My phenomenal padlet by Daniel Alvarez

coal

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:25:01 UTC

(1)It also reduces water availability for basic residential needs and for agriculture, the main source of income for many poor families. Coal plants directly compete with farmers for scarce water resources, leading to political tensions and social unrest.

(2)Along with adding to greenhouse gas pollution, burning coal emits toxic and carcinogenic substances into our air, water and land, severely affecting the health of miners, workers and surrounding communities.

natural gas

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:28:24 UTC

(1)Methane leakage contributes to climate change, offsetting the benefits of lower CO2 emissions. Concern: Fracking can lead to water and land contamination, impacting local ecosystems. Concern: Non-renewable nature of natural gas delays the transition to renewable energy sources.

(2)Gas plants emit nitrogen oxides which increase smog and can cause respiratory problems for people living nearby. Using gas appliances at home creates indoor air pollution and can lead to asthma in children. Gas plants are often the top emitters of nitrogen oxides in communities.

nuclear energy

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:32:05 UTC

(1)However, the implementation of nuclear projects often raises social concerns about risks associated with possible releases of radioactivity in routine and accidental situations, radioactive waste disposal and nuclear weapons proliferation.

(2)A major environmental concern related to nuclear power is the creation of radioactive wastes such as uranium mill tailings, spent (used) reactor fuel, and other radioactive wastes. These materials can remain radioactive and dangerous to human health for thousands of years.

solar energy

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:34:22 UTC

(1)Solar energy is a renewable energy source, meaning you don't ever use it up. Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or other heat-trapping “greenhouse” gases. It avoids the environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels. Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar that is generated will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions like CO₂, as well as other dangerous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Solar also reduces water consumption and withdrawal.

wind energy

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:36:51 UTC

(1)Not only is wind an abundant and inexhaustible resource, but it also provides electricity without burning any fuel or polluting the air.Wind energy is a source of renewable energy. It does not contaminate, it is inexhaustible and reduces the use of fossil fuels, which are the origin of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming.Wind is the largest source of renewable electricity generation in the United States, providing 10.1% of the country's electricity and growing.

hydro power

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:57:49 UTC

Hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately, they provide essential backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Hydropower provides benefits beyond electricity generation by providing flood control, irrigation support, and clean drinking water.Most hydroelectricity is produced at large dams built by the federal government, and many of the largest hydropower dams are in the western United States. About one-half of total U.S. utility-scale conventional hydroelectricity generation capacity is concentrated in Washington, California, and Oregon.Hydropower is one of the oldest power sources on the planet, generating power when flowing water spins a wheel or turbine. It was used by farmers as far back as ancient Greece for mechanical tasks like grinding grain. Hydropower is also a renewable energy source and produces no air pollution or toxic byproducts.

electrical

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:57:53 UTC

Electricity is an essential part of modern life and important to the U.S. economy. People use electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, and refrigeration and for operating appliances, computers, electronics, machinery, and public transportation systems. Electric energy can be kinetic or potential. Examples of electrical energy include batteries, lightning, and electrical charges moving through a wire plugged into the wall socket to power electrical appliances such as televisions and computers.Electricity travels at the speed of light, which is 300,000 kilometers per second. That is why electrical shock or electrocution can happen so quickly. A single lightning bolt can measure up to three million volts and lasts less than a second. A spark of static electricity can measure up to 3,000 volts.

geothermal

30alvarezdaniel — 2023-11-30 00:58:25 UTC

Direct use of geothermal resources is the use of underground hot water to heat buildings, grow plants in greenhouses, dehydrate onions and garlic, heat water for fish farming, pasteurize milk, and for many other applications. Some cities pipe the hot water under roads and sidewalks to melt snow. Geothermal energy finds its way to the earth's surface in three ways: Volcanoes and fumaroles (holes in the earth where volcanic gases are released) Hot springs. Geysers.Geothermal energy is derived from the natural heat of the earth. It exists in both high enthalpy (volcanoes, geysers) and low enthalpy forms (heat stored in rocks in the Earth's crust).Geothermal energy is a renewable source which means it doesn't run out. This type of energy is continuously created beneath the Earth's surface from the heat generated by rocks. Water runs in a closed-loop system to the underground where the heating process takes place.