Chapter #14- Energy p.

323
Introduction: A new kind of fake plant
-Read chapter opener p.323
-video: Artificial Photosynthesis

Instructions: After observing the video do a research on:

Cheap energy affect environment: (summarize in 3sentences)

• The environmental problems directly related to energy production and consumption
include air pollution, climate change, water pollution, thermal pollution, and solid
waste disposal.
• Diverse water pollution problems are associated with energy usage, one problem is
oil spills. In all petroleum-handling operations, there is a finite probability of spilling
oil either on the earth or in a body of water. Coal mining can also pollute water.
• The generation and transmission of electricity affects the environment, nearly all
types of electric power plants have an effect on the environment, but some power
plants have larger effects than others.
• Nearly all combustion byproducts have negative effects on the environment and
human health:
• CO2 is a greenhouse gas, which contributes to the greenhouse effect.
• SO2 causes acid rain, which is harmful to plants and to animals that live in water.
SO2 also worsens respiratory illnesses and heart diseases, particularly in children and
the elderly.
• NOx contribute to ground-level ozone, which irritates and damages the lungs.
• PM results in hazy conditions in cites and scenic areas and coupled with ozone,
contributes to asthma and chronic bronchitis, especially in children and the elderly.
Very small, or fine PM, is also believed to cause emphysema and lung cancer.
• Heavy metals such as mercury are hazardous to human and animal health.

b. Clean energy: (summarize in 3 sentences)

• Clean energy includes renewable energy, energy efficiency and efficient
combined heat and power.
• Electricity from renewable resources such as solar, geothermal, and wind
generally does not contribute to climate change or local air pollution since no
fuels are combusted.
• The clean energy industry generates hundreds of billions in economic activity,
and is expected to continue to grow rapidly in the coming years, there is
tremendous economic opportunity for the countries that invent, manufacture and
export clean energy technologies.