and rare earth metals for solar panels can cause habitat destruction and pollution

Environment impacts of Wind energy

- Zero greenhouse gases

- Construction and installation can cause habitat destruction and involve a carbon footprint.

What are the primary advantages of hydropower in Norway?

It is reliable, produces no greenhouse gases, and is cost-efficient in the long term.

What are the disadvantages of hydropower in Norway?

Leads to habitat destruction and changes in water

What is the advantages of coal as an energy source in India?

Has vast amount of coal reservoirs, making it easily available for India

What is the disadvantage of coal as an energy source in India?

It is a major source of air pollution and leads to long-term health and environmental expenses.

What is the purpose of Energy Storage Solutions like Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHS)?

To ensure a reliable and continuous energy supply when renewable energy conditions are not favorable.

How does Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHS) function?

It moves water between two reservoirs at different elevations; water flows down to generate electricity, and is pumped back up when there is excess electricity.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Storage (PHS) function?

Advantages

- Stores large amounts of energy for when electricity demand is high

- Low running cost once built

Disadvantages

- Very expensive for initial cost

Can harm the environment during the process of building it

What is the focus of energy conservation?

Behavioral changes to reduce overall energy use.

Passive house design (Energy efficient buildings) (Energy conservation)

Designed to use very little energy for heating and cooling by using a good insulation, fresh air systems and sunlight to keep the house warm and cool.

Benefits

- Cost effective

- Uses very little energy

LED lighting in public infrastructure (energy conservation strategy)

It uses significantly less energy than traditional bulbs and has a much longer lifespan.

Benefits

- saves lot of energy

- Const effective

What are the three main sources of waste generation?

Domestic (household)

• Food waste, packaging and e-waste

Industrial waste

• Chemical waste, pollutants and e-waste

Agricultural waste

• Crop residues and animal manure

Types of waste

• E-waste

• Food waste

• Biochemical waste

What environmental impact does food waste have in landfills?

It contributes to methane emissions.

What are the primary environmental risks associated with agricultural waste?

If not managed properly, crop residues, pesticides, and manure can lead to soil and water pollution.

What is the main disadvantage of relying on fossil fuels in the long term?

They are not reliable and contribute significantly to climate change.

What are the main disadvantages of Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHS)?

It requires specific geography, can harm the environment during construction, and has high initial costs.

What is the primary risk associated with improper disposal of medical and biological waste?

The spread of diseases.

What are three examples of solid domestic waste?

Paper/cardboard, glass, and plastic.

How do socio-economic factors influence waste generation?

Higher-income countries generate more packaging and electronic waste, while lower-income countries generate less waste but often lack adequate management infrastructure.

How do political factors impact waste management?

Strict laws reduce waste imports, whereas weak regulations and political instability lead to increased waste mismanagement.

What is the impact of humid climates on waste?

They lead to higher rates of organic waste decomposition.

What is the definition of biodegradability?

The ability of a substance to be broken down by natural organisms like bacteria and fungi into simpler, harmless materials.

What does the 'half-life' of a substance describe in an environmental context?

The time required for half of a given quantity of a substance to degrade or transform into another substance.

Why are substances with a long half-life considered dangerous?

They persist in the environment for decades, posing long-term threats to ecosystems and humans.

What is the core difference between preventative and restorative waste strategies?

Preventative strategies focus on reducing waste generation at the source, while restorative strategies focus on cleaning up or restoring already damaged environments.

Why are preventative waste strategies considered more sustainable?

They limit the release of pollutants before they become a problem, rather than relying on clean-up efforts.

What is one example of a restorative waste management strategy?

Cleaning up oil spills or removing hazardous waste from industrial sites.

What is a major disadvantage of using landfills for waste disposal?

The risk of soil and water pollution due to leakage and methane emissions contributing to climate change.

What is the primary advantage of waste incineration?

It reduces waste volume by approximately 90% and decreases dependence on landfills.

What distinguishes 'Waste-to-Energy' from standard incineration?

Waste-to-Energy converts the heat from burning waste into usable energy, such as electricity.

What is a significant disadvantage of exporting waste to other countries?

High transportation costs and environmental injustice, where lower-income countries bear the health risks.

What are two advantages of recycling?

It reduces the demand for raw materials and creates jobs in the recycling industry.

What is the main limitation of composting?

It is limited to organic waste and requires time for proper decomposition.

How can economic tools like taxes be used to manage waste?

Adding taxes to products that cause waste or pollution discourages their purchase.

What is the purpose of incentives in waste management?

To reward and encourage sustainable waste management approaches.

What role do media campaigns play in waste management?

They promote sustainable habits and raise public awareness about waste reduction and recycling.

What is the benefit of convenient infrastructure for waste disposal?

It makes sustainable disposal easier for the public to practice.

What is a circular economy?

An economic system designed to minimize waste and maximize the reuse of materials and products.

How do natural ecosystems handle waste?

They have a limited capacity to absorb pollutants like CO2 and organic matter; exceeding this capacity causes pollution.

What is the impact of e-commerce growth on waste?

It leads to a significant increase in packaging waste.