Renewable Energy

July 2024: Switching to Renewable Energy

Resolved: Switching to “Renewable Energy” would be desirable.
It is estimated that 90 per cent of the world's electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050 (UN.org, Oct. 2022)

BACKGROUND:

Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources that can be replenished, like the sun, wind, water, and the Earth’s heat. Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which can run out, renewable energy sources are always available. Fossil fuels are a major problem because when they are burned for energy, they release harmful gases into the air. These gases contribute to global warming and cause health problems. Mining and drilling for fossil fuels also damage the environment, leading to deforestation, oil spills, and destruction of natural habitats. Renewable energy can help reduce or eliminate these problems. Solar and wind power do not produce harmful gases, making the air cleaner and healthier to breathe. Hydropower and geothermal energy are also clean sources that do not contribute to air pollution.
Those in favor of renewable energy believe… it can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, protect the environment, and improve public health.
Those who oppose renewable energy believe… it can be too expensive to set up and may not always provide a steady supply of energy.

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy is energy that we get from natural sources like the sun (solar power), wind (wind power), water (hydropower), and the heat from inside the Earth (geothermal energy). These sources can be used over and over again and do not run out.

Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas that come from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried for millions of years. When burned, they release harmful gases, contributing to pollution and climate change. Unlike renewable energy, fossil fuels can run out.

Renewable Energy (PRO)

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power do not produce harmful gases. This means the air we breathe is cleaner and healthier. Cleaner air helps reduce health problems like asthma and other respiratory issues. Using renewable energy helps keep the environment clean and safe for people, plants, and animals.

Sources like the sun and wind will never run out. This means we can use them forever without worrying about depletion. Renewable energy is always available and reliable. Unlike fossil fuels, we do not have to worry about running out of resources.

Renewable energy does not harm the land, water, or animals. It helps preserve natural habitats and keeps ecosystems healthy. Using renewable energy reduces the damage to our planet. This helps protect wildlife and natural resources for future generations.

Renewable energy reduces the amount of carbon dioxide and other harmful gases in the atmosphere. This helps slow down global warming and climate change. By using renewable energy, we can protect the environment and create a more stable climate for future generations.

The renewable energy industry creates many new jobs in different areas like manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. These jobs help boost the economy and provide employment opportunities for many people. Renewable energy projects can also bring development to rural and underdeveloped areas.

Renewable Energy (CON)

Setting up renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines can be very expensive. The cost for technology, installation, and building everything needed is high. This makes it hard for some places to afford renewable energy.

Renewable energy depends on natural resources like sunlight and wind, which are not always available. For example, solar power cannot be generated at night or on cloudy days, and wind power needs wind. This can make the energy supply unreliable.

Some renewable energy projects need a lot of land. For instance, big solar farms and wind farms take up a lot of space. This can lead to conflicts over land use and may affect local wildlife and nature.

Renewable energy projects, like wind farms, can harm animals. Wind turbines can be dangerous for birds and bats, and hydropower projects can disrupt fish and other aquatic life. These effects need to be managed carefully to protect wildlife.

While renewable energy sources like the sun or wind are plentiful, the materials needed to make the technology can be limited. For example, special metals used in solar panels and batteries, called rare earth elements are not easy to find and can be hard to get. This can cause problems in making and using renewable energy technologies.

REQUIRED RESEARCH (VIDEOS & ARTICLES)

Please watch all of the required videos (& take notes) before arriving at the first meeting. Please notice that there is a link to PDFs for the ‘required’ reading so that you can read the original or the simplified version. Grades 1-3 should only read the simplified version. [WeTransfer (All Required Research)]

Required Research (Videos):

We WILL Fix Climate Change!,
Kurzgesagt, April 5, 2022 [14 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxgMdjyw8uw

Fossil Fuels 101,
Student Energy, May 17, 2015 [3 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaXBVYr9Ij0

Climate 101: Renewable Energy Explained,
National Geographic, June 21, 2024 [3 min]
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/climate-101-renewable-energy/

Why the US isn’t ready for clean energy,
Vox, September 21, 2021 [7 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3ScJ_FwaZk

Required Research (Articles):

What Is Climate Change?,
United Nations, Last Accessed: July 2024
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

What is Renewable Energy?,
United Nations, Last Accessed: July 2024
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-renewable-energy
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

Renewable Energy – Powering a Safer Future,
United Nations, Last Accessed: July 2024
https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/raising-ambition/renewable-energy
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

Climate 101: Renewable Energy Explained,
National Geographic, June 21, 2024
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/renewable-energy-explained/
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

OPTIONAL RESEARCH (ARTICLES & VIDEOS)

Please consider watching/reading the following research areas in order to prepare for upcoming events.

Optional Pro & Con Research
(Videos):

[Video] Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy,
Dynamic Earth Learning, February 17, 2021 [3 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asqNgXMmiXM

[Video] Advantages & Disadvantages of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy, Physics Partner, May 19, 2023 [6 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A19XyTGPlQ

Optional Pro & Con Research
(Articles):

[Article] Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy,
IBM, March 18, 2024
https://www.ibm.com/blog/renewable-energy-advantages-disadvantages/
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

[Article] Solar Energy Pros & Cons: The Advantages And Disadvantages,
Forbes, June 24, 2024
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/solar/solar-energy-pros-cons/
Download: [Original (PDF)] or [Simplified (PDF)].

Additional Optional Research (Articles & Videos)

[Video] 1 Degree Warmer: Could Just One Degree Change the World?,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_ZQRIsn2pA

[Video] 2 Degrees Warmer: Ocean Life in Danger,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-0_gDXqYeQ

[Video] 3 Degrees Warmer: Heat Wave Fatalities,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdLu7wiZOE

[Video] 4 Degrees Warmer: Great Cities Wash Away,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skFrR3g4BRQ

[Video] 5 Degrees Warmer: Civilization Collapses,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nRf2RTqANg

[Video] 6 Degrees Warmer: Mass Extinction?,
National Geographic, January 29, 2008 [2 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8qmaAMK4cM

[Video] Renewable Energy Sources,
Smile and Learn, May 26, 2020 [3 min]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Giek094C_l4

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH (Evidence & Outlines)

We provide students with some sample evidence and/or outlines to help them prepare for any upcoming events. This research can be copied word-for-word, or can be modified to fit the students needs. Copying these and other outlines is proper (it’s not cheating). I hope they are useful for you.

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