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CURRENT ISSUE 2007
Alternative/Renewable Energy
Decisions about the production and use of energy are critical issues of environmental, economic and social policies and of individual choice. Decisions about sources and uses of energy are made not only in the halls of national and local governments, and in corporate boardrooms, but in private homes and individual minds. The environmental, economic and social outcomes of these choices will shape the future of our nation and our planet.
Efficient use of energy generated from traditional sources and the development of renewable energy resources are two aspects of energy policy which are currently the focus of extensive research by state and federal government agencies, academic institutions and private companies. The fund of knowledge is great, continues to grow, and offers a wealth of resources for an Envirothon competition.
The present generation of high school students will be asked to make difficult decisions about energy, both in matters of public environmental and economic policy and in matters of personal choices. Sustainable, renewable energy is a crucial and intrinsic element of sustainable development. Until energy needs are met by affordable, environmentally sound means, sustainable development efforts will be greatly hampered.
Providing a structure and materials for intensive investigation into energy resources and alternatives will help lead the way to a sustainable future.
Learning Objectives
*Correlated with the Academic Standards and Assessment Ancors for Environment and Ecology.
Students will comprehend long term and short term environmental, social, and economic considerations of energy production and usage. Students will be able to evaluate appropriate energy resource choices for a specific application.
After completing study on this issue, students will:
| 1. |
Identify various energy resources and the waste derived from the use of them. |
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| 2. |
Analyze and compare the various environmental impacts from various energy resources. |
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| 3. |
Explain basic facts about various renewable energy sources. |
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| 4. |
Research, compare and contrast traditional and emerging energy production resources and applications; focusing on the environmental implications of such production. |
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*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.10 C |
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| 5. |
Identify the organizations (and their roles) and the processes involved in making energy decisions in Pennsylvania and globally.. |
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| 6. |
Describe the interactions among society, technology, and use of energy sources. |
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| 7. |
Identify technologies created as a result of society's concern for dwindling non-renewable energy resources (e.g., electric cars, biodiesel). |
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| 8. |
Recoginze that raw materials come from natural resources by identifying resources used to provide humans with energy. |
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*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.7 A |
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| 9. |
Examine the renewbility of resources by identifying renewable resources and describing their uses, as well as comparing the time spans of renewability of fossil fuels and alternative fuels/energy. |
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*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.7 B |
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| 10. |
Explain that renewable and nonrenewable resources supply energy and materials by identifying alternative sources of energy and identifying and comparing fuels used in industrial and agricultural societies.. |
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*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.10 A, C
*4.8 Humans and the Environment - 4.8.10 C |
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| 11. |
Analyze how man-made systems have impacted the management and distribution of natural resources. Relate energy systems to corresponding natural resources in Pennsylvania. Analyze energy uses and energy conservation in different regions as well as the costs and benefits of different energy systems and how they use renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.. |
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*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.10 C
*4.8 Humans and the Environment - 4.8.10 C |
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Assessment Anchors |
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S11.B.3.3 - Explain how human-made systems impact the management and distribution of natural resources. Describe different human-made systems and how they use renewable and nonrenewable natural resouces. Compare and contrast the impact of management practices in meeting the need for commodities locally and globally. |
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S11.C.2.2 - Demonstrate that different ways of obtaining, transforming, and distributing energy have different environmental consequences. |
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S11.D.1.2 - Analyze how human-made systems impact the management and distribution of natural resources. |
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