Introduction to Environmental Science

Test Unit: Resources and Impact- Harnessing Energy and Its Impacts

Great news! Space exploration has led to the discovery of an Earth-like planet just a galactic hop, skip and a jump away from where we sit on this one. This previously undiscovered neighbor (you would think we would have noticed it by now) has many of the same natural resources, geologic formations and climates as we do on Earth AND it's uninhabited. Jackpot!

One of the first orders of business for the High Council of Earthling Relocation is to decide on an energy profile so that we can begin to build the infrastructure that we will need to support our lifestyle on our new planet. This means considering the energy sources that are available and deciding what and how much we will use of each. The Council has three broad goals:

1. Provide enough energy that Earthlings can maintain a high quality of life on our new planet.

2. Knowing what we know now about environmental destruction, try to provide this energy in such a way that damage to the environment is minimized.

3. Provide energy in such a way that human health is preserved.

Potential energy resources we are aware of so far include:

Bodies of water including oceans, rivers, and lakes

Fossil fuels: Coal, oil and natural gas

Sun

Plant-life of many varieties

Radioactive uranium

Wind currents

Heat deep within the Earth

As an Earthling who is to be relocated, our input is valuable. The Council would like your input in creating and energy plan. Your plan must be well-researched and thoughtful. Your plan should describe at a minimum, your top two energy preferences and the two energy resources that you are the most opposed to. For each of the four (the two best and the two worst), you should answer the following questions:

1. Relate the type of power to the reciprocal relationship idea: How does the Earth provide? How do we make decision with that provision to have an impact on the natural world? How does that impact come back to have an effect on us?

2. When is it sustainable?

3. What is the technology level required?

4. Can we use it on a large scale?

5. Is it economically feasible?

6. Is it socially equitable?

Also, you should give the resources for the information that you have used to make your decision.