ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Virtual Elementary School Analyzing the Long Term Impacts of Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources of Energy
Let’s imagine two cities: Sun City and Coalville. Each city uses a different type of energy. Sun City uses renewable energy, while Coalville uses non-renewable energy. Let’s explore how these choices affect each city and their environment over time.
Coalville relies on coal, a non-renewable energy source. Coal is cheap and easy to find, making it a popular choice for generating lots of energy. This energy powers the entire city and even allows Coalville to sell extra energy to another city. The coal industry also provides many jobs for the people living there.
However, using coal has some serious downsides. Burning coal causes air and water pollution, which can harm the environment and people’s health. It also releases carbon dioxide, a gas that contributes to global warming. To make space for the coal mine and refinery, Coalville had to destroy a forest, which is bad for the local ecosystem.
Sun City uses solar energy, which is a renewable resource. Solar panels capture energy from the sun, which is clean and sustainable. This means Sun City produces much less pollution compared to Coalville. Building the solar farm also created new jobs for the community.
But there are some challenges too. Sun City is smaller, and solar panels don’t produce as much energy as coal. They also don’t work at night, and installing them can be expensive at first.
Coalville is larger and benefits financially from selling extra energy. It provides many jobs but at the cost of harming the environment and contributing to pollution. On the other hand, Sun City is smaller and has higher initial costs for solar panels, but it creates jobs and uses a clean energy source, leading to less pollution.
Overall, Sun City is more sustainable. Choosing renewable energy, like Sun City, is better for the environment and society in the long run. It helps protect our planet and ensures a healthier future for everyone.
Imagine you are a city planner. Design a model of either Sun City or Coalville using materials like cardboard, paper, and markers. Include key features like solar panels or coal plants. Present your model to the class and explain why your city uses renewable or non-renewable energy.
Divide into two groups. One group will represent Sun City, and the other will represent Coalville. Prepare arguments for why your city’s energy choice is better. Hold a debate in class, discussing the pros and cons of renewable versus non-renewable energy sources.
Research different types of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Create a poster that highlights one renewable and one non-renewable energy source, including how they work, their benefits, and their drawbacks. Share your findings with the class.
Conduct a simple experiment to understand pollution. Use two jars: one with a lid and one without. Place a small amount of soil in each. Add a few drops of water to both and cover one jar. Observe over a week to see how pollution (represented by the closed jar) affects the environment.
Track your energy usage at home for a week. Identify ways to reduce energy consumption, such as turning off lights or using less water. Create a plan to save energy and share your strategies with the class. Discuss how these small changes can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
[Music] Let’s analyze two cities: Sun City and Coalville. One uses a renewable source of energy, while the other relies on a non-renewable source.
First, let’s look at Coalville. We’ll examine how Coalville uses coal energy and some long-term impacts of this choice on its society and environment. Coal is inexpensive and readily available, generating a significant amount of energy to power a large city. The mine and refinery create jobs for many residents, and Coalville also profits from selling excess energy to another city.
However, there are negative long-term impacts associated with coal usage. The coal industry has contributed to air and water pollution, and carbon dioxide emissions from coal contribute to global warming. Additionally, the city has destroyed a forest to establish the mine and refinery.
Now, let’s turn our attention to Sun City. We’ll explore how Sun City relies on solar energy and the long-term impacts of this renewable source on its society and environment. Solar panels harness energy from the sun, which is a sustainable resource. Sun City produces less pollution compared to Coalville, and the construction of the solar farm has created new jobs.
On the downside, Sun City is smaller, and solar panels generate less energy than fossil fuels. Energy production is also limited during nighttime, and the initial investment in solar panels can be high.
In summary, Coalville is larger, offers many jobs, and benefits financially from excess energy, but it has damaged the ecosystem and contributed to pollution. Sun City, while smaller and facing higher costs for solar panels, has created new jobs and utilizes a renewable energy source, resulting in less pollution.
Overall, Sun City is more sustainable. For the best long-term impact on society and the environment, choosing sustainable renewable energy, as Sun City has done, is the better option.
—
This version removes any informal language and maintains a neutral tone while summarizing the key points.
Energy – The ability to do work or cause change, such as moving an object or heating something. – Wind turbines convert wind into energy that can power homes and schools.
Pollution – Harmful substances that are released into the air, water, or soil, making them dirty and unsafe. – Factories must reduce pollution to keep our rivers clean and safe for fish.
Renewable – A resource that can be used repeatedly because it is naturally replenished. – Solar and wind power are examples of renewable energy sources.
Solar – Related to or using energy from the sun. – Solar panels on the roof help provide electricity for the entire school.
Coal – A black or brownish-black rock that is burned to produce energy. – Burning coal for energy can lead to increased air pollution.
Environment – The natural world, including the air, water, and land, in which people, animals, and plants live. – Protecting the environment is important for the health of all living things.
Sustainable – Using resources in a way that does not deplete them and can be maintained over time. – Sustainable farming practices help ensure that the soil remains fertile for future generations.
Ecosystem – A community of living organisms and their interactions with their environment. – The rainforest is a diverse ecosystem that is home to many unique species.
Jobs – Tasks or work that people do, often to earn money, which can also relate to environmental careers. – Many jobs in renewable energy focus on creating cleaner and more efficient ways to power our world.
Global Warming – The gradual increase in the Earth’s temperature due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. – Scientists are studying global warming to understand its impact on weather patterns and sea levels.
