Environmental

Management
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
A bit of Context…

They are widely spread

Oil is better than coal, as
Fossil fuels include coal, and help the economy and
its cheaper to get, easier to
oil and natural gas industry grow by allowing
transport and use
the transport revolution
If fossil fuels are so good… why do we try
to change them?
NEGATIVE FACTORS POSITIVE FACTORS

Local and global effects of its overuse There are many other sources we can get
energy from (such as wind or sun)

They last forever, are clean and more widely

They will run out
available
Formation of Fossil Fuels - Overview
They were formed from the decomposition of It took millions of years for them to accumulate
plants and animals so they could be enough for usage

What will we learn about?

 Formation of Coal
 Formation of Oil and Natural Gas
Formation of Coal

Older trees and They formed a

They decomposed
plants died thick layer of peat

Rivers covered Mud and sand

The peat
the peat with mud compressed into
hardened to coal
and sand rock
 Formation of Oil and Natural Gas

Creatures and They collected on Each rotted into a

They decomposed
plants died the seabed spot of oil

Sand was Oil accumulated at

They were covered
compressed to hard the bottom, gas
by mud and sand
sandstone rock rose to fill pores
Energy resources and the gereration of
electricity

World energy demand increases

The world still relies a lot on fossil fuels

Nuclear and Hydro-electric power are the most used non-renewable energy sources

Renewables only make a small contribution

In less developed countries biofuels are the most used energy source
What is a “Renewable
energy source”?

It is an energy source that can be

replaced naturally so it never runs out.

For example: hydroelectric power

What is an “Alternative
energy source”?

It is an energy source that can replace

fossil fuels.

For example: nuclear power

What is a “Sustainable
energy source”?

It is an energy source that can be used for

a long time.

For example: solar power

Methods of generating electricity

Coal Hydro-electric power

Oil Tidal power

Natural gas Wave power

Nuclear power Solar Power

Biofuels Wind power

Geothermal power
Quiz time!
 Why were fossil fuels important in the past?

1. Because they allowed industries to grow

2. Because they allowed factories to grow

3. Because they allowed the transport revolution to happen

4. All of the above

 Why were fossil fuels important in the past?

1. Because they allowed industries to grow

2. Because they allowed factories to grow

3. Because they allowed the transport revolution to happen

4. All of the above

Name 2 disadvantages of fossil fuels.
 Name 2 disadvantages of fossil fuels.

1. They will eventually run out

2. They have a bad effect on the enviroment

 Why are renewables better than fossil fuels?
1. They are a more efficient source of energy

2. They are more used than fossil fuels

3. They will never run out

4. They aren’t better in any way

 Why are renewables better than fossil fuels?
1. They are a more efficient source of energy

2. They are more used than fossil fuels

3. They will never run out

4. They aren’t better in any way

 From what is coal formed?
1. Dead sea creatures

2. Dead animals

3. Rock

4. Old plants and trees that died

 From what is coal formed?
1. Dead sea creatures

2. Dead animals

3. Rock

4. Old plants and trees that died

 From what is oil and gas formed?
1. Dead sea creatures

2. Dead plants

3. From water condensation

4. None of the above

5. 1 and 2 are both correct

 From what is oil and gas formed?
1. Dead sea creatures

2. Dead plants

3. From water condensation

4. None of the above

5. 1 and 2 are both correct

True or False?
 World energy demand is constantly
increasing.
1. True

2. False
 World energy demand is constantly
increasing.
1. True

2. False
 We no longer rely on fossil fuels to generate
energy.
1. True

2. False
 We no longer rely on fossil fuels to generate
energy.
1. True

2. False
 Nuclear and HEP are the only non-fossil fuel
sources in widespread use
1. True

2. False
 Nuclear and HEP are the only non-fossil fuel
sources in widespread use
1. True

2. False
 Renewables now make a bigger contribution
than fossil fuels
1. True

2. False
 In less developed countries Natural gas is the
most widespread energy source.
1. True

2. False
 In less developed countries Natural gas is the
most widespread energy source.
1. True

2. False
Match the Definition!
 a) Energy resource that is replaced

naturally
1. Alternative energy source
b) Energy source that can be used for a
2. Renewable energy source long time

c) Energy source to replace fossil fuels

3. Sustainable energy source
 a) Energy resource that is replaced

naturally
1. Alternative energy source
b) Energy source that can be used for a
2. Renewable energy source long time

c) Energy source to replace fossil fuels

3. Sustainable energy source
Advantages & Disadvantages of renewable electricity
The 2 biggest advantages of renewables
are…

Sustainable Non-polluting
Why has transition into renewables been so
slow?
Fossil fuels have been used for a long time, they are easy to use, and everyone is used to using them

They are cheap

Improved technology allowed us to locate resources in areas previously considered as difficult to

exploit

Renewables are more expensive to set up and operate

They are intermittent

 HEP

It is an old technology, so it has had more time to

Cheapest energy source from renewables develop and be efficient

It is a major global energy source

Disadvantages of renewables
The physical conditions to set them up may not be everywhere nor all the time (ej. Drought, a cloudy
day)

May lead to habitat loss from reservoir construction (HEP)

Loss of scenic beauty with wind farms

Use of toxic substances in solar energy

Generation in a small scale (used locally)

Quiz time!
What are the 2 biggest advantages of
renewabels?
A. They are cheap

B. They are sustainable

C. They do not pollute at all

D. They are reliable

E. They are renewable

 Why has been the transition from fossil fuels
so slow?
A. Fossil fuels are a cleaner source

B. People are used to using them

C. They are cheaper

D. Technology has allowed to extract in areas previously thought impossible

E. All of the above

F. B, C and D are correct

 True or False?
1. Renewables are cheaper to set up and operate

2. Renewables are less reliable than fossil fuels

3. HEP is the cheapest source of renewable energy because it was discovered recently

4. Using renewable sources of energy may also lead to environmental damage

5. Right now we can use renewables in a large scale

Your local government is planning for the energy
usage in your town. He is trying to decide between
oil and HEP. You are an environmentalist
assessing your local government, what would be
your advice? Name some advantages and
disadvantages of using both sources.
 A word about
Nuclear Power…
More environmentally friendly than fossil fuels

But…

Radiation released in the nuclear process may be

harmful for the environment

There is no completely a safe way to dispose

nuclear waste

Risk of nuclear reactors exploding (Chernobyl,

1986) making a highly radioactive zone, unsafe
for living
Let’s complete a task!
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