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Energy Potential a Guide for Teaching Energy in Grades 3 to 8 Environmental CHAPTER 4 Impacts of Energy by Jose Marcos-Iga and Tania T

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Energy Potential a Guide for Teaching Energy in Grades 3 to 8 Environmental CHAPTER 4 Impacts of Energy by Jose Marcos-Iga and Tania T ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY TEACHER GUIDE SERIES Energy Potential A Guide for Teaching Energy in Grades 3 to 8 Environmental CHAPTER 4 Impacts of Energy by Jose Marcos-Iga and Tania T Hinojosa nergy is part of the natural we do, from driving a car to cooking In this chapter, we will explore the world—it occurs everywhere, in a meal to making a phone call, and environmental impacts of energy E every environment. As described we have weaved energy into our lives harvesting and use, from well-known previously, virtually all energy on our so seamlessly that it would seem as if fossil fuels to less-known effects of other, planet comes from the sun. This energy it has always been there for us to use. more sustainable, renewable sources of is transformed as it moves from one Human energy extraction has many energy, such as wind and hydropower. system to another and from one cycle consequences throughout the Earth to the next—powering everything from system. This use of energy may create a Energy Extraction: the water cycle to wind and tides to ripple effect into all dimensions of our Bringing the Planet all life on Earth. The food chain is a environment, affecting not only animals Out of Balance manifestation of the flow of energy from and plants and whole ecosystems, but Virtually all energy sources require one living thing to another. also our own health and survival. humans to modify their environment Humans are part of this system, but Oil spills, air pollution, watershed to gain access to them. The impact that we are different from other living things alteration, desertification, and each of these extraction practices have in that we have learned to harness and ultimately, global climate change are on our planet depends on the energy transform energy, mostly in the form of all consequences of human extraction source itself. Nonrenewable resources, electricity, to power our modern lives. of resources for the generation of such as fossil fuels, tend to have a We use energy for every single thing electricity and other energy forms. bigger impact because we are required 64 Environmental Impacts of Energy GRADE STANDARD EEI UNIT benefits and trade-offs, and these vary depending upon geographic region. In Grade 3 3 3 d Living Things in Changing Environment the following pages, we explore some 3 1 2 The Geography of Where We Live of the environmental impacts of these 3 5 1-3 California Economy—Natural Choices different energy sources. Grade 4 4 1 5 Reflections of Where We Live Nonrenewable Grade 5 Resources: Grade 6 6 6 a Energy: It’s Not All the Same to You! Pros and Cons Oil Extraction. As the top consumer Grade 7 of oil, the United States uses it for everything from transportation to home Grade 8 8 5 c 8 6 1 heating to electricity generation, as well 8 12 1 Agricultural and Instustrial Development in the as to make products such as plastics and United States fertilizers. Also known as petroleum, oil is a fossil fuel produced from the to extract the resources from deep environments, such as the solar decomposition of organic materials over underground and transform them from radiation reaching Earth’s surface or millions of years. To get to it, we have to a stored form of carbon into gases that the natural movement of wind. Yet, access underground reservoirs, in many enter our atmosphere. Most renewable even these energy resources have cases having to drill up to 30,000 feet to resources, except for biomass, provide environmental impacts. The most reach oil deposits. a readily available source of energy important idea to consider is that The environmental effects of oil that we simply harness from natural virtually every energy resource has drilling and refining vary depending CHAPTER OVERVIEW Humans in the 21st century are incredibly dependent upon electricity, Case Study: which is generated from a variety of energy resources. Each energy source Pros and Cons has its advantages and drawbacks, from how we obtain them and convert of ANWR Drilling 67 them to electricity to the wastes that result. Pictures of Practice: Energy From Biofuels 73 There are many costs to using nonrenewable resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity production. Drilling or mining for these fossil Student Thinking: Trade-offs of Energy 74 fuels can upset land and water resources and habitats and result in the release of pollutants. Burning fossil fuels also releases greenhouse gases, Case Study: contributing to climate change. Many of these activities impact safety and Future of the Desert Tortoise 75 health of both natural and human communities. Student Thinking: Greenhouse Gases 77 Renewable energy resources also have their costs and benefits. Wind turbines do not emit greenhouse gases but can be dangerous to birds and In the Classroom: Cleaning up an Oil Spill 80 bats. Hydropower is also a clean energy source, but dam construction affects land and freshwater species. Nuclear power is clean-burning, but Case Study: waste products from these power plants are very dangerous and remain The Santa Barbara Oil Spill 81 active for thousands of years. Pictures of Practice: This chapter explores the environmental impacts and trade-offs of Impacts of Using Energy 82 different energy sources. Environmental Impacts of Energy 65 on the type of extraction and transportation methods used. Oil wells are a source of the powerful greenhouse gas methane, which is trapped in the oil reserves and released into the atmosphere during extraction. After the extraction, crude oil is transported to a refinery, where it is processed and refined, removing some of the impurities, such as nitrogen and sulfur. The final products are usable forms of petroleum, including gasoline, propane, kerosene, diesel, and jet fuels. Oil is These oil refineries in Chalmette, Louisiana, represent the typical landscape in an transported from the refinery to its final oil-industry region, especially along the Gulf coast. destination. The machinery used during the drilling, refining, and transporting to the watershed is in the form of Coal Mining. At this point in history of oil also uses fossil fuels to run, which contamination, both to groundwater and after extensive public discussion in gives off greenhouse gas emissions. As with oil from the well and to the surface America and around the globe on the people burn these fuels during activities water from polluted runoff coming effects of greenhouse gases on climate such as driving cars, carbon dioxide and from the extraction area. Water is also change, your students might be well other greenhouse gases are released into used during several steps of the refining aware of the impact of burning coal as a the air. process, and the resulting wastewater source of energy. But they might not be Students may not be aware of the is then released into streams. In most as aware of the environmental impacts role of water in energy production. cases this wastewater is treated to involved in other parts of the process Production of energy not only requires meet Clean Water Act standards. The of coal extraction and use—more significant amounts of water, but also wastewater sludge and other solid specifically, mining. water systems are also impacted by waste produced during oil refining One of the most direct and obvious energy extraction methods. During contain high levels of toxic and metal impacts of coal extraction, especially the oil drilling phase, water is required compounds that must be carefully in open-pit mining, is the large area to remove any obstructing materials disposed (Environmental Protection of land disturbed in the process. from the well. A bigger impact Agency 2007). When dust and other pollutants enter an ecosystem, it changes the chemistry of the air, soil, and water, Teaching making the environment potentially uninhabitable by native organisms. Tip One type of coal-mining practice that is particularly invasive is mountaintop Your students likely know that burning fossil fuels produces “pollution” removal. Mountaintop removal is or “bad gases,” but they may need additional help understanding carbon a form of surface mining in which dioxide as a gas, how it comes from burning fuels, and what happens when entire mountain summits and ridges too much enters our atmosphere. You may consider showing the following are removed to reach coal seams. This series of short clips from National Public Radio (NPR), Global Warming, type of mining is mostly contested It’s All About Carbon, that discusses carbon and its role in global warming: because it damages the physical http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9943298 landscape and makes mountains Consider watching only one or a few at a time, depending on where you are unsightly. However, the water and air in your discussion of carbon and greenhouse gases. Be certain to discuss quality in these areas is also affected, each clip before moving on to the next one. and the biodiversity in local deciduous forests is threatened. Lastly, another form of land disturbance that occurs 66 Environmental Impacts of Energy Pros and Cons of ANWR Drilling ach energy source has E environmental impacts, but the environment is not the only dimension considered by decision makers when defining policy. Costs to the environment, costs to local cultures and communities, and financial investments and gains, influence the This map shows the location of the Arctic National decision-making process. Approaching any of these Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroelum energy sources through the analysis of pros and cons is Reserve-Alaska (NPRA) on the northern slope of Alaska. an excellent way to help your students understand the ANWR.
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