Reduce Your Energy Footprint & Save Money

Homework 4.1: Reduce Your Energy Footprint & Save Money!   Directions:

• Download this docx file and record answers as you proceed through each section and turn it in to get credit for your homework!
• Each section missing information will cost you 1 point!

    Your money-saving guarantee:
If you follow the guidelines and implement suggestions offered in this course, you are guaranteed to save money and, at the same time, you’ll reduce your energy and resource consumption as well as your ecological footprint.
This activity will show you some more ways do all that.   Learning objectives: 1)    Recognize major categories of residential energy use 2)    Analyze home energy consumption patterns 3)    Evaluate ways to reduce your energy footprint (energy use) and save money   Background
Key points about energy:

• Energy, pollution, and climate are interconnected.
• To achieve sustainability, science, technology. individual and policy actions are all needed.
• Individual actions are necessary but not sufficient. Policy changes to promote carbon reducing measures are essential.
• Education and awareness are key.

Ways to reduce energy use, carbon emissions and save $$:

• Conservation - stop wasting, turn of lights you are not using, walk instead of drive, etc…
• Efficiency - use less energy to do the same tasks (e.g., LED bulbs, Energy Star appliances)

            Part 1

• Video: (6:09)
  • Link:

Take notes for the energy resource comparison charts.

1. For each of the energy sources presented, note the types, advantages, disadvantages, issues, and challenges.
   1. Fossil fuels:

Types; Coal, oil, gas Advantages ü  Fossil fuels are readily available ü  It is easy to produce energy from fossil fuels                         Disadvantages ü  Fossil fuels are non-renewable ü  Increases fuel costs ü  Releases carbon dioxide when burnt which causes global warming ü  Releases Sulphur dioxide when burnt which causes acid rain Issues and Challenges ü  Increased greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

1.  
   1. Nuclear energy:

Advantages ü  Does not release carbon dioxide ü  Does not release Sulphur dioxide ü  One kilogram of uranium produces more energy than one kilogram of coal Disadvantages ü  Nuclear energy is non-renewable ü  Hazardous nuclear waste if produced ü  There is the danger of releasing radioactive materials into the environment ü  Nuclear power stations are expensive to commission and run Issues and Challenges ü  Ensuring the safety of power plants ü  Protecting reactors from external aggression and natural disasters ü  Finding solutions to effective waste management

1.  
   1. Hydroelectricity:

Advantages ü  It is a renewable energy source ü  It is cheap to run ü  There are no pollutants resulting from its production ü  It is a reliable energy source Disadvantages ü  Causes visual pollution ü  Damages estuary habitats ü  Damages valley habitats by causing flooding ü  Causes rotting of vegetation, which produce greenhouse gases Issues and Challenges ü  Producing enough power and maintaining natural habitats

1.  
   1. Wind:

Advantages ü  It is a renewable energy source ü  It is cheap to run ü  There are no pollutants produced Disadvantages ü  It is expensive to build wind mills ü  Wind mills cause visual and noise pollution ü  Wind energy is unreliable Issues and Challenges ü  Producing enough power to meet the cost of maintaining wind power production

1.  
   1. Geothermal:

Advantages ü  It is environmentally friendly ü  Geothermal energy is renewable ü  There is still huge potential for geothermal energy ü  It is reliable ü  There is no fuel required Disadvantages ü  It is location-restricted ü  It has environmental side effects ü  It can trigger earthquakes ü  It is expensive to tap into ü  It requires careful management for it to be sustainable Issues and Challenges ü  Tapping into unused geothermal energy

1.  
   1. Solar:

Advantages ü  Solar power is renewable ü  It is cheap to run given t...