Deck 9: Energy Production: Our Sun-Ny Prospects Part III: Organizing a Sustainable Society

Question 1

Renewable (solar, wind, hydro, etc.) energy sources:

A) Could not come close to meeting the energy needs of humanity.
B) Could provide more energy than we need for the foreseeable future if we were to adequately invest in it today.
C) Could provide at best half of humanity's energy needs.
D) Actually have a larger carbon footprint than coal so we should not switch over.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

What is "clean" coal (as defined by the coal industry)?

A) Coal plants that utilize essentially any new technology to reduce emissions.
B) Coal plants that emit zero CO2 into the atmosphere.
C) Coal plants that rely upon solar energy to initial the combustion process.
D) All of the above.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What country is the number one consumer of energy today, on a per capita basis?

A) The United States.
B) Brazil.
C) China.
D) India.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

If the US wanted to initiate a policy to reduce automobile fuel consumption, which type of cars should be taken off the road and replaced with vehicles that get 10 percent better gas mileage?

A) Those that are real gas guzzlers (e.g., less than 10 mpg).
B) Those that get between 25 and 35 mpg.
C) Those getting more than 35 mpg.
D) We should target all cars equally because the savings would be the same.

Question 5

PM 10 stands for:

A) Cycles per motor per minute.
B) Particulate matter.
C) Fine particulate matter.
D) All of the above.

Question 6

A cost or benefit (typically used in reference to a "cost") or a product that is not transferred to its market price is:

A) Transfer market.
B) Internality.
C) Externality.
D) All of the above.

Question 7

To cut costs of production, layers of soil and rock are removed to reach coal seams by:

A) Deep mining methods.
B) Hydraulic fracturing.
C) Mountaintop removal mining.
D) All of the above.

Question 8

Technologies that improve the energy and environmental performance of coal-fired electricity plants are:

A) Utility efficiencies.
B) Good management protocols.
C) Clean coal technologies.
D) All of the above.

Question 9

What is referred to as the "real global warming culprit"?

A) C02.
B) Methane gas.
C) VOC.
D) All of the above.

Question 10

A policy measure to create disincentives surrounding the burning of fossil fuel (coal and oil) is:

A) Environmental regulation.
B) Carbon tax.
C) Clean coal technologies.
D) All of the above.

Question 11

Mountain top removal (for coal) has been illegal in the US for 50 years.

Question 12

Coal mining (of all forms) is on the decline in the US.

Question 13

While proponents of nuclear energy are correct in their assessment that nuclear power, during the energy generation phase, has a relatively small greenhouse gas footprint they are ignoring the fact that its lifecycle footprint is noticeably larger.

Question 14

Every hour roughly the energy equivalent of what human-kind uses in an entire year strikes the earth's surface as solar energy.

Question 15

We currently generate, on an annual basis, more than half of the world's energy needs from wind and solar.

Question 16

Private motor vehicles and home heating and cooling represent more than half of the energy consumed in the US by households.

Question 17

The United States is referred to as "the Saudi Arabia" of Natural Gas.

Question 18

Hydraulic fracturing is a sustainable method of energy drilling that does little harm to ground water and watershed resources in areas and states with natural gas reserves.

Question 19

Sun, wind and biomass-biofuels are examples of renewable energy sources.

Question 20

A feed in tariff is a policy tool that discourages electric utilities to purchase energy from renewable sources.

Question 21

Define "Fracking."

Question 22

Define carbon tax.

Question 23

According to the chapter, which two nations are the top energy consumers? Cite some facts from the chapter.

Question 24

Review the Fast Facts at the start of the chapter. Consider each carefully. Which fact is most compelling (surprising) to you and why?

Question 25

Which Fast Fact would you use to talk to and educate others about our current energy crisis? Why and what would you say?

Question 26

According to the chapter, coal fired energy leaves the biggest carbon footprint and is subsequently the biggest energy contributor to global warming. Explain this position in light of facts from the chapter. Use a 'life-cycle approach' when developing your answer.

Question 27

Natural gas is expected to increase as an energy source in the years ahead. Discuss some of the facts and other issues from the chapter surrounding natural gas as an energy source. Use a 'life-cycle approach' when developing your answer.

Question 28

Nuclear power may also become an alternative energy source to coal-fired energy. What would be some of the implications of this shift on the environment and society? Use a 'life-cycle approach' when developing your answer.

Question 29

Discuss the movement toward energy efficiency. How is this either the same or different from energy conservation and turning off the lights when you leave your room? Discuss with reference to the chapter.

Question 30

Discuss and compare renewable energy sources with nonrenewable energy sources. Heavily reference the chapter in your comparison and discussion.

Question 31

According to the chapter, what are some of the ways that we can incentivize (promote) the shift to cleaner, renewable forms of energy? Discuss at least two possible policy tools presented in the chapter.

Question 32

The process of shifting away from certain energy sources and toward others will create winners and losers as, for instance, jobs move out of one region and into another. What becomes of the "losers" in a so-called green economy (like rural mining communities)?

Question 33

I have had people tell me that even if "fracking" does negatively impact those living near wells we shouldn't place their interests above those of society. Some contaminated wells are a small price to pay for cheap, domestically produced energy, they tell me. What's your response to such a position?

Question 34

Why are governments not investing more in renewable R & D? Or should research into renewable energy be entirely left up to the private sector?

Question 35

Have you replaced all your old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs with newer, more efficient illuminants (like CFLs)? If not, why? What other steps to reduce your energy footprint have you yet to do? And why haven't you?