PREPAPRED BY

IGCSE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES GROUP 4:

TEAM PROJECT 1. M.HASSAAN

2. FABEEHA
TOPIC: BIODIVERSITY & 3. ABDUL WAHAB
ECOSYSTEM 4. ZUBAIR
5. SAIM
Ecosystem: A natural environment which includes the flora (plants) and
fauna (animals) that live and interact within that environment.
Biodiversity: The variety of natural life and habitats on Earth.
INRODUCTION TO BIODIVERSIT & ECOSYSTEM:
Biodiversity and ecosystem health are crucial components of our planet's ecological balance,
sustaining life and providing numerous benefits to humanity. As our understanding of these
intricate systems deepens, so does our awareness of the urgent need to protect and conserve
them. This introductory report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of biodiversity,
ecosystems, their interconnectivity, and the current challenges they face.

 Understanding Biodiversity:
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms present on Earth, encompassing the diversity of
species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within species. It is the result of billions of years of
evolution, shaped by natural processes and influenced by human activities. Biodiversity
provides essential ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, climate
regulation, and the provision of food and medicine.

 Ecosystems: The Foundation of Life:

Ecosystems are dynamic, complex communities of living organisms interacting with their
physical environment. They range from terrestrial forests and grasslands to aquatic habitats
like coral reefs and freshwater lakes. Each ecosystem has its unique structure, function, and
biodiversity, contributing to the overall resilience and stability of the planet.

 Interconnectivity of Biodiversity and Ecosystems:

Biodiversity and ecosystems are intrinsically linked, forming a web of life where each
component plays a vital role. Species depend on each other for survival, and their
interactions shape the functioning of ecosystems. For example, predators help regulate prey
populations, while plants provide oxygen and sequester carbon dioxide, influencing climate
patterns.

.
(FIGURE 1.1: CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY)
(FIGURE 1.2: CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEM)
How the residential installations of solar panels bridge the energy gap and
promote sustainability?
Residential installations of solar panels play a crucial role in bridging the energy gap and
promoting sustainability in several ways:

1.Renewable Energy Generation:

Solar panels harness sunlight and convert it into electricity, providing a clean and
renewable source of energy. By generating electricity on-site, homeowners reduce their
reliance on traditional fossil fuels, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and
mitigating climate change.

2.Energy Independence:
Solar panels allow homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing dependence on
the grid. This can be particularly beneficial in remote or rural areas where access to the grid
may be limited or unreliable. Additionally, during power outages or emergencies, solar-
powered homes can continue to operate independently.

3. Reduced Environmental Impact:

Traditional electricity generation from fossil fuels produces air and water pollution, as well
as greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels generate electricity without emitting harmful
pollutants, helping to improve air quality and protect ecosystems.
FIGURE 1.4: (SOLAR PANELS

SYSTEM)

(FIGURE 1.3: COMMERCIAL SOLAR INSTALLATION)

EVALUATION OF SOURCES:
Can renewable energy sources bridge the global energy gap in the 21st
century?
Abstract:
Energy experts project that global oil supplies will only meet demand until global oil
production has peaked sometime between 2013 and 2020. Declining oil production after
peak production will cause a global energy gap to develop, which will have to be bridged by
unconventional and renewable energy sources. Nuclear, solar and hydrogen are destined to
become major energy sources during the 21st century, but only if their enabling technologies
improve significantly to ensure affordability and convenience of use. This paper will argue
that global oil production will probably peak between 2004 and 2005, causing a serious
energy gap to develop sometime between 2008 and 2010 rather than 2013–2020 as the
energy experts projected.

Introduction:
There is a growing consensus among energy experts that global oil supplies will only meet
demand until global oil production has peaked sometime between 2013 and 2020. However,
my own research indicates that peak production will probably be reached between 2004 and
2005 causing a serious energy shortage to develop sometime between 2008 and 2010.
Energy conservation, improved energy efficiency, expanded production of both conventional
and unconventional oil and conversion of natural gas to liquids (GTL) may help extend the
time of peak production by a few more years. However, the long-term solution to global
energy supplies and the environment lies in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable non-
polluting energy sources. These sources include nuclear, hydrogen, solar, wind, hydro-
electricity and biomass.

In 2000, fossil fuels supplied 90% of global energy with crude oil accounting for 40% of the
total, coal 25% and natural gas 25%. Nuclear energy contributed 7% and hydro-electricity
3% [1]. But fossil fuels are exhaustible resources. Future oil reserves will be mainly
generated from improved recovery-technologies and huge unconventional resources. These
mainly include heavy and extra heavy oil, tar sand oil, shale oil and GTL, known collectively
as synthetic fuels (synfuels). However, conventional crude oil will be available throughout
the 21st century, albeit at exorbitant prices.

FIGURE 1.5: SYNTHETIC FUEL PRODUCTION)

Effect of solar energy systems on residential home values & Environmental
impacts from the solar energy technologies
Abstract
This article compares what homeowners identified as motives and barriers for
installing photovoltaic panels in Sweden in 2008–2009 and in 2014–2016. Earlier research
has provided snapshots of existing barriers and motives, but not analyzed changes over time,
as is done here. Between 2008 and 2014, the PV market in Sweden changed profoundly, with
the introduction of subsidies and changes in rules, making it easier for households to sell
electricity they produce. At the same time, regulations have increased for the households.
Environmental motives have been consistent over the years. Financial incentives had become
an important motive by 2014–2016. The investment cost remained a barrier, even though it
has been reduced over the years. New barriers in the second period are problems relating to
increased administrative burden and finding information about market conditions such as
which companies exist and how much a household will be paid when selling electricity to the
grid. In 2008–2009, households installed the PV panels on their own and installation was a
major barrier. This had changed radically by 2014–2016, when most of the households
studied bought turnkey systems with installation included
.
Introduction
Rapid growth in the adoption of renewable energy technologies is of great importance for a
sustainable future and the number of consumers producing electricity at home, so-called
“prosumers” (Toffler, 1980), is rapidly increasing in many European countries. In Sweden
too the number of prosumers is increasing. Earlier studies have presented a snapshot of
motives and barriers for households to become prosumers, but there is a lack of studies that
compare motives and barriers over time. This article will compare how households in
Sweden have expressed motives and barriers for installing photovoltaic panels at two
different occasions. The first survey was done in 2008–09 and the second in 2014–16. The
main question in this article is: Have barriers and motives changed during these years, and if
so, how?

The share of photovoltaics (PV) in the Swedish energy mix is not large; it was not even 1% in
2014 (Lindale, 2015). But it is a market in transition, which makes it interesting to study.
Sweden has a lower solar radiation compared with countries more in the south since the
maximum insolation angle is only 58 degrees in the far south of Sweden. Still the annual
solar influx in the southern half of Sweden is comparable to that in northern Germany and
the potential is estimated at 10–40 TWh/ year (Muyingo, 2015). Most Swedes live in the
southern parts, 88% of the population. Most PV panels are also installed in the south and it
is also there the largest expansion can be expected. In a long time, perspective, the average
global solar radiation has increased with about 8% from the mid-1980s until 2016. From
about 900 kWh/m2 in 1985 to 961 kWh/m2 in 2016 (Lindale, 2015; SMHI (Swedish
Meteorological and Hydrological Institute), 2017). The global radiation differs between the
seasons, during the winter 2016 it was 33 kWh/m2 and during the summer
465 kWh/m2 (SMHI, 2017). Stride et al. (2014) calculate that a yield of about 800–
1100 kWh/kW per year can be expected during a year with typical solar irradiation for
systems with reasonable good azimuth, tilt and without major shading effects. This gives a
capacity factor of 9,1–12,6%. The yearly production from an optimally oriented PV system in
Sweden is 800–1000 kWh per installed kilowatt (Palm, 2017b). At the end of 2009, PV had
an installed capacity of 8 MW in Sweden (Lindale, 2014) and most of the installations were
off-grid. Since then the market has expanded and at the end of 2014, the installed capacity of
PVs had grown to 60 MW (of which 10 MW were off-grid) (Lindale, 2015.

Environmental impacts from the solar energy technologies

Solar energy systems (photovoltaics, solar thermal, solar power) provide significant
environmental benefits in comparison to the conventional energy sources, thus contributing,
to the sustainable development of human activities. Sometimes however, their wide scale
deployment has to face potential negative environmental implications. These potential
problems seem to be a strong barrier for a further dissemination of these systems in some
consumers.
To cope with these problems this paper presents an overview of an Environmental Impact
Assessment. We assess the potential environmental intrusions in order to ameliorate them
with new technological innovations and good practices in the future power systems. The
analysis provides the potential burdens to the environment, which include—during the
construction, the installation and the demolition phases, as well as especially in the case of
the central solar technologies—noise and visual intrusion, greenhouse gas emissions, water
and soil pollution, energy consumption, labor accidents, impact on archaeological sites or
on sensitive ecosystems, negative and positive socio-economic effects.

FIGURE 1.6: TOP 5 IMPACTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT)

(FIGURE 1.7: TOTAL SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLED IN PAKISTAN FROM 2011-20)

SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION

Promoting residential installations of solar panels can indeed bridge the energy gap and
advance sustainability. Here's a suggested course of action: Launch informational
campaigns to educate homeowners about the benefits of solar energy, including reduced
electricity bills, environmental impact, and potential for earning through excess energy
generation. Work with government bodies and energy companies to provide financial
incentives such as tax credits, rebates, or low-interest loans for installing solar panels. These
incentives can significantly reduce upfront costs and encourage uptake. Advocate for
supportive policies and regulations at local, state, and national levels to streamline the
process of installing solar panels. This might include simplified permitting processes and net
metering laws that allow homeowners to sell excess energy back to the grid. Collaborate
with solar panel manufacturers, installation companies, and financial institutions to develop
affordable financing options and ensure quality installations. Partnerships can also facilitate
community solar projects, allowing multiple households to share the benefits of a single solar
installation. Provide training programs for solar panel installers to ensure high-quality
installations and promote job creation in the renewable energy sector. Additionally, offer
educational resources for homeowners on maintenance, monitoring, and maximizing the
efficiency of their solar panels. Foster community engagement by organizing workshops,
seminars, and neighborhood solar co-ops where residents can learn about solar energy
together, share experiences, and collectively negotiate discounts on installations. Support
research and development efforts to improve solar panel efficiency, durability, and
affordability. Encourage the adoption of emerging technologies such as solar batteries for
energy storage, which can further enhance the reliability and sustainability of residential
solar installations. Establish mechanisms for monitoring the performance and impact of
residential solar installations over time. This data can inform future policies and initiatives,
identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of solar energy to
policymakers and the public.
By implementing these strategies, we can accelerate the transition to renewable energy,
bridge the energy gap, and promote sustainability through widespread adoption of
residential solar installations
(FIGURE 1.8: COURSE OF ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT OF
FRANCE IN PARIS)