Global Sustainability

What are renewable resources?

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Renewable resources are those which can be naturally regenerated as they are used. Renewable energy is sustainable - something that can’t run out, such as sunlight.

Types of renewable resources

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Oil

Coal

Uranium

Natural Gas

Oil, natural gas, and coal are called fossil fuels. Fossil fuels formed under the Earth’s surface from dead animals and plants over millions of years.

1. What are fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are formed from the decomposition of buried carbon-based organisms that died millions of years ago.

2. How many types of fossil fuels are there?

3. How much of electricity usage is currently based on fossil fuels?

80%

4. Fossil fuels are rich in what element?

Carbon

5. What was coal formed from?

Plants

6. Fossil fuels are classified as nonrenewable because they.......

take millions of years to replace

What is Ethanol?

Ethanol, which is sometimes known as ethyl alcohol, is a kind of alcohol derived from corn, sugarcane, and grain or indirectly from paper waste.

It’s also the main type of alcohol in most alcoholic beverages obtained as a result of fermentation of a mash of grains (gin, vodka, and whiskey) or sugarcane (rums). It’s also a source of fuel commonly blended with gasoline to oxygenate the fuel at the gas pump. Ethanol fuel can also be used on its own to power vehicles.

Advantages

Ethanol Fuel is Cost-effective Compared to Other Biofuels
Ecologically Effective
Helps Reduce Global warming
Easily Accessible
Minimizes Dependence on Fossil Fuels
Contributes to Creation of Employment to the Country
Opens up Untapped Agricultural Sector
Ethanol Fuel is a Source of Hydrogen
Variety of Sources of Raw Material
Ethanol is Classifi ed as a Renewable Energy Source

Disadvantages

Biodiesel

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the nation’s first domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel.
New land is not required for biodiesel production. Instead, this advanced biofuel uses readily available, diverse resources.

Environmental benefits of Biodiesel

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Reduces lifecycle greenhouse gases by 86 percent.

Lowers particulate matter by 47 percent, reduces smog and makes our air healthier to breathe.

Reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 67 percent.

For every unit of fossil energy it takes to produce biodiesel, 3.5 units of renewable energy are returned, the best of any U.S. fuel.

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Fertilisers and pesticides are used when growing biofuel plants, these lead to the creating of carbon dioxide, which contribute to greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases affect global warming and the ozone layer.

It can take up to 84 times more water to produce biofuels than mine fossil fuels.