Page 569 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

• Oil and gas extraction exert various impacts, but directional Specify strategies for conserving energy and
drilling has eased them. (pp. 560–561) enhancing efficiency
• Energy conservation involves both personal choices and
Evaluate political, social, and economic aspects of efficient technologies. (p. 564)
fossil fuel use
• Efficiency in power plant combustion, lighting, and con-
• Fossil fuels impose external costs. (p. 561)
sumer appliances, as well as changes in public policy, can
• Fossil fuel extraction creates jobs but leaves pollution. help us conserve. (pp. 564–565)
People living in areas of fossil fuel extraction experience a • Automotive fuel efficiency plays a key role in conserving
range of consequences. (p. 561)
energy. (pp. 565–566)
• Today’s societies are so reliant on fossil fuel energy that • The rebound effect can partly negate our conservation
sudden restrictions in oil supplies can have major eco- efforts. (p. 566)
nomic consequences. (pp. 561–563)
• Conservation lengthens our access to fossil fuels and reduces
• Nations that consume far more fossil fuels than they pro- environmental impact, but to build a sustainable society we
duce are especially vulnerable to supply restrictions. will also need to shift to renewable energy sources. (p. 566)
(p. 562)

Testing Your Comprehension

1. Why are fossil fuels our most prevalent source of energy 6. How do we create petroleum products? Provide examples
today? Why are they considered nonrenewable sources of of several of these products.
energy? 7. What is meant by peak oil? Why do many experts think
2. Describe how net energy differs from energy returned on we are about to pass the global production peak for con-
investment (EROI). Why are these concepts important in ventional oil? What consequences could there be for our
the evaluation of energy sources? society?
3. How are fossil fuels formed? How do environmental con- 8. Describe three environmental impacts of fossil fuel pro-
ditions determine which type of fossil fuel is formed in a duction and consumption. Compare contrasting views
given location? Why are fossil fuels often concentrated in regarding the impacts of extracting oil from Alberta’s oil
localized deposits? sands and shipping it by pipeline to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
4. How do geologists find oil and gas deposits and estimate 9. Give an example of a clean coal technology. Now describe
amounts of oil or gas available? How do “technically how carbon capture and storage is intended to work.
recoverable” and “economically recoverable” amounts of 10. Describe one specific example of how technological
a resource differ? advances can improve energy efficiency. Now describe
5. Describe how coal is used to generate electricity. one specific action you could take to conserve energy.

Seeking Solutions

1. Summarize the main arguments for and against the 3. Compare the health and environmental effects of coal
Keystone XL pipeline extension. What problems might it extraction and consumption with those of oil and gas
help solve? What problems might it create? Do you per- extraction and consumption. What steps could govern-
sonally think Canada should continue to develop Alberta’s ments, industries, and individuals take to alleviate some
oil sands? Should the United States have approved con- of these impacts?
struction of the Keystone XL pipeline extension? Give 4. Contrast the experiences of the Ogoni people of Nigeria
reasons for your answers. with those of the citizens of Alaska. How have they been
2. What impacts might you expect on your lifestyle once our similar and different? Do you think businesses or govern-
society arrives at peak oil? What lessons do you think we can ments should take steps to ensure that local people benefit
take from the conservation methods adopted by the United from oil drilling operations? How could they do so?
States in response to the “energy crisis” of 1973–1974? 5. THINK IT THROUGH You have been elected governor of
What steps do you think we should take to avoid energy the state of Florida as the federal government is debat-
568 shortages in a post-peak-oil future? ing opening new waters to offshore drilling for oil and

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