2012 York County Envirothon 5-6 Current Issues. Alternative Energy. Study List

Transcription

1 2012 York County Envirothon 5-6 Current Issues Alternative Energy Study List Resources: 1. Outdoor America, Summer 2007 Edition (a publication of the Isaak Walton League of America). The Summer 2007 edition of Outdoor America magazine features two articles that will serve as study resources for the 2008 Current Issues station. Watt Watchers (pages 27-31) proposes a simple solution to the Nation s energy crisis reduce demand. Presents ideas for energy-efficiency at home, at work and on the road. It also shares ideas to conserve energy at home. Fueling the Future (page 32-39) looks at America s dependence on fossil fuels. Discusses oil, coal and natural gas and also alternative energy sources including nuclear, biomass and biofuels, hydropower, wind, solar and hydrogen and the benefits and challenges to each type of alternative energy. 2. Energy Consumption Looks at who uses energy and how efficiently. Residential, commercial and transportation sectors are examined. 3. Alternative Fuel Vehicles They re in Your Future Defines Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Alternative Fuel. 4. Alternative Fueled Vehicles Discusses EPA s State and Local Climate Change Program and the benefits of alternative fuel vehicles. 5. Vocabulary Sheet Purpose: o Present the concept of greenhouse effect and link global warming to climate change o Identify sources of energy and the benefits and challenges of each type o Introduce the concept of energy independence o Raise awareness of what individuals can do at home to conserve energy o Outline alternative fueled vehicles *Test questions could include multiple choice, identification, fill-in-the-blank and true/false.

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17 2008 Current Issues Vocabulary alternative fuel vehicle alternative fuel biomass BTU climate change energy conservation energy efficiency energy sustainability fossil fuel geothermal energy global warming greenhouse effect greenhouse gas hydrogen power hydropower A vehicle that has been modified to run on alternative fuels; sometimes known as flexible fuel vehicles Vehicle fuels that are not made from petroleum Renewable energy from wood, manure, garbage and agricultural waste unit of energy used globally in the power, steam generation and heating and air conditioning industries (British Thermal Unit) A change in long-term weather patterns Any behavior that results in the use of less energy The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function The concept that every generation should meet its energy needs without compromising the energy needs of future generations Remains of plant and animal life that are used to provide energy in the form of coal, oil and natural gas A renewable source of stem and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity An average increase in the earth s temperature which, in turn, causes changes in climate The process of greenhouse gases making the earth warmer by trapping energy in the atmosphere Gases that trap the heat of the sun in the earth s atmosphere A secondary source of energy or energy carrier, hydrogen can be made safely from renewable energy sources and is virtually non-polluting; can be used to fuel zero-emissions vehicles, to heat homes and offices, to produce electricity, and to fuel aircraft; cost is a major obstacle Energy produced from flowing water

18 infrastructure megawatt non-renewable fuel nuclear energy solar power wind power The network of people, buildings and equipment require to supply energy for use throughout the world A unit for measuring power; is equal to one million watts A fuel that is not capable of being naturally restored or replenished Energy that is produced from the splitting of atoms (fission) The use of the sun s energy to produce electricity or heat Taking the breezes and winds and converting it into energy; has been used for hundreds of years for sailing, grinding grain and for irrigation