Doing everything requires some amount of energy be it moving, walking, talking even in thinking.Energy is required in every life form. Without energy nothing could have been possible and we could have stayed in the stone age. The primary source of energy is the natural resources in human activities.
What are the Energy Resources ?
Energy is the capacity to do work which is required for evolution of life forms on earth as well as for life processes . Also energy resources are termed as something that can produce heat, move objects, power life or produce electricity. Energy is stored in matter which is termed as fuel . With the increasing population and evolution as well as technological advancement human energy consumption has grown steadily . In today's society, humans consume as much as about 110 times as early humans because early humans had modest energy requirements, which mostly included food and fuel for fires to cook and keep warm .
There are two types of Energy resources : Nonrenewable and renewable. A Non-renewable resource is that natural substance which cannot be replenished with the speed at which it is consumed, such as fossil fuels and nuclear material, are removed from the earth and can be depleted. These resources have been the most used type of energy resource in the modern era. While the Renewable resources are those whose supply replenishes naturally or can be sustained eg the sunlight used in solar power and the wind used to power wind turbines replenish themselves
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What are Some Environmental Impacts
All energy sources whether its renewable or nonrenewable have some impact on our environment but non-renewable resources such as Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—do substantially more harm than renewable energy sources by most measures, including air and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife and habitat loss, water use, land use, and global warming emissions ultimately triggering to climate change, poor air quality, soil erosion ,water contamination ,etc
Renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower also have significant environmental impacts upto some extent.
Understanding and analyzing the major potential environmental issues associated with each renewable energy source, steps can be taken accordingly to avoid or minimize these impacts as they become a larger portion of our electric supply.
There are various factors governing the type and intensity of environmental impact depending upon the geographical location ,technology used ,etc
Some of the Major Environmental Issues Caused By Energy Resources are as Follows:
The non-renewable resources such as coal and petroleum cause harm to the environment in the form of air and water pollution, generation of toxic wastes, etc. Coal gives out sulphur as emissions which harm the trees as well as , their extraction plants contaminate rivers and lakes thus affecting the aquatic ecosystem adversely.
The production and usage of oil releases CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Wind energy is among most abundant, inexhaustible, and affordable, energy resources which makes it a viable and large-scale alternative to fossil fuels but despite its vast potential of wind energy , there are a variety of environmental impacts associated with wind power generation that must be recognized and evaluated accordingly .The major environmental impacts associated with wind power include land use issues and challenges to wildlife and habitat.
Solar energy , the sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity but there are various environmental impact associated with it also such as land use and habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing ,etc. The types of impacts mainly depends upon the scale of the system and the technology used—photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants.
Biomass power plants involve the combustion of a feedstock to generate electricity. Thus, biomass plants raise concerns about air emissions and water use as fossil fuel plants.
Natural gas releases oxides of nitrogen and even methane when which affect people and animals that use water from the affected water bodies.
FAQs on Energy-Resources and Environmental-impacts
1. What are energy resources and how are they classified?
Energy resources are materials or phenomena that can be used to produce energy, such as heat, electricity, or mechanical power. As per the CBSE syllabus, they are broadly classified into two main categories:
- Renewable Resources: These are sources that replenish themselves naturally over a short period. Examples include solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass.
- Non-renewable Resources: These are finite resources that are consumed much faster than they are formed. Fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the most common examples, along with nuclear fuels like uranium.
2. What is the fundamental difference between renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
The fundamental difference lies in their rate of replenishment. Renewable resources, such as sunlight and wind, are virtually inexhaustible or can be replenished within a human lifespan. In contrast, non-renewable resources, like fossil fuels, were formed over millions of years and their reserves are limited. Once depleted, they cannot be replaced for future generations.
3. How does the burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum negatively impact the environment?
The combustion of fossil fuels has severe environmental consequences, which are a key focus in environmental studies. The main impacts include:
- Air Pollution: Releases harmful gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause respiratory problems and lead to acid rain.
- Global Warming: Produces large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
- Land Degradation: The mining and extraction processes can destroy habitats, pollute soil, and cause land subsidence.
- Water Pollution: Oil spills during transportation and extraction can devastate marine ecosystems.
4. Are renewable energy sources completely free of environmental impact?
This is a common misconception. While renewable energy sources are significantly cleaner than fossil fuels, they are not entirely free of environmental impact. For example:
- Hydroelectric Power: Building large dams can submerge vast areas of land, displacing communities and destroying ecosystems.
- Solar Power: The manufacturing of solar panels requires energy and uses certain hazardous materials, and large solar farms occupy significant land area.
- Wind Power: Wind turbines can pose a threat to bird populations and generate noise pollution for nearby residents.
5. Why is the transition to renewable energy sources considered crucial for a sustainable future?
Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial primarily for two reasons: energy security and environmental protection. Since non-renewable resources are finite, relying on them is unsustainable in the long run. Furthermore, the severe environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, particularly climate change, poses a global threat. Renewable sources offer a way to meet our energy needs while drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, aligning with global sustainability goals for the 2025-26 period and beyond.
6. What is nuclear energy and what is its main environmental challenge?
Nuclear energy is produced through a process called nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom (usually uranium) is split, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. While it doesn't produce greenhouse gases during operation, its primary environmental challenge is the management of radioactive waste. This waste remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years, and ensuring its safe, long-term disposal and storage is a complex technical and environmental problem.
7. Besides air pollution, what are other environmental impacts of extracting fossil fuels?
Beyond the widely known air pollution from burning them, the extraction phase of fossil fuels also causes significant environmental harm. Coal mining, for instance, can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and contamination of groundwater with heavy metals. Similarly, oil and gas drilling can disrupt terrestrial and marine habitats, and accidents can lead to catastrophic oil spills that poison water and kill wildlife, making extraction itself a major environmental concern.
8. How does a biogas plant work and what are its environmental benefits?
A biogas plant utilizes a process called anaerobic decomposition. Organic matter like animal dung, sewage, and agricultural waste is broken down by bacteria in the absence of oxygen inside a sealed container (digester). This process produces biogas, which is primarily a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. The environmental benefits are significant:
- It provides a clean, smoke-free cooking fuel, reducing indoor air pollution.
- It converts organic waste into a valuable resource.
- The leftover slurry is an excellent, nutrient-rich manure for crops.
