solar energy and alternatives to fossil fuels

Unit 3 Exam Essays (48 points)

 

Notice that one of the most important issues in the entire text – solar energy and alternatives to fossil fuels – is under-represented in the questions found below. This is because Dr. Lewis’ presentation covered these topics.

 

 

Format: This Word document is already formatted correctly for spacing, width, and font type and font size. I’ve placed three “returns” or blank lines after each question, so you can place your cursor at the second “return” and begin to type; this will keep you within the 6-in margins and in proper format.

 

Do not bold or italicize your answers. Keep your answers left justified within the 6-inch text width and keep the single spacing. Do not indent your response. Points will be subtracted if I have to edit your document. It takes time to edit all your documents!

Citing your textbook: For most answers, you’ll be using your textbook, so it is only necessary to cite it once at the bottom of the document, but you must include page numbers after each answer. If you are using an older edition, you must indicate this in the citation.

For essay questions: You are graded for work completed on your own and using your own words. If you do choose to copy directly from your textbook, cite the page number and use quotation marks around copied sections. Failure to do so is plagiarism, which will result in a grade of zero. Use quotes sparingly, as they do not count toward your length requirement. I do not recommend finding your answers on the internet unless specified. It will lead to trouble. If you insist, please fully cite your references.

How much to write: You know how in-depth you must be by looking at the number of points assigned for each question. Use this generalization: 58 – 68 words per point, depending on how concise you are; so a 3-point question requires around 175-200 words to answer fully; a 5-point question requires around 290- 330 words. That’s about one-half page of text or more in this format.

 

 

Essay (29 points)

 

1. Summarize the benefits and drawbacks of The California Water Project. Include the effects of subsidizing this water transfer in California; irrigation; the effects of climate change; and any solutions. I know it’s hard, but please use your own words. (3 points)

 

 

 

2. Explain how wetlands filter waste (one of our natural services), and describe John Todd’s use of living machines to treat sewage. (Optional: What do you think or feel about that?) (3 points)

 

 

 

3. Describe the method of mountaintop removal coal mining and its harmful effects. (2 points)

 

 

 

4. Describe the methods and harmful effects of mining, refining, and transporting tar sands. (3 points)

 

 

 

5. Summarize the arguments of experts who disagree about the future of nuclear power. (3 points)

 

 

 

6. Summarize the studies, data, and arguments for using wind to produce electricity. (The new 15^th edition has published recent findings for wind power. Please state which edition you’re using.) (3 points)

 

 

 

 

Perverse Subsidies Critical Thinking (12 points total): Essays #7-10 are concerned with the negative effects of subsidies specifically and how they directly compound other problems, as covered throughout your book, and especially in Chapters 10-13. The questions are NOT asking for the many environmental and social problems associated with agriculture, mining, energy, etc. That would be a very long discussion! (Hint: Check “subsidies” in the Index at the back of your book. You can also reference the guest essay from TD Chapter 1 “Perverse Subsidies”.)

 

7. Describe how U.S. government perverse subsidies for agriculture (in general) and corn ethanol production (specifically) have negatively affected the environment and society in the U.S. and in other countries. (4 points)

 

 

 

8. Many argue that government freshwater subsidies promote the farming of unproductive land, stimulate local economies, and help to keep food and electricity prices low. Do you think this is reason enough for governments to continue providing subsidies to farmers and cities to keep the price of freshwater low? Explain. (2 points)

 

 

 

9. Describe the conventional view of the relationship between the supply of a mineral and its market price. Explain why some economists believe this relationship no longer applies. (3 points)

 

 

 

10. Describe the harmful consequences of U.S. government subsidies for oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear power (nonrenewable energy resources). (3 points)

 

 

 

 

 

Short answer (19 points) “Short answers” are not essays, so if you are asked for a list, it is ok to copy from your text or text figures. However, give edition and page numbers. Older editions may have a different number of factors.

 

11. List the 14 factors that highlight the major differences between industrialized agriculture and organic agriculture, according to your textbook figure. (2 points)

 

 

 

12. List the harmful environmental effects contributing to natural capital degradation due to food production, according to your textbook’s “Natural capital degradation” figure. (Depending on the edition, there are 19 – 23 factors in 5 categories.) (2 Points)

 

 

 

13. Evidence indicates that pesticides have not consistently reduced U.S. crop losses due to pests, according to insect ecologist David Pimentel. What three conclusions did he draw from analyzing the data? (1 point)

 

 

 

14. List and give a short description of 7 alternatives to synthetic pesticides. (2 points)

 

 

 

15. List the 10 ways to reduce water use and waste according to your textbook “Individuals Matter” figure. (1 point)

 

 

 

16a) List the 8 ways to reduce water pollution according to your textbook “Solutions” figure. (0.5 points)

 

 

 

16b) What can you do (6 actions) to reduce water pollution according to your textbook “Individuals Matter” figure? (0.5 points)

 

 

 

17. 17. List the 24 ways you can save energy and money where you live, according to your textbook figure “Individuals Matter” (the figure showing the rooms in a house). (3 points)

 

 

 

18. What is net energy yield and why is it important? (1 point)

 

 

 

Matching – Choose the best answer from the selections below and place the correct letter in the blank. (6 points total)

 

Rocks

 

1. metamorphic b. igneous             c. coal              d. limestone
2. mantle f. lithosphere g. asthenosphere

 

19. ____ Tectonic plates move extremely slowly atop this zone of hot, partly melted flowing pliable rock.
20. ____ Granite is an example of this type of rock
21. ____ Slate and marble are examples of this type of rock.
22. ____ a type of sedimentary rock most likely to be formed from compacted shells and skeletons.
23. ____ is most likely to be formed from compacted plant remains.

 

 

Energy

 

1. “clean coal” b. natural gas c. nuclear power (fission)
2. cogeneration e. solid biomass f. hydropower             g. superinsulation

 

24. ____ The leading renewable energy resource used to produce electricity in the world today
25. ____ The cleanest burning alternative among the fossil fuels, having just one carbon atom in its chemical structure (as opposed to octane, for example, which has 8 carbons)
26. ____ One of the disadvantages of producing energy by burning this fuel is the clear-cutting of trees and plants that can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of habitat.
27. ____ Industries financed a publicity campaign touting the benefits of this; however, the campaign is misleading because there will always be some associated environmental damage.
28. ____ An energy resource that has a low net energy yield for electricity and space heating, enormous costs that further reduce its already low net energy yield, uses a nonrenewable source of fuel, and also generates hazardous waste as a by-product of its use
29. ____ Uses a combined heat and power (CHP) system to save energy
30. ____ Swedish homes that have this use approximately 90% less energy for heating and cooling compared to the typical American home.

 

 

Extra credit 1: Describe the process of removing tightly held natural gas through horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking). (1 point) What are the emerging harmful environmental and social effects of fracking? Only in your own words, please, but you may do additional internet research, with source citations. (Up to 3 points)

 

 

 

Extra credit 2: Critical thinking

Dr. Nathan Lewis and other experts have said that using solar energy to electrolyze water to make hydrogen currently seems most promising. The electrolysis (splitting) of water produces hydrogen which can be used as a fuel. However, it requires an input of energy, giving hydrogen a negative net energy. It is often produced from coal or nuclear power. Explain how producing hydrogen with solar energy might offset the disadvantages of hydrogen as fuel. (Up to 3 points)

 

 

 

Don’t forget textbook citation here